5 Mahajanpadas and Mauryas FINAL FILE 1663131705

MAHAJANPADAS AND MAURYAS
MAHAJANPADAS
CONTENT
• Mahajanapadas
• Evolution Of Mahajanapadas
• Rise Of Magadha
• The Haryanka Dynasty
• Bimbisara (546 – 494 Bc)
• Ajatashatru
• Shishunagas
• The Nanda Dynasty
• Cause Of Magadha’s Success
MAHAJANAPADAS & RISE OF MAGADHA

• In the 8th century BC, India could be broadly understood in terms of five large regions viz.
• Madhyadesa (the middle country),
• Pratichya (western lands),
• Prachya (Eastern region),
• Uttarpatha (the land in the north of Vindhyas)
• and Dakshinpatha (the land south of Vindhyas).
• Panini in the 4th century BC mentions as many as 22 different Janpadas, but also mentions 3 most
important viz. Magadha, Kosala and Vatsa.
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MAHAJANAPADAS
Ancient India had several kingdoms in the 6th century BC. This era saw socio-economic growth along
with religious and political developments crossways the Indo-Gangetic plain.
These settlements led the growth from Janapadas to Mahajanpadas.
By 6th BC, the focus of chief political activity moved from the western part of Gangetic plain to the
eastern part. The eastern part of Gangetic plain consists of present-day Bihar and eastern Uttar
Pradesh.
The main reason for this shift was the fertile lands, better climate and topography condition
bestowed with rainfall and rivers.
In fact, it was the augmented use of iron tools and weapons that empowered small states to develop
as a kingdom which is later known as Mahajanapadas.
• Budhhist literature Angutara Nikaya, Mahavastu and Jain literature (Bhagvati Sutta) gives a list of
16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas in the begining of 6thcentury B.C
• Major reason of the formation of Janapadas was use of Iron tools for agricultural & military
purposes
EVOLUTION OF MAHAJANAPADAS
• The society in Vedic period was rural, where smallest political unit was a Vis.
• However, some later Vedic texts detail about the Janpadas such as Kuru, Panchala, Matysa, Kunti,
Kikata, Jayminia, Kashi, Magadha, Anga, Kamboja etc.
• The rise of Janpadas is mainly attributed to the establishment of settled agriculture communities.
• The development of an agriculture based economy led to increase in crops and cattle wealth
coupled with use of iron in technology.
• The society was now totally divided into 4 Varna Based upon occupation, new labour class and
landed classes emerged. The landed class was known as Gahapatis.
• The trade flourished and the towns, which were either located on trade routes such as Mathura or
located, near the banks of rivers such as Magadha developed.
• This transition also saw an emergence of taxing, standing army, territorial powers etc.
ANGA
• Capital: Champa
• Modern location: Munger and Bhagalpur
• Anga Mahajanapada finds reference in the Mahabharata and Atharva Veda
• During the rule of Bimbisara, it was taken over by Magadha Empire.
• It is situated in present day Bihar and West Bengal.
MAGADHA
• Capital: Girivraja/ Rajagriha
• Modern location: Gaya and Patna
• Magadha finds mention in the Atharva Veda which conveys that Magadha was semi- Brahmanical
habitation.
• It was located in present day Bihar close to Anga, divided by river Champa.
• Later, Magadha became a center of Jainism and the first Buddhist Council was held in Rajagriha.

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KASI
• Capital: Kasi
• Modern Location: Banars
• This city got its name from rivers Varuna and Asi as cited in the Matsya Purana.
VATSA
• Capital: Kausambi
• Modern Location: Allahabad
• Vatsa is also known as Vamsa
• This Mahajanapada followed the monarchical form of governance.
• This was a central city for economic activities.
• There were a prosperous trade and business scenario in 6th century BC.
• After the rise of Buddha, the ruler Udayana made Buddhism a state religion.
KOSALA
• Capital: Sravasti
• Modern Location: Eastern Uttar Pradesh
• It was located in modern Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh.
SHURASENA
• Capital: Mathura
• Modern Location: Western Uttar Pradesh
• This place was a center of Krishna worship at the time of Megasthenes (who wrote Indica).
• Also, there was a dominant followership of Buddha here.
PANCHALA
• Capital: Ahichchatra and Kampliya
• Modern Location: Western Uttar Pradesh
• Its capital for northern Panchala was Ahichchatra and Kampilaya for its southern regions.
• Later the nature of governance shifted from monarchy to republic.
KURU
• Capital: Indraprastha
• Modern Location: Meerut and Southeastern Haryana
• The area around Kurukshetra was apparently the site for Kuru Mahajanapada.
• It moved to a republic form of governance.

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MATSYA
• Capital: Viratnagar
• Modern Location: Jaipur
• It was situated to the west of the Panchalas and south of the Kurus.
CHEDI
• Capital: Sothivati
• Modern Location: Jaipur
• This was cited in the Rigveda
• It located in the present day Bundelkhand region.
AVANTI
• Capital: Ujjaini or Mahismati.
• Modern Location: Malwa and Madhya Pradesh
• Avanti was significant in relation to the rise of Buddhism.
GANDHARA
• Capital: Taxila
• Modern Location: Rawalpindi
• Gandhara are cited in the Atharva Veda
• The people were highly trained in the art of war.
• It was significant for international commercial activities.
KAMBOJA
• Capital: Pooncha
• Modern Location: Rajori and Hajra

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• It is situated in present day Kashmir and Hindukush.

