The Mauryan Empire - History

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THE MAURYAN EMPIRE (321-289 BC)

In 322 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, the ruler of Seleucus, Alexander's successor in Persia, he
Magadha, began to assert its authority over the undeiwent a treaty liberating the empire bam Greco-
neighbouring kingdoms. Chandragupta (320-300 BC), Persian authority. It also assured him a respectful
was the builder of the first Indian imperial power, the place in later Greek ond Roman histories. He used
Mauryan Empire. He had his capital at Pataliputru, the administrative system established by the Nandas
near Patna, in Bihar. fa his full advantage, and established dose and
friendly relations with Babylon and the lands farther
CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (320-300 west. He was acknowledged as a brilliant general
BC) having an army of well over half a million soldiers.
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the He was also a brilliant king, who united India,
Mauryan Empire. He founded the dynasty by restricting himself in not going beyond the
overthrowing the Nandas around 320 BC. There is no subcontinent. Pata'ipufra become a cosmopolitan
clear account available about his early life. He was city of such a large proportion that Chandragupta
born in Pataliputra, but was raised in the forest in the had to create a special section of municipal officials
company of herdsmen and hunters. It was Chanakya to look after its welfare, and special courts were
who spotted him and he was struck by his personality. established to meet its judicial needs.
Chanakya trained and transformed him into one of the
most powerful rulers of that era. Chanakya trained him administration which was autocratic in nature and
in arts, sciences, logic, administration and warfare at centrally based, assisted by a council of ministers. He
the Taxila University. Chanakya had decided a task for also created a functional espionage system to keep his
Chandragupta-to free India from Greek dominance. enemies within his watch. It is widely believed that his
Some smaller kingdoms in Punjab and Sindh helped advisor Chanakya contributed considerably towards
Chandragupta. Soon Chandragupta defeated the the success of Chandragupta. He established a highly
Greeks and freed Punjab. Sindh and' otenseher north- centralised and hierarchical system of governance with
west regions of India. He then defeated the Nancla the help ot a large staff, with systematic tax collection;
rulers in Pataliputra and captured the throne of trade and commerce, industrial arts; mining; vital
Magadha. Chandragupta Maurya’s army included over statisticst welfare of foreigners; maintenance of public
6, 00,000 infantry, 50,000 cavalry, 10,000 elephants places, including markets and temples and welfare of
and 7,000 chariots. prostitutes.

Importance of Chandragupta's Rule

Extent of Chandragupta’s Empire
Chandragupta was the first Indian ruler whom
we can call a national ruler in real senses he Chondragupta freed Punjab and Sindh from foreign
established such a system of control and brought these areas under his rule. The
whole of northern region of India (from Palaliputra
Coming of Chandragupta Maurya to the Hindukush mountains in the north- west) and
to Narmada in the south came into his direct control.
Macedonian ruler Alexander's invasion of north-
His empire included the regions of Kabul, Herat,
western India, and the increasing unpopularity of
Kandahar, Baluchistan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh,
Nando rulers, resulted into their decline. With the
Bihar, Bengal, Gujcrat and Kathiawar. In 305 BC,
help of Chanakya, Chandragupta overthrew the
Nardas and assumed the throne. After invading his fruitful treaties with the ruler of Babylon gave

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him control over a large area of Afghanistan, adversaries. A ruler who desires to be a conqueror is
Baluchistan, Kabul and Kandahar. Records do not always surrounded by enemies, so are his enemies'
provide any clear information about his,conquests in A sensible ruler relies on the power of his enemies'
South India. However, there is little doubt about the enemies along with his own power. The book
fact that he ruled over a vast empire. Megasthenes describes various strategies for making and breaking
and Kdutilyd nave mentioned: about the vastness of alliances using military force or treaties, and
his empire in their texts. He spent his life's last ten engaging spies or propaganda to weaken opponents
years at Chandragiri hills of Sharvanabebgola) in a and take advantage of the situation.
temple built by him. The temple was known as
'Chandragupta Basadi’ where he led his life as a Political Administration
disciple of a Join, saint, Bhadrabahu, who guided Chandragupta maintained a large standing
him to maksha by observing Sallekhana Vrata army and a well- organised espionage system. He
(which leads to death by slow starvation, as per Jain divided his empire into provinces, districts and
tradition). It is estimated that he died at the age of villages. All the administrative units were governed by
45 years in 296 BC. centrally appointed local officials who performed the
functions as directed by the central administration. The
Kautilya and the Arthashastra capital city had magnificent palaces, temples, a
university, a library, gardens and parks.
Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya, was a
minister in Chandragupta Maurya's court. There is Military Might of Chandragupta
little information about the life of Kautilya. He got
his education at Taxila, which was also the capital Chandragupta Maurya’s army included over 6,
of Gandhara. He is known to have helped 00,000 infantry, 50,000 cavalry, 10,000 elephants
Chandragupta overthrow the Nanda Dynasty. Some and 7,000 chariots. There were six boards of five
historions believed that he was a wily planner who members each four of which supervised the four
could adopt any method to execute the plans of the divisions of the army, and the remaining two locked
king. He is best known for his work, the after the admiralty and transport cum commissariat.
Arthashastra, the first and most imported Indian text
on how a king should wield political and economic Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum
powers.
It is an epigraphical publication of the
Though the Arthashastra includes many
Archeological Survey of India and has been brought
sections written many centuries after Kautilya, it is
out as a multi-volume series of collections of
attributed to him because of his legendary political
inscriptions bearing on the history of Maurya, post
wisdom. Most part of the text are associated with
Maurya and Gupta times.
theoretical situations but some parts represent real
conditions and the strategy present at the time of the
Mauryas. The book informs about a centralised BINDUSARA (296-273 BC)
administrative system which also had provincial Bindusara, Chandragupta's son (296-273 BC),
governors levels of bureaucrats, the tax system and succeeded him and conquered the south and annexed
o royal army. If also mentions about the methods by the regions up to Mysore into his empire. He was a
which peasants con be encouraged to increase very wise and brave warrior. He successfully
agricultural productivity maintained the administration of the vast empire he
The Arthashastra also presents a model on inherited from his father. Ashoka, who was then the
foreign affairs called the circle of states. As per the governor of Ujjain, assisted him very well. Bindusara
model, all states are surrounded by natural had to face two major revolts at Taxi la, which he
supressed without much difficulty. According to some

