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Later Alexander the Great invaded this region in 327 B.C., spreading [[Greeks|Greek]] influence.  The time Alexander's troops spent in India must have been a strange experience for them.  For example, they had never seen elephants.  Imagine their surprise when the Indians fought from atop these massive creatures during a battle on the banks of the river.  In that same battle, Alexander's favorite horse, Buchephalus was injured and died.  After that, Alexander wanted to continue East, but his troops refused, and he was forced to leave India unconquered.  So only India was able to stop Alexander the Great, or at least survive his conquests.

Later Alexander the Great invaded this region in 327 B.C., spreading [[Greeks|Greek]] influence.  The time Alexander's troops spent in India must have been a strange experience for them.  For example, they had never seen elephants.  Imagine their surprise when the Indians fought from atop these massive creatures during a battle on the banks of the river.  In that same battle, Alexander's favorite horse, Buchephalus was injured and died.  After that, Alexander wanted to continue East, but his troops refused, and he was forced to leave India unconquered.  So only India was able to stop Alexander the Great, or at least survive his conquests.

Afterward, in 322 B.C., Chandragupta Mauryan defeated the Greek general Seleucus, who ruled a large part of East Asia which Alexander the Great had conquered.  Chandragupta Mauryan became king of Seleucus' land, creating the largest Indian empire in India's history.  He built an elaborate capital city at Pataliputra, which surpassed even the splendor of the great Persian cities, and was the largest city in the world at that time, with over 150,000 inhabitants. Pataliputra later became home to several Buddhist monasteries.   

Afterward, in 322 B.C., Chandragupta Mauryan defeated the Greek general Seleucus, who ruled a large part of East Asia which Alexander the Great had conquered.  Chandragupta Mauryan became king of Seleucus' land, creating the largest Indian empire in India's history.  He built an elaborate capital city at Pataliputra, which surpassed even the splendor of the great Persian cities, and was the largest city in the world at that time, with over 150,000 inhabitants,<ref>http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0038472.html</ref> and was home to several Buddhist monasteries.   

Chandragupta Mauryan built a massive army of 500,000 soldiers and his adviser, Kautilya, wrote a book how to maintain political power called the Arthashastra.  He wrote that punishment was the key to government.  In other words, Chandragupta was a tough dictator.  But his name is revered, as many Indians to this day bear the last name of "Chandra" or "Gupta".

Chandragupta Mauryan built a massive army of 500,000 soldiers and his adviser, Kautilya, wrote a book how to maintain political power called the Arthashastra.  He wrote that punishment was the key to government.  In other words, Chandragupta was a tough dictator.  But his name is revered, as many Indians to this day bear the last name of "Chandra" or "Gupta".

Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka, underwent a religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism while he held power (268-232 B.C.).  Buddhism emphasizes non-violence and Ashoka's conversion caused him to rule as a benevolent dictator, stressing compassion and even apologizing for his role in killing 150,000 Indians!  He displayed tolerance towards all religions and helped erect shrines to Hinduism and Jainism, another religion of India.  He elevated the status of women, who were already highly respected under the Hindu culture.  In Buddhism women could become monks.  He also promoted trade with the expanding Roman empire to the West, and the growing Han dynasty in China to the East.  But after Ashoka died, the empire fell into civil war, and became vulnerable to outside invaders, such as the Bactrian Greeks in the second century B.C. and the Buddhist Kushan in 100 B.C.  A council of Buddhist monks was convened under Kanishka, King of Kushan, to regulate Buddhism, and the result was a new form of Buddhism:  Mahayana Buddhism.

Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka, underwent a religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism while he held power (268-232 B.C.).  Buddhism emphasizes non-violence and Ashoka's conversion caused him to rule as a benevolent dictator, stressing compassion and even apologizing for his role in killing 150,000 Indians!  He displayed tolerance towards all religions and helped erect shrines to Hinduism and Jainism, another religion of India.  He elevated the status of women, who were already highly respected under the Hindu culture.  In Buddhism women could become monks.  He also promoted trade with the expanding Roman empire to the West, and the growing Han dynasty in China to the East.  But after Ashoka died, the empire fell into civil war, and became vulnerable to outside invaders, such as the Bactrian Greeks in the second century B.C. and the Buddhist Kushan in 100 B.C.  A council of Buddhist monks was convened under Kanishka, King of Kushan, to regulate Buddhism, and the result was a new form of Buddhism:  Mahayana Buddhism.

The other major Indian empire was the Gupta empire, from A.D. 320 to 467.  In A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I rose to power, who had no connection with the prior ruler Chandragupta Mauryan.  Chandra Gupta I conquered the Ganges Valley, and established a new Hindu dynasty.  Trade with the rest of the world flourished under his regime, and he had a policy of religious tolerance.  Intellectual and economic achievement was high.  One famous poet and playwriter was Kalidasa, who wrote epic poems and plays that were much more upbeat and happy than the dreary Greek tragedies.   

The other major Indian empire was the Gupta empire, from A.D. 320 to 467.  In A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I rose to power, who had no connection with the prior ruler Chandragupta Mauryan.  Chandra Gupta I conquered the Ganges Valley, and established a new Hindu dynasty.  Trade with the rest of the world flourished under his regime, and he had a policy of religious tolerance.  Intellectual and economic achievement was high.  One famous poet and playwright was Kalidasa, who wrote epic poems and plays that were much more upbeat and happy than the dreary Greek tragedies.   

The Indian number system, misnamed "Arabic numerals" (misnamed because they really came from India, were not Arabic in origin), was developed.  It is the system of numbers the entire world uses today: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.  A Buddhist monastery at Nalanda established a university that attracted thousands of students.  A great Indian doctor named Caraka developed a code of medical ethics, and the practice of medicine flourished.  The Indians also developed a form of iron that could withstand rust, and it was used in buildings.

The Indian number system, misnamed "Arabic numerals" (misnamed because they really came from India, were not Arabic in origin), was developed.  It is the system of numbers the entire world uses today: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.  A Buddhist monastery at Nalanda established a university that attracted thousands of students.  A great Indian doctor named Caraka developed a code of medical ethics, and the practice of medicine flourished.  The Indians also developed a form of iron that could withstand rust, and it was used in buildings.