The Mauryan Empire Chapter Notes | History Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

• Considered the first and one of the greatest empires in India.
• An empire because it united several smaller states under its control.
• Founded by Chandragupta Maurya in the 4^th century BC after defeating the Nandas of Magadha.
• Bindusara, Chandragupta’s son, expanded the empire further.
• Ashoka, Bindusara’s son, is regarded as one of ancient India’s greatest kings.

Sources

Literary Sources

• Arthashastra by Kautilya (Chanakya), Chandragupta’s chief advisor, provides details on politics, diplomacy, administration, and state matters.
• Indika by Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador at Chandragupta’s court, describes societal norms, culture, and people of India.
• Megasthenes, sent by Seleucus, lived in Chandragupta’s court for about five years; his work was later referenced by scholars like Arrian, Strabo, and Diodorus.

Archaeological Sources

• Ashoka’s edicts are the oldest, best-preserved, and precisely dated records of India, including 14 Major Rock Edicts, seven Pillar Edicts, and several Minor Rock Edicts.
• Edicts reflect Ashoka’s policies and events, e.g., Rock Edict XIII describes the Kalinga War’s miseries, leading to Ashoka’s vow against future wars.
• Edicts spread messages of peace, non-violence, and universal brotherhood.
• The Sanchi Stupa, built by Ashoka in the 3^rd century BC, is a semi-spherical dome containing Buddha’s relics (teeth, hair, or bones).
• Sanchi Stupa’s gateways are engraved with Jataka stories and events from Buddha’s life.

Chandra Gupta Maurya

• Founder of the Mauryan Empire, defeated the Nandas of Magadha with Kautilya’s help.
• Established the empire after Alexander’s Greek forces attacked India and later retreated.
• Occupied Punjab first, then annexed Magadha, making Pataliputra the capital.
• In 306 BC, defeated Seleucus, Alexander’s commander, who attacked India again.
• Signed a treaty with Seleucus, gaining Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Baluchistan, and married Seleucus’s daughter, Helena.
• According to Jain literature, renounced the world after ruling for 24 years.

Bindusara

• Succeeded Chandragupta Maurya and ruled until 273 BC.
• Known as the ‘slayer of foes’ for conquering parts of South India after defeating 16 rulers.

Ashoka

• Succeeded Bindusara, taking the titles Devanamapriya (beloved of the Gods) and Priyadarshi (the beautiful one).
• Ruled until 232 BC.

The War of Kalinga

• Kalinga, a strategically located trade and pilgrimage center, was targeted by Ashoka.
• The Kalinga War occurred in 261 BC; Kalinga’s powerful army resisted fiercely.
• Ashoka conquered Kalinga, but the war caused massive loss, with about 1.5 lakh deaths.
• The war deeply impacted Ashoka’s personal and political life.

Consequences of the Kalinga War

• The war’s devastation led Ashoka to abandon conquest by force.
• Stopped hunting and eating meat on certain days, and gave up a luxurious lifestyle.
• Embraced Buddhism and declared it the state religion.
• War prisoners were employed as agricultural laborers, boosting land productivity and economic prosperity.
• Adopted non-violence, reducing the Mauryan army’s efficiency.
• Ashoka’s empire extended from the Hindukush Mountains in the northwest to the River Pennar in the south, including parts of Nepal, Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar.

Example: After the Kalinga War, Ashoka’s shift to non-violence meant that instead of attacking neighboring states, he sent missionaries to spread Buddhism, promoting peace, like sending his children to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Mauryan Administration

• Covered most of India, uniting western, eastern, northern, and southern regions.
• Marked the end of small states, making it a pan-Indian empire.
• Agricultural growth and trade with other countries increased economic prosperity.
• After Kalinga, Ashoka focused on social and economic development rather than wars.
• Arthashastra and Indika provide details about Mauryan administration.
• Administration was divided into civil and military branches.

Civil Administration

• Highly centralized, with the king holding ultimate power and final decision-making authority.
• The king was aided by a council of ministers called mahamantriparishad, each overseeing a department.
• Key ministers included Purohit (chief priest), Senapati (army commander), Sannidhata (head treasurer), and Samaharta (taxation expert).
• Other roles included Accountant General, Superintendent of Ports, Superintendent of Weights and Measures, and Controller of Commerce.
• Ashoka appointed Mahamantras to ensure the welfare of his subjects.

Provincial Government

• Empire divided into five provinces: Pataliputra, Ujjain, Taxila, Swarnagari, and Tosali.
• Provinces were led by princes called Kumars or Aryaputra.
• Kumars were assisted by mahamatras (governors), Pradeshika (tax collectors), Rajukta (revenue officers, similar to modern Tahsildars), and Yukta (treasurers).

District Administration

• Provinces were subdivided into districts called Janapads.
• Administered by Pradeshika, Rajukta, and Yuktas at the district level.

Administration of Cities

• Major cities included Pataliputra, Taxila, Ujjain, Swarnanagri, and Tosali, headed by a Nagardhakshya.
• Megasthenes noted Pataliputra had a wooden wall with 64 gates and 570 towers.
• Pataliputra’s administration was managed by a 30-member committee handling trade, commerce, industries, tax collection, and foreigner welfare.

The Revenue System

• Land revenue was the main income source, set at one-fourth to one-sixth of produce, depending on soil fertility.
• Irrigated lands had slightly higher taxes.
• Two tax types: Bhaga (agricultural tax) and Bali (religious tax).

• Trade revenue was significant, with Pataliputra, Ujjain, Taxila, and Broach as inland trade centers.
• Overseas trade occurred with Greek kingdoms in Central Asia and the Middle East.
• Toll taxes were imposed on goods for sale, and taxes were levied on forest produce and minerals.

The Spy System

• An efficient spy network included women spies posted across the empire.
• Spies monitored revenue officers, Senapati, and even other spies.
• Ensured oversight of common people, officers, and ministers.
• Informed the king about public opinion on key issues and decisions.

Military Administration

• The Mauryan army was large and well-equipped, with infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.
• Roman writer Pliny recorded 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 war elephants.
• Main weapons included bows, arrows, shields, and swords.
• Senapati led the army, but the king was the commander-in-chief, making key decisions.
• Soldiers received cash salaries.
• Forts were built at strategic locations for empire security.

Religious Administration

Followed the policy of Dhamma, with principles:

• Respect elders and love children.
• Practice ahimsa (non-violence).
• Do good deeds for benefits in the next life.
• Respect all religions.
• Avoid unnecessary rituals.
• Dhamma promoted religious tolerance, moral living, and peace, enabling welfare works.

Ashoka’s steps to spread Buddhism:

• Appointed Dhamma Mahamatras to propagate Buddhism.
• Patronized Buddhism, sending his son and daughter to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
• Banned animal slaughter in the royal kitchen and set 56 days annually when animals could not be killed.
• Inscribed edicts on stones to spread peace, non-violence, and brotherhood.
• Sent missionaries to Nepal, Egypt, Syria, and Myanmar.
• Convened the Third Buddhist Council to resolve Buddhist differences.
• Practiced religious tolerance, not forcing Buddhism on his subjects.

Example: Ashoka’s Dhamma Mahamatras acted like modern community workers, teaching people about non-violence and helping resolve local disputes, fostering a peaceful society.