The Mauryan Empire is one of the empires that have had a strong effect on the socio-political formation of their countries. During Ashoka’s reign, this empire had great impacts on the social and religious outfits of, not only India but also other neighbors like Greece, China, and Sri Lanka. It is therefore evident to say that Ashoka’s reign changed the administrative and religious system of India. Background of Indian culture before Mauryan Empir e India was a region that culturally depended on the Buddhist and Jainism teachings which dictated all aspects of their relationships. It was from these laws that leaders governed their subjects. These social cultural and political norms of India were based on the teachings of Dharma, Artha, Karma , and Moksha . These teachings, therefore, dictated the normal lives of India until the invasion of Alexander the Great who brought with him new systems of governance. In the year 327 BC, India experienced defeat that subjected most of its kingdoms under the power of Alexander the Great. After several years of exploits in India, Alexander eventually made a decision to leave India under the governorship of Seleucus. What caused his withdrawal was not defeated from Indian fighters but it was the dissatisfaction of his own soldiers. Though India remains under the rule of Greece for the next 20 years, one of India’s greatest empires is born during this period. This is the Mauryan Empire (history world parag. 1) The seizure of the Nanda dynasty’s throne marked the beginning of the Mauryan Empire. The founder, Chandragupta Maurya defeated his enemies to expand his kingdom. After the withdrawal of Alexander, Maurya defeated his general, Seleucus Nicator to conquer part of what had now become a possession of Alexander the Great. Most of this land was ceded to Chandragupta in exchange for 500 elephants thus expanding his empire further. It was after this conquest that there arose a friendship between the ruler of the empire and the governor leading them to sign a treaty of alliance (Draper parag. 2). The kingdom then stayed for a century being ruled by different other kings among them Ashoka. This king ruled the kingdom between 232 BC and 268 BC. The Span of the Mauryan Empire Map Showing the Mauryan Empire – 300 B.C (Kamat’s Potpourri). Ashoka was the son of Bindusara who was the son of Chandragupta. He was born in a family that consisted of 101 sons who were always in a fight aimed at gaining the favor of their father who was the king. Later, Ashoka was appointed the governor of Ujjain and Taxilla which were considered among the most troublesome regions of India. When Bindusara died, Ashoka managed to ascend to power after defeating all his brothers in a battle for the throne in 272BC. According to some sources, among them the Buddha chronicles, it is said that Ashoka had to kill all his brothers in order to get to power (Beck, 2004). Ashoka was one leader who believed in the leadership of the iron fist. He commanded his subjects with care responsibility but had no mercy on his enemies. Through wars, he conquered almost the whole subcontinent of India save for the southern and southeastern kingdoms of Kalinga. In addition