• Several literary sources mention that Kamboja was a republic.
ASHMAKA OR ASSAKA
• Capital: Pratisthan/ Paithan
• Modern Location: Bank of Godavari VAJJI
• Capital: Vaishali
• Modern Location:
• The main races residing in this Mahajanapadas were Licchavis,Vedehans,Jnatrikas and Vajjis.
MALLA
• Capital: Kusinara
• Modern Location: Deoria and Uttar Pradesh.
• It finds a reference in Buddhist and Jain texts and Mahabharata.
• Malla was a republic
Types of States :
• There were 2 types of states- monarchial and non monarchial/ Republicans.
• Monarchial states- Anga, Magdha, Kashi, Kosala, Vatsa, Chedi, Shursena, Matsya, Avanti, Gandhara
• Non-Monarchial states- Vajji, Malla, Kuru, Panchal, Kamboja, Shakya (Kapilvastu), Koliyas
(Ramgrama), Moriya (pipplivana)
RISE OF MAGADHA
MAGADHAN EMPIRE
• The Magadha Empire ruled in India from 684 BC- 320 BC.
• It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
• It was the most powerful amongst the sixteen mahajanapadas.
• The empire was established by king Brihadratha.
• Rajgaha (or Rajgir) was the capital of Magadha but was later shifted to Pataliputra in the fourth
century BCE.
• Iron was used to manufacture tools and weapons.
• The elephants found in its forests were used in the army.
• The riverine route of Ganga and its tributaries made communication cheap and convenient.
• The implementation of policies by the efficient bureaucracy of ruthless and ambitious kings like
Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda made Magadha prosperous.
• The first king of Magadha was Bimbisara and he belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.
• Avanti was Magadha’s main rival but later entered into an alliance.
• Marriages helped in building political alliances and king Bimbisara married a lot of princesses from
nearby kingdoms.
THE HARYANKA DYNASTY

• It was the second dynasty to rule over Magadha after the Brihadratha dynasty.
• The dynasty was founded by king Bhattiya, the father of Bimbisara.

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• The dynasty ruled over Magadha from 6th century BCE to 413 BCE.
• It was succeeded by the Shishunga dynasty.
• The kings of Haryanka dynasty are:
o Bhattiya
o Bimbisara
o Ajatasattu
o Udayabhadra
o Anuruddha
o Munda
o Nagadasaka
BIMBISARA (546 – 494 BC)

• Contemporary of both Buddhism & jainism
• Set up his capital at Rajgir (Known as Girivraja)
• Strengthened his position by marriage alliances (Kosala, lichhavi (Vaishali) & madra clan (Punjab))
• Acquired Anga under the viceroyality of Ajatashatru.
• Fought with Pradyota of Avanti but later became friends and sent a physician Jivaka to Ujjain when
he was attacked by Jaundice.
• His religion is not very clear. While Buddhist texts mention him as a disciple of Buddha, Jain
scriptures describe him as the follower of Mahavir and refer to him as King Shrenika of Rajgir.
• Known as Seniya. He was the ist king who had a regular and standing army.
• Bimbisara was later imprisoned by his son Ajatasattu who annexed the throne of Magadha.
Bimbisara later died during imprisonment.
AJATASHATRU
• Killed his father & succeeded to the throne
• Fought with Kosala & Vaishali (Lichhavis – destroyed it in 16 years) & won both war and expanded
the kingdom of Magadha
• He fortified the capital city Rajgir.
• As it was surrounded by five hills, it became almost impregnable.
• Embraced buddhism & led the foundation for 1st Budhhist council at Rajgir
UDAYIN
• Succesor of Ajatashatru + Founded new capital at Pataliputra (on the confluence of the Son and the
Ganges and shifted the capital from Rajgriha to Pataliputra)
• His death marked the end of Haryanka dynasty
• Udayin was succeeded by the Shishunagas.
SHISHUNAGAS
• Temporary shifted the capital to Vaishali
• Defeated Avanti and it was the most important achievement of him & bought end to 100 year old
rivalry.
• Transferred capital from Vaishali to Patliputra.

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• Shishunaga was succedded by Kalasoka (Kalavarna).

• He led the foundation of 2nd Buddhist council.
• They were later succeeded by the Nanda dynasty
THE NANDA DYNASTY

• The dynasty lasted from 345 BCE- 321 BCE.
• Mahapadma Nanda, the first king of the Nanda dynasty, added Kalinga to the Magadhan Empire.
• He was considered to be so powerful and ruthless that even Alexander did not wish to fight against
him.
• The Nanda dynasty became immensely wealthy.
• They started irrigation projects and standardized trade measures across their kingdom.
• Harsh and inflexible taxation system, however, made the Nandas unpopular.
• The last Nanda king, Dhana Nanda, was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya.
MAHAPADMANANDA
• Known as Sarvakshatrantak i.e. uprooter of all the Kshatriyas (Puranas) and Ugrasena
• i.e. owner of huge army (Pali texts).
• Known as Ekarat (sole king who destroy others).
• He is often described as ‘the first empire builder of Indian History’.
• Conquered Kalinga & bought image of Jina as trophy
• Hathigumpha inscription of kharavela King (Kalinga) refers to conquest of Kalinga by Nandas.
DHANANANDA
• Last ruler of Nanda dynasty
• During his reign, Alexander invaded India but did not move ahead to east (Nanda’s Power)
• Chandragupta Maurya & Kautilya overthrew him as oppressive way of tax collection was already
resented by people
CAUSE OF MAGADHA’S SUCCESS

• Among them Magadha, Vatsa, Avanti and Kosala were the most prominent ones. Out of these four,
Magadha emerged as the most powerful kingdom.
• The causes of Magadha’s success were as following:
• Magadha was located on the upper and lower parts of the Gangetic valley.
• It was located on the main land route between west and east India.
• The area had fertile soil. It also received enough rainfall.
• Magadha was encircled by rivers on three sides, the Ganga, Son and Champa making the region
impregnable to enemies.
• Capitals: Rajgir (Surrounded by 5 hills),
• Patliputra (Surrounded by Ganga, Gandhak, Son & Ghagra rivers
• Both Rajgir and Pataliputra were located in strategic positions.
ECONOMIC FACTORS
• Magadha had huge copper and iron deposits.

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• Because of its location, it could easily control trade.

