TN History Textbook: The Mauryan Empire | Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


59
The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opens a new era in
the history of India. For the first time, the political unity was achieved
in India. Moreover, the history writing has also become clear from
this period due to accuracy in chronology and sources. Besides
plenty of indigenous and foreign literary sources, a number of
epigraphical records are also available to write the history of this
period.
Literary Sources
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 books
LESSON 6
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. The sources for the study of the Mauryas.
2. Chandragupta Maurya and his achievements.
3. Asoka and his achievements and the spread of Asoka’s
Dhamma.
4. The salient features of the Mauryan administration.
5. Art and architecture of the Mauryas.
6. Causes for the decline of the Mauryan empire.
Page 2


59
The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opens a new era in
the history of India. For the first time, the political unity was achieved
in India. Moreover, the history writing has also become clear from
this period due to accuracy in chronology and sources. Besides
plenty of indigenous and foreign literary sources, a number of
epigraphical records are also available to write the history of this
period.
Literary Sources
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 books
LESSON 6
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. The sources for the study of the Mauryas.
2. Chandragupta Maurya and his achievements.
3. Asoka and his achievements and the spread of Asoka’s
Dhamma.
4. The salient features of the Mauryan administration.
5. Art and architecture of the Mauryas.
6. Causes for the decline of the Mauryan empire.
61 60
places Prakrit was used. The Brahmi script was employed for writing.
In the northwestern India Asokan inscriptions were found in Karoshti
script. There are fourteen Major Rock Edicts. The two Kalinga
Edicts are found in the newly conquered territory. The major pillar
Edicts were erected in important cities. There are minor Rock Edicts
and minor pillar Edicts. These Edicts of Asoka deal with Asoka’s
Dhamma and also instructions given to his officials. The XIII Rock
Edict gives details about his war with Kalinga. The Pillar Edict VII
gives a summary of his efforts to promote the Dhamma within his
kingdom. Thus the Asokan inscriptions remain valuable sources for
the study of Asoka and the Mauryan Empire.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE MAURYAS
Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.)
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan
Empire. He, at the young age of 25, captured Pataliputra from the
last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda. In this task he was
assisted by Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya or
Vishnugupta. After firmly establishing his power in the Gangetic
valley, he marched to the northwest and subdued the territories up
to the Indus. Then he moved to central India and occupied the region
north of Narmada river.
In 305 B.C., he marched against Selukas Niketar, who was
Alexander’s General controlling the northwestern India.
Chandragupta Maurya defeated him and a treaty was signed. By
this treaty, Selukas Niketar ceded the trans-Indus territories – namely
Aria, Arakosia and Gedrosia – to the Mauryan Empire. He also
gave his daughter in marriage to the Mauryan prince. Chandragupta
made a gift of 500 elephants to Selukas. Megasthenes was sent to
the Mauryan court as Greek ambassador.
and 180 chapters but it can be divided into three parts: the first
deals with the king and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal law; and the third
with diplomacy and war. It is the most important literary source for
the history of the Mauryas.
Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa written by Visakadatta is a drama in
Sanskrit. Although written during the Gupta period, it describes how
Chandragupta with the assistance of Kautilya overthrew the Nandas.
It also gives a picture on the socio-economic condition under the
Mauryas.
Megasthenes’ Indica
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in the court of
Chandragupta Maurya. His book Indica has survived only in
fragments. Yet, his account gives details about the Mauryan
administration, particularly the administration of the capital city of
Pataliputra and also the military organization. His picture on
contemporary social life is notable. Certain unbelievable information
provided by him has to be treated with caution.
Other Literature
Apart from these three important works, the Puranas and the
Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the
Mauryas. The Ceylonese Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
throw light on the role Asoka in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Archaeological Sources
Edicts of Asoka
The inscriptions of Asoka were first deciphered by James
Princep in 1837. They are written in Pali language and in some
Page 3


59
The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opens a new era in
the history of India. For the first time, the political unity was achieved
in India. Moreover, the history writing has also become clear from
this period due to accuracy in chronology and sources. Besides
plenty of indigenous and foreign literary sources, a number of
epigraphical records are also available to write the history of this
period.
