byte size note on maurya empire

7/29/2019 Byte size note on Maurya Empire

1/7

The Mauryan Empire

Overview

The Mauryan Empire was one of the largest empires to rule India

It was established in 321 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya and dissolved in 185 BCE

with the death of Bhrihadrata Maurya

The capital of the Mauryan Empire was Pataliputra

The Mauryan Empire is known for the Arthasastra by Kautilya (Chanakya), the

Rock Edicts of Asoka, and the Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath which today

serves as the emblem of India

Archaeologically, the Mauryan period falls within the era of Northern BlackPolished Ware (NBPW)

Extent of the empire
http://civilserviceindia.blogspot.in/2010/01/mauryan-empire.htmlhttp://civilserviceindia.blogspot.in/2010/01/mauryan-empire.htmlhttp://civilserviceindia.blogspot.in/2010/01/mauryan-empire.htmlhttp://civilserviceindia.blogspot.in/2010/01/mauryan-empire.html


2/7

The Mauryan Empire at its greatest extent under Asoka

The Mauryan Empire originated from the kingdom of Magadha (modern Bihar,

West Bengal)

At its greatest, the Empire encompassed almost the entire Indian subcontinent

and parts of Central Asia

It stretched to the north along the Himalayas, to the east into Assam, to the west

into Afghanistan, and to the south up to northern Tamil Nadu/Kerala

The Empire did not include the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the far

south. Instead, these kingdoms enjoyed friendly relations with the Mauryan

Empire

IMPORTANT PERSONAGES OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

1. Chandragupta Maurya

a. Born circa 340 BCE, died c. 298 BCE

b. He was the founder of the Mauryan Empire

c. He was known in Greek and Latin accounts as Sandrokyptos, Sandrokottosor Androcottus

d. He established the empire by overthrowing the Nanda dynasty of Magadha

under Dhana Nanda

e. Chanakya was the Prime Minister of Chandragupta while Rakhshasa was

his chief advisor

f. Starting from Magadha, he expanded westward by defeating the Greek


3/7

satrapies established by Alexander the Great.Chandragupta Maurya

skillfully exploited the power disruptions in northwestern India caused by

Alexander as the latter withdrew into Babylon

g. After his conquests, the Empire stretched from Assam to Afghanistan, from

Kashmir to the Deccan

h. Chandragupta defeated the Seleucus I Nicator, the successor of Alexander

in Macedonia. As part of the agreement reached later, Chandragupta

married a daughter of Seleucus and in return gifted 500 war elephants

i. Seleucus sent an ambassador to Chandraguptas court called

Megasthenes

j. Towards the end of his life, Chandragupta embraced Jainism and migrated

south with Acharya Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelgola in Karnataka

2. Bindusara

a. Born c. 320 BCE, died c. 272 BCE

b. He was the successor to Chandragupta

c. He was the son of Chandragupta and the father of Asoka

d. He was also known as Amitraghata or Ajathasetru

e. He expanded the Mauryan Empire south beyond the Deccan, as far south

as Mysore

f. During his reign, the Empire included all of India except Kalinga and the

southern kingdoms of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas

g. By religion he was an Ajivaka (a sect of Hinduism)

h. The Seleucid ambassador to Bindusaras court was Deimakos

3. Asoka the Great

Buddhist proselytism under Asokaa. Born c. 304 BCE, died c. 232 BCE

b. Successor to Bindusara

c. Also known as Devanampriya and Priyadarshin

d. Conquered Kalinga and added it to the Mauryan Empire.

