THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Sources: • Kautilya’s Arthasastra • Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa • Megasthenes’ Indica • Edicts of Asoka • Apart from these the Puranas and the Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the Mauryas.
Emperors
Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.): • Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire. • He captured Pataliputra from the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda, in assistance of Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta. • In 305 B.C., he marched against Selukas Niketar, who was Alexander’s General controlling the northwestern India. • Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador in the Chandragupta Maurya’s court. • Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life and stepped down from the throne in favour of his son Bindusara.
Bindusara (298 – 273 B.C.): • Bindusara was called by the Greeks as “Amitragatha” meaning slayer of enemies. • Taranatha, the Tibetan monk states that Bindusara conquered 16 states comprising ‘the land between the two seas’. • The Sangam Tamil literature confirms the Mauryan invasion of the far south. • Bindusara received Deimachus as ambassador from the Syrian king Antiochus I. • Bindusara appointed his son Asoka as the governor of Ujjain.
1 www.teachersadda.co.in | www.sscadda.com | www.bankersadda.com | www.adda247.com
Asoka the Great (273 – 232 B.C.): • Ashoka acted as Governor of Ujjain and also suppressed a revolt in Taxila during his father Bindusara’s reign. • The most important event of Asoka’s reign was his victorious war with Kalinga in 261 B.C. • Asoka embraced Buddhism under the influence of Buddhist monk, Upagupta. • He sent a mission to Sri Lanka under his son Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra. • Asoka convened the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra in 240 B.C. in order to strengthen the Sangha. It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.
Note: After the decline of the Mauryan empire Pushyamitra Sunga established the Sunga dynasty.
Trick to Remember:
Mauryan Administration: • The Mauryan state had a well-organized civil service. • Kautilya the foremost political theorist of ancient India advocated that the king should take the advice of his ministry in running the administration. • Both Kautilya and Megasthanes provided the system of Municipal administration. • Mantriparishad- Council of ministers to assist the king in administrative matters. It consisted of Purohita, Mahamantri, Senapati and Yuvaraja. • Amatyas- Civil servants to look after the day-to-day administration. • Rajukas- Incharge of the district administration, assisted by Yuktas or subordinate officials. • Gramani- Incharge of the village administration. • Gopa- Official superior of Gramani and in charge of ten or fifteen villages.
2 www.teachersadda.co.in | www.sscadda.com | www.bankersadda.com | www.adda247.com
• Nagarika- His chief duty was to maintain law and order. • Dhamma Mahamatras- To supervise the spread of Dhamma. • Samharta- The chief of the Revenue Department, was in charge of the collection of all revenues of the empire. • Adyakshas- To control the retail and wholesale prices of goods and try to ensure their steady supply. • Dharmathikarin- The chief justice of the Supreme Court at the capital. Note: Subordinate courts at the provincial capitals and districts worked under Amatya.
Mauryan Army: • The Mauryan army was well organized and it was under the control of Senapati. • Megasthenes mentions six boards of five members each to control the six wings of the military. • The salaries were paid in cash. Kautilya refers to the salaries of different ranks of military officers.
Mauryan Art and Architecture: • The use of stone started from the time of Asoka. • The pillars erected by Asoka furnish the finest specimen of the Mauryan art. • Asokan pillars with inscriptions were found in places like Delhi, Allahabad, Rummindai, Sanchi and Saranath. • Saranath pillar with four lions standing back to back is the most magnificent. • (Note:The Indian government adopted this capital with some modifications as its state emblem.) • Asoka built a number of stupas throughout his empire, example is the famous Sanchi stupa with massive dimensions. • The caves at Barabar hills near Bodh Gaya are wonderful pieces of Mauryan architecture.
3 www.teachersadda.co.in | www.sscadda.com | www.bankersadda.com | www.adda247.com