Literary Sources
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 books
LESSON 6
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. The sources for the study of the Mauryas.
2. Chandragupta Maurya and his achievements.
3. Asoka and his achievements and the spread of Asoka’s
Dhamma.
4. The salient features of the Mauryan administration.
5. Art and architecture of the Mauryas.
6. Causes for the decline of the Mauryan empire.
61 60
places Prakrit was used. The Brahmi script was employed for writing.
In the northwestern India Asokan inscriptions were found in Karoshti
script. There are fourteen Major Rock Edicts. The two Kalinga
Edicts are found in the newly conquered territory. The major pillar
Edicts were erected in important cities. There are minor Rock Edicts
and minor pillar Edicts. These Edicts of Asoka deal with Asoka’s
Dhamma and also instructions given to his officials. The XIII Rock
Edict gives details about his war with Kalinga. The Pillar Edict VII
gives a summary of his efforts to promote the Dhamma within his
kingdom. Thus the Asokan inscriptions remain valuable sources for
the study of Asoka and the Mauryan Empire.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE MAURYAS
Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.)
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan
Empire. He, at the young age of 25, captured Pataliputra from the
last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda. In this task he was
assisted by Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya or
Vishnugupta. After firmly establishing his power in the Gangetic
valley, he marched to the northwest and subdued the territories up
to the Indus. Then he moved to central India and occupied the region
north of Narmada river.
In 305 B.C., he marched against Selukas Niketar, who was
Alexander’s General controlling the northwestern India.
Chandragupta Maurya defeated him and a treaty was signed. By
this treaty, Selukas Niketar ceded the trans-Indus territories – namely
Aria, Arakosia and Gedrosia – to the Mauryan Empire. He also
gave his daughter in marriage to the Mauryan prince. Chandragupta
made a gift of 500 elephants to Selukas. Megasthenes was sent to
the Mauryan court as Greek ambassador.
and 180 chapters but it can be divided into three parts: the first
deals with the king and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal law; and the third
with diplomacy and war. It is the most important literary source for
the history of the Mauryas.
Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa written by Visakadatta is a drama in
Sanskrit. Although written during the Gupta period, it describes how
Chandragupta with the assistance of Kautilya overthrew the Nandas.
It also gives a picture on the socio-economic condition under the
Mauryas.
Megasthenes’ Indica
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in the court of
Chandragupta Maurya. His book Indica has survived only in
fragments. Yet, his account gives details about the Mauryan
administration, particularly the administration of the capital city of
Pataliputra and also the military organization. His picture on
contemporary social life is notable. Certain unbelievable information
provided by him has to be treated with caution.
Other Literature
Apart from these three important works, the Puranas and the
Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the
Mauryas. The Ceylonese Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
throw light on the role Asoka in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Archaeological Sources
Edicts of Asoka
The inscriptions of Asoka were first deciphered by James
Princep in 1837. They are written in Pali language and in some
63 62
Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life
and stepped down from the throne in favour of his son Bindusara.
Then he went to Sravana Belgola, near Mysore along with Jain
monks led by Bhadrabhagu and starved himself to death.
Bindusara (298 – 273 B.C.)
Bindusara was called by the Greeks as “Amitragatha” meaning
slayer of enemies. He is said to have conquered the Deccan up to
Mysore. Taranatha, the Tibetan monk states that Bindusara
conquered 16 states comprising ‘the land between the two seas’.
The Sangam Tamil literature also confirms the Mauryan invasion of
the far south. Therefore, it can be said that the Mauryan Empire
under Bindusara extended up to Mysore.
