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www.Trinityguru.com Notes for chapter from the beginning to 1206 BC Earlier India was called as ‘Golden bird’ or ‘the world leader’. Indians follow the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiv kutumbkam,’ i.e. praying for benefits and health of all humanity. The Vedas are a source of knowledge for the whole world. Janapad system prevailed in the Vedic period. Development of agriculture, industries, trade and commerce resulted in vanish of the tribal system, and it gave rise to small janapadas which after some time turned into large janapada. About 16 mahajanapadas were there at that time. Mahajanapada Capital 1. Kasi Varanasi 2. Kuru Indraprastha/Hasthinapur 3. Anga Champa 4. Magdha Girivraja/Rajgriha 5. Vajji Videha and Mithila-Vaishali 6. Malla Kushinagar (Kushinara/Kushawati) 7. Chedi Shuktimati (Sotthivati) 8. Vatsa Kaushambhi 9. Koshala Ayodhya 10. Panchala Nothern panchala - Ahichhatra and Southern panchala - Kampilya 11. Matsya Virat Nagar (Bairath) 12. Shurasena Mathura 13. Ashmaka/Assaka Potana/Pateli 14. Avanti Northern Avanti - Ujjaini and southern Avanti - Mahismati www.Trinityguru.com www.Trinityguru.com 15. Gandhara Taxila 16. Kamboja Rajpur or Hatak Some of the significant janapadas of Rajasthan are as follows- Jangal - Bikaner and Jodhpur were known as Jangalpradesh. o Some of the places were known as Kuru jangal and Madreya jangal. o Ahichhatrapur was the capital of this janapada which is the present Nagaur district. o King of Bikaner was the owner of this janapada. o Royal symbol of Bikaner is ‘Jai Jangaldhar Badshah’. Matsya - Region surrounding Jaipur was known as Matsya. o It includes Alwar and some parts of Bharatpur. o Virat Nagar was the capital which today is known as Bairath. o During the Maurya kingdom, this janapada was not present. o In the beginning, Matsya was part of Chedi state, and further, it became part of the Magadha Empire. Surasena: It was part of the present Brij region. o Its capital was Mathura. o Ancient Greek termed it as ‘Surasenai’ and its capital as ‘Methora’. o As per Mahabharata, Yadu (yadava) dynasty ruled there. o This janapada includes parts of Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli districts and eastern part of Alwar district. o Lord Krishna is associated with this janapada. Shivi: Shivpur was the capital of Shivi janapada, and king Sushin defeated it with other tribes in the battle of ten kings. It was famous for a place called Shorkot. o Nagari was the capital of Shivi. www.Trinityguru.com www.Trinityguru.com o The area was extended in southern Pakistan and Mewar region along with west to south-east. o Actual administration was in the hands of rich feudal families and formed administrative affairs as Santhagara Sabha (general assembly) chiefs. These could take certain decisions. o Multi-colour bars used for the purpose of voting. Maurya Dynasty o Magdha establish its control over almost entire part of north India. Establishment of Maurya empire: o Earlier, Ghananand ruled upon royal throne of Magdha. People were suffering from his atrocities and were totally dissatisfied. o Kautilya’s student ‘Chandragupta’ emerged as a new and capable ruler of Magadha Empire by defeating Ghananand. Chandragupta Maurya: He gained throne with the help of his guru Kautilya at the age of 25 by defeating Nanda ruler Ghananand. o He defeated Greek ruler Seleucus Nicator. Further, Seleucus took 500 elephants from Chandragupta and surrendered eastern Afghanistan, Baluchistan and the region to the west of river Indus. o Seleucus married his daughter to Chandragupta and sent Magesthenes to his court. o Kandhar, Baluchistan, Punjab, Plains of Ganga and Yamuna, Bihar, Bengal, Gujrat, Vindhya and Kashmir were part of Chandragupta Empire. o Chandragupta took part in Tamil treaties ‘Anhananuru’ and ‘Murananuru’ after invading south India. o He died in 298 BC. Bindusara: He was the son of Chandragupta and Greek ruler called him as Amitrochates. o In Vayu Purana, he is mentioned as Bhadrasara and in Jain text, called as Singhasena. o He extend his father empire also in the south India. o To take control over the revolt of Taxila, firstly he sent Ashoka and then his elder brother Sushim. o A Greek ambassador, Diamachus appointed in the court. www.Trinityguru.com www.Trinityguru.com o An Egyptian ruler was also appointed named Dionysius. Ashoka: Ashoka occupied Magadha Empire against the wish of his father Bindusara. o He adorned with the title of ‘Devnampriya’ and ‘Devanampriyadarshi’. o He married to Vidhisha who became mother of his daughter Sanghamitra and son Mahendra. o He extended his empire in entire parts of India including large part of Afghanistan. o Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 261 BC in which 1 lakh people were killed. o Dhauli (Toshali) was the capital of Kalinga made under Magdha Kingdom. o According to Kalhana’s Rajtarangini Ashoka was worshipper of lord shiva who adopted Buddhism. o He became disciple of Mogaliputratissa. o Ashoka built four caves for the settlement of dependants namely Sudama, Chapaar, Vishwajhopdi and Karna. o