Mauryan Period in Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Bihar in the Pre-Mauryan Era

The Vedic texts mention the existence of Magadha as early as 600 BCE. Magadha was one of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas and covered present-day Patna, Gaya, and parts of southern Bihar. It became the first and strongest empire in ancient India. This region was governed by various small dynasties known as Pre-Mauryan dynasties. Here are some of the notable dynasties from this period:

Brihadrath Dynasty

• Founded: Mid-6th Century BC
• Notable Ruler: Brihadrath, the earliest known king of Magadha mentioned in the Rigveda. He is considered the founder of the Brihadrath dynasty, the oldest ruling dynasty of Magadha.
• According to the Mahabharata and Puranas: Brihadrath was the eldest son of Vasu, the Kuru king of Chedi. Vasu is said to have founded Vasumati or Girivraja.
• Notable King: Jarasandha, son of Brihadrath, was famous for defeating rulers of various contemporary states such as Kashi, Malwa, Agra, Banga, and Kalinga.
• Jarasandha's Death: According to the Mahabharata, he was killed by Bhima.
• Capital: Girivraja (Rajgir) was the capital during Jarasandha's reign.
• Successors: Jarasandha was succeeded by Sahadev, and Ripunjaya was the last ruler of this dynasty.
• According to Puranas: The Pradyota dynasty succeeded the Brihadrath dynasty in Magadha.

Haryanka Dynasty

• Bimbisara (543-491 BC) was the first notable ruler of the Haryanka dynasty. He expanded Magadha's territory by conquering Kashi and Kosala. Initially, he faced opposition from Avanti, whose king, Chanda Pradyota Mahasena, became a rival. However, Bimbisara and Pradyota eventually forged an alliance. Bimbisara is also credited with creating the first permanent army in history.
• Ajatashatru (492-460 BC), Bimbisara's son, seized the throne by imprisoning and killing his father. He expanded the kingdom further by conquering Kashi and Vaishali. During his reign, significant events included the Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha in 487 BC and the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira in 468 BC. Ajatashatru organized the first Buddhist council in 483 BC shortly after Buddha's death. He ruled for about 32 years before being killed by his son, Udayin (460-440 BC).
• Udayin succeeded Ajatashatru and founded the city of Patliputra (modern Patna) in 455 BC, establishing it as the capital. However, his successors, including Anuruddha, Munda, and Nagadasaka, were weak rulers. Due to internal conflicts and dynastic feuds, the Haryanka dynasty eventually declined, leading to the rise of the Shishunaga dynasty in Magadha.

Shishunaga Dynasty

Nanda Dynasty

Bihar in the Mauryan Period

The Mauryan Empire was the first large and powerful political and military empire in ancient India. It was known for its extensive reach and strong governance. The empire's capital was at Patliputra, in what is now modern-day Patna, Bihar. Renowned rulers like Chandragupta Maurya, his son Bindusara, and the famous Emperor Asoka led this great empire.

Chandragupta Maurya

• Chandragupta Maurya (321-298 BC) founded the Mauryan dynasty with the guidance of his mentor Chanakya. They overthrew the last Nanda ruler, Dhana Nanda, in 321 BC.
• Historical texts like the Matsya Purana and the  Mudrarakshasa  provide insights into Chandragupta's background. His mother, Mura, was a Shudra woman in the Nanda court, and he was referred to as 'Vrishala' in the  Mudrarakshasa  . However, Buddhist tradition claims he belonged to the Moriya Kshatriya clan.
• In 305 BC, Chandragupta fought Seleucus Nicator, a general of Alexander the Great. Following this, Seleucus sent Megasthenes as an ambassador to the Mauryan court.
• Megasthenes, the first famous foreign traveler to visit Bihar, wrote about Mauryan urban administration in his book  Indica  . He noted that the empire had a vast military, including 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 elephants.
• He also described the administration of Patliputra, which was overseen by a council of 30 members divided into six committees. Patliputra was referred to as 'Palibothra' in ancient texts.
• Acharya Chanakya, the political advisor of Chandragupta Maurya, played a crucial role in guiding the young king. Chanakya is also the author of the  Arthashastra  , a treatise on politics and economics.
• Later Jain sources, like the  Parishishtaparvan  , suggest that Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life. He abdicated the throne in favor of his son Bindusara and traveled to Shravanabelagola with Jain monks, where he ultimately starved himself to death.

