Around 320 BCE Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire which at one time covered almost all parts of the Indian subcontinent including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Balochistan. With the help of his chief minister, Chakanya (Kautilya), Chandragupta formed a strong army. He laid down the foundation of the Mauryan Empire by overthrowing the Nandas in Magadha (Southern Bihar).
Chandragupta kept expanding his kingdom either through force or by establishing alliances. His son, Bindusara assumed power around 300 BCE and he further extended the kingdom by conquering some of the South Indian states. Around 268 BCE Bindusara’s son Ashoka was crowned as the new king, who is known to be the fiercest king in the Mauryan Empire. His ambition was to expand the kingdom even further but after a gruesome battle with the state of Kalinga, he had a change of heart. He renounced war and started following Buddhism.
Ashoka went on pilgrimages to several Buddhist sites and erected monasteries and large stone pillars in all parts of Asia to promote the Buddhist principles of peace, non-violence, and compassion. After Ashoka’s death, the Mauryan Empire could stand only for another 50 years or so.