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Buddhist texts, Bindusara married sixteen times and instruction, and by their example and influence
had more than 100 sons. He made his eldest son. the theyare able to recall fickle minded people to their
crown prince Susheema, the governor of Taxila and his duty. The officials of the border districts enforce my
second son, Ashoka, the governor of Ujjain. However, injunctions in the same way. For these are their
he rejected his eldest son after two revolts at Taxila rules: to govern according to Dharma, to administer
and decided to give the throne to Ashoka. Ashoka was justice according to Dharma, to advance the people's
to succeed as the king after the death of Bindusara in happiness according to Dharma and ta protect them
273 BC. However, Ashoka could become a ruler only according to Dharma.
in 269 BC, four years after Bindusara’s death.
Possibly, his elder brother might not have allowed the Ashoka as a Ruler
throne to be easily passed on to Ashoka. There is no Ashoka was one of India's most illustrious
account of these four years in any Mauryan texts. rulers. Ashoka’s inscriptions carved on rocks and stone
pillars consulate the second set of dated historical
ASHOKA THE GREAT (269-232 BC) records. Some of the inscriptions state that in the
aftermath of the destruction resulting from the war
Ashoka was the son of Bindusara. He is against the powerful kingdom of Kalinga (Orissa),
considered among the greatest rulers of all times. He Ashoka renounced bloodshedand started following a
was the first ruler who tried to maintain direct contact policy of nonviolence or Ahimsa. His sense of
with his subjects. He ruled for nearly 40 years. Most of toleration for different religious beliefs reflected the
the information about the life of Ashoka can be had realities of India’s regional pluralism, although he
from the 50 edicts he placed throughout India. The personally followed Buddhism. Early Buddhist texts
most important of these edicts is the Rock Edict XIII state that he convened a Buddhist council at his capital,
(257-256 BC). It offers account of the eight years of regularly undertook tours within his realm and sent
the Kalinga War. The destruction and the sorrow that Buddhist, missionary ambassadors to Sri Lanka.
he witnessed in the war transformed Ashoka from a India’s north-west retained many Persian cultural
warrior to a peace loving ruler. He started propagating elements, which might explain Ashoka’s rock
Buddhism. The impact of Ashoka’s moral conquest inscriptions—such inscriptions were commonly
can be seen not only within India but also in the far off associated with the Persian rulers. Ashoka’s Greek and
Empires like Syria, Egypt and Macedonia and Epirus. Aramaic inscriptions discovered in Kandhar in
Significantly, Ashoka has been referred to with names Afghanistan may also reveal his inclination to maintain
of Devanumpriya or Priyadarshini throughout the contacts with people outside India.
edicts.
Extent of the Empire
Ashoka's Pillar Edict I
Askoka’s Empire covered the entire territory
Emperor Priyadarshini says, ‘I commanded this from Hindukush to Bengal and extended over
edict on Dharma to be engraved 26 years after my Afghanistan, Baluchistan and the whole of India with
coronation. It is difficult to achieve happiness, either the exception of a small area in the farthest south.
in this world or in the next, expect by intense love of Kashmir and the valleys of Nepal were also included.
Dharma, intense self-examination, intense It was the biggest Indian empire and Ashoka was the
obedience, intense fear of evil and intense first Indian king who ruled over almost the whole of
enthusiasm. Yet, as a result of my instruction, India.
regard for Dharma and the love of Dharma have
increased day by day and will continue to increase.
My official of all ranks high, low and intermediate
act in accordance with the precepts of my

