Detailed explanation and options for the selected question.
The Maurya Empire was the first major empire to rule India, with its founder, Chandragupta Maurya, establishing control over a large part of the subcontinent. Option "Gupta Empire" came later and was an important empire but not the first. Option "Mughal Empire" was founded much later. Option "Indus Valley Civilization" was an ancient civilization but not an empire.