Question

21 this ruler was harsh and his reign began the mauryan empire.

Explanation:

The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, but the harsh ruler whose reign began the Mauryan Empire (with some historical context around early harsh rule before Ashoka's transformation) refers to Chandragupta Maurya's early reign or potentially his grandfather or predecessor in some accounts, but most accurately, the founder of the Mauryan Empire with a harsh initial rule (before later changes in some successors) is Chandragupta Maurya. However, another key figure is Bindusara? No, actually, the founder is Chandragupta Maurya. Wait, the Mauryan Empire's beginning: Chandragupta Maurya established it. But the question is about the ruler whose reign began the Mauryan Empire and was harsh. So the answer is Chandragupta Maurya? Wait, no, maybe the question is about the ruler before Ashoka? Wait, the Mauryan Empire started with Chandragupta Maurya. So the answer is Chandragupta Maurya? Or maybe the question is a fill - in - the - blank, and the answer is Chandragupta Maurya (or maybe the intended answer is Chandragupta Maurya, as he founded the Mauryan Empire and his rule was initially harsh).

Answer:

Chandragupta Maurya