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harmonious relationship between the diverse elements

of the empire. The supposed essence of dhamma seems
to be the genesis of Ashoka's big idea. The word
dhamma is a Prakrit spelling of the more familiar
dharma, a concept difficult to translate but imbued
with positives and idealised connotations in both
orthodox Vedic literature and in the heterodox
doctrines of Buddhists. Jain and Ajivikas. Invoking a
natural order within which all manners of creation had
its place and its role, it was something to which no
one, whether Brahamin or Buddhist, emperor or slave,
could reasonably take exception.
Dhamma had tolerance, as its basis as aiming to bring
out a peace loving life within the family and society.
Religious and cultural meetings and festivals were
banned led functions were allowed. Dhamma also
emphasised non-violence. Ashoka banned observance
of useless rituals and ceremonies to cut down the
influence of priests and religious leaders. He defined
the code of duty based on practical ideas like daya
(mercy), Dana (charity), sathya (truthfulness), namrata
(gentleness) and souche (purity). These codes entered
into internal politics as well as international relations
too. Ashoka attempted no philosophical justification of
MAP 1.7 Edicts of Ashokan Empire dhamma, nor was he given to rationalising it. It was
neither a belief system nor a developed ideology, just a
The Kalinga War set of behavioural exhortations. But, because
behaviour and conduct was of such defining
This was an important war during Ashoka's importance, any attempt to alter it was indeed
rule, which changed his attitude towards life. In 265 revolutionary. Ashoka, therefore, needed good reason
BC, Ashoka invaded Kalinga (Orissa) and occupied it for introducing dhamma and it should perhaps be
after widespread destruction and bloodshed. Kalinga sought in the need to promote a more united and
was an important empire as it controlled the land and uniform society. Ashoka's Empire was divided into
the sea routes to South India. This led to Ashoka provinces, with a viceroy in each province. He
becoming a follower of Buddhism. His increased pre- established dharamsalas, hospitals andsarais
occupation in the religion and emphasis on non- throughout his kingdom. Dharma Mahapatras were
violence led to the weakening of his administration, appointed to preach the people. Buddhism was spread
which slowly led to the decline of the Mauryan during his reign as a state religion and inscriptions of
Empire. Buddhist principles were engraved on rocks. He
organised a network of missionaries to preach the
Ashoka's Policy of Dhamma doctrine, both in his kingdom and beyond. Ashoka sent
missionaries to Ceylon, Burma and other south-east
The diverse nature of the vast empire under
Asian regions, notably Thailand to spread the doctrine
Ashoka was exposed to social tensions and sectarian
of Buddhism.
conflicts. Ashoka devised the policy of dhamma,
which later became famous, as it promoted a

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Successors of Ashoka mango gardens to be planted and wells to be dug at

two-mile intervals, rest-houses were constructed,
After Ashoka's death in 232 BC, the empire many watering stations were established here and
gradually disintegrated, though the exact causes art not there, for the comfort of cattle and men. Slight
clear. A period of struggle for succession ensued comfort, indeed, is this, People have been made
between Ashoka’s heirs; southern princes seceded, happy through various kinds of facilities for comfort
from the empire and foreign powers invaded. The by previous kings as well as me. But this was done
empire contracted to the Ganges valley in northern by me so that people might strictly follow the path
India. The last king of the Mauryan Empire was laid down by Dharma.
Brihadratha, who was assasinated by his Senapati,
Pushyamitra Sunga, in 184 BC. There were six kings
who ruled between Ashoka and Brihadratha. Only Eight Groups of Ashoka’s Edicts/
Dasratha, Ashoka’s immediate successor was of some
Inscriptions
significance.
Ashoka’s edicts/inscriptions may be arranged in
The Mauryan Dynasty eight groups chronological order:
Chandragupta Maurya (320-300 BC) (i) Two minor rock edicts (258-257 BC)
Bindusara (300-273 BC.) (ii) Babru edicts (257 BC)
Ashoka (269-232 BC) (iii) Fourteen rock edicts (257-256 BC)
Dasaratha Kunala (232-226 BC) (iv) Kalinga inscriptions (256 BC)
Samprati (226-215 BC) (v) Barabar rock edicts in caves near Gaya (250
Salishoka (215-202 BC) BC)
Devavorma (202-195 BC) (vi) Tarai's two minor pillar edicts (249 BC)
Satdhanvan (195-191 BC) (vii) Seven pillar edicts (243 BC)
Brihadratha (181-180 BC) (viii) Four minor pillar edicts (232 BC)

