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INDIA CIVILISATION

Maurya Empire is one of the grandest dynasties in India civilisation, considering its widely-spread territory

and the beginning of faith in Buddhism among rulers in this dynasty. Ashoka the Great, the renowned greatest

ancient Indian emperor, was born in this dynasty.

RISE OF MAURYA EMPIRE

(Retrieved from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maurya_Dynasty_in_265_BCE.jpg)

Mauryan empire at its maximum extent

Maurya Empire was ruling the ancient India from 321 to 185 BC. Having its capital at Pataliputra, the empire was

founded in 322 BC by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power

westwards across central and western India taking advantage of the disruptions of local powers due to withdrawa

westward by Alexander the Greats Greek and Persian

armies(http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Mauryan_Empire)


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. With an area of 5 million sq km, Maurya Empire was one of the worlds largest empires in its time. At its peak period,

Mauryan empire stretched to the north along the natural boundaries of the Himalayas, and to the east into the present

place called Assam. (http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Mauryan_Empire)To the west, it had invaded beyond

modern Pakistan. The empire was expanded into Indias central and southern regions by emperors Chandragupta and

his successor, Bindusara. Ashoka the Great ( Bindusaras son) later conquered small, unexplored tribal regions nea

Kalinga. (http://www.bharatadesam.com/history/maurya_empire.php) One of the greatest figures of wisdom and

knowledge in the Indian history is Chanakya. He is estimated to have lived from 350 - 283 B.C. Chanakya is touted as the

"Pioneer Economist of India". Chanakya was the adviser and Prime Minister of Emperor Chandragupta. He was a

professor at the University of Takshila (located in present day Pakistan) and was an expert in commerce, warfare and

economics. His famous works include Chanakya Neeti, Arthashastra and Neetishastra. Chanakya is also known by the

name of Kautilya and Vishnugupta as is mentioned in his text. His famous work called Arthashastra is a classic example

of statecraft and politics and is read in Europe even today. It basically consists of the principles of politics and how the

state works. An able ruler has to be a ruthless leader to make sure that the state works smoothly and efficiently. The

legends associated with Chanakya are very interesting and provide a testimony of his

greatness(http://www.iloveindia.com/history/ancient-india/maurya-

dynasty/chanakya.html)

.

(Retrieved from: http://www.iloveindia.com/history/ancient-india/maurya-dynasty/chanakya.html

ADMINISTRATION

The empire was divided into four provinces, with each of them shaping like a giant crescents, and the imperial capital

at Pataliputra. From Ashokan Edicts, the names of these four are Tosali (east), Ujjain (west), Suvarnagiri (south) and

Taxila (north). The head of provincial administration was Kumara (royal prince), who governed the provinces as kings

representative. Kumara was assisted by Mahamatyas and council of ministers. Historians theorise that the organization

of the Empire was in line with the extensive bureaucracy described by Kautilya in the Arthashastra: a sophisticated civil

service governed everything from municipal hygiene to international trade. The expansion and defense of the empire

was made possible by what appears to have been the largest standing army of its time. According to Megasthenes, the

empire wielded a military of 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 war elephants. A vast espionage system

collected intelligence for both internal and external security purposes. Having renounced offensive warfare and

expansionism, Ashoka nevertheless continued to maintain this large army, to protect the Empire and instill stability and

peace across West and South Asia.

(Retrieved from:http://www.bharatadesam.com/history/maurya_empire.php)


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The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka,

made by Emperor Ashoka during his reign. The edicts describe in detail the first

wide expansion of Buddhism through the sponsorship of Ashoka. These inscriptions

proclaim Ashokas beliefs in Buddhist concept of dharma and his efforts to develop

dharma through his kingdom. Although Buddhism and the Buddha are mentioned,

the edicts focus on social and moral precepts, rather than specific religious

practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism.The inscriptions revolve

around a few recurring themes: Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, the description

of his efforts to spread Buddhism, his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare program. During

his reign, Ashoka began displaying religious tolerance, granting animal rights, building hospitals for people and animals,

treating his subjects as equals regardless of caste or creed, and promoting non-violence and republicanism. Ashoka's

inscriptions chiseled on rocks and stone pillars located at strategic locations throughout his empire--such as Lampaka

