👑 Chapter 6: Mauryan Empire

321-184 BC: India's First Great Empire • Surgical Strike Notes

1. Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 BC) - The Founder

🎯 Rise to Power

Guru: Chanakya (Kautilya/Vishnugupta) - Author of Arthashastra.
How He Became King: Defeated last Nanda king Dhana Nanda (321 BC).
Greek Connection: Defeated Seleucus Nicator (305 BC), got Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Makran.
Marriage Alliance: Married Seleucus' daughter Helena. Seleucus got 500 elephants!

🌍 Empire Extent

North-West: Afghanistan, Baluchistan (post-Seleucus defeat).
South: Conquered Deccan, Karnataka (proved by inscriptions).
First to conquer: Malwa, Gujarat, Maharashtra.
Proof: Junagarh Inscription (Rudradaman) mentions Chandragupta's governor Pushyagupta built Sudarshan Lake.

🏛️ End of Life

Became Jain monk under Bhadrabahu.
Died by Sallekhana (fasting to death) at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka).

                💡 Megasthenes: Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus to Chandragupta's
                court.

                • Wrote "Indica" (now lost, quoted by others)

                • Described Pataliputra's grandeur, 7-class society, no slavery in India

                • 6 committees of 5 members each managed Pataliputra

2. Kautilya's Arthashastra (Political Bible)

Author: Chanakya = Kautilya = Vishnugupta (all same person).
Subject: Statecraft, Economics, Military Strategy, Diplomacy.
Compared to: Machiavelli's "The Prince" (pragmatic politics).

📜 Saptang Theory of State (7 Elements)

1. Swami (King)

2. Amatya (Ministers)

3. Janapada (Territory/People)

4. Durga (Fort)

5. Kosha (Treasury)

6. Danda (Army)

7. Mitra (Allies) Most PYQ

3. Bindusara (297-273 BC) - The Amitraghata

Title: "Amitraghata" (Slayer of Enemies).
Greek Title: "Amitragates" (by Greeks).
Conquests: Conquered Deccan region (between 2 seas - Bay & Arabian).
Greek Connection: Ant iochus I sent Deimachus as ambassador (replaced Megasthenes).
Son as Viceroy: Appointed young Ashoka as viceroy of Ujjain.

4. Ashoka the Great (273-232 BC) - The Devanampriya

👤 Life Journey

Before Coronation (273 BC):
• Viceroy of Ujjain under Bindusara
• 4-year succession struggle after father's death

Early Reign (273-261 BC):
• Conquered Kalinga in 261 BC (8th year of coronation)
• Brutal war: 100,000 killed, 150,000 deported

Transformation (261 BC onwards):
• Remorse after Kalinga War
• Adopted Buddhism, started preaching Dhamma
• Title: "Devanampriya Priyadarshi" (Beloved of Gods)

⚔️ Kalinga War (261 BC) - The Turning Point

Why Important: Modern Odisha region. Strategic location for trade.
Casualties: 100,000 killed, 150,000 deported (mentioned in Rock Edict XIII).
Impact: Ashoka felt deep remorse → Became Buddhist → Propagated Dhamma.
Only Territory NOT Conquered: Chola, Pandya, Satiyaputra, Keralaputra, Tamrap arni (South Indian kingdoms - mentioned in Rock Edict II).

5. Ashoka's Dhamma (Way of Life)

NOT a religion, but ethical code!

🌟 Core Principles

                    1. Ahimsa

                    Non-violence to all beings

                    2. Religious Tolerance

                    Respect all religions (Rock Edict XII)

                    3. Respect for Elders

                    Obey parents, teachers

                    4. Welfare Activities

                    Hospitals, roads, rest houses

🏥 Welfare Works

Built 1st hospitals for humans & animals in India!
Planted medicinal herbs & gardens.
Dug wells, built rest houses on roads.
Appointed Dhamma Mahamatras (officers to spread Dhamma).

