Age of Mauryan empire

Course Overview

• Free crash course for UPSC Prelims 2021 starts March 17th and runs until June 20th.
• Complete coverage of the IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims syllabus provided.
• Features 5 high-quality full-length mock tests.
• Faculty have cleared Prelims and Mains multiple times with years of experience.
• Covers the Static portion and dynamic (current affairs) for the IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims exam.
• Sharing of study material and notes happens on a telegram channel.
• Doubt clearing sessions take place every Sunday.
• CSAT is included.

Faculty Details

• Sourabh Jain (History Faculty) :UPSC 2018, 2019 Interviewed and scored 120 on prelims
• Mohit Agarwal (Economics faculty): UPSC 2018, 2019 Interviewed and in 2020 gave his Mains Exam.
• Sumant Kumar (Geography and environment): UPSC 2016,2017,2019, 2020 gave his Mains exam.
• Siddhartha Kumar (Polity Faculty): UPSC 2019 Interviewed and in UPSC 2014, 2016, 2017 he took his Mains exam and twice scored over 130+ marks in Prelims.
• Rajni Jha (Science and tech) : Taught GS for UPSC for 5 years
• Himanshu Gajendra (CSAT) : Taught CSAT for 5 years

Sources of Mauryan Empire History

• Megasthenes wrote Indica.
• Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus to Chandragupta Maurya's court
• In his writings about the Maurya kingdom, Megasthenes observed that the King of that time (Chandragupta Maurya) was an autocrat.
• Megasthenes noted that the King was assisted by a council with members who were noted for their wisdom
• Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra which is about Polity.
• The Arthashastra highlights the high ideals for Kings who should lay his happiness in the happiness of his subjects and his troubles in their troubles.
• Vishakhadatta wrote Mudrarakshasa which became a sanskrit play.
• This play narrates the ascent of Chandragupta Maurya.

Chandra Gupta Maurya (324/321-297 BCE)

• Founder of the Mauryan Dynasty (324-180 BCE)
• According to the Brahamana Tradition, he was born of Mura, a Shudra Woman in the Court of Nandas.
• According to the Bhuddist Traditions, he belonged to the Kshatriya Clan of Mauryan Gorakhpur.
• Greek sources say he had a Non-warrior lineage
• Greek accounts mention him as Sandrokottos
• He took advantage of the unpopularity/weakness of the rulers who preceded his rise to power and was supported by Chanakya/Kautilya against Dhana Nanda.
• By 305 BC, a treaty with Seleucus Nicator allowed him to acquire Baluchistan, eastern Afghanistan and the region to the west of Indus.
• Chandra Gupta Maurya married Seleucus Nicator's daughter
• He went to Karnataka with the Jain monk Bhadrabahu.
• Chandra Gupta Maurya embraced Jainism and starved himself to death at Shravanabelagola according to Jain tradition.

Chanakya

• Teacher of Chandragupta Maurya who later became his Chief Minister.
• Also, a teacher and scholar at Taxila.
• He is also known as Vishnugupta and Kautilya.
• Also served as a minister in the court of Bindusara.
• Master strategist behind the usurping of the Nanda throne and the rise of the Mauryan Empire.
• Wrote the Arthashastra which is a treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy.
• Arthashastra was rediscovered by R Shamasastry in 1905 after it had disappeared in the 12th century.
• Also called 'Indian Machiavelli".

Imperial Organization

• Had a very elaborate system of administration.
• The empire was divided in Provinces which were under a Prince and further divided into smaller units
• Patliputra, Kaushambi, Ujjain & Taxila were important cities.
• Patliputra became the Capital of Mauryas where administration was handled by 6 committees.
• Each committee had 5 members each to handle Sanitation, care of foreigners, registration of birth and death, regulation of weights and measures.
• There were two dozen departments of the state in the central government.
• Striking feature: Huge Army + Navy
• Pliny, a Roman Writer, talks about the administration of the Armed Forces which was managed by a board of 30 members which was divided into 6 committees of 5 members each.
• There were 6 wings of the armed forces which had separate committes for Army, Cavalry, Elephants, Chariots, Navy and Transport.
• Most of the economic activities were state controlled
• New land was brought under cultivation with the help of cultivators and Shudras as virgin land.
• Tax from Peasant was 1/4th to 1/6th of the Produce with tax exceptions for those using irrigation facilities
• In emergencies, peasants were compelled to raise more crops
• Tolls for commodities were also mandatory.
• The State had monopoly over Mining,Sale of Liquor and Manufacture of Arms.

