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MAURYAN EMPIRE (322-185 BCE): Reign, Ruler & Historical Significance

MAURYAN EMPIRE (322-185 BCE): Reign, Ruler & Historical Significance 

MAURYAN EMPIRE – RISE OF THE MAURYAS

  • Vacuum created by Alexander’s destruction of the tribal republics in Punjab and neighboring regions gave opportunity to Chandragupta Maurya.

IMPORTANT RULERS OF MAURYAN EMPIRE

SOURCES OF MAURYAN EMPIRE
LITERARY of MAURYAN EMPIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL of MAURYAN EMPIRE
  • Megasthenes’ ‘Indika’,
  • Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’,
  • Visakha Datta’s ‘Mudra Rakshasa’
  • Dharmashastra texts, Puranas
  • Buddhist Text (Jatak Stories, Deepvamsa, Mahavamsa, Divyavadan)
  • Punch marked coins, Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
  • Wooden Palace of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra
  • Ashokan inscriptions and Edicts

 

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FOUNDER OF MAURYAN EMPIRE – CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA

CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (322 BC – 298 BC)

  • Chandraupta or Sandrokottos (as he is referred to in Greek literature) launched a series of wars against Dhananand and also liberated the country from Greek rule.
  • He laid the foundation of the Mauryan empire in 322 BC with help of Chanakya (Kautilya).
  • After conquering the region between Beas and Bay of Bengal, Chandragupta launched expeditions throughout the country and included territories of Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujrat and Central regions to Mauryan empire. Thus, the credit of first unification of North India is attributed to Chandragupta Maurya.
  • In 305 BC, Chandragupta defeated Seleucas Nikator, the Greek empire after Alexander.
  • Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, was sent by Seleucus in the Chandragupta Maurya court.
  • According to Jaina sources, Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life and abdicated the throne in favour of his son.
  • Accompanied by Bhadrabahu, a Jaina saint, he went to Shravanabelagola (Karnataka), where he died by slow starvation (Salekhan).

Shravanabelagola is a famous Jain pilgrimage center as the statue of Gomateshwar, son of Rishabnath in Kayotsarga Mudra is situated here.

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SECOND RULER OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE – BINDUSARA

  • Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara, known to the Greeks as Amitrochates (Sanskrit, Amitraghata = the destroyer of foes). Madrasar, Simhasena are other names used for Bindusara.
  • Bindusara followed the extreme fatalistic order (religion) ‘Ajivika’ founded by Makhali Gosala. This order had complete disregard for ‘karma’.
  • Bindusara maintained good diplomatic relations with Antiochus I, the Seleucid king of Syria. Antiochus sent Deimachus as ambassador to the Bindusara’s court.
  • Bindusara requested Antiochus to send him some sweet wine, dried figs and a Sophist (philosopher); the last being not meant for export, was not sent.
  • Tibetan Buddhist monk Taranatha describes Bindusara as “conqueror of the land between two seas”e., peninsular India.
  • Divyavadan, Buddhist biographical narrative of Mauryan Kings, mentions a revolt at Taxila being suppressed by Ashoka, the son of Bindusara; who was ‘Kumara’ or viceroy of Ujjain at that time.

THIRD RULER OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE – ASHOKA

  • Eliminating other claimants, Ashoka was crowned to the throne in 269 BC. Radhagupta, helped Ashoka in usurping the throne.
  • 8 years after coronation, Ashoka fought the horrible Kalinga War in 261 BC.
  • Ashoka was moved by the untold miseries caused by the war, renouncing conquest by warfare, in favour of cultural conquest. In other words, Bherighosha was replaced with Dhammaghosha.
  • Later on, he became Buddhist under the guidance of Mogaliputta Tissa.
  • Mogaliputta Tissa presided over the 3rd Buddhist Council held in 250 BC at Pataliputra.
  • He sent missionaries for propagation of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, south Indian states, Burma, Central Asia etc. He also sent ambassadors of peace to Greek Kingdoms & Greece
  • Ashoka was not an extreme pacifist – He retained Kalinga and incorporated it into his kingdom; he also didn’t disband the army.
  • Under Ashoka, almost entire subcontinent came under single control except extreme south: Uttarapatha (Taxila), Avantirashtra (Ujjain), Prachi (Pataliputra), Kalinga (Toshali) and Dakshinpatha (Suvarnagiri) were important provinces.