Bindusara

• Bindusara, the son of Chandragupta Maurya, ruled from 298 to 273 BC and expanded the Mauryan Empire across most of present-day India, except for the extreme southern and eastern regions.
• Under Bindusara, the empire extended northward to the Himalayas, eastward into Assam, westward into Balochistan and Afghanistan.
• Greek writers referred to Bindusara as Amitrochates or Allitrochades, while Jain texts called him Singhsen or Bindupala. He was known as Mudrasar in the Vayu Purana and Seemseri in the Jain text Rajvalli-Katha.
• Bindusara maintained diplomatic relations with Greek rulers, receiving ambassadors such as Deimachus from King Antiochus of Syria and Dionysius from Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt.
• He supported the Ajivika sect and appointed his son Asoka as the Governor of Ujjain.

Asoka

• Asoka, the son of Bindusara, became emperor in 273 BC after a four-year interregnum, during which he reportedly killed 99 of his brothers to secure the throne, sparing only one, Vitashoka or Tissa.
• His empire extended south to the Cholas and Pandyas, north to Kashmir and Nepal, and east into present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal.
• In 261 BC, Asoka waged the Kalinga War, which caused immense suffering and loss of life. This war, fought against the small kingdom of Kalinga in present-day Odisha, profoundly impacted Asoka, leading to his conversion to Buddhism.
• Influenced by the Buddhist monk Upagupta, Asoka embraced the principles of Buddhism and became known as Dhammasoka. He is also referred to as Devanampriya and Priyadarshee in various inscriptions and as King of Magadha in the Bhabru inscription.

Asoka and the Spread of Buddhism

• In 250 BC, Emperor Asoka organized the Third Buddhist Council in Pataliputra, with Moggaliputta Tissa as its president. This council played a crucial role in spreading Buddhist ideals to regions such as Sri Lanka, South-East Asia, West Asia, and Mediterranean Europe. Following Asoka's death, the Mauryan Empire began to decline.
• Archaeologically, the period of Mauryan rule in South Asia is associated with the era of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). The Arthashastra, Asoka's edicts, and Ashokavardhana are primary written records from this time. Asoka is credited with constructing 84,000 stupas, along with numerous stone pillars and inscriptions.
• Three Pillar Inscriptions in Bihar, including Lauriya Areraj in East Champaran, Lauriya Nandangarh, and Rampurwa Pillar Inscriptions in West Champaran, are notable examples of Asoka's inscriptions.

Mauryan Administration

• The Mauryan administration, including elements of governance, military, economy, judiciary, and society, was formulated by Chanakya.
• The empire was divided into four provinces, each governed by a Governor.
• Chanakya's Saptanga Theory divided the kingdom into seven elements: Svamin (king), Amatya (ministers), Janapada (people), Durg (fort), Kosa (treasury), Bala (army), and Mitra (ally).
• Eighteen Tirthas or Mahamatyas were appointed as ministers, head priests, commanders-in-chief, and crown princes, receiving payment in silver coins.
• The military was organized under the Senapati, with various officials overseeing different wings.
• There were two types of courts: Dharmasthiyas (Civil courts) and Kantakasodhanas (Criminal courts).
• Rajjukas were responsible for land measurement and boundary fixing, controlling districts, while Gopas managed villages, and the village head, known as Gramani, was a sarpanch.
• The Mauryan economy was overseen by 27 superintendents called Adhyakshas, with a currency system comprising silver coins (Panas), copper coins (Mashaka), and gold coins (Niskha).
• Eighteen guilds (Srenis) organized various trades, including jewelry, woodwork, metalwork, and hired labor.
• Megasthenes noted the presence of seven castes in Mauryan society: philosophers, farmers, soldiers, herdsmen, artisans, magistrates, and councillors.
• To maintain control over distant regions, provincial and local administrative structures were established, with viceroys in Tosali and Ujjaini referred to as Kumaras and the viceroy of Suvarnagiri called Aryaputra.
• Internal trade routes included the East-West route from Taxila to Pataliputra, and Sravasti to Rajagriha, while external trade was conducted via Tamluk (Tamralipta) on the East coast and Broach and Sopara on the West coast.

