Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta, Ashoka & Expansion

• The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) was the first major empire in the Indian subcontinent
• Chandragupta Maurya founded it
• The empire emerged following Alexander the Great's conquests
• It stretched across much of the Indian subcontinent

Founding and Expansion

• Chandragupta Maurya, aided by his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya), overthrew the Nanda dynasty in Magadha
• Chanakya's Arthashastra offers insights into Mauryan administration and statecraft
• Chandragupta expanded the empire through conquests
• He defeated Seleucus I Nicator, Alexander's successor, gaining territory west of the Indus River
• Bindusara, Chandragupta's son, further expanded the empire, especially in southern India

Ashoka the Great

• Ashoka (reigned 268-232 BCE), Bindusara's son, was an influential ruler
• His early reign involved conquests, including the Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE)
• The Kalinga War's brutality led to Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism
• Ashoka adopted a policy of Dhamma, emphasizing non-violence, moral conduct, and social welfare

Ashoka's Edicts

• Ashoka's edicts, inscribed on pillars, rocks, and cave walls, are a primary source of information about his reign
• The edicts promoted Dhamma and outlined administrative policies
• They were written in Prakrit, using scripts like Brahmi
• The edicts reflect Ashoka's commitment to his people's well-being and a just society

Mauryan Administration

• The Mauryan Empire had a centralized administration with a complex bureaucracy
• The empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a prince or high-ranking official
• A network of spies (gudhapurushas) gathered intelligence for the emperor
• The Arthashastra details a sophisticated system of taxation and revenue collection

Economy and Trade

• The Mauryan economy was based on agriculture, trade, and industry
• Land revenue served as a major source of income
• The Mauryans maintained standardized weights and measures
• Trade routes linked the empire to other regions, including Hellenistic kingdoms

Society and Culture

• Mauryan society was diverse, with various occupations and social classes
• Slavery existed, with debates about its extent
• The empire saw developments in art and architecture, including stupas and pillars
• Buddhism spread during Ashoka's reign, influencing culture and values

Decline

• The Mauryan Empire declined after Ashoka's death
• Weak rulers, economic issues, and internal rebellions contributed to disintegration
• The last ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga, who then founded the Shunga dynasty (c. 185 BCE)

Legacy

• The Mauryan Empire left a lasting impact
• It established a unified political structure and administrative system
• Ashoka's promotion of Buddhism aided its spread throughout Asia
• The Mauryan period saw advancements in art, architecture, and literature

Key Rulers

• Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 BCE): Founder, known for conquests and administration
• Bindusara (298-272 BCE): Expanded the empire, especially to the south
• Ashoka (268-232 BCE): Known for converting to Buddhism and his Dhamma policies

Key Concepts

• Arthashastra: Ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, attributed to Chanakya
• Dhamma: Ashoka's policy promoting non-violence, religious tolerance, and respect for all beings
• Edicts: Official proclamations by Ashoka, inscribed on pillars, rocks, and cave walls
• Centralized administration: Governance with authority concentrated in a central government

Key Achievements

• Political unification of the Indian subcontinent
• Development of a sophisticated administrative and economic system
• Promotion of Buddhism
• Advances in art, architecture, and literature

The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) was the first major empire in the Indian subcontinent, founded by Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka, Bindusara's son, further influenced the empire. The Kalinga War marked a significant turning point in Ashoka's reign.