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MAURYAN ECONOMY
  • Use of iron tools, diversified agriculture production, immense increase in agriculture land and irrigation facilities contributed to growth of Mauryan economy.
  • Occurrences of famines are also reported in kautilya’s arthashastra and Jaina texts.
  • Sohgaura copper plate inscription & Mahasthana inscription deal with the relief measures to be adopted during a famine.
  • Tolls were also levied on commodities brought to town for sale.
  • The normal taxation rate was one sixth of the produce.
  • Crown land was called “Sita
  • The Mauryan Empire had a strict legal and penal system (civil and criminal); tax evaders attracted the death penalty.
  • punch-marked coins (mostly silver) were used for transactions.
  • Money was used not only for trade; the government paid its officers in cash.
  • Salaries were in the range of 48,000 panas to 60 panas a year.
  • Hired laborers were called ‘karmakaras’.
  • There was state monopoly of mining, forest, salt, sale of liquor, manufacture of arms and metallurgy.
MAURYAN SOCIETY
  • Society was clearly divided into a four-fold Varna system, slavery (dasas) existed in the society.
  • Society was divided into a number of castes and sub-castes which were generally based on some profession or occupation.
  • Varna- Shankar Vivah’ or inter-varna or inter-caste marriages too are reported; these were of two kinds, namely, ‘Anulom’ (groom of higher varna/caste) and ‘Pratilom’ (bride of higher varna/caste).
  • While Kautilya mentions 9 categories of slaves, Megasthenes reports its absence. Megasthenes also talks about 7-fold social divisions.
  • As per the Jataka tales untouchables like Chanadala, Nishad, Shabar etc. existed and were treated inhumanely.
  • Women’s position in society deteriorated severely: widow remarriage stopped, the institution of ‘ganikas’ (prostitution) expanded.
  • Most artisans were shudras, yet, they were worst paid and subjected to forced labour (vishti).
DHAMMA OF ASHOKA
  • Ashoka was a Buddhist but he also promoted a few principles of morality known as ‘Dhamma’. The 4-cardinal points of Dhamma included: Tolerance, Non-violence, Good Conduct (Obeying parents and elders, respecting Brahmanas and Monks) & Welfare.
  • A new officer called ‘Dhammamahamatra’ was appointed for promotion of ‘Dhamma’.
  • Sanghmitra, daughter of Ashoka, was sent to Tamrparni (Sri Lanka) for conversion of women in Sri Lanka to Buddhism.
  • Ashoka’s Dhamma cannot be regarded as sectarian faith. His teachings were intended to maintain the existing order on the basis of tolerance.
 

ASHOKAN EDICTS AND INSCRIPTIONS

  • They are the most important source of history of the Mauryan period. Depending upon their size they are categorized as follows:
  • Major and minor rock edicts (16 and 2 respectively)
  • Major and minor pillar edicts (17 and 3 respectively)
  • These are reported from places like Meerut, Topara, Kaushambi, Sanchi, Sarnath, Lauriya Nandgarh, Lauriya Araraj, Rampur and Lumbini (Nepal) in and around the Ganga Valley.
  • The national emblem of India is taken from the Ashoka’s Sarnath Pillar.
  • Name of Ashoka occurs only on minor rock edicts. He was the first king to speak to people directly through inscriptions.
  • Mainly inscribed in Prakrit Language and Brahmi script.
  • Inscriptions from Mansehra and Shahbajgarhi in Pakistan are in Prakrit language but in Kharosthi script.
  • Kandhar Inscriptions is bilingual, it uses Greek and Aramaic languages and scripts.
MAURYAN ADMINISTRATION
  • The Mauryan Empire was divided into 5 provinces -Uttarapatha, Avantipatha, Prachyapatha, Dakshinapatha and Magadha.
  • Mauryan Empire had a huge army & had maintained a navy.
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION:

  • King was the nucleus and was assisted by Mantri Parishad – Yuvraj, Purohita, Senapati and others.
  • Highest officers were called ‘tirthas’ and Adhyakshas (superintendents) managed 26 departments.
IMPORTANT OFFICIALS:

  • Mantri – Chief Minister
  • Mantriparishad Adhyaksha – Head of Council Of Minister
  • Purohita – Chief priest
  • Senapati – Commander-In-Chief
  • Yuvaraj – Crown Prince
  • Samaharta – Revenue Collector
  • Shulkadhyaksha – Officer-In-Charge of Royal Income
  • Spies (gudhapurushas) and informers (prativedakas) played an important role.
LOCAL ADMINISTRATION:

  • The Mauryan Empire also had local and municipal administration; ‘Vish’or ‘Ahara’ (districts) were the units of a province.
  • Megasthenese’s account mentions 6 committees of five members each for administering the municipalities.
IMPORTANT OFFICERS:

  • Sitadhyaksha – Supervised agriculture
  • Panyadhyaksha -Superintendent of Commerce
  • Yukta – Subordinate Revenue Officer
  • Prasdesika – Chief revenue officer.
  • Sthanika – Head of local administration. worked under Preadesika.
  • Rajuka – Revenue settlement officer
  • Samsthadhyaksha – Superintendent of market
  • Pauthavadhyaksha – Superintendent of weight & measure.
  • Navaadhyaksha – Superintendent of ships.
  • Sulkaadhyaksha – Collector of tolls
VILLAGE LEVEL OFFICERS:

  • Gramika – The head of the village. It was an elected body.
  • Gramvriddhas – panchayat consist of Village elders to settle disputes.
  • Sudarshan lake was constructed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya in Girnar Hill in Gujrat.
  • Tamralipti (Tamlook in Midnapur, WB) in the east and Bharuch/ Broach/Barygaza (Gujrat) in the west were two important ports.
  • Huge army and Navy were maintained in which all the 4 varnas were allowed to serve.
  • Raja (the king), Mitra (Friend), Durg (fort), Amatya (the secretaries), Janapada (territory), Kosha (the treasure), Sena (Army) were the 7 elements of states of Kautilya’s Saptanga theory.

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DECLINE OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE:

  • Over-centralisation, cumbersome bureaucracy, super heavy taxation (on almost every activity) and foreign invasions were main factors of decline.
  • Neglect of the North-West frontier and construction of the great wall of China.
  • Financial Crisis- Ashoka incurred huge expenditure for promotion of his ‘Dhamma Mission’.
  • Over-tolerant, non-violent attitude killed the fighting spirit of the army.
  • After Ashoka’s death in 232 BC Mauryan Empire were incompetent and oppressive.
  • Pushyamitra Shunga, a Mauryan Empire army commander, killed the last Mauryan Empire Brihadrath and founded the Shunga Dynasty in 187 BC.
  • Brhamins, annoyed by Ashoka for banning rituals, supported Pushyamitra Shunga who was a Brahmin.
  • Pushyamitra shunga overthrew the Mauryan king and established the Shunga dynasty.

OFFICERS IN MAURYAN EMPIRE: OFFICERS AND THEIR PROFILE

Prashasti à Prison Head; Sannidata à Treasury Head; Koshadhyaksh à Treasury Officer; Koshagar Adhyaksha à Royal Treasury Manager; Nayaka à City Security Chief; Vyavaharika à Chief Judge; Karmantika à Head of Industries & Factories; Dandapala à Head of Police; Durgapala à Head of Royal Fort; Annapala à Head of Food Grains Department; Rajjukas à Land Measurer; Akaradhyaksha à Mining Officer; Lauhadhyaksha à Metallurgy Officer; Lakshan Adhyaksha à Coin Minting; Lavanadhyaksha à Officer of Salt Department; Swarnadhyaksha à Officer of Gold Department; Ayudhadhyaksha à Weapon Manufacturing & Defence; Kunyadhyaksha à Officer of Forest; Man Adhyaksha à Office of Time & Place Determining; Sun Adhyaksha à Slaughter-House Officer; Mudr Adhyaksha à Royal Symbol, Coin; Dyut Adhyaksha à Gambling Department; Naukadhyaksha à Shipping Officer; Pattanadhyaksha à Officer of Port; Pauta Adhyaksha à In Charge of Weights and Measures.

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Also Read: The Difference between Jainism and Buddhism, Their Comparisons and Similarities

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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