Five Provinces of Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Art and Architecture

• AK Coomaraswamy categorizes Mauryan art into indigenous art and official court art. The Mauryan period witnessed significant advancements in art and architecture. The city of Patliputra (modern-day Patna) was described in detail by Greek writers like Megasthenes, and accounts from Fa-Hien also provide insights into the city.
• The pillars erected during Asoka's reign are considered exceptional examples of Mauryan art, constructed from spotted red and white sandstone or buff-colored fine-grained gray sandstone. These pillars are found in locations such as Delhi, Allahabad, Rummindei, Sanchi, and Sarnath.
• Statues of a Yaksha, a Chauri bearer, and a Yakshini were discovered in Didarganj, Bihar. While Asoka commissioned numerous stupas, many were destroyed during foreign invasions. Rock-cut caves, serving as monk residences and assembly halls (Chaitya), were constructed by Asoka and his grandson Dasharatha in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills near Bodh Gaya, with polished internal walls resembling mirrors. Caves like Lomas Rishi and Sudama in the Barabar hills, dedicated to the Ajivikas, were built by Ashoka and Dasaratha.

Post-Mauryan Dynasties in Bihar

The period following the Mauryan Empire was marked by the rise of various dynasties in Bihar, each contributing to the region's rich history and culture. This era witnessed significant changes in political power, cultural practices, and regional influences.

Shunga Dynasty

• The Shunga dynasty, spanning from 184 to 72 BC, was established by Pushyamitra Shunga after he assassinated the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, in 185 BC.
• Pushyamitra, originally the Commander-in-Chief of the Mauryan armed forces, was instrumental in protecting the kingdom from foreign invasions, particularly the Yavanas (Greeks).
• Despite being portrayed as an enemy of Buddhism in some texts, Pushyamitra is believed to have patronized Buddhist art, as evidenced by the renovation of Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi during his reign.
• He was a devout follower of Brahmanism and is credited with holding two Ashwamedha Yajnas, significant Vedic rituals, during his rule.
• Pushyamitra's reign marked a shift towards Brahmanical ideals and a decline in Buddhism, as recorded in texts like the Ashokavardhana.
• After Pushyamitra's death, his son Agnimitra succeeded the throne, with Agnimitra gaining fame through Kalidasa's play "Malavikagnimitram."
• The Shunga dynasty eventually faced decline, with Devbhuti being the last ruler.
• The dynasty was characterized by Greek influence, particularly in regions like Sakala, where Bactrian Greeks held sway.
• Notable events during this period include the erection of the Garuda pillar at Bernagar by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador during the reign of Shunga ruler Bhadraka.

Kanva Dynasty

• The Kanva dynasty, ruling from 72 to 27 BC, succeeded the Shunga dynasty in Magadha.
• Vasudeva, a key figure in the Kanva dynasty, overthrew the last Shunga ruler, Devabhuti, in 72 BC, marking the beginning of Kanva rule.
• The dynasty continued for approximately 45 years, with Susharman being the last known ruler.
• The Kanva dynasty's rule came to an end with the rise of the Satavahana dynasty, which emerged from the Deccan plateau region.
• It is important to note that the Satavahanas and Andharas from the South did not directly rule over the former Shunga territories; instead, they established their dominance in the region.

Kushana Dynasty

• Remnants from the Kushana era have been found in the Magadha region, indicating their presence and influence in the area from around the 1st century AD.
• Evidence suggests that Kushana ruler Kanishka, who reigned from 78 to 125 AD, launched attacks on Patliputra, the capital of Magadha, during his rule.
• Kanishka's campaigns are notable for their cultural significance, as he is believed to have brought along the renowned Buddhist monk Asvaghosa, who played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism.
• After the decline of the Kushana Empire, the Magadha region came under the control of the Licchavis.
• Coins from the Kushana dynasty have been discovered in various locations such as Chirand, Buxar, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, and Kumrahar, indicating their widespread influence and trade.
• The decline of the Kushana Empire led to a period of instability and unrest in the region, with no strong empires emerging until the rise of the Gupta Empire in the 3rd century AD.