Unit 5: Mauryan Empire

1. Introduction

The Maurya Empire (c. 322 BCE – 185 BCE) was the first and largest pan-Indian empire, a vast centralized state that controlled almost the entire subcontinent. Its foundation by Chandragupta Maurya and the reign of Ashoka represent a pivotal moment in Indian history.

2. Mauryan Expansion

i) Chandragupta Maurya (c. 322–298 BCE)

• Founder: He founded the empire by overthrowing the last Nanda ruler, Dhana Nanda, with the help of his advisor, Kautilya (Chanakya).
• Conquests:
  • Northwest: He took advantage of the power vacuum left by Alexander's departure and conquered the entire Indus valley region.
  • War with Seleucus Nicator (c. 305 BCE): He fought a successful war against Seleucus, Alexander's general. In the treaty, Chandragupta gained a vast territory (modern-day Afghanistan and Balochistan) and married Seleucus's daughter.
  • South: He expanded his empire into the Deccan, creating a massive, unified state.

ii) Ashoka (c. 268–232 BCE)

• The Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE): Ashoka's only major war, which he won. The massive bloodshed (described in his Rock Edict XIII) horrified him.
• Change of Heart: After the war, he had a profound change of heart. He abandoned the policy of physical conquest (Bherighosha) and adopted a policy of cultural conquest (Dhammaghosha).
• Conversion: He became a devout Buddhist and dedicated the rest of his reign and the state's resources to spreading his policy of Dhamma.

3. Ashoka's Dhamma

What is Dhamma? It is not a religion. It is a moral and ethical code of conduct based on social responsibility, aimed at creating a harmonious and peaceful society in his vast, diverse empire.

Key Principles of Dhamma (from his Edicts):

• Ahimsa: Non-violence to all living beings (including a ban on animal sacrifice).
• Respect (Seva): Respect for elders, teachers, parents, and ascetics (Brahmins and Sramanas).
• Religious Tolerance: He actively preached respect for all religious sects.
• Proper Conduct: Humane treatment of servants and slaves (*Dasas*).
• Rejection of Rituals: He dismissed many common ceremonies as "petty and worthless."
• New Officials: He created a new class of officials called the Dhamma Mahamattas to spread and enforce this moral code.

4. Maurya Administration

The Mauryan state was a highly centralized bureaucratic monarchy, as described in the Arthashastra.

Level	Details
Central	King: Supreme head of all military, judicial, and executive functions. Mantriparishad: A Council of Ministers (e.g., *Purohita, Senapati, Samaharta*) to advise the king. Adhyakshas (Superintendents): A vast bureaucracy of officials to manage departments like trade, mining, treasury, etc.
Provincial	The empire was divided into provinces. Key provinces were governed by royal princes (*Kumara* or *Aryaputra*). Key provincial capitals: Taxila (North), Ujjain (West), Suvarnagiri (South), Tosali (Kalinga, East).
City (Pataliputra)	Megasthenes's *Indica* describes the city being run by six committees of five members each, managing industry, foreigners, taxes, etc.
Key Features	Vast Spy System: The *Gudhapurushas* (spies) kept the king informed. Revenue: Land tax (*Bhaga*) was the main source, typically 1/4th to 1/6th. Judiciary: A system of civil (*Dharmasthiya*) and criminal (*Kantakasodhana*) courts.

5. Mauryan Art and Architecture

Mauryan art is the first great imperial art of India. It was commissioned by the state and is known for its impressive scale and polish.

• Pillars: This is the most famous feature.
  • They were monolithic (carved from a single piece of stone).
  • They had a characteristic lustrous polish that still shines today.
  • They were topped with magnificent animal capitals.
  • Example: The Lion Capital at Sarnath, which has been adopted as the National Emblem of India.
• Stupas: Ashoka is said to have built 84,000 stupas (large hemispherical mounds) to enshrine the relics of the Buddha. The original brick core of the Sanchi Stupa dates from this period.
• Caves: Ashoka and his grandson Dasharatha sponsored the carving of rock-cut caves, such as the Barabar Caves near Gaya, which were donated to the Ajivika monks.

6. The Decline of the Mauryan Empire

The mighty empire collapsed within 50 years of Ashoka's death (c. 185 BCE). There was no single cause, but a combination of factors.

Key Theories for Decline:

• Weak Successors: Ashoka's sons and grandsons were weak and unable to control the vast, complex empire.
• Brahminical Reaction (H.P. Shastri's Theory): Ashoka's policies (banning sacrifice, promoting Ahimsa) and his perceived favoritism towards Buddhism angered the Brahmins. This is supported by the fact that the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his Brahmin general, Pushyamitra Shunga.
• Economic Strain: The massive cost of maintaining a standing army and a huge bureaucracy, plus Ashoka's grants to monasteries, may have bankrupted the treasury.
• Oppressive Provincial Rule: Ashoka's own edicts mention that he worried about the misrule of "wicked" officials in provinces like Taxila, leading to popular revolts.
• Vastness and Communication: The sheer size of the empire made it difficult to control from the center in an age of slow communication.

7. Exam Corner