• Had a large population which could be used for agriculture, mining, building cities and in the army.
• General prosperity of the people and the rulers.
• The mastery over Ganga meant economic hegemony. Ganga was important for trade in North India.
• With the annexation of Anga by Bimbisara, river Champa was added to the Magadha Empire.
Champa was important in the trade with South-East Asia, Sri Lanka and South India.
CULTURAL FACTORS
• Magadhan society had an unorthodox character.
• It had a good mix of Aryan and non-Aryan peoples.
• Emergence of Jainism and Buddhism led to a revolution in terms of philosophy and thought. They
enhanced liberal traditions.
• Society was not so much dominated by the Brahmanas and many kings of Magadha were ‘low’ in
origins.
POLITICAL FACTORS
• Magadha was lucky to have many powerful and ambitious rulers.
• They had strong standing armies.
• Availability of iron enabled them to develop advanced weaponry.
• They were also the first kings to use elephants in the army.
• The major kings also developed a good administrative system.
IRANIAN (PERSIAN) & MACEDONIAN (GREEK) INVASION

CONTENT
• Persian Invasion (550 Bc)
• Alexander’s Invasion (327 Bc)
IRANIAN INVASION OF INDIA

• The Iranians invaded India in the 6th century B.C, when King Darius I ruled over Iran.
• He invaded India and occupied the territories in the North-Western Frontier Province, Sind and
Punjab in 516 B.C.
• These parts remained with the Iranian Empire till Alexander’s invasion of India.
THE CONDITION IN INDIA, AT THAT TIME

• In north-east India, smaller principalities and republics gradually merged with the Magadhan
Empire.
• North-west India, however, presented a different picture in the sixth century BC. Several small
principalities, such as those of the Kambojas, Gandharas fought one another.
• This area did not have any powerful kingdom like that of Magadha to weld the warring
communities into one organized kingdom.
• Further, as the area was fertile and rich in natural resources, it attracted the attention of its
neighbours. In addition, it could be easily penetrated through the passes in the Hindu Kush.

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PERSIAN INVASION (550 BC)

• Cyrus, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire in ancient Iran invaded the North- Western front of
India in 550 BC.
• Contemporary to reign of Bimbisara, Persian attacked N-W front of India & Magadha continued
to rise in N-E & Central-north in India
• In N-W front of India, several small provinces like Kamboja, Gandhara & Madra did not have a
political unity & continuously fought with each other.
• At that time, Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty was ruling over Magadha.
• Archaemadian ruler of Iran, Cyrus took advantage of this political disunity & invaded west front
of India.
• All Indian tribes west of Indus River submitted to him including Gandhar
• Darius I (4th persian king), Grandson of Cyprus conquered Indus valley as a whole & annexed
Punjab & Sindh (N W India).
• Xerxes, Successor of Darius, employed Indian infantry & cavalry in war against Greece but got
defeated & hence could not move forward in India. However, control of Persians over India
reduced only after Alexander’s invasion on India
EFFECTS OF PERSIAN INVASION

• Impetus to Indo Iranian commerce & trade, which finally became the ground for Alexander’s
invasion. India learnt the necessity of a strong and united empire to rebel the foreign invasions.
• Use of Kharoshti script bought by Iranian gain popularity in N-W India & some inscription of Ashoka
(250 BC) are written in this language (derived from Aramaic script, written from right to left)
• Influence of Persian art in India, Particularly monolithic pillars, & sculptures found on them along
with inscriptions
• With time a large number of foreigners, Greek, Persians and Turks etc. settled down in North West
part of India and completely absorbs among Indians.

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• Influenced the coinage system in India because Persian coins were known for their refined minting
and elegant looks.
ALEXANDER’S INVASION (327 BC)

• After 2 centuries of Persian invasion, Alexander from Macedonia invaded India.
• Alexander (356 BC – 323 BC) was the son of Philip of Macedonia.
• He became king in 336 BC.
• Alexander had conquered Asia Minor along with Iran and Iraq. He then marched into northwest
India from Iran. He had annexed the whole of Persia by defeating Persian King Darius III in the
Battle of Arbela (330 BC).
• Battle of Arbela also known as battle of Gaugmela.
• Alexander was attracted to India’s wealth.
• Alexander believed that on eastern side of India lies continuation of the sea & hence by conquering
India, he would conquer eastern boundary of the world
• After conquest of Iran, he marched into India through Khyber pass 327 BC & crossed Indus in 326
BC.
• In northwest India, just before Alexander’s invasion, there were many small rulers like Ambhi of
Taxila, and Porus of the region of Jhelum (Hydaspes).
• Ambhi accepted Alexander’s sovereignty but Porus put up a valiant but unsuccessful fight.
• Alexander was so impressed with Porus’s fight that he granted him his territory back. Porus might
have accepted lordship. The battle between him and Porus is called the Battle of Hydaspes.
• After that, Alexander’s army crossed the river Chenab and annexed the tribes between Ravi and
Chenab.

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• But his army refused to cross the river Beas and revolted. They were exhausted after years of
battles.
• Alexander was forced to retreat in 326 BC. On his way back, he died at Babylon (Mesopotmia/Iraq)
in 323 BC aged 32.
• After his death, the Greek Empire split in 321 BC.
• In northwest India, Alexander left four of his
generals in charge of four regions, one of them
being Seleucus I Nicator, who would later trade his
territories in the Indus Valley with Chandragupta
Maurya.
• Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy and Seleucus.
• Lysimachus took Thrace and much of Asia Minor;
• Cassander, Macedonia and Greece;
• Ptolemy seized Egypt, Palestine, Cilicia, Petra,
and Cyprus (thus beginnng the Ptolemaic Dynasty
in Egypt which lasted until the death of Cleopatra
VII in 31 BCE)
• While Seleucus took control of the rest of Asia (so founding the Seleucid Empire which was
comprised of Syria, Babylon, Persia, and India).
• Eudamas was the last General of Alexander in India.
EFFECT OF ALEXANDER’S INVASION

• First contact b/w Europe & India paved the way for increased trade & commerce
• Encouraged political unification of India under Mauryas
• Post the invasion there were Indo-Greek rulers in the northwest part of India.
• Alexander’s authority in Indus valley was short lived because of expansion of Mauryan Empire
under Chandragupta maurya.
• The invasion led to the establishment of more Greek settlements in this area. The most important
of them were the city of Alexandria in the Kabul region, Boukephalc on the Jhelum, and Alexandria
in Sindh.
• Indirectly this invasion made possibly the establishment of Indo-Bacterian and Indo- Parthian
states, which later stage influenced Indian Architecture (Gandhara school of sculpture), astronomy,
coinage etc.
• The date of the invasion of Alexander is the first reliable date in early Indian History and
considerably helps us in solving chronological difficulties.

