18. The Maurya Empire
The Maurya Empire is one of ancient India, which lasted from 326-184 BCE. The Maurya Empire holds the title as the largest to ever exist on the Indian continent residing over five million square kilometers and was founded by Chandragupta Maurya—the first emperor to unify north and south India into one consolidated state. Before Maurya, India was divided into sixteen mahajanapada’s, or kingdoms, and during his rule the Empire had an extensive army. During the time of the Empire, internal and external trade was at an all time high and all agricultural and economic activities thrived—creating a happy economic state for the people.
Throughout its lifespan the Empire is estimated to have had a population of 60 million and with that many people it’s fascinating that it maintained peace for nearly half a century after the Kalinga War and under Ashoka, one of Chandragupta’s successors. After Ashoka came another 50 years of the Dynasty’s rule until general Pushyamitra Shunga took over and created the Shunga Dynasty.