6. Ashoka's Edicts & Pillars (PYQ Goldmine!)

📜 Types of Edicts

Type	Count	Key Info
Major Rock Edicts	14	General dhamma, welfare, Kalinga war (XIII)
Minor Rock Edicts	3	Maski, Gujarra mention "Ashoka" by name!
Pillar Edicts	7	On polished sandstone pillars
Cave Inscriptions	-	For Ajivika monks (Barabar Hills)

🔤 Scripts & Languages

Most Edicts: Prakrit language + Brahmi script (left to right).
North-West (Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra): Kharosthi script (right to left).
Afghanistan (Kandahar): Greek & Aramaic scripts!
Deciphered by: James Prinsep (1837) - British scholar.

⭐ Most Important Edicts (Memorize!)

Edict	Content
Rock Edict II	Mentions South Indian kingdoms (Chola, Pandya, etc.)
Rock Edict XII	Religious tolerance - essence of dhamma
Rock Edict XIII	Kalinga War! Most important! Ashoka's remorse
Minor Rock (Maski, Gujarra)	Only inscriptions where "Ashoka" mentioned by name!
Rummindei Pillar	Marks Buddha's birthplace (Lumbini). Tax exemption!
Bhabru Edict	Proves Ashoka was Buddhist (mentions Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha)

                🦁 Sarnath Lion Capital:

                • Built by Ashoka at Sarnath (where Buddha gave 1st sermon)

                • 4 Lions sitting back-to-back on abacus

                • Base has: Bull, Horse, Lion, Elephant (Dharma Chakra in between)

                • India's National Emblem! "Satyameva Jayate" below it

7. Mauryan Administration

🗺️ 5 Provinces

1. Uttarapath (Capital: Taxila)

2. Avantiratha (Capital: Ujjain)

3. Kalinga (Capital: Tosali)

4. Dakshinapath (Capital: Suvarnagiri)

5. Prachyapatha/Magadha (Capital: Pataliputra)

👥 Important Officials

Official	Function
Yukta	Revenue collection officers (district level)
Rajjuka	Land surveyors + judicial officers (rural areas)
Pradeshika	Commissioner/Division head
Sitadhyaksha	Head of agriculture + land revenue collection
Samaharta	Chief revenue collector
Pautavadhyaksha	In charge of weights & measures
Dhamma Mahamatra	Officers to spread Ashoka's Dhamma

⚖️ Judiciary

Dharmasthiya: Civil courts.
Kantakashodhana: Criminal courts.

8. Third Buddhist Council (247 BC)

Place: Pataliputra.
Presided by: Moggaliputta Tissa (Buddhist monk).
Organized by: Ashoka.
Purpose: Settle disputes, compile Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Missionary Activity: Ashoka sent his son Mahendra & daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism!

9. Decline of Mauryas

Last King: Brihadratha (weak ruler).
End: Killed by his own commander Pushyamitra Shunga in 184 BC.
Pushyamitra founded: Shunga Dynasty (184-75 BC).

🔻 Reasons for Decline

Weak successors after Ashoka.
Financial drain due to massive welfare projects.
Ashoka's Ahimsa weakened military (debated).
Economic crisis + oppression of Brahmins (by Buddhist kings) → Brahmin reaction.

🎯 PYQ "Sniper" Shots

Q: Founder of Mauryan Empire?
A: Chandragupta Maurya (321 BC).

Q: Kautilya's Arthashastra has how many elements of state (Saptang)?
A: 7 (Swami, Amatya, Janapada, Durga, Kosha, Danda, Mitra).

Q: Which Greek ambassador wrote "Indica"?
A: Megasthenes (came to Chandragupta's court).

Q: Kalinga War mentioned in which edict?
A: Rock Edict XIII Super Hit!

Q: Which inscriptions mention Ashoka's personal name?
A: Maski, Gujarra, Nettur, Udgolam (minor rock edicts).

Q: Script written right to left?
A: Kharosthi (Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra inscriptions).

Q: Who deciphered Brahmi script?
A: James Prinsep (1837).

Q: Best stupa from architectural view?
A: Sanchi Stupa (built by Ashoka, Madhya Pradesh).

Q: Chandragupta's wooden palace found at?
A: Kumrahar (near Patna) UP Connection via excavation

Q: Who ended Mauryan dynasty?
A: Pushyamitra Shunga (killed Brihadratha in 184 BC).

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