Languages and Scripts of Ashoka's Ashoka as an Administrator

Inscriptions
A devout Buddhist, Ashok did not neglect public
The earliest deciphered inscriptions in the works or administration. Although he retained
subcontinent are the edicts issued by the Mauryan capital punishment for extreme offences, he devised
Ashoka, inscribed on rock surfaces and pillars, from a system of appeals to give every chance for a
the third century BC. The earlier script of third revised judgement that might replace execution with
millennium BC—The Harappa script, associated with a fine. He reformed the tax system so that each
the Indus Valley Civilization—is generally believed to region and village could appeal for relief when
be pictographic and is found on seals, amulets and harvests and commerce had declined, reorganised
occasionally, as graffiti on pots. However, as these bureaucracy and devised a new class of officials, the
pictographs to be deciphered Ashoka’s edicts are mahamatras, literally meaning great in measure’.
historically scripts available for study. They were established to monitor the operations of
the government. Some were assigned to look after
the welfare of the Sangha, and they even travelled
Delhi-Topra Pillar Edict outside the realm to do so. Others saw to the well-
being of other religious sects. They reported directly
Thus said, His Sacted and Gracious Majesty the to Ashoka, who took interest in the details of his
king: On the high roads, I caused banyan trees to be empire. Ashoka established rest-houses, dug wells,
planted by me to shade cattle and men. I caused planted trees and founded hospitals along major
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roads. He promulgated rules for the protection of The importance of the Greek and Aramaic
cows, forbade animal sacrifices and abolished inscriptions, apart from their locations, also lies in their
hunting for sport. He replaced the royal hunt with providing translations of some of the significant terms
the royal pilgrimage and visited Bodh Gaya and used in the Prakrit inscriptions, the readings of which
many other sacred sites. have been controversial. For example, the Prakrit term
dhumma is the same as the Sanskrit dharma and has no
The inscriptions mark the transition from the exact equivalent in English. It has been variously
oral tradition to literacy, though the date of this rendered as piety, virtue, sacred duty or even as the
transition remains uncertain. The scripts used for dharnma taught by Buddha. It is translated as eusebeia
engraving the edicts are all phonetic and. therefore, the Greek inscriptions, suggesting a more general use
mark u departure from the earlier pictographic script. because there is no reference to Buddha in the Greek
Some scholars maintain that the Mauryas invented a and Aramaic versions.
script to facilitate administration and enable faster The more important inscriptions, much larger
communication with distant places and frontier zones. in number and inscribed in various parts of the
But the invention of scripts is more often associated subcontinent, were composed in Prakrit and engraved
with the trading communities. The invention must have in two different scripts− Brahmi and Kharoshthi,
proceeded the reign of Ashoka because he used it Inscriptions in Kharoshthi are all clustered in the north
extensively and presumably there were people who west, again suggestive of being read locally.
could read the edicts, though he did insist that his Kharoshthi derives from Aramaic and is written from
officers read them out to his subjects. The inscriptions right to left. The letters, although conforming to the
were generally located in places likely to attract Prakrit alphabet, recall many Aramaic forms. Initially
people. limited to the vicinity of Peshawar, in the post-
Ashoka’s inscriptions use three different Mauryan period, Kharoshthi travelled further a field
languages and four scripts. The most important and the and especially into central Asia.
largest in number are composed in Prakrit, but Ashoka The script with the maximum usage and
also had a few inscribed in Greek and Aramaic. The historical potential was Brahmi, which was to become
scripts used for the Prakrit inscriptions were Brahmi the standard script of the subcontinent in post-
and Kharoshthi, and for the others, Greek and Maurynn times, although undergoing the usual
Aramaic. The Greek and Aramaic inscriptions are all evolution of a widely used script.It was written from
close together near Kabul and Kandhar in Afghanistan. left to right, consisted of carefully formed letters and
The script and language were in use before the reign of was relatively easy to read. There has been a
Ashoka as Greek and Aramaic speaking people had continuing debate as to its origin. Some support a
settled in this region. The province of Gandhara source that permitted admixtures of letters from the
(present day Peshawar and its vicinity) was part of the Greek, or the Phoenician or Semitic .scripts, and others
Iranian Achaemenid Empire in the sixth century BC argue in favour of an independent process of inventing
and, therefore, would have used Aramaic. It was letters in India. The resemblances of some letters to
included in the Mauryan Empire in the fourth century neighbouring scripts cannot be denied and it was
along with the adjoining territories in Afghanistan probably an efficient working out as well as borrowing
which were ceded by thief Hellenistic King Seleucus of forms, appropriate and accessible to those needing a
Nicator—Alexanders successor in Iran—to the script.
Mauryan king Chandragupta at the conclusion of a The extensive use of Prakrit in the
campaign; hence, the presence of the Greek speaking subcontinent did not rigidly follow the original
people. One Ashokan inscription is bilingual (Greek composition. The edicts were issued by the king from
and Aramaic) and suggests that bilingualism in these the capital or the royal camp, but were adapted to some
languages was common in these parts. forms of local usage when actually engraved. The
language and the script had a pliancy that could reflect,
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to a small degree, variations, influenced by local Buddhist practice and monastic procedures. The
linguistic inflections. Certain sounds, such as ‘l’ or ‘r’ remaining two categories relate to the welfare of his
were interchanged, occasional spelling mistakes subjects, through what Ashoka perceived as better
occurred as also slippages in cither fitting a word into a administration and even more so through a deliberate
space or inadvertently leaving out a letter, and there cultivation of social responsibility. The latter was
were minor variations in words or the use of a term deeply influenced by Buddhist ethics, but was not
that was more familiar locally. Inscriptions were merely a call his subjects to follow the teachings of
composed by rulers and officials at the court, but the Buddha. Although personally a Buddhist, Ashoka was
actual engraving was done by professional engravers, well aware of his role as a statesman ruling a
who were of low rank and whose literacy level may multicultural empire.
have been barely adequate. A group of Ashokan The various categories of rock engraved
inscriptions from Karnataka in southern India carry the edieTs were issued in the earlier part of his reign.
briefest of statements at the end of the royal edict, Towards the latter part, a special collection of edicts
naming the engraver us Capada. Interestingly, this was scribed on pillars. Addressed to his subjects, he
little statement is in Kharoshthi whereas the rest of the recapitulated his contribution to their welfare and
edict is in Brahmi. It is unclear whether the engraver further advised them oWhical behaviour. These pillar
was brought from the north-west or whether he was edicts, as they have been called, were engraved with
demonstrating his knowledge of more than one script. finesse and care on specially cut, polished sandstone
The edicts inscribed on rock surfaces in pillars and are located ip various paits'of the Ganges
Karnataka were many, for it was a gold-bearing area Valley. These make a dramatist contrasty to the more
that appears to have been worked by the Mauryan rough-hewn rock surfaces of the earlier inscriptions
state. Curiously, this was a Dravidian-speaking area and show a distinct improvement in the handling of the
with no prior script, yet the edicts arc all composed in script.
Prakrit—(at this time a North Indian Indo-Aryan The tone of the Ashokan edicts is
language)—and engraved in Brahmi. Officers were conversational and could have been ah attempting to
expected to read out the edicts and translate them to link the oral tradition to literacy, and to ‘speak tothe
the local population. No attempt was made to render subjects. This was again an unusual perception of me
the, edicts in the local language as was done in the use of a script by a king who was attempting to
north-west with Greek and Aramaic, perhaps because establish an unusual relationship with; his subjects.
there was no local script. In the political assessment of
the region, it was probably less important than the Mauryan Empire
north-west, being an area of clans and chtefdoms
rather than states and kingdoms. The intention may Five provinces comprising the Mauryan Empire
have been to make literacy a statement of power in an with their respective capitals are:
oral society and this is perhaps how the inscriptions 1. Uttarapatha: (North): Taxila.
were also viewed. This is also suggested by the earliest 2. Dakshinapatha: (South): Suvarnagiri
use of a script for engraving inscriptions in Tamil—the 3. Avantopatha: (West): Ujiain.
most widely used Dravidian language in South India. 4. Prachyapatha: (East): Tashali (Kalinga).
The script used was art adaptation from the Mauryan 5. Central Province: (Magadh): Pataliputra.
Brahmi script and current in the second century BC.
The edicts inscribed on rock surfaces are Ashoka as Dharmaraja
addressed to various categories of people—a few to
Buddhist monks in various monasteries, some Whether Ashoka was transformed all at once, or
addressed specifically to the officers of the state and whether the impact of his conquest affected him
the majority addressed to the people at large. Those of over time, it had two radical consequences.
the first category are concerned with matters relating to Spiritually, he became a follower of the Buddha