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MAURYAS
CONTENT
• Rise Of The Mauryas
• Mauryan Empire (321 – 184 Bc)
• Literary Sources
• Chandragupta Maurya
• Bindusara
• Ashoka
• Pillar Edicts
• Dasrath
• Brihadratha
• Mauryan Administration
• Economic Regulations Of Maurya Empire
• Society And Culture In Maurya Empire
• Mauryan Art
• Mauryan Stupas
• Caves – Rock-Cut Architecture
• Art And Architecture In Maurya Empire
RISE OF THE MAURYAS

• The last of the Nanda rulers, Dhana Nanda was highly unpopular due to his oppressive tax regime.
• Also, post Alexander’s invasion of North-Western India, that region faced a lot of unrest from
foreign powers.
• Chandragupta, with the help of an intelligent and politically astute Brahmin, Kautilya
• usurped the throne by defeating Dhana Nanda in 321 BC.
MAURYAN EMPIRE (321 – 184 BC)

• The Mauryan Empire was spread from the valley of the Oxus (present Amu River)/central asia to
the delta of Kaveri.
• Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler who unified entire India under one political unit.
• The detailed information about the administrative system of the Mauryan Empire is mentioned in
Arthashastra.
• It is a book written by Kautilya. He was also known as Chanakya.
• Kautilya was the Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya. He was considered as the real architect
of the Mauryan Empire.

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LITERARY SOURCES
KAUTILYA’S ARTHSHASHTRA
• Written in Sanskrit by Chanakya/ KauFtilya/Vishnugupta/Indian
Machiavelli
• Contains 15 books & 180 chapters; with main theme divided into
3 parts
o King & his council and departments of government
o Civil & criminal law
o Diplomacy of war
VISHAKADATTA’S MUDRARAKSHASA
• A drama in Sanskrit written during Gupta’s period
• Describes how Chandragupta maurya with the help of Kautilya
overthrew Nandas
• Gives socio – economic picture of condition under mauryas.
MEGASTHENE’S INDICA
• Megasthene was a Greek ambassador in court of
Chandragupta maurya
• His book is survived in fragments & provides detail about
mauryan administration & military organization, particularly
of capital city (Patliputra).
• He called Pataliputra as PolimBrotha. And it was handled by six
committees (each have 5 members).

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CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA
• The Hindu sources also say he was a student of Kautilya of humble
birth (probably born to a Shudra woman).
• Most Buddhist sources say he was a Kshatriya.
• It is generally accepted that he was an orphaned boy born into a
humble family who was trained by Kautilya.
• The Buddhist literature, the ‘Mahavamsa’ and
• ‘Dipavamsa’ give a detail account of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Chandragupta Maurya has been described as a descendant of the
Kshatriya clan of the Moriyas
• branch of Sakyas. They lived in Pipphalivana, in eastern Uttar
Pradesh.
• The ‘Mudrarakshasa’ is a play written by Vishakhadatta, referred Chandragupta as ‘Vrishala’ and
‘Kulahina,’ which means a person of humble origin.
• Founded Mauryan Empire by defeating Nandas with the help of Kautilya
• In 305 BC, he marched against Selucus Nikator (Alexanders general controlling NW India) &
defeated him.
• A treaty was signed, according to which, Selucus gave Chandragupta eastern Afganisthan,
Baluchistan & area west of Indus & in return Chandragupta gifted 500 elephants to Selucus &
married his daughter Helen.
• Megasthenes was sent to Mauryan court as a Greek ambassador.
• Greek writer Justin (Who wrote epitome) called Chandragupta “Sandrocottus”
• Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life & stepped down from the throne in
favour of his son Bindusara & went to Mysore along with Jain monks led by Bhadrabahu & starved
himself to death.
• The Junagarh rock inscription describes that a dam for irrigation was constructed on the Sudarshana
Lake by Pushyagupta, a provincial governor of Chandragupta Maurya.
• The Jain tradition confirms that in his old age, Chandragupta abdicated the throne and retired to
Shravanabelagola in Karnataka with his teacher Bhadrabahu (a Jain ascetic).
• Local inscriptions of the later period mentioned that Chandragupta gave up his life as a Jaina
devotee by fast unto death at a hill, which later on called as Chandragiri, seems to be named after
him.

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BINDUSARA
• Was called “Amitragatha” i.e. Slayer of foes by the
Greeks.
• According to the Tibetan historian, Taranath,
Chanakya continued as a minister of Bindusara after
Chandragupta Maurya.
• Hemachandra, Jain scholar, also confirms this fact.
• He opt the Ajivika sect ( founded by Makkhali Gosala,
major rival of Vedic, Jainism and Buddhism)
• Conquered Deccan upto Mysore.
• Nikator’s successor Antiochus 1 replaced
Megasthenes with Deimachus as a Greek ambassador
at mauryan court under Bindusara’s Patronage.
• Bindusara appointed his eldest son Sumana (or
Susima) as his viceroy at Taxila and Ashoka at Ujjain.
• It also mentions that when a revolt broke out at Taxila,
Ashoka was sent to restore peace as Susima fails to suppress it.
• Divyavadana mentions that Bindusara appointed his eldest son Sumana (or Susima) as his viceroy
at Taxila and Ashoka at Ujjain. It also mentions that when a revolt broke out at Taxila, Ashoka was
sent to restore peace as Susima fails to suppress it.
• Bindusara continued his policy of friendly relations with Hellenic world.
• Dionysius was the Egypt ambassador came to the court of Bindusara.
• Pliny mentions that Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt sent him as an ambassador.
• Bindusara had been given the credit of south Indian conquest, but most of the scholars believe
that this was done by his father Chandragupta Maurya.
ASHOKA
• According to the Buddhist tradition, Janapada Kalyani or Subhadrangi was
his mother.
• He was appointed as a viceroy of Ujjain and Taxila while he was a prince.
• Ashoka was very cruel in his early life and captured the throne after killing
his 99 brothers. But it appears an exaggerated figure.
• At its zenith, Ashoka’s empire stretched from
Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. It
covered almost
• the whole Indian subcontinent except present
Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and modern-day Sri Lanka.
• Ashoka built many edicts all over India including in
present-day Nepal and Pakistan.
• His capital was at Pataliputra (Patna) and had
provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain.
• The Ashokan inscriptions are found at 47 places in
different regions of India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• The inscriptions on rocks are called as the ‘Rock Edicts,’ and those on Pillars, ‘Pillar Edicts.’

