Kushwaha generally claim decent from Maurya dynasty and Maurya Empire. Kushwaha claim linkages with the kingdoms of Kashi Kosala, Mauryas, Kushans, Shakyas and Kshatriya kingdoms in eastern India which survived well into 14-15 century. Great persons belonging to Kushwaha/Maurya/Shakya in ancient times were the great king Shree Rama of Ayodhya , Shri Kusha , 'Siddharth' Loard Buddha, Chandragupta Maurya, Ashok Maurya, Raja Sagar and Brihdratha Maurya and many other famous characters. Maurya empire was the first empire of India. It was a geographically extensive empire encompassing whole of Indian Subcontinent, parts of China and Central Asia. It's emperors, though sometimes demonised in Puranas claimed full divine rights and are subjects of study in Indian history. Though the English history places Mauryas between 320-100 BC, there are few sources for a much greater antiquity of Mauryas placing them much before these dates.