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dharma, the teachings of Buddha. Politically, he Bala (the army or power) and (vii) Mitra (the friends
renounced war and conquest as acceptable methods and the allies). All these organs were equally important
for preserving the empire and sought to replace and Kautilya said that the king was one of the wheels
them with the inculcation of Dharma. He of a chariot and the rest of the elements constituted the
synthesised these: two commitments in a three-fold second wheeh As it is difficult to run a chariot with
devotion to dharmapalana, dharmakarma and one wheel similarly it is difficult to run a nation
dharmanushishi (protection) of Dharma, without two wheels— the king and the rest of the
action according to Dharma and instruction, in organs of the Saptanga
Dharma). Rather than follow in the footsteps of his The whole empire was divided into provinces
grandfather and renounce the world, his we know about five provinces during the reign of
undbtsanoing of Dharma held him responsible for Ashoka with capitals at Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali,
tho welfare of all his subject, and he translated thiis Suvarnagiri and Pataliputr. The provinces were
general duty into an attempt to to exemplify subdivided into vishyas or aharas. The vishyas
dharmarajya, tho rule of Dharma. Long after his his consisted of a number of villages. Besides, those
specific policies and works were forgotten, Buddhist territories were under direct rule whereas, other
tradition revered him as the first and ideal territories wore vassal states.Towns and villages were
Dharmaraja- the Buddhist counterpart of the Hindu well organised. The Gramika was the head of the
idea of the Chakravartin and bestowed upon him the village administration. State revenue was collected
name of Dharmashaka. from land taxes, excise, tools, forest, water rates,
mines, etc., a major share of which was spent on the
Mauryan Administration army, other official charity works and public works.
The nature of the Mauryan administration was An important work undertaken during the Matiryan
one of the most elaborate, effective and proper to rule was the taking of census, recording data regarding
preserve this great empire intact. The central caste, occupation, slaves, freemen, young and old men,
government was mainly concerned with collecting and women.
taxes and administering justice. In each of these Thus, the Mauryan administration was highly
spheres, the emperor and his cabinet of ministers centralised and contributed greatly to the development
headed a hierarchy of officials, which reached down of the empire. The state maintained a huge standing
through divisional and district officers to toll army and brought new lands under cultivation and
collectors, the market overseer and the clerk who developed irrigation facilities.The famous Sudarshana
recorded measurements and assessments of fields. The Lake was built. Under the Mauryans, the entire sub-
entire apparatus was subject to regular checks by a continent was crisscrossed with roads. A royal
staff of Inspectors who reported directly to the highway connecting Taxila and Pataliputra was built—
emperor, while a more sinister system of undercover it mad which survives to this day as the Grand Trunk
informants provided a further check. All were Rond.
appointed, directly or indirectly, by the emperor and SWAMI—KING, THE PREMIER
had instant access to him. The Saptanga concept was
the basis of the Maurayan administration. As explained The king was the supreme, head of the state.
by Kautilya, it is the theory of seven vital elements He was the epicentre of all the seven elements. The
which constitute a central administrative body The powers of the king were extensive.We have it on the
authority of Megasthenes that the king took part in
seven elements are: (i) Swaini (the King), (ii) Amatya
(the bureaucrats, officials of the throne and the cabinet warand the administration of justice. Appointments to
of ministers); (iii) Janapada (the masses; territory and the must important offices were made by the ruler
population), (iv) Durga (the fort or premises holding himself: he also most laid down the broad lines of
the seat of power), (v) Kasha (the central treasury), (vi) policy and issued rescrips and codes of regulations for
the guidance of his officers,and the people. However,

