The Maurya and Gupta periods saw the rise and fall of two large empires in ancient India. The Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, united much of the Indian subcontinent under Ashoka's rule. Ashoka promoted Buddhism and ethical rule after converting following a bloody battle. The empire declined after his death as it split into separate kingdoms. The Gupta Empire, founded by Chandragupta I in 320 CE, also covered much of India. It saw economic and cultural growth in the arts, literature, science, and mathematics during this "Golden Age of India." The empire declined due to corrupt governors and decentralization, falling to invaders by