He reduced taxes from 1/6 to 1/8. o Chera, Chola, Pandya and Kerala were neighbouring independent states of Magdha Empire that time. Dhamma: Ashoka established ideals for the moral development of mankind. These were called as dhamma. As per Ashoka, shunning all the evil actions, welfare of the entire world, compassion, charity, truth and purity of actions is dhamma. o Essential condition of dhamma was saintly nature, performing works of public welfare, good behaviour, free from all evils, not killing any living being, obeying one’s parents and elders, respect for guru. Dhamma Yatra (Religious Travel): Ashoka arranged travels to Buddhist places and donations were given to Brahmins and ages people. Anusandhan: Pradeshiks, Rajjukas and Yuktaks were sent on travel for propagation of religion every fifth year which was called as Anusandhan. Dhamma Mahamatra: Dhamma Mahamatra appointed by Askoka whose responsibility was to religion message to masses and to inspire them for public welfare. It also includes reducing punishment and financial support to needy. Rock edicts: Ashoka was the first ruler who addressed through rock edicts. o He got inspiration from Iran ruler –Darius. o Most of the rock edicts are in Brahmi script and on the other hand, edict of Mansera and Shahbajgadi are in Kharoshti script. o One pillar brought from Topra to Delhi, seven edicts have been inscribed this pillar. www.Trinityguru.com www.Trinityguru.com o James Princep was the first person to o After 40 years of rule Ashoka died in 232 BC. Successors of Ashoka and Fall of the Mauryan Dynasty o After Ashoka, Kunala became the ruler of Mauryan Dynasty. o As Kunala was blind, Magdha administration was in the hands of his son Samprati. o Kunala son Dasharatha also ruled over Magdha. o Brihadratha was the last Mauryan ruler. His minister Pushyamitra Shunga assassinated him and founded Shunga dynasty. Mauryan administration o A centralized government was first time established in Mauryan period. o Kautilya described seven component of the state- Raja, Amatya, Janapada, Durga, Kosha, Sena and Mitra. o The process of appointing chief minister after examining his Upadha Parikshana. o Council of minister was appointed by the king. o Apart from council of minster, Parisha Mantrina was also a form of council of ministers. Central Admisintration o 18 departments were there which called as ‘Tirtha’. o The president of Tirtha was known as ‘Mahamatya’. o Minister (Mantri), Priest (Purohit), Commander (Senapati) and Prince (Yuvraaj were important Tirtha. Samharata o This official used to collect revenue, keep record of income and expenditure and prepare annual budget. Sannidhata (Treasurer) o Sannidhata was responsible for building treasuries and granaries. o 26 department has been mentioned – Koshadhyaksha (treasurer), Sitadhyaksha (agriculture), Paniyadhyaksha (trade), Sutradhyaksha (tailoring and weaving) etc. o Yuktas and upyuktas were lower level employees controlled by Mahamatya and heads. Provincial Administration: Five provinces were there. o 5 provinces were – Uttarpratha (Taxila), Avantirashtra (Ujjaini), Kalinga (Toshali), Dakshinapatha (Suvarnagiri), and Madhya Desh (Pataliputra). o Kumara and Aryaputra control this administration. www.Trinityguru.com www.Trinityguru.com o The provinces were divided into ‘Aahar’ or ‘Vishaya’ which were controlled by vishyapati. o Sthanik was district head worked under Samharta. o Gopa was smallest administrative unit who controlled 10 villages. City Administration: Council of 30 members handle city administration which were divided into 6 committees. Five member in each committee. o First committee was responsible for monitoring industry and sculptors. o Second was responsible for looking after foreigners. o Third, used to keep records of births and deaths. o Fourth, trade and commerce. o Fifth, sales of manufacturing goods. o Sixth, collecting 1/10 sales tax. Military system: There was separate military department which was divided into 6 committees. 5 member each committee. o These committee used to look after five departments – Paidal (Soldiers on foot), Ashva (Soldiers on horse), Hathi (Soldiers on elephants), Ratha (Soldiers on chariots) and the naval force. o Antpal was the officer who manages military management related issues. o As per Magasthenes’s Indica, Chandragupta has huge army which includes all five departments. Judicial system: King was supreme head of the judicial system. o Village courts were there on lower level in which Gramini and Gram Vriddha used to give judgement. o Dronamukha were courts on local and janapada level. o There was also a central court in patliputra. o There were two type of courts- o Dharamsthiya: The judgement was given by three Dharmasthas who were religious expert including three Amatyas. Dharamsthiya used to be a civil type court. Cases related to theft, robbery and lot which were also known as ‘Sahas’ were also placed in dharmsthiya courts. Cases associated with abusing, disrespect, eating etc. were also placed in these court which were called as ‘Vak-Parushya’ or ‘Dand-Parushya’.
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