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the king could not he termed a monarch or an absolute promulgated a simple yet fundamental doctrine of
ruler as he depended upon the extensive administrative tolerance and civility based upon respect for the
system to effectively rule the empire. splitual aspirations at all people to adhere to the
Dharma, they recalled that there had been a minor
MANTRI PAFUSHAD—THE CABINET golden age and know that it was possible for human
OF, MINISTERS beings to experience a golden age again.
The king employed ministers’ for carring out
the administration of the empire. He had two grades of ministers:
Muntrigan, who were the advising ministers of the
Dharamarajya andAshoka highest order and general ministers who were the
members of the Cabinet, Mantri Parished. All the
Dharmaraja, as Ashoka understood it, permitted him ministers were hand-picked by the emperor himself
to be devoted to Buddha’s teaching, but to revere and and all, had to possess some minimum qualification
support the Sangha, it required him as a monarch to and pass tests to fetch the job. The important members
nature and support all religious traditions in his of the Mantri Parished included Yuvarajas,
realm. To this end, he inscribed edicts throughout the Mahamantris, Purohitas, Sempats, etc. At every stage,
empire, exhorting the people to practise Dharma, but the king had to consult them and seek their
kept the explict content of that concept sufficiency cooperation.
universal to include Hindu, Jain, Ajivaka and ether
interpretations of it. Although he gave land, food and AMATYAS-BUREAUCRATS OR
money to the Buddhist Sangha, he similarly
OFFICIALS OF THE THRONE
supported other spiritual traditions. Thus, the Pillar
These were the civil servants who were
Edicts mention gifts to the Sangha and the Cave
selected as heads of the different departments. They
ascriptions deed sites to the Ajivakas. Legend
reported directly to the mantris and were promoted to
maintains that a third Buddhist council was convened
become mantri after completing successfully their
in his reign and that he laboured intensely to preserve
tenure us Amatyas. Each department had an
the unity of the Sangha—an effort that ultimatety
Adhyaksha (Chief) who was responsible for carrying
failed—but the edicts speak only of purifying the
out that particular function of administration. Some
order. Scholars tend to believe that no third council
important amatyas are given ahead:
took place, or rat Ashoka had little to do with if, but
the absence of detailed testimony in the edicts may Administrative nomenclature in the
only show that he saw no value in recounting publicly Mauryan rule
his role in the inner affairs of the Sangha.  King the Premier (Swtmti)
 Advisor(s) to the king (Mantri Parishad)
 Bureaucrats or officials of the throne
Remembering Ashoka (Amatyas)
 Departmental heads of the empire
Ashoka’s Empire soon passed out of memory. (Adhyakshas)
However, the ideal he upheld as Arya-putr (prince)  Workers of the empire (Karmikas)
and Dharma-putra (son of Dharma) increased in lustre  Chief treasurer (Sannidhata)
with each passing epoch. Cenerations which chould  Chief tax collector (Samaharta)
not recollect the Mauryans, not poit out the boundries  Tax collectors who collected tax from special
tribes (Vachabhuvikas)
of their realm, nor even read the edicts, nonthless
 Chief of law and order (Dandapala)
remembered the great king, 'beloved of gods’, who  Commander-in-chief of the army (Senapati)
taught Dharma and lived what he espoused who had  Commander-in-chief of the forts (Durgapati)
set the standard ogainsl which subsequent rulers were  Detectives and ppies of the empire
measuredand often found wanting, and who had (Gudhapurushas)

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 Magistrates of cities (Mahamatyas) To Devanampriya, Dharmavijaya-conquest by

