The Mauryan Empire

THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

Sources:

• Kautilya’s Arthasastra
• Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
• Megasthenes’ Indica
• Edicts of Asoka
• Apart from these the Puranas and the Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the Mauryas.

Emperors

Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.):

• Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire.
• He captured Pataliputra from the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda, in assistance of Kautilya, who was also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta.
• In 305 B.C., he marched against Selukas Niketar, who was Alexander’s General controlling the northwestern India.
• Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador in the Chandragupta Maurya's court.
• Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life and stepped down from the throne in favour of his son Bindusara.

Bindusara (298 – 273 B.C.):

• Bindusara was called by the Greeks as “Amitragatha” meaning slayer of enemies.
• Taranatha, the Tibetan monk states that Bindusara conquered 16 states comprising ‘the land between the two seas’.
• The Sangam Tamil literature confirms the Mauryan invasion of the far south.
• Bindusara received Deimachus as ambassador from the Syrian king Antiochus I.
• Bindusara appointed his son Asoka as the governor of Ujjain.

Asoka the Great (273 – 232 B.C.):

• Ashoka acted as Governor of Ujjain and also suppressed a revolt in Taxila during his father Bindusara’s reign.
• The most important event of Asoka’s reign was his victorious war with Kalinga in 261 B.C.
• Asoka embraced Buddhism under the influence of Buddhist monk, Upagupta.
• He sent a mission to Sri Lanka under his son Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra.
• Asoka convened the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra in 240 B.C. in order to strengthen the Sangha. It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.

THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

Mauryan Administration:

• The Mauryan state had a well-organized civil service.
• Kautilya the foremost political theorist of ancient India advocated that the king should take the advice of his ministry in running the administration.
• Both Kautilya and Megasthanes provided the system of Municipal administration.
• Mantriparishad- Council of ministers to assist the king in administrative matters. It consisted of Purohita, Mahamantri, Senapati and Yuvaraja. 
• Amatyas- Civil servants to look after the day-to-day administration.
• Rajukas-  Incharge of the district administration, assisted by Yuktas or subordinate officials.
• Gramani- Incharge of the village administration.
• Gopa- Official superior of Gramani and in charge of ten or fifteen villages. 
• Nagarika- His chief duty was to maintain law and order.
• Dhamma Mahamatras- To supervise the spread of Dhamma. 
• Samharta- The chief of the Revenue Department, was in charge of the collection of all revenues of the empire.
• Adyakshas- To control the retail and wholesale prices of goods and try to ensure their steady supply.
• Dharmathikarin- The chief justice of the Supreme Court at the capital.

Note: Subordinate courts at the provincial capitals and districts worked under Amatya.

Mauryan Army:

• The Mauryan army was well organized and it was under the control of Senapati. 
• Megasthenes mentions six boards of five members each to control the six wings of the military.
• The salaries were paid in cash. Kautilya refers to the salaries of different ranks of military officers.

Mauryan Art and Architecture:

• The use of stone started from the time of Asoka. 
• The pillars erected by Asoka furnish the finest specimen of the Mauryan art.
• Asokan pillars with inscriptions were found in places like Delhi, Allahabad, Rummindai, Sanchi and Saranath.
• Saranath pillar with four lions standing back to back is the most magnificent. 
• (Note:The Indian government adopted this capital with some modifications as its state emblem.)
• Asoka built a number of stupas throughout his empire, example is the famous Sanchi stupa with massive dimensions.
• The caves at Barabar hills near Bodh Gaya are wonderful pieces of Mauryan architecture.