mention of any overt dissension or disputes among them. As in many regions of that era (including ancient Tamil Nadu), courtesans were accorded a special place in the social hierarchy and their contributions were highly valued. Decline of the Mauryan Empire The highly centralized administration became unmanageable when Ashoka’s successors were weak and inefficient. A weakened central administration with a large distance to communicate led to the rise of independent kingdoms.
After Ashoka’s death, the kingdom split into two. There were invasions from the north- west. The notable groups that undertook military expeditions and established kingdoms on Indian soil were the Indo- Greeks, the Sakas and the Kushanas. The last ruler Brihadratha was killed in (c.
B C (BCE)) by his commander-in- chief Pushyamitra Sunga who founded the Sunga dynasty that ruled India for over hundred years.