Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta, Bindusara, and Ashoka

• The Mauryan Empire (c. 322–185 BCE) was the first pan-Indian empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya.

Chandragupta Maurya

• Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nanda dynasty of Magadha and expanded his empire across northern India.
• He established a centralized government with a large army and efficient bureaucracy.
• Chandragupta's reign is documented in accounts by Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador to his court.
• He embraced Jainism towards the end of his life and abdicated in favor of his son, Bindusara.

Bindusara

• Bindusara maintained the empire established by his father.
• He expanded the empire further into the southern parts of India.
• He is known in Greek texts as Amitrochates, or "slayer of foes."

Ashoka the Great

• Ashoka was one of the most influential rulers in Indian history.
• He initially followed an expansionist policy, famously conquering Kalinga around 261 BCE.
• The brutal Kalinga War led to Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.
• He embraced the concept of Dhamma, a set of ethical principles.
• Ashoka's Dhamma focused on social welfare, religious tolerance, and non-violence.
• He propagated Dhamma through edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks throughout the empire.
• Ashoka's edicts provide insights into his policies and his efforts to promote Dhamma.
• He sent Buddhist missionaries to various parts of the world.
• Ashoka's reign is considered a golden period in Indian history, marked by peace and prosperity.

Mauryan Administration

• The Mauryan Empire had a highly centralized administrative system.
• The emperor was the supreme authority, assisted by a council of ministers.
• The empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a prince or a high-ranking official.
• A network of spies and informants kept the government informed about events across the empire.
• The Mauryan economy was based on agriculture, trade, and taxation.
• Standardized weights and measures facilitated trade and commerce.
• The empire invested in infrastructure projects such as roads, irrigation systems, and rest houses.

Mauryan Art and Architecture

• Mauryan art and architecture reflected the influence of various cultures, including Persian and Greek.
• The most prominent examples of Mauryan art are the Ashokan pillars.
• These pillars are monolithic structures, inscribed with Ashoka's edicts and topped with animal capitals.
• The Sanchi Stupa, originally built by Ashoka, is an important example of early Buddhist architecture.
• The Mauryan period also saw the development of rock-cut caves and sculptures.

Decline of the Mauryan Empire

• The Mauryan Empire began to decline after Ashoka's death.
• Weak rulers and succession disputes weakened the central authority.
• The empire faced economic problems due to heavy taxation and administrative costs.
• Regional governors began to assert their independence.
• The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga.

Ashoka's Dhamma

• Dhamma is a Prakrit term for Dharma, meaning righteousness or moral order.
• Ashoka's Dhamma was not a religion but a set of ethical principles aimed at creating a just and harmonious society.
• Key principles of Ashoka's Dhamma include non-violence (ahimsa), tolerance, respect for elders, and compassion for all living beings.
• Ashoka emphasized the importance of good deeds, such as charity, truthfulness, and purity of mind.
• He urged people to avoid vices such as anger, cruelty, pride, and envy.
• Ashoka's Dhamma promoted religious tolerance and encouraged people to respect all faiths.
• He appointed Dhamma officers (Dhamma Mahamatras) to propagate Dhamma and ensure its implementation.
• Ashoka's edicts outline his efforts to promote Dhamma through various means, such as building hospitals, planting trees, and digging wells.
• He believed that Dhamma was essential for the welfare of both the individual and society.
• Ashoka’s Dhamma drew from Buddhist teachings, but was designed to be acceptable to people of all faiths.