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• Ashoka’s name occurs only in copies of Minor Rock Edict-I found at three places in Karnataka and
one in Madhya Pradesh. Whereas in all other inscriptions, he mentioned himself as ‘Devanampiya’
and ‘Piyadasi’ meaning beloved of the gods.
• Ashoka ‘s inscriptions were written in four different scripts, namely −
o Greek languages and scripts used in Afghanistan area;
o Aramaic languages and scripts used in west Asia;
o Prakrit language and Kharosthi script used in Pakistan area; and
o Prakrit language and Brahmi script used in rest of the inscriptions.
CONVERSION TO BUDDHISM
• The battle with Kalinga fought in 265 BC was
personally led by Ashoka and he was able to
vanquish the Kalingas.
• According to Kharavela’s Hathigumpha
inscriptions, the ruler of Kalinga was Nandraja at
the time of war.
• Whole cities were destroyed and more than a
hundred thousand people were killed in the war.
• The horrors of war disturbed him so much that he
decided to shun violence for the rest of his life and
turned to Buddhism.
• Ashoka’s 13th Rock Edict describes the Kalinga
war vividly.
• He now became Dharmashoka (the pious Ashoka)
from Chandashoka. (cruel Ashoka) because ( he
built a torture chamber to torture his prisoners to
death.
• This earned him the moniker Chandashoka In
about 263 BC Ashoka converted to Buddhism.
• Moggaliputta Tissa/ Upagupta a Buddhist monk
became his mentor.
• Ashoka even conducted the third Buddhist Council
at Pataliputra in 250
BC under Moggaliputta Tissa’s presidency.
The inscriptions on rocks are called as the ‘Rock
Edicts,’ and those on
• Pillars, ‘Pillar Edicts.
• In many inscriptions, he mentioned himself as ‘Devanampiya’ and ‘Piyadasi’ meaning beloved of
the gods.
• In Babhru Inscription, he is mentioned as Piyadassi Raja Magadhe (Piyadassi, King of Magadha).
• The Maski edict/KTK mentions his name as Asoka while Puranas name him Asokavardhana.
• Girnar Inscription/Gujarat of Rudradaman mentions him as Asoka Maurya.
• Ashoka ‘s inscriptions were written in four different scripts, namely:
o Greek languages and scripts used in Afghanistan area;

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o Aramaic languages and scripts used in west Asia;

o Prakrit language and Kharosthi script used in Pakistan area; and
o Prakrit language and Brahmi script used in rest of the inscriptions.
SUBJECT MATTERS
• Most inscriptions discuss about Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism, his efforts to spread Buddhism,
his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare efforts.
• The various subjects were as follows:
o Prohibition of animal slaughter, festive gathering and killing of animals.
o Care for man, animals, Brahmins and Monks.
o “Every human is my child…”
• Discuss about the Chola, Pandyas, Cheras as Kingdoms of Asoka in South India.
• Sending of Rajukas (rural officers), Pradesikas (district officers) and Yuktas (subordinate officers) to
all areas of Kingdom every five year to spread message of Asoka’s Dhamma policy.
• Supremacy of Dhammaghosha on Bherighosa and appointment of Dhammamahamattas for spread
of Dhamma.
• Asoka’s first Dhammayatra to Bodhgaya and Bodhi tree.
• Giving away the Barabara cave to Ajivika sect.
• Apart from the above, the following things must be noted with their respective pillar names:
• The Rummindei Pillar Inscription discusses about Asoka’s visit to Lumbini & exemption of Lumbini
from tax.
• This is the first direct archeological evidence of Buddha’s birth in Lumbini.
• Nigalisagar Pillar Inscription was originally located at Kapilvastu. It mentions that Asoka increased
the height of stupa of Buddha to its double size.
• Subject Matters
• Victorious war with Kalinga was the most important event of Ashoka’s reign & its effect on Ashoka
has been described by Ashoka himself in rock edict 13
• Abandoned policy of physical conquest in favour of policy of cultural conquest (Bherigosha replaced
by Dhammagosa) as mentioned on rock pillar 13.
• Subject Matters
• Asoka adopted Buddhism in 9th year of his reign after winning Kalinga. Nigrodha, a boy monk,
inspired him.
• Later, he met Moggaliputta Tissa, who ultimately become his mentor.
• Appointed a class of administrative officers known as “Rajukas” vested with the power of rewarding
& punishing people, wherever necessary
• Set up a very high ideal for himself as Paternal Kingship (Father of all)
ASHOKA & BUDDHISM

• Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism was gradual not immediate as he first became a sakya upasaka
(Lay disciple) & 2 ½ years later became a bikshu (Monk) & gave up hunting.
• Constituted Dhamma yatras to Sarnath, Bodhh Gaya etc. & appointed special officers called
Dhamma Mahamantras to propagate Dhamma among various social groups
• Sent his son Mahendra & daughter Sangamitra to Srilanka who planted branches of original Bodhi
tree there

17
• Convened 3rd Buddhist council at patliputra to strengthen sangha

• Ashoka’s dhamma was to preserve the social order & held that if people behaved well they would
achieve heaven.
• He never said they would attain Nirvana which was the primary aim of Buddhism.
• Hence, his teachings were intended to maintain social order on the basis of tolerance & does not
seems to have preached any sectarian path
• Kandhar inscription speaks of success of his policies as hunters & fisherman gave up hunting &
killing & began practicing agriculture
• Ashoka’s death was followed by division of Mauryan Empire into 2 parts Western & Eastern.
• Western part was collapsed by Bactrian invasion & Eastern part last king was assassinated by
Pushyamitra Sunga
• Inscriptions of Ashoka found at Girnar hills in Junagarh district in Gujarat and at Sopara, in Thane
district in Maharashtra reflect that these areas were under the rule of Mauryan Empire.
• In south India, Ashoka's inscriptions have been found at Maski, Yerragudi, and Chitaldurga in
Karnataka.
• Rock Edict II and XIII of Ashoka explain that Chandragupta’s immediate neighboring states (in the
south) were Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras, and Keralaputras/Chera.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT ASHOKA

• There are two main sources: Buddhist sources and Ashoka’s edicts.
• James Princep, a British antiquary and colonial administrator was the first person to decipher
Ashoka’s edicts.
• These inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.
• Ashokavadana (Sanskrit), Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa (Sri Lankan Pali chronicles) give most of the
information about Ashoka.
• They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that maximum number of people would
read them.
• More than religious discourses, they talk about the moral duties of the people, how to conduct life,
Ashoka’s desire to be a good and benevolent ruler, and about Ashoka’s work towards this end.
• These inscriptions can be classified into three:-
o Pillar edicts
o Major rock edicts
o Minor rock edicts
PILLAR EDICTS
• There are seven pillar edicts.
• Two types of stones are used: spotted white sandstone (from Mathura) and buff coloured
sandstone and quartzite (from Amaravati).
• All the pillars are monoliths (carved out of from stone).
• They have been found from different places like Kandahar (Afghanistan), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(Pakistan), Delhi, Vaishali and Champaran (Bihar), Sarnath and Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh),
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), and Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh).
• Fragments of the same edict are found in different places.
• Many pillars are as high as 50 feet high and weigh as much as 50 tons.