Bindusara received Deimachus as ambassador from the Syrian
king Antiochus I. Bindusara wrote to Antiochus I asking for sweet
wine, dried figs and a sophist. The latter sent all but a sophist
because the Greek law prohibited sending a sophist. Bindusara
supported the Ajivikas, a religious sect. Bindusara appointed his
son Asoka as the governor of Ujjain.
Asoka the Great (273 – 232 B.C.)
There is little information regarding the early life of Asoka.
He acted as Governor of Ujjain and also suppressed a revolt in
Taxila during his father Bindusara’s reign. There was an interval of
four years between Asoka’s accession to the throne (273 B.C.)
and his actual coronation (269 B.C.). Therefore, it appears from
the available evidence that there was a struggle for the throne after
Bindusara’s death. The Ceylonese Chronicles, Dipavamsa and
Mahavamsa state that Asoka captured power after killing his ninety
nine brothers including the his elder brother Susima. The youngest
brother Tissa was spared. But according to Taranatha of Tibet,
Asoka killed only six of his brothers. Asoka’s Edict also refers to
Page 4


59
The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opens a new era in
the history of India. For the first time, the political unity was achieved
in India. Moreover, the history writing has also become clear from
this period due to accuracy in chronology and sources. Besides
plenty of indigenous and foreign literary sources, a number of
epigraphical records are also available to write the history of this
period.
Literary Sources
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 books
LESSON 6
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. The sources for the study of the Mauryas.
2. Chandragupta Maurya and his achievements.
3. Asoka and his achievements and the spread of Asoka’s
Dhamma.
4. The salient features of the Mauryan administration.
5. Art and architecture of the Mauryas.
6. Causes for the decline of the Mauryan empire.
61 60
places Prakrit was used. The Brahmi script was employed for writing.
In the northwestern India Asokan inscriptions were found in Karoshti
script. There are fourteen Major Rock Edicts. The two Kalinga
Edicts are found in the newly conquered territory. The major pillar
Edicts were erected in important cities. There are minor Rock Edicts
and minor pillar Edicts. These Edicts of Asoka deal with Asoka’s
Dhamma and also instructions given to his officials. The XIII Rock
Edict gives details about his war with Kalinga. The Pillar Edict VII
gives a summary of his efforts to promote the Dhamma within his
kingdom. Thus the Asokan inscriptions remain valuable sources for
the study of Asoka and the Mauryan Empire.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE MAURYAS
Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.)
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan
Empire. He, at the young age of 25, captured Pataliputra from the
last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda. In this task he was
assisted by Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya or
Vishnugupta. After firmly establishing his power in the Gangetic
valley, he marched to the northwest and subdued the territories up
to the Indus. Then he moved to central India and occupied the region
north of Narmada river.
In 305 B.C., he marched against Selukas Niketar, who was
Alexander’s General controlling the northwestern India.
Chandragupta Maurya defeated him and a treaty was signed. By
this treaty, Selukas Niketar ceded the trans-Indus territories – namely
Aria, Arakosia and Gedrosia – to the Mauryan Empire. He also
gave his daughter in marriage to the Mauryan prince. Chandragupta
made a gift of 500 elephants to Selukas. Megasthenes was sent to
the Mauryan court as Greek ambassador.
and 180 chapters but it can be divided into three parts: the first
deals with the king and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal law; and the third
with diplomacy and war. It is the most important literary source for
the history of the Mauryas.
Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa written by Visakadatta is a drama in
Sanskrit. Although written during the Gupta period, it describes how
Chandragupta with the assistance of Kautilya overthrew the Nandas.
It also gives a picture on the socio-economic condition under the
Mauryas.
Megasthenes’ Indica
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in the court of
Chandragupta Maurya. His book Indica has survived only in
fragments. Yet, his account gives details about the Mauryan
administration, particularly the administration of the capital city of
Pataliputra and also the military organization. His picture on
contemporary social life is notable. Certain unbelievable information
provided by him has to be treated with caution.
