Table of Contents
Introduction: Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE in Magadha, rose to prominence through military conquests under the rule of Chandragupta and reached its zenith during the reign of his grandson, Ashoka the Great.
Chandragupta’s centralized administrative system, influenced by Kautilya’s “Arthashastra,” facilitated governance over a vast territory spanning most of the Indian subcontinent.
Ashoka’s embrace of Buddhism and promotion of Dhamma, along with his edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks throughout the empire, fostered religious tolerance and social welfare policies.
However, after Ashoka’s death, the empire gradually declined by the mid-2nd century BCE.
Overview of the Mauryan Empire
- Geographical Extent: The Maurya Empire ruled a large part of the Indian subcontinent, covering most of present-day India (except the southern tip), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.
- Founder: Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Dynasty in 322 BCE. He established the first large-scale empire in India by overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty with the guidance of his mentor and advisor, Chanakya (Kautilya). Chandragupta’s reign marked the beginning of centralized governance in India.
- Capital: The capital of the Mauryan Dynasty was Pataliputra (modern-day Patna in Bihar). Pataliputra served as the political and administrative centre of the Mauryan Empire.
- Archaeologically, the period of Mauryan rule falls into the era of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). The Northern Black Polished Ware culture is an Iron Age culture (700 BCE to 200 BCE) known for its finely finished black pottery.
- Decline: The empire dissolved in 185 BCE, 50 years after Ashoka’s death.
Sources of the Mauryan Dynasty
1. Literary Sources
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Arthashastra | 1. Arthashastra, written by Kautilya or Chanakya is the most comprehensive source on political science and state affairs of the Mauryan Dynasty. 2. It details kingship, government, state, war and peace and diplomacy, revenue, espionage, and laws related to marriage. |
| Indica | Written by Greek ambassador Megasthenes, describing Mauryan society, Pataliputra, and administration under Chandragupta Maurya. |
| Puranas | Ancient Hindu texts mentioning the genealogy of Mauryan kings. ‘Vishnu Purana’ tells us the origin of Nandas and how they were overthrown by Chandragupta with the help of Chanakya. |
| Ashokavadana and Divyavadana | It gives details about Bindusara, Ashoka’s expedition to Taxila, and his conversion to Buddhism. |
| Parisistaparvan by Hemchandra (Biography of Chanakya) | The early life of Chandragupta, the conquest of Magadha, famine in Magadha, and his conversion to Jainism. |
| Mudrarakshasa | It is written in the 4th century A.D. by Vaishakhadutta, A Sanskrit drama, which describes the socio-economic conditions and administration of Mauryas. |
| Rajtarangini | By Kalhana |
| Kathasaritasagar | by Somadeva |
| Brihatkathamanjari | written by Kshemendra |
2. Religious Texts
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Buddhist Texts | The Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa mention Ashoka’s role in spreading Buddhism to Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka). |
| Jataka Stories | various stories about the Mauryan period and its socio-economic conditions. |
| Jain Texts | Refer to Chandragupta Maurya’s conversion to Jainism in his later years. |
3. Archaeological Sources
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Edicts of Ashoka | Inscriptions on rocks and pillars spread across the Mauryan Empire, written in Prakrit and Brahmi script, highlighting Ashoka’s policies, Dharma, and administrative details. |
| Stupas | Structures like the Sanchi Stupa were built during Ashoka’s reign to promote Buddhism. |
| NBPW (Pottery) | Archaeological evidence of advanced pottery during the Mauryan period. |
4. Foreign Accounts
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Megasthenes’ Indica | Greek ambassador Megasthenes’ account of the Mauryan court, capital, and society. |
| Chinese Accounts | Later accounts by travellers like Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang refer to the Mauryan influence in spreading Buddhism. |
5. Numismatic Evidence
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Punch-Marked Coins | Coins provide evidence of economic prosperity, trade, and monetary systems during the Mauryan Empire. |
Notable Rulers
Chandragupta Maurya
- Foundation: Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Empire. He occupied Pataliputra in 321 BC with the help of Chanakya, after dethroning the last Nanda ruler Dhanananda.
- Expansion:
- Chandragupta expanded his empire westwards by defeating the satraps left by Alexander.
- He also conquered the area beyond the Vindhya Range and into the Deccan Plateau.
- Chandragupta’s empire extended from Bengal to Central Afghanistan covering most of the Indian subcontinent except the parts of modern-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Odisha.
- Campaign in North-West:
- In 305 BC, Chandragupta led a campaign against Seleucus Nikator, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. After defeating Seleucus Nicator, Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus signed a peace treaty. As part of this treaty, Seleucus gave his daughter (or a Greek princess) in marriage to Chandragupta Maurya.
