The empire known for its extensive use of elephants in warfare was the Maurya Empire, which thrived in ancient India from the 4th to the 2nd century BCE. The Maurya military employed elephants in battle, utilizing their size and strength to intimidate enemies and break enemy lines. Under leaders like Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka, the empire expanded significantly, and war elephants became a key component of their military tactics. Ashoka's reign is particularly noted for its promotion of Buddhism and non-violence after the bloody Kalinga War, where the use of elephants played a significant role in battles prior to his conversion to a more peaceful statecraft.