CHAPTER-18 : The Maurya Age
Ancient History of India
OLD NCERT
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Chandragupta Maurya: Founder of the Mauryan Empire
- Founder:Chandragupta Maurya (c. 340 – 295 BCE)
- Rise to Power:
- Overthrew Nanda Dynasty with advisor Chanakya (Kautilya)
- Defeated Greek Seleucus Nicator in northwest India
- Empire:Established vast Maurya Empire spanning most of India (except Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of northeast)
- Included Bihar, Orissa, Bengal, western/northwest India, and the Deccan
- Subjugation:Conquered republics (samghas) considered threats to the empire’s growth
Chandragupta Maurya’s Administration
- Sources:Megasthenes’s Indica & Kautilya’s Arthashastra
- Centralized Power:Chandragupta Maurya as the absolute ruler
- Provincial Administration:
- Empire divided into provinces governed by royal princes
- Further division into smaller units for rural & urban administration
- Major Cities:Pataliputra (capital), Kaushambi, Ujjain, Taxila
Pataliputra (Patna):
- Described by Megasthenes as “Palibothra” (city with gates)
- Defenses: Deep ditch, wooden wall with towers & gates
- Size: 9.33 miles long, 1.75 miles wide
- Administration: Six committees (5 members each) for sanitation, foreigners, records, etc.
Central Government:
- Over two dozen departments managing social & economic activities
Military:
- Massive army:
- 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 9,000 elephants (according to Pliny)
- 8,000 chariots (according to another source)
- Possible navy
- Administration by a board of 30 officers (divided into committees)
Taxation:
- 1/4 to 1/6 of produce from peasants
- Additional taxes for irrigation & emergencies
- Tolls on goods sold in towns
- State monopolies (mining, liquor, arms)
Ashoka the Great (268 – 232 BCE)
Sources:
- Ashoka’s inscriptions (39 in total) categorized by location and content
- Buddhist traditions
Early Reign & The Kalinga War:
- Ascended throne after Bindusara (Chandragupta Maurya’s son)
- Fought only one major war – Kalinga War (261 BCE)
- Devastating war with high casualties (100,000+ deaths)
- Deep remorse over bloodshed led Ashoka to abandon war
Dhamma (Dharma) & Empire Administration:
- Adopted policy of “Dhammavijaya” (righteous conquest) – spreading moral order
- Replaced military conquest with cultural influence
- Ashoka’s edicts (“Dhammalipis”) preached:
- Non-violence (ahimsa)
- Respect for elders & religious figures
- Kindness to animals
- Social harmony
- “Dhamma Mahamatras” appointed to propagate Dhamma
- “Rajukas” – officials for administration & justice
Religious Policy:
- Converted to Buddhism after Kalinga War (according to tradition)
- Promoted Buddhism but tolerated other religions (Brahmanism, etc.)
- Sponsored Buddhist missions within & beyond the empire (Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia)
- Possibly held the 3rd Buddhist Council
Impact & Legacy:
- Unified India politically & culturally (one Dhamma, language, script – Brahmi)
- Promoted peace, non-aggression, and cultural exchange
- Limited lasting impact – successors didn’t follow his pacifist policies
- Remembered as a “missionary ruler” and a champion of Dhamma
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