- Seleucus ceded large territories west of the Indus to Chandragupta. They entered into a marital alliance as part of the treaty. Seleucus offered his daughter, named Berenice, in marriage to Chandragupta.
- Strabo about Treaty between Chandragupta and Seleucus: According to Strabo, Seleucus gave Arachosia (Kandahar), Gedrosia (Balochistan), and Paropamisadae (Gandhara) to Chandragupta along with a marriage treaty, and in return received 500 elephants.
- Megasthenes as an ambassador: According to Athenacus, Seleucus sent an ambassador called Megasthenes to Chandragupta’s court.
- Administration: Chandragupta established a strong central administration based on the policies described in Chanakya’s Arthashastra.
- Death: Chandragupta went to South India with Bhadrabahu, the Jaina saint. He spent the rest of his life at Sravanabelagola, as an ascetic for several years and died in the orthodox Jain way by slow starvation (Sallekhana).
Bindusara (298-273 BC)
- Bindusara, the son of Chandragupta Maurya and father of Ashoka, was the second ruler of the Mauryan Empire (298 BCE – 273 BCE).
- Amitraghata: Bindusara is also known as Amitraghata (“slayer of enemies”). Strabo called him Amitrochates, the Greek version of the name Amitraghata.
- Taranatha about Bindusara: The 16th-century Tibetan Buddhist monk Taranatha states that Bindusara conquered the land between the two seas (the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal).
- Sri Lankan text Mahavamsa mentions that Bindusara appointed his son Ashoka as the viceroy of Ujjayini.
- Chanakya: According to Parishishta-Parvan, Chanakya continued to be Bindusara’s prime minister.
- Relationship with Antiochus I:
- Bindusara had a friendly relationship with Antiochus I, the Seleucid king of Syria who sent Deimachus as an ambassador to his court.
- Bindusara wrote to Antiochus I asking for some sweet wine, dried figs, and a sophist[1] to be sent to the Mauryan Court. Antiochus sent all but refused to send the sophist, explaining that Greek law forbids a sophist to be sold.
- Pliny mentioned that Ptolemy -II Philadelphus of Egypt had sent an ambassador Dionysios to Bindusara.
Ashoka
- Ashoka the Great (268 BCE – 232 BCE) was the third ruler of the Mauryan Empire and one of India’s greatest emperors.
- Birth:
- Ashoka was born in 304 BCE.
- According to the Puranas and the Mahavamsa, he was the son of Bindusara.
- According to Mahavamsatika, his mother was “Dharma” who belonged to the Moriya Kshatriya clan.
- Early Life: During Bindusara’s reign, he served as the governor of Ujjain. According to ‘Divyavadana’, Ashoka was sent to suppress a revolt in Taxila.
- Ascension to the Throne: He ascended to the throne after a violent struggle for succession following his father’s death.
- Territorial Expansion: Ashoka ruled an area stretching from present-day Afghanistan to Bangladesh. It covered the entire Indian subcontinent except for some parts of present-day Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
- Capital: The empire’s capital was Pataliputra (in Magadha, present-day Patna), with provincial capitals at Takshashila (later Taxila) and Ujjain.
- According to Mahavamsa and Ashokavadana Ashoka constructed 84,000 stupas or viharas.
- Kalinga War:
- The XIIIth rock edict mentions that 8 years after his coronation he conquered the Kalinga region.
- The Kalinga War (261 BCE) was fought in ancient India between the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka and the state of Kalinga, an independent feudal kingdom (parts of Odisha and northern parts of Andhra Pradesh).
- In this war, 100,000 people were killed and men and animals numbering 150,000 were taken away as captives from Kalinga.
- The destruction of the war of Kalinga changed the heart and mind of Ashoka. He decided to conquer the people not by weapon but through ‘Dharma’.
- Ashoka’s name is nowhere mentioned except in the small inscriptions of Muski and Gujarra.
- In all other inscriptions, he is called ‘Devanam Piya‘ (Beloved of God) and ‘Piyandasi’ (Priyadarshi).
- Ashoka used only “Raja” as a royal title.
Location: Sanchi, an important site for Buddhist art and architecture.
Event: It illustrates Ashoka’s visit to Ramagrama, a site of importance in Buddhism.
Dhamma
- The word dhamma is the Pali form of the Sanskrit word Dharma.
- Dhamma was not a particular religious faith. It was a set of social norms which were to be followed by all people irrespective of faith.
- According to the interpretation given in Asoka’s inscriptions, dhamma’ (dharma) means –
- “benevolent action“,
- “freedom from evil“,
- “kindness“,
- “charity“,
- “truthfulness“,
- “purity” and
- “gentleness“.
- Dhamma Mahamatras were appointed for the establishment and promotion of dhamma.
- He sent many missions to propagate Dharma.