Other Literature
Apart from these three important works, the Puranas and the
Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the
Mauryas. The Ceylonese Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
throw light on the role Asoka in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Archaeological Sources
Edicts of Asoka
The inscriptions of Asoka were first deciphered by James
Princep in 1837. They are written in Pali language and in some
63 62
Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life
and stepped down from the throne in favour of his son Bindusara.
Then he went to Sravana Belgola, near Mysore along with Jain
monks led by Bhadrabhagu and starved himself to death.
Bindusara (298 – 273 B.C.)
Bindusara was called by the Greeks as “Amitragatha” meaning
slayer of enemies. He is said to have conquered the Deccan up to
Mysore. Taranatha, the Tibetan monk states that Bindusara
conquered 16 states comprising ‘the land between the two seas’.
The Sangam Tamil literature also confirms the Mauryan invasion of
the far south. Therefore, it can be said that the Mauryan Empire
under Bindusara extended up to Mysore.
Bindusara received Deimachus as ambassador from the Syrian
king Antiochus I. Bindusara wrote to Antiochus I asking for sweet
wine, dried figs and a sophist. The latter sent all but a sophist
because the Greek law prohibited sending a sophist. Bindusara
supported the Ajivikas, a religious sect. Bindusara appointed his
son Asoka as the governor of Ujjain.
Asoka the Great (273 – 232 B.C.)
There is little information regarding the early life of Asoka.
He acted as Governor of Ujjain and also suppressed a revolt in
Taxila during his father Bindusara’s reign. There was an interval of
four years between Asoka’s accession to the throne (273 B.C.)
and his actual coronation (269 B.C.). Therefore, it appears from
the available evidence that there was a struggle for the throne after
Bindusara’s death. The Ceylonese Chronicles, Dipavamsa and
Mahavamsa state that Asoka captured power after killing his ninety
nine brothers including the his elder brother Susima. The youngest
brother Tissa was spared. But according to Taranatha of Tibet,
Asoka killed only six of his brothers. Asoka’s Edict also refers to
65 64
northwestern frontier was already demarcated by Chandragupta
Maurya.
Asoka’s Dhamma
Although Asoka embraced Buddhism and took efforts to
spread Buddhism, his policy of Dhamma was a still broad concept.
It was a way of life, a code of conduct and a set of principles to be
adopted and practiced by the people at large. His principles of
Dhamma were clearly stated in his Edicts. The main features of
Asoka’s Dhamma as mentioned in his various Edicts may be summed
as follows:
1. Service to father and mother, practice of ahimsa, love of truth,
reverence to teachers and good treatment of relatives.
2. Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festive gatherings and
avoiding expensive and meaningless ceremonies and rituals.
3. Efficient organization of administration in the direction of social
welfare and maintenance of constant contact with people
through the system of Dhammayatras.
4. Humane treatment of servants by masters and prisoners by
government officials.
5. Consideration and non-violence to animals and courtesy to
relations and liberality to Brahmins.
6. Tolerance among all the religious sects.
7. Conquest through Dhamma instead of through war.
The concept of non-violence and other similar ideas of
Asoka’s Dhamma are identical with the teachings of Buddha. But
he did not equate Dhamma with Buddhist teachings. Buddhism
remained his personal belief. His Dhamma signifies a general code
of conduct. Asoka wished that his Dhamma should spread through
all social levels.
his brothers acting as officers in his administration. However, it is
clear that the succession of Asoka was a disputed one.
The most important event of Asoka’s reign was his victorious
war with Kalinga in 261 B.C. Although there is no detail about the
cause and course of the war, the effects of the war were described
by Asoka himself in the Rock edict XIII: “A hundred and fifty
thousand were killed and many times that number perished…” After
the war he annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire. Another most
important effect of the Kalinga war was that Asoka embraced
Buddhism under the influence of Buddhist monk, Upagupta.
Asoka and Buddhism
According some scholars, his conversion to Buddhism was
gradual and not immediate. About 261 B.C. Asoka became a Sakya
Upasaka (lay dsicple) and two and a half years later, a Bikshu
(monk). Then he gave up hunting, visited Bodh-Gaya, and organized
missions. He appointed special officers called Dharma Mahamatras
to speed up the progress of Dhamma. In 241 B.C., he visited the
birth place of Buddha, the Lumbini Garden, near Kapilavastu. He
also visited other holy places of Buddhism like Sarnath, Sravasti
and Kusinagara. He sent a mission to Sri Lanka under his son
Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra who planted there the branch
of the original Bodhi tree. Asoka convened the Third Buddhist
Council at Pataliputra in 240 B.C. in order to strengthen the Sangha.
It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.
Extent of Asoka’s Empire
Asoka’s inscriptions mention the southernmost kingdoms –
Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras and Keralaputras – as border-states.
Therefore these states remained outside the Mauryan Empire.
According to Rajatarangini, Kashmir was a part of the Mauryan
Empire. Nepal was also within the Mauryan empire. The
Page 5


59
The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opens a new era in
the history of India. For the first time, the political unity was achieved
in India. Moreover, the history writing has also become clear from
this period due to accuracy in chronology and sources. Besides
plenty of indigenous and foreign literary sources, a number of
epigraphical records are also available to write the history of this
period.
Literary Sources
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 books
LESSON 6
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. The sources for the study of the Mauryas.
2. Chandragupta Maurya and his achievements.
3. Asoka and his achievements and the spread of Asoka’s
Dhamma.
4. The salient features of the Mauryan administration.
5. Art and architecture of the Mauryas.
6. Causes for the decline of the Mauryan empire.
61 60
places Prakrit was used. The Brahmi script was employed for writing.
In the northwestern India Asokan inscriptions were found in Karoshti
script. There are fourteen Major Rock Edicts. The two Kalinga
Edicts are found in the newly conquered territory. The major pillar
Edicts were erected in important cities. There are minor Rock Edicts
and minor pillar Edicts. These Edicts of Asoka deal with Asoka’s
Dhamma and also instructions given to his officials. The XIII Rock
Edict gives details about his war with Kalinga. The Pillar Edict VII
gives a summary of his efforts to promote the Dhamma within his
kingdom. Thus the Asokan inscriptions remain valuable sources for
the study of Asoka and the Mauryan Empire.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE MAURYAS
Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.)
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan
Empire. He, at the young age of 25, captured Pataliputra from the
last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda. In this task he was
assisted by Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya or
Vishnugupta. After firmly establishing his power in the Gangetic
valley, he marched to the northwest and subdued the territories up
to the Indus. Then he moved to central India and occupied the region
north of Narmada river.
In 305 B.C., he marched against Selukas Niketar, who was
Alexander’s General controlling the northwestern India.
Chandragupta Maurya defeated him and a treaty was signed. By
this treaty, Selukas Niketar ceded the trans-Indus territories – namely
Aria, Arakosia and Gedrosia – to the Mauryan Empire. He also
gave his daughter in marriage to the Mauryan prince. Chandragupta
made a gift of 500 elephants to Selukas. Megasthenes was sent to
the Mauryan court as Greek ambassador.
and 180 chapters but it can be divided into three parts: the first
deals with the king and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal law; and the third
with diplomacy and war. It is the most important literary source for
the history of the Mauryas.
Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa written by Visakadatta is a drama in
Sanskrit. Although written during the Gupta period, it describes how
Chandragupta with the assistance of Kautilya overthrew the Nandas.
It also gives a picture on the socio-economic condition under the
Mauryas.
Megasthenes’ Indica
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in the court of
Chandragupta Maurya. His book Indica has survived only in
fragments. Yet, his account gives details about the Mauryan
administration, particularly the administration of the capital city of
Pataliputra and also the military organization. His picture on
contemporary social life is notable. Certain unbelievable information
provided by him has to be treated with caution.
Other Literature
Apart from these three important works, the Puranas and the
Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the
Mauryas. The Ceylonese Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
throw light on the role Asoka in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Archaeological Sources
Edicts of Asoka
The inscriptions of Asoka were first deciphered by James
Princep in 1837. They are written in Pali language and in some
63 62
Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life
and stepped down from the throne in favour of his son Bindusara.
Then he went to Sravana Belgola, near Mysore along with Jain
monks led by Bhadrabhagu and starved himself to death.
Bindusara (298 – 273 B.C.)
Bindusara was called by the Greeks as “Amitragatha” meaning
slayer of enemies. He is said to have conquered the Deccan up to
Mysore. Taranatha, the Tibetan monk states that Bindusara
conquered 16 states comprising ‘the land between the two seas’.
The Sangam Tamil literature also confirms the Mauryan invasion of
the far south. Therefore, it can be said that the Mauryan Empire
under Bindusara extended up to Mysore.
Bindusara received Deimachus as ambassador from the Syrian
king Antiochus I. Bindusara wrote to Antiochus I asking for sweet
wine, dried figs and a sophist. The latter sent all but a sophist
because the Greek law prohibited sending a sophist. Bindusara
supported the Ajivikas, a religious sect. Bindusara appointed his
son Asoka as the governor of Ujjain.
Asoka the Great (273 – 232 B.C.)
There is little information regarding the early life of Asoka.
He acted as Governor of Ujjain and also suppressed a revolt in
Taxila during his father Bindusara’s reign. There was an interval of
four years between Asoka’s accession to the throne (273 B.C.)
and his actual coronation (269 B.C.). Therefore, it appears from
the available evidence that there was a struggle for the throne after
Bindusara’s death. The Ceylonese Chronicles, Dipavamsa and
Mahavamsa state that Asoka captured power after killing his ninety
nine brothers including the his elder brother Susima. The youngest
brother Tissa was spared. But according to Taranatha of Tibet,
Asoka killed only six of his brothers. Asoka’s Edict also refers to
65 64
northwestern frontier was already demarcated by Chandragupta
Maurya.
Asoka’s Dhamma
Although Asoka embraced Buddhism and took efforts to
spread Buddhism, his policy of Dhamma was a still broad concept.
It was a way of life, a code of conduct and a set of principles to be
adopted and practiced by the people at large. His principles of
Dhamma were clearly stated in his Edicts. The main features of
Asoka’s Dhamma as mentioned in his various Edicts may be summed
as follows:
1. Service to father and mother, practice of ahimsa, love of truth,
reverence to teachers and good treatment of relatives.
2. Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festive gatherings and
avoiding expensive and meaningless ceremonies and rituals.
3. Efficient organization of administration in the direction of social
welfare and maintenance of constant contact with people
through the system of Dhammayatras.
4. Humane treatment of servants by masters and prisoners by
government officials.
5. Consideration and non-violence to animals and courtesy to
relations and liberality to Brahmins.
6. Tolerance among all the religious sects.
7. Conquest through Dhamma instead of through war.
The concept of non-violence and other similar ideas of
Asoka’s Dhamma are identical with the teachings of Buddha. But
he did not equate Dhamma with Buddhist teachings. Buddhism
remained his personal belief. His Dhamma signifies a general code
of conduct. Asoka wished that his Dhamma should spread through
all social levels.
his brothers acting as officers in his administration. However, it is
clear that the succession of Asoka was a disputed one.
The most important event of Asoka’s reign was his victorious
war with Kalinga in 261 B.C. Although there is no detail about the
cause and course of the war, the effects of the war were described
by Asoka himself in the Rock edict XIII: “A hundred and fifty
thousand were killed and many times that number perished…” After
the war he annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire. Another most
important effect of the Kalinga war was that Asoka embraced
Buddhism under the influence of Buddhist monk, Upagupta.
