The Maurya Empire (मौर्य राजवंश) was the first great unified empire of India . Ruled by the Maurya dynasty, it lasted from 320 BC. C. up to 185 a. C. (probable dates), dominating all of northern and central India and some regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan .

Originated from the kingdom of Magadha in the plains of the Indo-Ganges basin in the modern city of Bihar and Bengal , with its capital Pataliputra (near modern Patna ), the Empire was founded in 321 BC. C. by Chandragupta Maurya , who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and began to expand its power through central and western India.