Edicts of Ashoka
- The Edicts of Ashoka are inscriptions on pillars, boulders, and cave walls (the Kandahar Edict was written on a stone plaque).
- The Edicts are divided into four categories, according to their size (Minor or Major) and according to their medium (Rock or Pillar). The Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka are inscribed on large rocks.
- Minor Rock Edicts are older than Major Rock Edicts.
- Edicts found in the central and eastern parts of India were written in Magadhi Prakrit language in the Brahmi script.
- Edicts found in the north-western part were written in Prakrit using the Kharoshthi script.
- Few Edicts in Northwest are written in the Greek language, using Greek script, or in the Aramaic language, using the Aramaic script.
- Chronologically, the first known edict is the Kandahar Rock Inscription, (in Greek and Aramaic), written in the 10th year of his reign (260 BCE) in Kandahar in modern Afghanistan.
- These edicts were deciphered by British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep.
- E. Hultzsch[2] (German Indologist and epigraphist) is known for his work in deciphering and translating the inscriptions of Ashoka.
Major Rock Edicts
- The Major Rock Edicts refer to 14 separate major Edicts of Ashoka.
- Major Rock Edict XIII is the largest inscription from the edict. It talks about the Kalinga war.
| Major Rock Edicts | Content |
|---|---|
| Major Rock Edict I | It is said that no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice, especially during festive gatherings. |
| Major Rock Edict II | 1. Medical treatment for humans and animals. Digging of wells, and planting of trees for the benefit of humans and animals. 2. Descriptions of Kingdoms outside the Mauryan Empire like Chola, Pandyas, Satyapura, Keralputra, and Tamraparni. 3. The Greek king Antiochus II, the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, is mentioned in Major Rock Edict II. |
| Major Rock Edict III | It is mentioned that the Yuktas, Rajukas, and Pradeshikas would go everywhere in the empire every five years to spread the Dhamma. |
| Major Rock Edict IV | Instructs his successors to follow Dhamma and uphold Ashoka’s vision. |
| Major Rock Edict V | |
| Major Rock Edict VI | Reporters are ordered to report to the King the affairs of the people at any time. |
| Major Rock Edict VII | Tolerance towards every religion |
| Major Rock Edict VIII | 1. Ashoka started the Dhamma Yatra (ten years after his coronation) in place of pleasure tours during which there was hunting and other entertainment. 2. He visited Sambodhi (the site of Buddha‘s enlightenment in Bodh Gaya). 3. He built the Diamond Throne in Bodh Gaya at the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. |
| Major Rock Edict IX | It condemns fame and glory unless they are achieved through practising Dhamma. |
| Major Rock Edict X | It condemns fame and glory unless they are achieved through practising Dhamma. |
| Major Rock Edict XI | 1. proper courtesy to slaves and servants 2. obedience to mother and father 3. liberality to friends, and relatives, to Sramanas and Brahmanas 4. abstention from killing animals |
| Major Rock Edict XII | tolerance and mutual respect to followers of different faiths |
| Major Rock Edict XIII | Asoka’s victory in the Kalinga war |
| Major Rock Edict XIV | Purpose of the inscriptions |
Minor Rock Edicts
| Minor Rock Edict No.1 | In this Edict, Ashoka describes himself as a Buddhist layman (Upasaka). Upasaka is the title of followers of Buddhism who undertake certain vows except for monks, nuns, or novice monastics. |
| Minor Rock Edict No.2 | The Rajuka [rural officer] is instructed to assemble the people of the countryside and instruct them to – 1. Obey mother and father, 2. obey the teachers, 3. have mercy on living beings, 4. speak the truth. |
| Minor Rock Edict No.3 |
Major Pillar Edicts
- There are seven pillar edicts.
- The edicts were written in Prakrit using Brahmi script.
- The inscriptions found in Afghanistan are written in Aramaic.
- The bull pillar of Rampurva does not have inscriptions.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Kausambi (now Allahabad pillar) | Topra Kalan |
| Meerut | Rampurva (Champaran) |
| Lauriya-Araraj (Bihar) | Lauria Nandangarh (Bihar) |
| Kandahar, Afghanistan | Pul-i-Darunteh, Afghanistan |
| Major Pillar Edict I | Asoka’s principle of protection of the people |
| Major Pillar Edict II | Defines dhamma as a minimum of sins, many virtues, compassion, liberality, truthfulness and purity |
| Major Pillar Edict III | Preach to avoid practices of harshness, cruelty, anger, pride and other sins among the subjects |
| Major Pillar Edict IV | Prescribe duties and responsibilities of Rajukas, who would go every five years to different parts of the empire to spread Dhamma |
| Major Pillar Edict V | A list of animals and birds which should not be killed on certain days, and another list of animals which have not to be killed on all occasions. Describes the release of 25 prisoners by Ashoka. |
| Major Pillar Edict VI | Dhamma Policy |
| Major Pillar Edict VII | Works done by Asoka for Dhamma Policy. He says that all sects desire both self-control and purity of mind. This edict only appears on the Delhi-Topra pillar. |
Minor Pillar Edicts
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Sarnath | Sanchi |
| Allahabad | Rummindei |
| Nigali Sagar |
Administration of the Mauryan Empire
- The Empire was divided into four provinces, with the imperial capital at Pataliputra.