e. Was initially an Ajivaka but later embraced Buddhism after the conquest of

Kalinga


4/7

f. Under Asokas reign the Mauryan Empire included all of India except the

southern kingdoms of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas

g. Contributed immensely to the spread of Buddhism, especially in

South-East Asia, Ceylon and Central Asia

h. Asoka organized the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra in c. 250 BCE. It

was conducted by the monk Mogaliputta-Tissa, who was also the spiritual

teacher of Asoka

i. He is known for the Asoka Chakra, the Asoka Pillars and the Lion Capital at

Sarnath

j. The Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt under king Philadelphus sent the

ambassador Dionysius to the court of Asoka

1. Chanakyaa. Born c. 350 BCE, died c. 283 BCE

b. Also known as Kautilya, Vishnuguptac. He was the advisor and trainer of Chandragupta Maurya and was

instrumental in the latters ascent to power

d. He later served as the Prime Minister of the Mauryan Empire under

Chandragupta and his son Bindusara

e. Author of the Arthasastra and the Nitishastra. The Arthashastra discusses

monetary policies, warfare and international relations while the Nitishastra

is a treatise on the ideal way of life and philosophy

f. Considered to be the pioneer of economics and political science in the

world

ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMY UNDER THE MAURYASAdministration

The capital of the Mauryan Empire was Pataliputra

The Empire was divided into four provinces

Tosali (in the east)

Ujjain (in the west)

Taxila (in the north)

Suvarnagiri (in the south)

The Kings representative at the provincial level was a royal prince titled Kumara The Emperor was assisted in the administration by a Council of Ministers called

the Mantriparishad

The Mauryan Empire also had an extensive and efficient civil service that

managed everything from municipal hygiene to international trade

Economy


5/7

Chandragupta Maurya introduced a single currency across India

International trade with the Greek kingdoms through the Kybher Pass was

extensive

Exports included silk goods, textiles, spices and exotic foods

THE EDICTS OF ASOKA

About the Edicts

Map of the Edicts of Asoka

The Edicts of Asoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions The inscriptions are found in the form of Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts and assorted

inscriptions on boulders and cave walls

The inscriptions are found throughout the Indian subcontinent

The language of the inscriptions is

Magadhi, using the Brahmi script (in the east)

Sanskrit, using the Kharosthi script (in the west)


6/7

One Edict in Greek

One Edict in Greek and Aramaic

The seven Pillar Edicts of Asoka are located at

Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh Lion Capital

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh Lion Capital

Rampurva, Bihar Bull and Lion

Sankassa, Uttar Pradesh Elephant

Vaishali, Bihar Lion Capital

Lauriya-Areraj and Lauriya-Nandangarh, Bihar Lion Capital

The Edicts were decodified by British archaeologist James Prinsep in 1820-1830

The Lion Capital at Sarnath is currently used as the national emblem of India,

while Indias national flag uses Asokas Chakra

Major Rock Edicts

Edict number Edict description

I Prohibition of animal sacrifice

II Medical treatment of humans and animals

III Declares liberality towards Brahmanas and

Sramanas

IV Announces that policy of Dhamma has

checked lack of violence and morality

Declares Bheri Ghosha replaced by

Dhamma Ghosha

V Mentions appointment of

Dhammamahamatas

VI Mentions Mantri Parishad

VII Religious tolerance

VIII Mentions he went to Bodh Gaya

IX Morality and conduct

Uselessness of ceremonies

X Mentions that the king does not desire

fame or glory

XI Explains policy of dhamma

XII Appeals for tolerance among religious

sects


7/7

XIII Mentions Kalinga War

Partly written in Greek

XIV Mentions the purpose of the Rock Edicts

Minor Rock Edicts

Edict Description

Kandahar Rock Edict Written in Greek and Aramaic

Bhabru Inscription Mentions Asokas conversion to Buddhism

Barabar Inscription Enjoins religious tolerance

Tarai Pillars Mention Asokas respect for Buddhism

Pillar EdictsEdict number Edict description

I Mentions the social code

II Mentions eye donation

III Mentions soul and sin

IV Mentions Rajukas

V Mentions animal killing

VI Mentions welfare of people

VII Mentions Dhammamahamatas

DECLINE OF THE MAURYA EMPIRE

The Mauryan Empire was dissolved in c. 185 BCE with the assassination of the

last ruler Bhrihadrata by his commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Sunga

The fall of the Mauryan Empire led to foreign invasions and the establishment of

Indo-Greek kingdoms in the northwest

Causes of the Mauryan decline include

Weak successors to Asoka Asokas pacifist policies

Financial crisis

Centralized government and bureaucracy

byte size note on maurya empire

Documents