18
• The pillars depict animals such as elephants and lions, and wheels and lotuses which are all
significant symbols in Buddhism.
• There is a platform (abacus) on the top of the bell capital which supports the crowned animal.
• The pillars depict animals such as elephants and lions and wheels and lotuses which are all
significant symbols in Buddhism.
• The majestic pillar edicts have been found at Topra, Rampurva, Nigali Sagar, Lauriya-Araraj, Lauriya
Nandangarh, Sarnath and Meerut. Feroz Shah Tughlaq shifted pillars, one from Topra and the other
from Meerut, to Delhi.
EDICT TALKS ABOUT

Pillar Edict I Ashoka’s principle of protecting his people.
Pillar Edict II Dhamma
Pillar Edict Avoiding practices of cruelty, sin, harshness, pride and
III anger among his subjects.
Pillar Edict Responsibilities of the Rajukas.
IV
Pillar Edict V List of animals and birds that should not be killed on certain days. Another list
which mentions animals that
should never be killed.
Pillar Edict VI Dhamma policy of the State.
Pillar Edict Ashoka’s work for fulfilling Dhamma. Tolerance for all
VII sects.
Major Rock Prohibits animal slaughter and bans festive gathering.
Edict I
Major Rock Care for man and animals. Mentions the Pandyas,
Edict II Satyapuras and Keralaputras of South India.
Major Rock Edict Generosity to Brahmins. About Yuktas, Pradeshikas and
III Rajukas who would go every five years to different parts of his empire to
spread Dhamma.
Major Rock Edict Dhammaghosha (sound of Dhamma/righteousness) over Bherighosha (sound of
IV war).
Major Rock About Dhammamahamatras. Talks about treating slaves
Edict V right.
Major Rock King’s desire to know about his people’s conditions.
Edict VI About welfare measures.
Major Rock Tolerance for all religions.
Edict VII
Major Rock Ashoka’s first visit to Bodh Gaya and the Bodhi tree (his
Edict VIII first Dhamma Yatra).
Major Rock Condemns popular ceremonies.
Edict IX
Major Rock Disapproves of the individual’s desire for fame and glory
Edict X and stresses on Dhamma.
Major Rock Elaborates on Dhamma.
Edict XI

19
Major Rock Tolerance for all religions and sects.

Edict XII
Major Rock Edict Mentions victory over Kalinga. Mentions Ashoka’s Dhamma victory over Greek
XIII Kings Antiochus of Syria (Amtiyoko), Ptolemy of Egypt (Turamaye), Magas of
Cyrene (Maka), Antigonus of Macedon (Amtikini), Alexander of Epirus
(Alikasudaro). Also mentions
Pandyas, Cholas, etc.
Major Rock Edict Engraving of inscriptions installed in various parts of country.
XIV
MAJOR ROCK EDICTS

• Minor rock edicts are found on 15 rocks across the
country and in Afghanistan also.
• Ashoka uses his name only in four of these places
namely, Maski, Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Gujjara
(MP) and Nettur (AP).
EDICTS OF ASHOKA
• Inscriptions of Ashoka were 1st deciphered by James
Princep in 1837
• Name Ashoka occurs only in few minor edicts (Maski
& Girnar) (In karnataka & Madhya pradesh), rest at
all places edicts mention him as “Devampriya
• Priyadasi” i.e. Dear to Gods
• Famous Sanchi Stupa/MP , Bharhaut/MP & Sarnath
Pillar/UP constitutes to Ashoka’s rein
DASRATH
• Grandson of Ashoka.
• He built 3 caves on Nagarujana Hills for Ajivikas in Gaya (Bihar).
• He also got the title of Devampriya same as that of Ashoka.
BRIHADRATHA
• Last ruler of Mauryan dynasty.
• He was killed by his commander-in-chief Pushyamira Shunga ( Brahamin) and established Shunga
dynasty.
MAURYAN ADMINISTRATION
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
• Mauryan administration was highly centralized.
• The king was the supreme power and source of all authority.
• He was assisted by a Council of Ministers. It was called ‘Mantriparishad’. The ministers were called
‘Mantris.’
• (COM consisted of Purohit, Mahamantri, Senapati & Yuvraj )

20
• Civil servants known as “amatyas” were appointed to look after day to day administration & their
selection method was given by Kautilya.
• The council was headed by ‘mantriparishad-adhyakshya’ akin to the Prime Minister of today.
• Tirthas: the Highest category of officials in the administration. There were 18 Tirthas.
• Adhyakshya: Ranked next only to Tirthas. There were 20 Adhyakshyas. They had economic and
military functions.
• Mahamattas: Higher ranking officials.
• Amatyas: High ranking officials almost like present-day secretaries. They had administrative and
judicial roles.
• The Adhyakshyas were formed into a secretariat, which was divided into many departments.
• Arthashastra mentions many Adhyakshyas for commerce, storehouses, gold, ships, agriculture,
cows, horses, city, chariots, mint, infantry, etc.
• Yuktas: Subordinate officers responsible for the king’s revenue.
• Rajjukas: Officers in charge of land measurement and boundary-fixing.
• Sansthadhyasksha: Superintendent of mint
• Samasthadhyasksha: Superintendent of markets
• Sulkaadhyaksha: Superintendent of tolls
• Sitaadhyaksha: Superintendent of agriculture
• Navadhyaksha: Superintendent of ships
• Lohadhyaksha: Superintendent of iron
• Pauthavadhyakhsa: Superintendent of weights and measures
• Akaradhyaksha: Superintendent of mines
• Vyavharika Mahamatta: Judiciary officers
• Pulisanj: Public relations officers
• Registration of births and deaths, foreigners, industries, trade, manufacture and sale of goods, sales
tax collection were under the administration’s control.
REVENUE DEPARTMENT
• “Samharta”, the chief of revenue department was incharge of collection of all revenues of the
department
• “Sannidhata”, Chief custodian of state treasury & store house.
o Revenue was collected on land, irrigation, shops, customs, forests, ferry, mines and pastures.
License fees were collected from artisans and fines were charged in the law courts.
o Most of the land revenue was one-sixth of the produce.
ECONOMIC REGULATIONS OF MAURYA EMPIRE

• Arthashastra of Kautilya states that that the state appointed 27 superintended (Adhyakshas) to
regulate the economic activities.
• Agriculture was the prime occupation. Hence, irrigation was given importance.
• Water reservoirs and dams were built and water for irrigation was distributed and measured.
• Industry was organised into guilds. Jesthaka was the chief of the guild.
• Chief source of income was land tax (1/4th to 1/6th) and tax levied on trade etc.
• Brahmans, children and handicapped were exempted from the taxes.