Asoka and Buddhism
According some scholars, his conversion to Buddhism was
gradual and not immediate. About 261 B.C. Asoka became a Sakya
Upasaka (lay dsicple) and two and a half years later, a Bikshu
(monk). Then he gave up hunting, visited Bodh-Gaya, and organized
missions. He appointed special officers called Dharma Mahamatras
to speed up the progress of Dhamma. In 241 B.C., he visited the
birth place of Buddha, the Lumbini Garden, near Kapilavastu. He
also visited other holy places of Buddhism like Sarnath, Sravasti
and Kusinagara. He sent a mission to Sri Lanka under his son
Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra who planted there the branch
of the original Bodhi tree. Asoka convened the Third Buddhist
Council at Pataliputra in 240 B.C. in order to strengthen the Sangha.
It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.
Extent of Asoka’s Empire
Asoka’s inscriptions mention the southernmost kingdoms –
Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras and Keralaputras – as border-states.
Therefore these states remained outside the Mauryan Empire.
According to Rajatarangini, Kashmir was a part of the Mauryan
Empire. Nepal was also within the Mauryan empire. The
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matters. It consisted of Purohita, Mahamantri, Senapati and
Yuvaraja. There were civil servants called Amatyas to look after
the day-to-day administration. These officers were similar to the
IAS officers of independent India. The method of selection of
Amatyas was elaborately given by Kautilya. Asoka appointed
Dhamma Mahamatras to supervise the spread of Dhamma. Thus
the Mauryan state had a well organized civil service.
Revenue Department
Samharta, the chief of the Revenue Department, was in charge
of the collection of all revenues of the empire. The revenues came from
land, irrigation, customs, shop tax, ferry tax, forests, mines and pastures,
license fee from craftsmen, and fines collected in the law courts. The
land revenue was normally fixed as one sixth of the produce. The main
items of expenditure of the state related to king and his household,
army, government servants, public works, poor relief, religion, etc.
Army
The Mauryan army was well organized and it was under the
control of Senapati. The salaries were paid in cash. Kautilya refers
to the salaries of different ranks of military officers. According to
Greek author Pliny, the Mauryan army consisted of six lakh infantry,
thirty thousand cavalry, nine thousand elephants and eight thousand
chariots. In addition to these four wings, there were the Navy and
Transport and Supply wings. Each wing was under the control of
Adyakshas or Superintendents. Megasthenes mentions six boards
of five members each to control the six wings of the military.
Department of Commerce and Industry
This department had controlled the retail and wholesale prices
of goods and tried to ensure their steady supply through its officers
called Adyakshas. It also controlled weights and measures, levied
custom duties and regulated foreign trade.
Estimate of Asoka
Asoka was “the greatest of kings” surpassing Alexander the
Great and Julius Caesar and other renowned Emperors of the world.
According to H.G. Wells “Amidst the tens and thousands of names
of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, the name of Asoka
shines and shines almost alone, a star”. Asoka was true to his ideals.
He was not a dreamer but a man of practical genius. His Dhamma is
so universal that it appeals to humanity even today. He was an
example in history for his benevolent administration and also for
following the policy of non-aggression even after his victory in the
war. His central ideal was to promote the welfare of humanity.
Later Mauryas
Asoka’s death in 232 B.C. was followed by the division of
the Mauryan Empire into two parts – western and eastern. The
western part was ruled by Kunala, son of Asoka and the eastern
part by Dasaratha, one of the grand sons of Asoka. Due to the
Bactrian invasions, the western part of the empire collapsed. The
eastern part was intact under Samprati successor of Dasaratha. The
last Mauryan king was Brihatratha, who was assassinated by
Pushyamitra Sunga.
Mauryan Administration
Central Government
The ascendancy of the Mauryas had resulted in the triumph
of monarchy in India. Other systems like republics and oligarchies
that were prevalent in the pre-Mauryan India had collapsed. Although
Kautilya the foremost political theorist of ancient India supported
the monarchial form of government, he did not stand for royal
absolutism. He advocated that the king should take the advice of
his ministry in running the administration. Therefore, a council of
ministers called Mantriparishad assisted the king in administrative