Bindusara (297 BCE-272/268 BCE)

• Son of Chandragupta
• Also known as Amitraghata / Amitrochates
• Deimachus was a Greek ambassador at his court.
• Appointed his son, Ashoka as Governor of Ujjain.
• Believed to have extended the Mauryan Empire to Mysore as well.
• Follower of Ajivika Sect

Ashoka (272/268-232 BCE)

• The lineage ran from CGM to Bindusara (297 BCE-272/268 BCE) to Ashoka to Dasharatha (232-224 ВСЕ)
• Ashoka is the son of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and Subhadrangi and grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Ashoka's empire stretched from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east,
• It covered almost the whole Indian subcontinent except present Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and modern-day Sri Lanka.
• Ashoka was cruel in his early life and called Chandashoka (cruel Ashoka)
• After the ninth year of his reign, he waged the war with Kalinga and became Dharmashoka (the pious Ashoka).
• In 263 BC he converted to Buddhism
• Moggaliputta Tissa was his Buddhist monk Mentor.
• Ashoka conducted the third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra while under Moggaliputta Tissa's presidency.
• Ashoka's history can be pieced together based on Inscriptions.
• He was the first Indian King to speak directly to the people through Inscriptions.
• Ashoka made Royal Orders in Many Copies
• He placed on Ancient Highways in the Indian Subcontinent and in Kandhar.
• Inscriptions give ideas about Ashoka's Internal and External policies and + extent of empire.

Impact of Kalinga War

• Abandoned the policy of physical occupation and instated a policy of cultural conquest.
• shifted from Bherighosha (war drum) to dhammaghosha (sound of dhamma)
• He wrote about the war in his 13th Major Rock Edict
• Asoka made Ideological appeals towards the tribal peoples and the frontier kingdoms and instructed officials to propagate this idea among all sections.
• He appointed Dharmamahamatras To propagate dharma among social groups
• Created a system of Rajukas (officers) to manage Administration of Justice

Internal Policy and Buddhism

• Ashoka instated Ashokan Dhamma a universal code of conduct to be followed by everyone to preserve social order
• Under this principal citizens were asked to obey their parents and respect Buddhist monks/brahmanas
• Ashoka asked people to show mercy to slaves and servants and have compassion towards animals and strengthen their institution of family
• If people behaved well, they would be rewarded in Heaven
• Ashoka however did not preach any Sectarian Faith and completely prohibited slaughter of animals in the capital
• Ashoka had Very high Ideals for himself looking upon his subjects as Children.
• The subjects of the dependent states in Kalinga were asked to obey the king as their father and to repose confidence in him.
• Under his rule, foreign dominions were no longer treated as legitimate areas for military conquest and instead, he tried to conquer them ideologically and took steps for the welfare of men and animals in foreign lands
• He had a Tolerant religious policy where ministers of peace were sent to other kingdoms for Propagation of Buddhism

Ashokan Dhamma

• Disapproved of Rituals especially those observed by Women and forbade killing of certain birds and animals
• Kalinga war led Ashoka to convert to Buddhism and he carried out Dhamma Yatras
• The village of Lumbini was exempted from bali (tribute) and bhaga (the royal share of the produce) was reduced to one-eighth.
• When king Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped (this spot), because the Buddha Shkyamuni was born here
• (He) both caused to be made a stone bearing wall and caused a stone pillar to be set up (in order to show) that the Blessed one was born here

