CHAPTER 8 - MAURYAN EMPIRE

 MAURYAN EMPIRE

Dhana Nanda, the final ruler of the Nanda dynasty, encountered considerable unpopularity during his reign, primarily due to his extravagant lifestyle and a lack of attention to the needs of his subjects. Following Alexander's invasion, the resulting instability in the northeast and certain areas under Seleucid General Nector I contributed to the decline of the Nanda dynasty. In 321 BC, Kautilya, with the assistance of his most capable disciple, Chandragupta Maurya, successfully overthrew Dhana Nanda. Historical texts describe the Maurya clan as a low caste, while Buddhist tradition identifies Chandragupta as belonging to the Kshatriya (Sakya) clan. Additionally, the Junagarh rock inscription of Rudradaman classifies Chandragupta as belonging to the Vaishya caste.

Sources about Mauryan Empire

• Sources regarding the Mauryan Empire include the following:
• Arthashastra by Kautilya (composed in Sanskrit): This work provides insights into public administration during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya and is divided into 15 sections.
• Indica by Megasthenes: This text offers information on the socio-cultural and administrative framework of the Mauryan Empire, including details about its seven-tiered caste system.
• Jataka tales (Buddhist literature): These narratives contribute to the understanding of the moral and ethical dimensions of the period.
• Diodorus, Pliny, and Plutarch: These historians refer to Chandragupta Maurya, with Plutarch identifying him as Androcottus.
• Greek scholars: They refer to Chandragupta as Sandrocottus.

Chandragupta Maurya (321 BC - 298 BC)

• He triumphed over Seleucid Niketor in 305 BC, reclaiming his extensive lands in Baluchistan and eastern Afghanistan in exchange for 500 elephants. 
• The Hindukush mountains established the boundary between their two empires, leading to matrimonial alliances between them. He dispatched Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, to the Maurya court. 
• Chandragupta later adopted Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu and ultimately passed away from slow starvation on Chandragiri Hill in Sarvanavelagola, Karnataka.

Major things happened during Chandragupta Maurya:

• He was the inaugural emperor to consolidate all of North India under a single authority. 
• During his rule, both trade and agriculture thrived. 
• The state implemented famine relief measures to assist those in need. 
• Additionally, standardized weights and currency were introduced.

Bindusara (298 BC - 273 BC)

• He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, known to the Greeks as Amitro Chates, which means "Slayer of Foes." 
• He extended his empire into southern India, reaching as far as Mysore. 
• Seleucid King Antiochus I dispatched his ambassador Deimachus to his court, along with gifts of sweet wine and dried figs, accompanied by a request from Bindusara. 
• King Ptolemy of Egypt also sent Dionysius as an ambassador. 
• Kautilya served as his Prime Minister, and he supported the Azivika texts. Additionally, he appointed his son Ashoka as the Governor of Ujjain.

Ashoka (273 BC - 232 BC)

• Bindusara intended for his eldest son, Susima, to ascend the throne. However, following Bindusara's death, Ashoka triumphed in the conflict among his brothers, aided by the ministers from his father's court, and claimed the kingship. 
• According to Buddhist legend, he eliminated 99 of his brothers to secure the throne. 
• He was also known as Devanampiya, which translates to "beloved of the gods" in Piyadasi and Sanskrit. 
• Ashoka expanded his empire to include the eastern regions, reaching present-day Bangladesh. During his reign, he unified nearly all of ancient India, with the exceptions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. 
• His capital was Pataliputra.

Kalinga War:

He was described as a merciless and irritable ruler. He initiated a conflict with Kalinga, a formidable territory, and emerged victorious in that battle. The immense loss of life among both his forces and the local population deeply affected Ashoka, causing him considerable inner turmoil. Around 263 BC, he underwent a profound transformation from Chandasoka to Dharmasoka by adopting Buddhism. His mentor during this pivotal change was Moggaliputta Tissa. In approximately 250 BC, he convened the Third Buddhist Council in Pataliputra.

Ashoka Dhamma:

• He established the concept of Paternal Kingship. He believed that everyone has a responsibility to honor their parents and teachers while embodying the principles of Ahimsa and truthfulness. 
• He advocated for the avoidance of animal slaughter and sacrifice. 
• To promote Buddhism in Sri Lanka, he dispatched his son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra.

James Prinsep, a British scholar and government official, was the first to decipher the Ashokan inscriptions found across the Indian subcontinent. 

The Ashokavandana, composed in the 2nd century AD, along with the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, provides valuable insights into the life and reign of Ashoka.