- The four provincial capitals are Tosali (in the east), Ujjain (in the west), Suvarnagiri (in the south), and Taxila (in the north).
- The Provincial administration was governed by the Kumara (royal prince) as the king’s representative.
- The Kumara was assisted by Mahamatyas and the council of ministers.
- A vast espionage system collected intelligence for both internal and external security purposes.
MCQs
- Which dynasty did rule over Magadha after the Nanda dynasty? [BPSC 2005]
(a) Maurya
(b) Sunga
(c) Gupta
(d) Kushana
Correct answer: (a) Maurya
- The first Indian Empire was established by:
(a) Kanishka [UP Lower 2012]
(b) Harsha
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Samudragupta
Correct answer: (c) Chandragupta Maurya
- Chandragupta Maurya figures prominently in the book of: [BPSC (Pre) 2004]
(a) Bhasa
(b) Sudraka
(c) Vishakhadatta
(d) Ashvaghosha
Correct answer: (c) Vishakhadatta
- Chandragupta’s palace situated at Pataliputra is mainly made up of: [BPSC (Pre) 1996]
(a) bricks
(b) stones
(c) woods
(d) clays
Correct answer: (c) woods
- Who amongst the following Mauryan rulers did conquer the Deccan? [BPSC (Pre) 2004]
(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta
(c) Bindusara
(d) Kunala
Correct answer: (b) Chandragupta
- Who was the first king to conquer Malwa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra? [UPPSC (Pre) 1991]
(a) Harsha
(b) Skandagupta
(c) Vikramaditya
(d) Chandragupta Maurya
Correct answer: (d) Chandragupta Maurya
- Bulandibagh was an ancient site of: [UPPSC (Mains) 2008]
(a) Kapilavastu
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Vaishali
(d) Varanasi
Correct answer: (b) Pataliputra
- That Gujarat was included in the Kingdom of Chandragupta Maurya is proved by: [UP UDA/LDA (Mains) 2010]
(a) Greek accounts
(b) Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman
(c) Jain tradition
(d) Pillar Edict II of Ashoka
Correct answer: (a) Greek accounts
- In which year did Chandragupta Maurya defeat Seleucus? [UPRO/ARO (Mains) 2014]
(a) 317 BC
(b) 315 BC
(c) 305 BC
(d) 300 BC
Correct answer: (c) 305 BC
- Realising the need for water, the first ruler who got a lake constructed in the Girnar area was: [UPPSC (Mains) 2007, 2002]
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Ashoka
(c) Rudradaman
(d) Skandagupta
Correct answer: (c) Rudradaman
- Who came to India during the time of Chandragupta Maurya? [WBCS 2018]
(a) Faxian (Fa-Hien)
(b) Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
(c) Megasthenes
(d) Strabo
Correct answer: (c) Megasthenes
- The Greek ambassador Megasthenes was in the court of which of the following rulers? [SSC 2018]
(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta
(c) Bindusara
(d) Chanakya
Correct answer: (b) Chandragupta
- In how many categories did Megasthenes divide Indian society? [BPSC 2003]
(a) Four
(b) Five
(c) Six
(d) Seven
Correct answer: (d) Seven
- Who was referred to as ‘Sandrocottus’ in the writings of the Greeks? [WBCS 2018]
(a) Ashoka
(b) Bindusara
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Dhanananda
Correct answer: (c) Chandragupta Maurya
- Who recognised Sandrocottus as Chandragupta Maurya? [BPSC (Pre) 2008]
(a) William Jones
(b) V Smith
(c) RK Mukherjee
(d) DR Bhandarkar
Correct answer: (a) William Jones
- The ancient Indian play ‘Mudrarakshasa’ of Vishakhadatta has its subject on: [IAS (Pre) 2002]
(a) conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu.
(b) a romantic story of an Aryan Prince and a tribal woman.
(c) the story of the power struggle between two Aryan tribes.
(d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya.
Correct answer: (d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya.
- Who was the son of Chandragupta? [SSC 2017]
(a) Bindusara
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Ashoka
(d) Bimbasara
Correct answer: (a) Bindusara
- A sophist was a teacher in ancient Greece. ↩︎
- E. Hultzsch was the first chief epigraphist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He deciphered inscriptions of temples in South India. ↩︎