The Mauryan Empire started from Magadha was founded in 321 BC by Chandra gupta Maurya. Mudrarakshasha written by Vishakadatta beautifully summarizes the rise of Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya. Chandragupta Maurya patronized Jainism.Pataliputra, was the capital of Mauryan Empire.
The sources for the evidence of Mauryan dynasty was in two types: they are literary and archeological sources. The literary sources are:
1. Indica wrote by Magasthenes. It explains the military administration, social aspects and administration of the dynasty.
2. Arthashastra by Kautilya. It is a collection of 15 books. It says about the king and his council of ministers, civil and criminal law, diplomacy and war.
Then the second source was archeological sources, it contains;
1. Edicts- Rock edicts of Ashoka, kalinga edicts and minor rock edict.
2. Pillar edicts- Ashokan pillar at Rummindei, Lumbini pillar, in Nepal. It shares about the Ashoka's travel to Buddhist holy places.