Decline and Fall of the Empire
- Asoka died and it left a power vacuum
- Regional kings challenged the imperial government in northern and central India
- Kingdoms of central India regained independence
- The Andhra Dynasty rose and dominated the region for hundreds of years
- Northern India had to absorb a flood of people who were fleeing political instability of other parts of Asia
- Greeks, Central Asians, and Persians poured into India
- New customs and languages were introduced to the rich blend of Indian culture
- Southern India experienced turmoil
- Three kingdoms that were never part of the Mauryan Empire were at war with each other and with other states most of the time