Ashoka's Place in History

• He was the Greatest Missionary Ruler in the history of the Ancient World.
• Ashoka was known for Political unification of the country
• There was One Dharma/One Language / Practically one script (Brahmi) for all under his regime.
• He had a Tolerant religious policy
• His Policy of Peace/Non Aggression/Cultural Conquest was divergent to Kautilya who Advised king→ Physical Conquest
• Ashoka did not wage any war after the conquest of Kalinga and retired in 232 BC but his Viceroys / Vassals did not followed his policy
• Could not convert his neighbors

Significance of Mauryan Rule

• Key feature was total state control
• Brahmanical Law Books were used so the King should be guided by Laws.
• Kautilya wanted the king to promulgate dharma when the social order based on the varnas and ashrams have pereshed.
• The King was to be dharmapravartaka or promulgator of the social order.
• Royal orders were superior to other orders and were inscribed on pillars.
• Asoka promulgated dharma and appointed officials to inculcate and enforce Its essentials.
• It was based on Royal Absolutism with huge bureaucracy and an elaborate system of Espionage → Spies
• Tirthas which were Important functionaries were Mostly paid in cash for managing state control
• Silver coins equal to 3/4th Tola commonly called Pana and which lead to huge pay gaps between the highest and lowest category of government servants
• Economic Regulations saw the state appoint 27 officials commonly called Adhyakshas to regulate economic activities
• The state provided irrigation facilities and regulated water supply
• Slaves employed to manage agricultural operations
• Connected roads facilitated transport.
• The position of Samharta was the Highest officer in charge of Assessment
• Sannidhata was a Chief custodian of state treasury and store house
• Taxes were also collected in Kind for Granaries to help people during famines
• The Imperial Currency was Punch Mark Silver Coins with symbols such asPeacock/Hill/ Crescent used.
• The empire introduced stone masonary.
• Due to Conquest, the empire opened doors for trading and missionary activities and saw the spread of Gangetic Culture
• Material Culture was based on Intensive use of IRON/ Punch Marked Coins / NBPW /Introduction of Burnt Bricks and Ring Wells.
• Houses were Made of Timber/Bricks
• They also had Ring wells for water leading to settlement away from River
• Elements of Middle Gangetic Material culture were Transferred with modification to Northern Bengal/Kalinga/Andhra/ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ
• Bangladesh contains information about this time in Mahasthana Inscriptions NBPW
• The empire produced Art of Making Steel (200 ВС → Steel objects were found)
• The Satavahans Adopted some of Administrative units , Buddhism flourished in same manner as it did in Ashokan times.
• The state also introduced virgin soils under cultivation that New Peasants (Vaishya with help of Shudras) under Remission in tax who were supplied with Cattle/Seeds/Money

Causes of Fall of Mauryan Empire

• Empire Began to disintegrate after 232 BC
• Brahmanical Reaction
• Financial Crisis
• Oppressive Rule
• Also misrule of wicked bureaucrats (dushtamatyas) who introduced rotation of officers in Tosali (in Kalinga), Ujjain and Taxila to handle affairs.
• Leadership failed to to stop oppression in the outlying provinces.
• There was also a Spread of new Material Knowledge in Outlying Areas which lead to The Rise of the Sungas and Kanvas in central India, of the Chetis in Kalinga and Satavahanas in the Deccan.
• there was Neglect of the North-West Fronter which further resulted in the the Great Wall of China being neglected resulting in: -- 3rd century B.C The Scythians -- Chinese ruler Shih Huang Ti (247-210 8.C) constructed the Great Wall of China in about 220 В С.
• All this Forced the Parthians, the Sakas and the Greeks to move towards India with Greeks from Bactria first to invade Inda in 206 B.C
• The Maurya empire finally destroyed by Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 B.C. and he Ruled in Patalputra and central India
• Due to all of this Brahamana took over as General of the last Maurya king Brihadratha due to Revival of Brahmanical way of life.
• The Brahamana then Persecuted the Buddhists so they Succeeded by the Kanvas who were also brahmanas

Mauryan Art

• Court art was a court initiative which had palaces, pillars and stupas
• Popular art was an individual initiative with caves, pottery and sculptures created.