 Tax collectors in rural areas (Sthanika) Dharma —is the most important victory.
 Head of accounts and audit
(Ashtapatalaadyaksha
 Head of agriculture (Sithadhyaksha)
SOURCES OF REVENUE
 Head of rivers and irrigation works
(Samprathi) The Mauryan treasury had many sources of
 Governor of the province (Rastrapata) income and always had a very sound financial health.
 Officers who looked after the frontier Land revenue was the main source of income which
provinces (Antamahamatras) accounted to one-fourth of the revenue. Other sources
 subordinate officers to look after the king’s of income included tax on salt, forest, mining, import
income (Yuktas) duties, export taxes, various penalties were also
 Official to measure land and fix up boundaries
collected from the courts, The regular tax was one-
(Rajukas)
 Heads of Rajukas in different provinces fourth of the income which was as described in the
(Purushas) Arthashnstra. Trade tax was one-fifth of the total value
 Custodians of Dharma (Dharmamahamatras) and the state taxed all manufactured and imnortcd
 Police and revenue (Pradeshikas) goods. Tax evasion was seldom as culprits wcic
 Head of the village (Gramika) punished severely. The Samharts, the Sannidhata and
 Head of a group of Gramikas (Gopa) the Akshapataladhyakha made sure that there was no
 Head of the city (Nagrika)
scarcity of funds in the royal treasures for meeting
expenseson public welfare, pays of royal court,
ministers and officials, salary of employees,
Rock Edict XI construction of roads and bridges, development of
irrigation facilities, production of forests and
There is no gift that can equal the gift of Dharma, the
supporting thriving army.
establishment of human relations on Dharma, the
distribution of wealth through Dharma or kinship in ECONOMY
Dharma.
Industry and trade were well developedand to
Rock Edict XIII promote them, roads and waterways were maintained
Metal works were prevalent and the usage of copper,
Devanampriya, the conqueror of the Kalingas, is lead tin, bronze, iron was common. Other industries
remorse now, for this conquest is no conquest, since included the ones producing dyes, gums, drugs,
there killing, death and banishment of the people. perfumes and pottery. The industries were classified
Devanampriya keenly fools all this with profound into private and public sectors.
sorrow and regat. But, what is worse than this, there
dwell in that country Brahmanas, Shramanas and ESPIONAGE
followers of other religions and householders who
have the duty of tendering duo service to elders, to Mauryun rulers maintained a powerful and
mother and father and to gurus, of showing proper trutstworthy secret police. They were the eyes and cars
courtesy fo friends, comrades, companions and of the king. However, the police did not interfere with
relatives, as, well as to slaves and servants and firm the day-to-day life of the people. Mauryans, apart from
devotion to Dharma. To these, injury, death or their armed strength, depended upon the dictum of
deportation may have happened. And the friends, international diplomacy to expand the Mauryun
comrades, companions and relatives who still retain Empire. Arthaishastra suggests that inirigtie, spies,
undiminished affection for those affected, by the winning over the enemy’s people, stege and assault are
war, are terribly pained by this calamity. the five means to capture a fort and should he preferred
to the use of full armed force. There were two types of
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spies: (i) Samsthah—these were stationary spies, must be divided between Chandragupta and his
consisting of secret agents like kapatika (fraudulent exceptionally able ministers.
disciples); udasthita (recluses), vaidehaka (merchants)
and tapasai (ascetics), (ii) Sancharah—wandering LAW AND ORDER, COURTS OF
spies, including emissaries termed satri (classmates); JUSTICE
tikshana (firebrands) and rashada (poisoners), Women
were an integral part of the spy network. There arc Kautilya’s Arthashastra gives a fair account of
accounts of women spies under the name of the prevailing justice system in the Mauryan era. The
parivarjikas (wandering nuns); bhikshukis king sat in the court to administer justice. As to the
(mendicants) and vnshalis (courtesans). king’s legislative function, we should note that the
Arthashastra called him Dharmapravartaka and
MILITARY included the Rajasasana among the sources of law.
An efficient military administration was Therefore, at the head of the judiciary stood the king
responsible for making the Mauryan rulers being himself. Rulers imparted impartial decisions, thus
among the most powerful rulers of their times, A safeguarding the sanctity of justice. Ashoka had
commission of 30 members administered military, created a special post of Dhramamahamatras who
which was divided into six boards, as follows: Board carried out the dual role of preachers as well as judges.
1. The Fleet Admiralty—it cooperated with the admiral They went from place to place to preach the code of
of the fleet: Board 2. Infantry— there were more than conduct and the principles of dharma as well presided
6 lakh ft soldiers in Chandragupta’s army; Board 3. over the litigations and gave their decisions. The
Cavalry—more than 30,000; Board 4. War Chariots— judicial system had two organs: Dharmastya—which
the number of chariots is riot recorded; Board 5. War presided over civil cases such as disputes of marriages,
Elephants—more than 9,000; Board 6. Transport and dowry, divorces, loans, property, etc. and
Supplies—defensive armour was supplied to men, Kantakoshdhana—which dealt with cases of criminal
elephants and horses. Transport animals included nature such as robbery, theft, commercial crimes like
horses, mules and oxen. The army was provided with counterfeit coins or blackmailing, etc. Besides these
ambulance services, which contained surgeons and courts, there were special tribunals of justice, both in
supplies of medicine and dressings. In addition, cities (nagara) and rural, area (janapada), presided over
women were provided for preparing food and by Vyavaharika Mahamatras and Rajukas.
supplying beverages during the lime of action.
The senapati (commander-in-chief) had the CENSUS
overall charge of the war office. All departments
connected to the war office were under his control. He The administration made it mandatory that the
was highly qualified in military affairs. The war force officials knew everything about everybody within their
consisted primarily of (i) Senapati the overall incharge jurisdiction. They kept a check over any type of
of the army and the highest paid official, (ii) Prasasta, movement of individuals or tribes. Thus, they- kept a
(iii) Nayaka and (iv) Mukhva The central government permanent census of people and information in the
would bear the cost of maintaining the military. The form of name, caste (gotra), occupation, age, marital
government paid cash salaries to the army. However, status, family etc. Such records enhanced the central
the armies used to collect some token tax from the government's hold over the public for the purpose of
villages or towns it used to pass through during their taxation and monitoring the efficacy of welfare
campaigns and training exercises. Some villages used activities.
to provide soldiers for the army: they were given many
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS
subsidies or tax cuts by the central government. No
The empire was divided into a number of
similar organization is recorded elsewhere in history,
provinces which were subdivided into ahara or
and the credit of devising such efficient machinery