21
• Sita was the income from the King’s own land.

• Karsapana or Pana and Masa or Masika were the punch marked coins of silver and copper
respectively.
• Kakini/copper was 1/4th of that Masika. COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
• Commerce & industry (Custom duties, Foreign affairs, Weight & measure etc) was controlled by
officers known as “Adhyakshas”
JUDICIARY
• Judicial chief justice of Supreme Court at capital in mauryan times was known as “Dharmadhikari”
• Subordinate courts were under Amatyas & jails under appointed officers
MILITARY
• The commander-in-chief of the entire military was called Senapati and his position was next to the
king’s. He was appointed by the king.
• The military was divided into five sectors namely, infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephant forces, navy
and transport & provisions.
• The army’s salary was paid in cash.
POLICE
• All the main centres had police headquarters.
• Jail was called Bandhangara and lock-up was known as Charaka.
TRANSPORT
• The transport department fixed the width of the chariots, cattle tracks and pedestrians.
ESPIONAGE
• The espionage system of the Mauryas was well-developed.
• There were spies who informed the king about the bureaucracy and markets.
• There were two types of spies: Sansthana (stationary) and Sanchari (wanderer).
• Gudhapurushas were the detectives or secret agents.
• They were controlled by the Mahamatya-pasarpa. These agents were picked from different
segments of society.
• There were also agents called Vishakanyas (poisonous girls).
SOCIETY AND CULTURE IN MAURYA EMPIRE

• There were seven caste systems according to the Megasthenese – Philosophers, farmers, soldiers,
herdsmen, artisans, magistrates and councillors.
• Concept of Joint Family was popular.
• Widows had a very honourable place in the society.
• Varna System was functioned as desired by the priestly class.
PROVINCIAL & LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

• Mauryan Empire was divided into provinces with capitals at:

22
• Taxila – Uttarapatha Province

• Ujjain- Avantipatha Province
• Suvarnagiri- Dakshinpatha Province
• Kalinga- Tosali Province
• Pataliputra- Central Province
• Provincial governors were appointed from the royal family
• District administration was under the charge of “Rajukas”, who in turn were assisted by “Yuktas” or
subordinate officials
• Village administration was in hand of “Gramani “ & his official supervisors called “Gopa” (Head of
10 – 15 villages)
• The smallest unit of administration was the village.
• Pradeshika was the provincial governors or district magistrates.
• Sthanika: Tax collectors working under Pradeshikas.
• Durgapala: Governors of forts.
• Antapala: Governors of frontiers.
• Akshapatala: Accountant General
• Lipikaras: Scribes (a person who copies out documents)
REASONS FOR THE FALL OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

• Partition of the Empire
• Highly centralised administration
• Weak monarchs after Ashoka
• Independence of the provinces
• Internal revolt
• Foreign invasions
• Ashoka’s policies
• Brahminical reaction
• Kalhana, author of the work Rajatarangini which is an account of Kashmir’s history says that after
Ashoka’s death, his son Jalauka ruled over Kashmir as an independent ruler. This partition resulted
in invasions from the northwest.
• Kalinga became independent.
• According to Tibetan sources, Virasena ruled over Gandhara independently.
• Vidarbha broke away from Magadha. As per Greek sources, a king named Subhagasena
(Sophagasanus) began to rule over the north-western provinces independently.
• The last Maurya king, Brihadratha was overthrown by his own army commander, Pushyamitra.
• Foreign tribes attacked and established their kingdoms on Indian soil. The notable ones were the
Indo-Greeks, the Sakas and the Kushanas.
MAURYAN ART
• No significant architectural remains have been found corresponding to the period between the
Harappans and the Mauryas.
• This is probably because buildings were not made of stone in this period.
• Mud & Wood structures could not withstand with remnant floods & other natural calamities.

23
• Mauryan art represents an important transition in Indian art from use of wood to stone.
SHRAMAN TRADITION
• 6th century BC marked the beginning of new socio-religious movements in Gangetic valley in the
form of Buddhism and Jainism which were part of Shraman tradition. (retained their distinct
identity from Hinduism by rejecting the epistemic authority of the Vedas)
• By 4th century BC, Mauryas established their power and by 3rdcentury BC Ashoka patronized
Shraman tradition.
• Srama means “one who strives” or “Laborer” in Sanskrit and Pali
• Applied to those who whole heartedly practiced towards enlightenment (Monks)
• Shraman tradition is best kept in term parivrajaka, meaning a homeless wanderer
COURT ART (STATE INITIATIVE) POPULAR ART (COMMON MAN INITIATIVE)

Pillars Sculptures
Stupas Caves
Pottery
PILLARS / EDDICTS
• Top portion carved with sculptured capitals (bull,
lion, elephant etc.)
o Examples: Lion capital of Sarnath, Bull capital
of Rampurva & Lion capital of Laurya
Nandangarh.
Bull capital of Rampurva Lion capital of Sarnath
SARNATH LION CAPITAL

• Finest example of Mauryan
sculptural tradition
• Built by Ashoka in commemoration
of 1st sermon by Buddha
(Dhammachakrapravartana) at
Sarnath
• Consisted of 5 component parts
o Shaft
o inverted lotus bell base