Palaces

• Megasthenes described the palaces of the Mauryan empire as one of the greatest creations of mankind
• The Chinese traveler Fa Hien called Mauryan palaces as god gifted monuments.
• The Palace of Chandragupta Maurya was in Pataliputra and called Kumrahar
• They were Inspired by the Achaemenid palaces at Persepolis in Iran.
• Wood was used to construct it.

Pillars

• Were used to disseminate the Buddhist ideology and court orders in the entire Mauryan empire and were Usually made of chunar sandstone
• Each pillar was made of Four parts with a Long Shaft which was a Monolith and a Base
• On top was a Capital which was Lotus shaped or bell shaped and influenced by the Iranian pillars
• Above the capital was Circular or rectangular base referred to as the Abacus
• This was the foundation on which an animal figure was placed which became the Capital Figure

Stupa

• burial mounds prevalent in India from the vedic period where relics and ashes of the dead were kept
• Vedic tradition popularized by the Buddhists
• After the death of Buddha 9 stupas were erected with 8 of them having the relics of Buddha at their medhi
• The ninth stupa had the pot in which the relics were originally retained
• Stupas consist of a cylindrical drum with a circular anda and a harmika and a chhatra on the top.
  • Anda: Hemispherical mound symbolic of the mound of dirt used to cover Buddha's remains
  • Harmika: Square railing on top of the mound.
  • Chhatra: Central pillar supporting a triple umbrella form.
• The core was made of unburnt brick while the outer surface was made by using burnt bricks, which were then covered with a thick layer of plaster
• Medhi and the toran were decorated with wooden sculptures
• Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh is the most famous of the Ashokan stupas.
• Other prominent stupas were Piprahwa Stupa at Uttar Pradesh, stupas built after the death of Buddha such as those in Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethapida, Pava, Kushinagar and Pippalivana as well a stupa in Bharhut, MP

Cave Architecture

• During the Mauryan period, caves were generally used as viharas (living quarters) by the Jain and Buddhist monks
• The caves had Highly polished finish of the interior walls and decorative gateways
• Cave construction was created by Mauryan emperor Ashoka for the Ajivika Sect
• The Barabar Caves consisted of Karna Chaupar, Sudama and Lamarshi and Vishwamitra Caves.
• Nagaragunja Caves had caves in Bihar and were formed during the time of Dasharath, grandson of Ashoka consisting of Gopi, Bahayak and Vedantika Caves.

Ajivika Sect

• Founded by Makkhali Gosala in the 5th Century BCE
• They emphasized Niyati (Fate). a doctrine of absolute determinism and held that affairs of the entire universe are ordered by a cosmic force that renders No use of Karma.
• Based on the theory of atoms and believes that everything is composed of atoms
• Ajivikas led a simple ascetic life, without clothes and any material possession.
• Opposed Buddhism and Jainism and were atheists
• Rejected the authority of Vedas
• Ajivikas believed in the existence of soul In Material Form
• The sect's key people included Bindusara (4th Century BC)
• Savathi (Sravasti) in Uttar Pradesh was the Centre of Ajivikas.
• Ashoka's 7th pillar edicts mention about Ajivikas

Sculpture

• Worship of the Yaksha and Yakshi related to all three religions (Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.)
• The earliest mention of them is recorded in Silappadikaram, a Tamil text
• The torso of the nude male figure was found at Lohanipur at Patna.
• The Didargunj Yakshi was found at Didargunj village at Patna
• Parkham Yaksha was found in Mathura and identified as the Yaksha deity Manibhadra
• Dated to 200 ВСЕ – 50 ВСЕ

Pottary

• Is described by Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) pieces
• Displayed black paint and a highly lustrous finish and were generally used as luxury items.
• Kosambi and Patliputra became the centers of NBPW pottery.

Ashokan Inscriptions

• Collection of 33 inscriptions from Emperor Ashoka of found in this Mauryan Empire and provide first tangible evidence of Buddhism
• Ashokan inscriptions are classfied into Minor Rock Edicts