Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)
Overview
| Mauryan Empire Overview | First pan-Indian empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya & Kautilya (Chanakya). Replaced Nanda dynasty, extending to Afghanistan. Centralised administration documented in Arthashastra. Ashoka shifted from Bherighosa to Dhammaghosa after Kalinga War. |
1. Sources & Emperors
| Primary Historical Sources | Arthashastra (Kautilya, 15 books on Saptanga theory); Indica (Megasthenes, 7 social classes); Mudrarakshasa (Vishakhadatta play); Edicts deciphered by James Prinsep (1837); Famine inscriptions at Sohgaura & Mahasthana. |
| Emperors (Chandragupta, Bindusara, Ashoka) | Chandragupta (322–298 BCE): Defeated Nanda & Seleucus Nicator, embraced Jainism (died via Sallekhana at Shravanabelagola). Bindusara (298–273 BCE): Amitrochates, Ajivika patron. Ashoka (273–232 BCE): Kalinga War (261 BCE), embraced Buddhism under Upagupta, appointed Dhamma Mahamatras. |
2. Central, Provincial & Local Administration
| Central Officers (Tirthas & Adhyakshas) | Samaharta (Chief Revenue Collector), Sannidhata (Treasury Chief), Sita-adhyaksha (Agriculture/Crown lands), Panya-adhyaksha (Commerce), Pautava-adhyaksha (Weights & Measures), Lakshana-adhyaksha (Mint/Coinage). |
| Provinces & Municipal Admin | Provinces: Uttarpath (Taxila), Avantipath (Ujjain), Prachyapath (Pataliputra), Kalinga (Toshali), Dakshinapath (Suvarnagiri). Municipal & Military administered by 6 committees (5 members each). Spies: Gudhapurushas (Sansthan & Sanchari). Ports: Bharukachchha & Tamralipti. |
3. Ashokan Edicts & Locations
| Major Edict Subject Matter | Rock Edict 1: Animal slaughter ban. RE 2: Medical care (mentions Chola, Pandya). RE 3: 5-yearly tours by Rajukas. RE 5: Appoints Dhamma Mahamatras. RE 8: Dhammayatra to Bodh Gaya. RE 13: Kalinga War remorse & 5 Greek kings. |
| Edict Locations & Scripts | Maski (KA): Direct name 'Ashoka'. Kandahar (AFG): Bilingual Greek/Aramaic. Sarnath (UP): Lion Capital. Rummindei (Nepal): Tax reduced to 1/8th at Lumbini. Kalsi (UK), Mansehra (Pak, Kharoshthi script), Sannathi (KA, portrait with queens). |
4. Mauryan Art & Decline
| Court & Popular Art | Pillars: Monolithic Chunar sandstone with high Mauryan Polish (Sarnath, Rampurva, Lauriya-Nandangarh). Caves: Barabar Caves (Lomas Rishi, donated to Ajivikas). Popular Art: Didarganj Yakshini, NBPW pottery. |
| Decline & Sunga Coup | Empire ended in 185 BCE when last king Brihadratha was assassinated by his general Pushyamitra Sunga. |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & Exam Traps
| Sudarsana Lake Builder | Built by Pushyagupta (Chandragupta's governor); repaired by Rudradaman I & Skandagupta. |
| Rummindei Revenue Tax | Reduced land revenue at Lumbini to 1/8th. |
| Barabar Caves Beneficiary | Donated specifically to Ajivikas. |
| Rock Edict XIII Contents | Records remorse over Kalinga War and mentions five Greek kings. |
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Mauryan Empire Map:
- Sarnath Lion Capital:
- Lauriya-Nandangarh Pillar:
