MAURYAN EMPIRE - INTRODUCTION

There were significant changes seen in greater parts of North India in the period from 6th century BC to late 4th century BC. The emergence of territorial polities , the formation of urban centres , the growing power of one of the mahajanpadas (namely Magadha), and the attending socio-economic changes , and the increasing appeal of several heterodox groups (especially ,Buddhism and Jainism ) and the claim of social supremacy of the Brahmanas.

The most apparent change was in the arenas of politics ; a substantial part of North India – the Ganga valley – came under the authority of Magadha. The most formidable power in North India was the Magadha under the rule pof Nanda Dynasty at the time of Alexander’s invasion of India .

The rise of Magadha that began in the 6th century BC reached its peak during the suceeding century and a quarter.