CHANAKYA (Kautilya/Vishnugupta)

• He held the position of Prime Minister under both Chandragupta Maurya and his son Bindusara. Prior to this, he was an educator in Taxila. 
• He authored the Arthasastra, a comprehensive text on statecraft, economics, and military tactics. 
• The Arthasastra was rediscovered by R. Shamasastry in 1905 after being lost since the 12th century. 
• This significant work comprises 15 books and 180 chapters. 
• Chanakya is often referred to as the "Indian Machiavelli."

Different Names Used in Maurya Empire

According to Chanakya, there were 7 elements of states known as Saptanga theory except King.

• Amatya: Secretaries
• Janapada: Territory
• Durg: Fort
• Kosha: Treasure
• Sena: Army
• Mitra: Friends
• Mantri Parishad: King was assisted by Mantriparishad included
• Yuvaraj
• Purohita
• Senapati

There are 5 provincial administration headquarter for Mauryan Empire.

• Uttara-patha (Northern): Taxila
• Avanti-rastra (Western): Ujjain
• Prachi (East & Central): Pataliputra
• Kalinga (Eastern): Toshali
• Dakshina-patha (Southern): Suvarngiri

The Maurya Empire's military consisted of infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy, and transport units. Each of these divisions was overseen by five officers.

Economy

• The government had a significant grip on nearly all economic operations. 
• Taxes ranged from 25% to 16.67%. 
• The state also supplied irrigation services and imposed a water tax. 
• It held a monopoly over industries such as mining, forestry, salt production, liquor sales, and arms manufacturing. Transactions were primarily conducted using silver coins.

Society

• Women held significant positions and enjoyed considerable freedom within society. 
• Both men and women had the right to divorce and remarry. 
• As noted by Megasthenes, society was structured into seven distinct classes: 
• philosophers, 
• farmers, 
• soldiers, 
• herdsmen, 
• artisans, 
• magistrates, and 
• councilors.

Art & Arcitecture:

• Mauryan architecture can be categorized into two distinct styles: Court art and Popular art. The palace of Chandragupta Maurya drew inspiration from the Achaemenid palaces located in Persepolis, Iran. During the Mauryan period, wood was the predominant material utilized for constructing palaces. The primary purpose of the Ashoka Pillar was to spread Buddhist teachings and royal decrees throughout the Mauryan Empire. Mauryan Pillars were composed of four main components. 
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• The shaft, a long structure, served as the foundation and was crafted from a single piece of stone, known as a monolith. Atop the shaft rested the capital, which could be either lotus-shaped or bell-shaped. Above the capital was the abacus, a circular or rectangular base. The capital figures, such as the Bull, Lion, and Elephant, were robustly carved and positioned on a square or circular abacus, resembling the design of Persian Pillars. The stones used in Mauryan Pillars were polished to enhance their appearance.

Ashoka's Seven Pillar Edicts:  

Pillar Edict 1: Ashoka's commitment to the protection of the populace.  

Pillar Edict 2: Establishes Dhamma as the foundation of minimal wrongdoing, numerous virtues, compassion, generosity, honesty, and purity.  

Pillar Edict 3: Eliminates sins associated with harshness, cruelty, anger, pride, and similar vices.  

Pillar Edict 4: Addresses the responsibilities of Rajukas.  

Pillar Edict 5: Enumerates animals and birds that are to be spared from killing on certain days, along with a separate list of those that should never be harmed.  

Pillar Edict 6: Dhamma Policy.  

Pillar Edict 7: Ashoka's contributions to the Dhamma Policy.  

Minor Pillar Inscriptions

• Sarnath Lion Capital: Located close to Varanasi, this pillar was constructed by Ashoka to honor the Dhammachakrapavartana, which marks the Buddha's first sermon.  
• Vaishali Pillar: Found in Bihar, this pillar features a solitary lion and lacks any inscriptions.  
• Sankissa Pillar: Situated in Uttar Pradesh.  
• Lauriya-Nandangarth: Located in Bihar's Champaran district.  
• Lauriya-Araraj: Also in Bihar's Champaran region.  
• Allahabad Pillar: Positioned in Uttar Pradesh.  

Stupa: Stupas originated as burial mounds in India, dating back to the Vedic period.

Factors contributing to the decline of the Maurya Empire include:  

• The Brahmanical backlash against the Maurya rulers due to their adherence to Buddhism and Jainism.  
• The emergence of weaker leadership following Ashoka Samrat.  
• An overly centralized administrative structure.  
• The fragmentation of the Maurya Empire.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?

1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only (Correct Answer)

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3