(Laghman in modern Afghanistan), Mahastan (in modern Bangladesh), and Brahmagiri (in Karnataka)--constitute the

second set of datable historical records. (http://countrystudies.us/india/7.htm)According to some of the inscriptions, in

the aftermath of the carnage resulting from his campaign against the powerful kingdom of Kalinga (modern Orissa),

Ashoka renounced bloodshed and pursued a policy of nonviolence or ahimsa, espousing a theory of rule by

righteousness. (http://www.bihar.ws/info/History-of-ancient-Bihar/Ashoka-The-Great.html) His toleration for different

religious beliefs and languages reflected the realities of India's regional pluralism although he personally seems to have

followed Buddhism. Early Buddhist stories assert that he convened a Buddhist council at his capital, regularly undertook

tours within his realm, and sent Buddhist missionary ambassadors to Sri Lanka. His rule marked the height of the Maurya

empire, and it collapsed only decades after his death. Under his reign Buddhism spread to Syria, Egypt, Macedonia,

Central Asia, Burma. For propagation of Buddhism, he started inscribing edicts on rocks and pillars at places where

people could easily read them. These pillars and rocks are still found in India, spreading their message of love and peace

for the last two thousand years. To his ideas he gave the name Dharma. Ashoka died in 232 BC. The capital of Ashoka

pillar at Sarnath is adopted by India as its national emblem. The "Dharma Chakra" on the Ashoka Pillar adorns Indias

National Flag.( http://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/cms_page.asp?pageid=759)

ECONOMY

For the first time in South Asia, political unity and military security allowed for a common economic system and

enhanced trade and commerce, with increased agricultural productivity. The previous situation involving hundreds of

kingdoms, many small armies, powerful regional chieftains, and internecine warfare, gave way to a disciplined central

authority. Farmers were freed of tax and crop collection burdens from regional kings, paying instead to a nationally

administered and strict-but-fair system of taxation as advised by the principles in the Arthashastra. Chandragupta

Maurya established a single currency across India, and a network of regional governors and administrators and a civil

The distribution of the Edicts of Ashoka


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service provided justice and security for merchants, farmers and traders. The

Mauryan army wiped out many gangs of bandits, regional private armies, and

powerful chieftains who sought to impose their own supremacy in small areas

Although regimental in revenue collection, Maurya also sponsored many public

works and waterways to enhance productivity, while internal trade in India

expanded greatly due to newfound political unity and internal peace.

Under the Indo-Greek friendship treaty, and during Ashoka's reign, an

international network of trade expanded. The Khyber Pass, on the modern

boundary of Pakistan and Afghanistan, became a strategically important port of

trade and intercourse with the outside world. Greek states and Hellenic kingdoms in West Asia became important trade

partners of India. Trade also extended through the Malay peninsula into Southeast Asia. India's exports included silk

goods and textiles, spices and exotic foods. The Empire was enriched further with an exchange of scientific knowledge

and technology with Europe and West Asia. Ashoka also sponsored the construction of thousands of roads, waterways,

canals, hospitals, rest-houses and other public works. The easing of many over-rigorous administrative practices,

including those regarding taxation and crop collection, helped increase productivity and economic activity across the

Empire. (http://www.bharatadesam.com/history/maurya_empire.php)

In many ways, the economic situation in the Mauryan Empire is analogous to the Roman Empire of several centuries

later. Both had extensive trade connections and both had organizations similar to corporations. While Rome had

organizational entities which were largely used for public state-driven projects, Mauryan India had numerous private

commercial entities. These existed purely for private commerce and developed before the Mauryan Empire itself.

ARCHITECTURE

Architectural remains of the Maurya period are rather few. Remains of a hypostyle

building with about 80 columns of a height of about 10 meters have been found in

Kumhrar, 5 km from Patna Railway station, and is one of the very few sites that has

been connected to the rule of the Mauryas. The style is rather reminiscent of Persian

Achaemenid architecture .The grottoes of Barabar Caves, are another example of

Mauryan architecture, especially the decorated front of the Lomas Rishi grotto. These

were offered by the Mauryas to the Buddhist sect of the Ajivikas. The most

widespread example of Maurya architecture are the Pillars of Ashoka, often

exquisitely decorated, with more than 40 spread throughout the sub-continent.

(http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Mauryan_Empire::sub::Architectural_

Remains

Silver punch mark coin of the Mauryan

empire, with symbols of wheel and

elephant

Mauryan architecture in the Barabar

Mounts. Grottoe of Lomas Richi.

(Retrieved from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mauryan

Coin.JPG)

(Retrieved

from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:

CunninghamMauryan.jpg)


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DECLINE OF THE DYNASTY

Maurya Empires decline began 60 years after Ashokas rule ended, and it dissolved in 185 with the foundation of

Sunga Dynasty in Magadha. Ashoka was followed for 50 years by a succession of weaker kings. Brhadrata, the last ruler

of Mauryan dynasty, held territories that had shrunk considerably from the time of emperor Ashoka, although he stilupheld the Buddhist faith. Brihadrata was assassinated in 185 BCE during a military parade, by the commander-in-chief

of his guard, the Brahmin general Pusyamitra Sunga, who then took over the throne and established the Sunga dynasty

Buddhist records such as the Asokavadana write that the assassination of Brhadrata and the rise of the Sunga empire led

to a wave of persecution for Buddhists, and a resurgence of Hinduism. Pusyamitra may have been the main author of

the persecutions, although later Sunga kings seem to have been more supportive of Buddhism. Other historians, such as

Etienne Lamotte and Romila Thapar, among others, have argued that archaeological evidence in favor of the allegations

of persecution of Buddhists are lacking, and that the extent and magnitude of the atrocities have been exaggerated

(http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Mauryan_Empire::sub::Decline)


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Mauryan ringstone, with standing goddess. NorthwestPakistan. 3

rdcentury BCE. British Museum.

(Retrieved from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanRingstone.JPG)

6th

pillar edict of Emperor Ashoka. Sandstone, Mauryan

dynasty, around 238 BC.

(Retrieved from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:6thPillarOfAshoka.JPG)

Mauryan cast copper coin. Late 3rd century BCE. British

Museum.

(Retrieved from:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanCastCopperCoinLate3

rdCenturyBCE.jpg)

Balarama, holding mace and conch (lower right) on a

Maurya coin. Balarama was originally a powerful

independent deity of Hinduism, and was considered an

avatar of Vishnu. 3rd2nd century CE. British Museum.

(Retrieved from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanBalaramaCoin3

rd-2ndCenturyCE.jpg)

Statuettes of the Maurya period, 4th-3rd century BCE. Muse Guimet. Personal photographs 2006.

(Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryaStatuettes.jpg)


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Bibliography

1. Bharatadesam. (n.d.). Maurya Empire. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Everything About Indiahttp://www.bharatadesam.com/history/maurya_empire.php

2. Congress, U. L. (n.d.). The Mauryan Empire. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Country Studieshttp://countrystudies.us/india/7.htm

3. History, S. (n.d.). Serving History. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Serving historyhttp://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Mauryan_Empire

4. ILoveIndia. (n.d.). Chanakya. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from ILoveIndiahttp://www.iloveindia.com/history/ancient-india/maurya-dynasty/chanakya.html

5. Imaging, W. (2007, May 7). Cunningham Mauryan. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CunninghamMauryan.jpg

6. Imaging, W. (2006, September 6). Maurya Statuettes. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryaStatuettes.jpg

7. Imaging, W. (2007, June 23). Mauryan Balarama Coin. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanBalaramaCoin3rd-2ndCenturyCE.jpg

8. Imaging, W. (2009, February 11). Mauryan CastCopperCoin Late 3rdCentury BCE. Retrieved October13, 2011, from Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanCastCopperCoinLate3rdCenturyBCE.jpg

9. Imaging, W. (2006, September 27). Mauryan Coin. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanCoin.JPG

10.Imaging, W. (2005, September 27). Mauryan Ringstone. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MauryanRingstone.JPG

11.India, M. o. (2004). History. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from Incredible Indiahttp://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/cms_page.asp?pageid=759

12.PHGCOM. (2007). Edicts of Ashoka. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EdictsOfAshoka.jpg

13.Singh, S. (n.d.). Ashoka The Great. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from BIharhttp://www.bihar.ws/info/History-of-ancient-Bihar/Ashoka-The-Great.html

14.Vastu. (2009, June 27). Maurya Dynasty in 265 BCE. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maurya_Dynasty_in_265_BCE.jpg


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