Numerous influential empires emerged in ancient India, and among them, the Mauryan Empire held considerable significance. Established by Chandragupta Maurya, this dynasty played a crucial role in shaping our historical narrative. The following text offers NCERT notes on the Mauryan Empire, tailored for the IAS Exam.
Mauryan Empire – Rise of the Mauryas
- The final ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhana Nanda, faced widespread unpopularity owing to his oppressive taxation policies. Furthermore, following Alexander’s invasion of Northwestern India, the region experienced significant turmoil from external forces.
- Certain areas in the aftermath of Alexander’s conquest fell under the dominion of the Seleucid Dynasty, established by Seleucus Nicator I, one of Alexander the Great’s generals.
- In 321 BC, Chandragupta, supported by a shrewd Brahmin named Kautilya, intelligently seized the throne by defeating Dhana Nanda.
Important Rulers of the Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire was characterized by rulers renowned for their leadership. The following list provides a list of Mauryan Empire monarchs:
Founder of Mauryan Empire – Chandragupta Maurya
- Chandragupta’s origins are uncertain, with Greek sources describing him as non-warrior, Hindu sources suggesting humble birth, and Buddhist accounts claiming Kshatriya lineage.
- Referred to as Sandrokottos in Greek records, Chandragupta seized the opportunity after Alexander’s 324 BC abandonment of his Indian conquest.
- Within a year, Chandragupta, with Kautilya’s guidance, defeated Greek-ruled cities in the northwestern region using a mercenary army.
- Moving eastward into Magadha, he engaged in battles, culminating in the defeat of Dhana Nanda around 321 BC, laying the foundations of the Maurya Empire.
- In 305 BC, Chandragupta signed a significant treaty with Seleucus Nicator, acquiring Baluchistan, eastern Afghanistan, and the region west of the Indus.
- As part of the agreement, Chandragupta married Seleucus Nicator’s daughter, and Seleucus Nicator received 500 elephants, avoiding a full-scale war.
- Chandragupta’s expansionist policy brought almost the entire present-day India under his control, except for regions like Kalinga and the extreme South.
- Megasthenes served as the Greek ambassador at Chandragupta’s court.
- Chandragupta’s reign extended from 321 BC to 297 BC, after which he abdicated in favor of his son, Bindusara.
- Embracing Jainism, Chandragupta journeyed to Karnataka with Jain monk Bhadrabahu and chose self-imposed starvation, according to Jain tradition, at Shravanabelagola.
Chanakya
- The mentor of Chandragupta Maurya, who also served as his Chief Minister, was a scholar at Taxila known by various names, including Vishnugupta and Kautilya.
- Additionally, he held the position of minister in Bindusara’s court.
- Credited as the mastermind behind the overthrow of the Nanda throne and the subsequent rise of the Mauryan Empire through his student Chandragupta, he authored the renowned treatise Arthashastra.
- Arthashastra, a comprehensive work on statecraft, economics, and military strategy, was rediscovered by R. Shamasastry in 1905 after being lost since the 12th century.
- Comprising 15 books and 180 chapters, the treatise delves into various themes, including the governance structure with the King, Council of Ministers, and Government Departments.
- It covers civil and criminal law, diplomatic strategies in times of war, trade and markets, ministerial screening methods, espionage, royal duties, ethics, social welfare, agriculture, mining, metallurgy, medicine, and forestry.
- Chanakya is often referred to as the “Indian Machiavelli” due to his political acumen and strategic thinking.
Megasthenes
During Chandragupta Maurya’s reign, a Greek diplomat named Megasthenes journeyed to the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra. His work, Indica, serves as a record of his observations of Chandragupta Maurya’s India, primarily focusing on northern India. Unfortunately, the original manuscript is lost, and what remains are references, summaries, excerpts, and quotes from subsequent authors such as Diodorus, Strabo, Arrian, and Pliny.
Megasthenes’ Indica offered insights into the geography, administration, society, and culture of the region. However, for Hellenistic writers like Diodorus, Strabo, Arrian, and Pliny, India was not perceived as a distinct nation but rather the land situated beyond the Indus River. Megasthenes’ work also contains significant details about the rulers of the Mauryan Empire.
Second Ruler of the Mauryan Empire – Bindusara
- Son of Chandragupta, Bindusara reigned from 297 BC to 273 BC.
- Also known as Amitraghata (Slayer of foes) or Amitrochates in Greek sources.
- Deimachus served as a Greek ambassador at his court.
- Bindusara appointed his son, Ashoka, as the governor of Ujjain.
- It is believed that Bindusara extended the Mauryan Empire to Mysore during his rule.
Ashoka – Third Mauryan Empire King
- Horrified by the bloodshed in the aftermath of the Kalinga war, Ashoka sought to renounce violence and warfare.
- The Kalinga war is vividly described in Ashoka’s 13th Rock Edict.
- Ashoka stands out as perhaps the only monarch worldwide who relinquished the ambition to conquer new territories following a major victorious conflict.
- Emperor Ashoka’s firstborn son was Mahendra, and Maharani Devi was his first wife.