24
o a drum with four

o animals proceeding clockwise (a bull, a horse, an elephant and a lion)
o 4 back to back standing lions
o The crowning element, Dharamchakra – a large wheel i.e. Broken now
• The capital without the crowning wheel and the lotus base has been adopted as the National
Emblem of Independent India.
MAURYAN STUPAS
• Stupas were known in India before the time of Ashoka but
when Ashoka divided up the existing body relics of the
Buddha and erected monuments to enshrine them, the stupas
became the objects of cult worship.
• Originally 9 stupas were built after the death of Buddha – 8 of
them over the relics and 9th over the vessel in which the relics
were originally deposited.
• The stupa consists of a cylindrical drum and a circular anda
with a harmika and chhatri on the top.
• The three chhatra on the stupas represent triratnas of
Buddhism i.e. Buddha (The enlightened), Dhamma (doctrine)
and Sangh (order).
• The stupa was crowned by an umbrella of wooden fence &
enclosed by a circumambulatory path (pradaskshina)
• Four gateways (Toranas) are constructed in all four
directions. Each torana consists of two vertical pillars and
three horizontal bars on the top.
o Events from the life of the Buddha,
o the Jataka stories, were depicted on the railings and
torans of the stupas
CAVES – ROCK-CUT ARCHITECTURE

• Earliest known examples in India of rock-cut method.
• Carved at Barabar and Nagarjuni hills near Gaya in Bihar → Sudama and Lomus Rishi cave
LOMAS RISHI CAVE (300 BC)

• Facade of the Lomus Rishi cave is decorated
with the
• semicircular chaitya arch as the entrance
• The elephant frieze carved in high relief on the
chaitya arch shows considerable movement
• The interior hall of this cave is rectangular with
a circular chamber at the back.

25
• The entrance is located on the side wall of the

hall.
• The cave was patronised by Ashoka for the
Ajivika sect. The important features of the
caves of this period were
o Carved out of the living rock
o Polishing inside the cave
Development of artistic gateway
SCULPTURE
• Large statues of Yaksha and Yakshini are found at many places
like Patna, Vidisha and Mathura.
• Highly polished surface
• The life-size standing image of a Yakshini holding a chauri
(flywhisk) from Didargunj near modern Patna is one of the finest
examples of the sculptural tradition of the Mauryan Period –
Made of sandstone
ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN MAURYA EMPIRE

• Introduction of burnt bricks to make structures & ring wells along
with use of spoked wheel for the 1st time after Indus valley
civilization
• Abundance of pottery NBPW & punch marked coins were found
of Mauryan era
• May be art of making steel started & spread by Mauryas
• The symbol of Mauryan empire was Peacock (Mayur)
• Pali was the language of people. Taxila was the centre of higher education.
Other relevant inscriptions and important edicts:
Edict/ Inscription Remarks
Allahabad – • Ashoka asks the members of the Sangha to refrain

Kosam/Queens from causing division in the ranks.
Edict/Kausambi or Schism • Samudragupta’s inscription is on this edict itself.
Edict
• Jahangir shifted it to the fort at Allahabad.
Kandahar Inscription It is a famous bilingual edict in Greek and Aramaic.
Kalinga Edicts (Bhauli and Mentions ‘All men are my children.’

Jaugada)
Sannati Inscription Site of all 14 major rock edicts as well as two separate
(Karnataka) Kalinga edicts.

26
Rummindei Inscription It mentions that the village of Lumbini (birthplace of the

(Nepal) Buddha) be exempted from bali and was to pay only one-
eighth of the bhaga.
Girnar Rock Inscription of Mentions the Sudarshan lake constructed by Pushyagupta, a

Rudradaman rashtriya (means provincial governor) of Saurashtra during
(Kathiawar) Chandragupta Maurya’s reign.
Minor Rock Edict 1 Indicates that Ashoka turned towards Buddhism gradually,
after 2.5 years in power.
Minor Rock Edict 3 Ashoka greets Sangha, professes his deep faith in the
Buddha, dhamma, and Sangha, also recommends six
Buddhist texts for monks, nuns and general laity.
Inscriptions at Written in Kharosthi script.

Shahbazgarhi and
Mansehra.
CAUSE OF FALL OF MAURYAN EMPIRE

• Ashoka’s pro Buddhist policies along with prohibition of sacrifices & rituals antagonized
Brahamanas who brought about a revolution led by Pushyamitra Sunga
• Weak successors, Partition of empire, administrative abuses by Dustamatyas (Heavy taxex) after
Ashoka’s reign led to the fall of empire
• Widespread use of iron led to formation of new kingdoms & neglection of N-W front by Mauryan
also led to their downfall
• Chinese ruler “Shih-Huang-Ti” constructed great wall of China to prevent its border against sythians
who were an Iranian equestrian tribe, but Mauryan did not do any such thing
• Pushyamitra sunga (Brahamana) killed last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha publicly & persecuted
Buddhists and restarted Vedic rituals & sacrifices.

27

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MAHAJANPADAS AND MAURYAS

MAHAJANAPADAS & RISE OF MAGADHA

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• It is situated in present day Kashmir and Hindukush.

THE HARYANKA DYNASTY

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BIMBISARA (546 – 494 BC)

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• Shishunaga was succedded by Kalasoka (Kalavarna).

THE NANDA DYNASTY

CAUSE OF MAGADHA’S SUCCESS

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• Because of its location, it could easily control trade.

IRANIAN (PERSIAN) & MACEDONIAN (GREEK) INVASION

IRANIAN INVASION OF INDIA

THE CONDITION IN INDIA, AT THAT TIME

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PERSIAN INVASION (550 BC)

EFFECTS OF PERSIAN INVASION

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ALEXANDER’S INVASION (327 BC)

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EFFECT OF ALEXANDER’S INVASION

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RISE OF THE MAURYAS

MAURYAN EMPIRE (321 – 184 BC)

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o Aramaic languages and scripts used in west Asia;

ASHOKA & BUDDHISM

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• Convened 3rd Buddhist council at patliputra to strengthen sangha

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT ASHOKA

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EDICT TALKS ABOUT

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Major Rock Tolerance for all religions and sects.

MAJOR ROCK EDICTS

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ECONOMIC REGULATIONS OF MAURYA EMPIRE

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• Sita was the income from the King’s own land.

SOCIETY AND CULTURE IN MAURYA EMPIRE

PROVINCIAL & LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

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• Taxila – Uttarapatha Province

REASONS FOR THE FALL OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

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COURT ART (STATE INITIATIVE) POPULAR ART (COMMON MAN INITIATIVE)

Bull capital of Rampurva Lion capital of Sarnath

SARNATH LION CAPITAL

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o a drum with four