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 The Mauryan Empire - History
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vishayas (districts). The exact number of provinces in order departments, which also carried out trails of
Chandragupta’s time is not known, but Ashoka culprits and supervised government employees to
maintained at least five provinces: (i) Uttrapatha eliminate chances of corruption, etc.: and (vi) Board
(capital—Taxila): (ii) Avantiratta (capital—Ujjain); 6—tax collectors, who made sure that every citizen
(iii) Dakhhinapatha (capital— Suvarnagiri): (iv) paid one ‘tenth’ or the ‘tithe’ as taxes to the
Kalinga (capital-Tosali) and (v) Prachya (capital— government.
Pataliputra). The outlying provinces were ruled by the Mauryan Culture
royal blood princes (Kumaras) and the home province ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE
of Prachya was directly ruled by the emperor. Besides Royal palaces, stupas (Sanchi and Barhut),
the Imperial provinces, Mauryan India included a monastries and cave dwellings were built throughout
number of territories that enjoyed a certain amount of the kingdom Ashoka is said to have built around
autonomy. The Arthashastra mentions a number of 84,000 stupas all over his empire. Stupas were made of
Sanghas, that is, political, economic and military burnt bricks and stones. They were circular in shape
corporations or confederations, evidently enjoying and sheltered by an umbrella type canopy at the top.
autonomy in certain matters (such as Kamboja and The Sanchi stupas in Madhya Pradesh arc the most
Saurashtra). famous stupas along with the stupas of Bahrut. The
festoons of these stupas are carved with Buddha tales,
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION teachings and religious matter. Ashoka’s pillars (the
seven pillar edicts and Tarai pillar inscriptions) and
The administrative and judicial business of the
pillar capitals were constructed. It is said that Ashoka
villages was carried on by gramikas (village elders).
erected close to 30 pillars. The most significant among
The Mauryan administration omitted the gramika from
these is the pillar of Sarnath. The emblem of the Indian
the list of salaried officials of the government. The
Republic has been adopted from the four lion capital of
king’s servant in the village was gramabhritaka. Above
this pillar. The royal palaces of the Mauryan era were
the gramika, the Arthashastra placed the gopa, who
made of wood and, therefore, no longer exist. But the
looked after about five villages and the sthanika who
accounts of Meghasthenes (the Greek Ambassador to
controlled one quarter of a janapada (district). The
Patna) describe the grandeur of these palaces and Fa-
work of these officials was supervised by samahartri
hien (from China) has mentioned a description of the
with the help of the pradeshtris. Rural administration
foundations of these royal palaces. Both travellers have
must have been highly efficient. The tillers in villages
described these palaces to be superior to the onesin
devoted much of their time cultivating the land as they
their countries. Cave dwellings and temples were built
used to receive adequate protection and security.
for meditation by Jains and Buddhists. The
mountainous caves provided the necessary solitude
MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION conducive for attaining salvation. Ashoka and
Prominent cities had a local self-government. Dasaratha
The city of Pataliputra was governed by a 30-membcr Maurya made some cave temples, which are famous
municipal council. It was divided into six main boards, for their outer architecture and carved interiors. The
which had five members in each. Each member was Gaya cave temples in the Barabar Mountain are fine
incharge of a particular function. The six boards were: examples of the Mauryan cave temples. Kama
(i) Board 1—evaluation of goods manufactured, Champar and Sudhama were renowned chieftains of
industry, labour and their wages, etc.; (ii) Board 2— Ashoka's era.
dedicated to foreign visitors and other guests of the
empire; (iii) Board 3—controlled census figures, more EDUCATION AND LITERATURE
importantly, birth and deaths records; (iv) Board 4— Gurukuls and Buddhist monas tries developed
maintained standards like measurements, prices with royal patronage. The Universities of Taxiia and
commodities and living indices; (v) Board 5—law and
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 The Mauryan Empire - History
Study Materials

Banaras are gifts of this era. Edicts were engraved on GK Study Materials PDF Download
rocks in the form of 44 royal orders aimed at moulding
general behaviour and educating people. Kautilya’s
Arthashastra, Bhadrabahu's Kalpa Sutra, Buddhist All subject Study Materials PDF Download
texts like the Kathavcistu' and Jain texts such as the
Bhagwati Sutra, Acharanga Sutra and Dasvakalik
compose some of the important Literature of this era. 2018 Current Affairs Download – PDF Download
Five significant authors (Arrian, Aristabulus, Justin.
Megasthane.se and Sty lux) gave their accounts on the
Mauryan Empire in a book called Indica (means, the Whatsapp Group Click Here
India). Dharmaraksha and
Kashyapamathangetranslated Buddhist texts and
teachings into Chinese to further spread Buddhism in Telegram Channel Click Here
China.

CAUSES OF DECLINE OF THE

MAURYAN EMPIRE Join Us on FB : English – Examsdaily
The great Mauryan Empire declined because
of (i) weak successors; (ii) oppression by officials in Follow US on Twitter - Examsdaily
outlying areas leading to revolts: (iii) Greek invasion
of the north-west; (iv) policy of ahimsa and Ashoka's
pacifism weakened their aggressive military stand; (iv)
reaction of the Brahmins against the policy of Ashoka;
(vi) vastness of the empire and Wars; (vii) the
Enormous expenditure on the army and payment to
bureaucracy cfetrted a financial crisis for the Mauryan
Empire; and (viii) highly centralised character of the
Mauryan governttient-and bureaucracy. The empire
broke up 50 years after the death of Ashoka.

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