- Maharani Devi bore two children, Sanghamitra and Mahendra.
- To propagate Buddhism, Ashoka sent his offspring, Sanghamitra, and Mahendra, to Sri Lanka, where they played a pivotal role in the religion’s dissemination.
- Mahendra served as a Buddhist missionary to the Anuradhapura Kingdom in Sri Lanka.
- In the effort to promote dhamma, Ashoka appointed officials called dhamma mahamatta, entrusting them with the task of conveying the message and educating people about dhamma.
Brihadratha
Following Ashoka’s rule, the Maurya dynasty experienced a decline, with subsequent monarchs reigning for brief periods. The downfall of the dynasty occurred when the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his military commander, Pushyamitra Sunga, leading to the disintegration of the empire in 187 BCE.
Ashokan Inscriptions and Ashoka’s Dharma
Ashoka’s history is pieced together from his inscriptions, marking him as the inaugural Indian monarch to communicate directly with the populace through this medium. These inscriptions provide insights into Ashoka’s career, both in terms of external and domestic policies, as well as the expanse of his empire. Additionally, they offer a glimpse into Ashoka’s perspectives on dhamma.
Kalinga War Impact
Upon ascending the throne, Ashoka engaged in a solitary major conflict known as the Kalinga War, resulting in the death of 100,000 individuals and the captivity of 150,000 others. The immense suffering inflicted upon Brahmana priests and Buddhist monks during this war deeply affected Ashoka, prompting him to abandon the policy of physical occupation in favor of a strategy centered on cultural conquest. This transition from bherighosha to dhammagosha is elucidated in the 13th Major Rock Edict. Post the Kalinga war, Ashoka sought to ideologically conquer foreign territories rather than through military means.
Despite his victory in Kalinga, Ashoka integrated the region into his empire, signaling a shift towards a policy of consolidating his realm. This war did not turn Ashoka into an absolute pacifist; instead, he adopted a pragmatic approach to strengthen his empire. Ashoka urged tribal communities to embrace the principles of dharma, cautioning against violating established norms of social order and righteousness. He established a class of officials called rajukas, vested with the authority to administer justice.
The transformative impact of the Kalinga War led Ashoka to convert to Buddhism. Embracing monastic life, he generously supported Buddhists, embarked on dharma yantras (pilgrimages) to Buddhist shrines, and convened a Buddhist council chaired by his brother. Missionaries were dispatched to South India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and other regions to promote Buddhism. Ashoka appointed dharma mahamatras to propagate ethical principles among various social strata, including women.
Ashoka’s Legacy
Ashoka is acknowledged as a significant missionary ruler in the ancient history of India and the world, credited with several pioneering achievements:
- Political Unification of the Country: He achieved the binding of the entire nation through a common dhamma, a shared language, and predominantly the Brahmi script, which featured prominently in most of his inscriptions.
- Spread of Tolerance and Respect: Ashoka advocated and practiced tolerance in religious matters, as well as in the realm of scripts and languages. Rather than imposing his religious beliefs on his subjects, he demonstrated respect for diverse faiths, even making donations to non-Buddhist sects like the Ajivika sect (e.g., donating Barbara caves). He also acknowledged and respected scripts beyond Brahmi, such as Kharoshti, Aramaic, and Greek.
- Promotion of Cultural Contacts: In addition to introducing innovative administrative changes, Ashoka actively fostered cultural exchanges between various Indian states and between India and the wider world. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to consider Ashoka as the inaugural global cultural ambassador of India.
- Policy of Peace and Non-Aggression: Ashoka is renowned for his commitment to a policy of peace, refraining from conquest and non-aggression. This stance has solidified his legacy as a ruler dedicated to fostering harmony and avoiding conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?
A: The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. He established the empire around 322 BCE, following the defeat of the Nanda Dynasty.
Q: What were the significant achievements of Ashoka, one of the most famous Mauryan rulers?
A: Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, is renowned for his conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga War. His reign is marked by the spread of Buddhism and the promotion of non-violence. The edicts of Ashoka, inscribed on pillars and rocks, provide insights into his policies and moral principles.
Q: How did Bindusara contribute to the expansion of the Mauryan Empire?
A: Bindusara, the son of Chandragupta Maurya, continued his father’s legacy and further expanded the Mauryan Empire. He extended the boundaries of the empire southwards into the Deccan region and is credited with consolidating Mauryan rule over a vast territory.
Q: What role did Chanakya play in the rise of the Mauryan Empire?
A: Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, was a key architect in the establishment of the Mauryan Empire. He was the chief advisor and strategist for Chandragupta Maurya, helping him overthrow the Nanda Dynasty and laying the foundations for the empire.
Q: How did the decline of the Mauryan Empire unfold under the later rulers?
A: The decline of the Mauryan Empire began after the death of Ashoka. His successors, particularly the last Mauryan rulers, were unable to maintain the unity and stability of the empire. Internal strife, external invasions, and administrative challenges contributed to the gradual decline, leading to the eventual disintegration of the Mauryan Empire.
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