6. Mauryan Dynasty

6. MAURYAN DYNASTY • • • • • • • • • • CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (322-297 BC) With the help of Chanakya/Kautiliya/Vishnugupta he overthrew the Nandas and established the rule of the Maurya Dynasty. Chandragupta is called Sandrocottus by the Greek scholars. Built vast empire, which included not only good portion of Bihar and Bengal, but also western and north western India and the Deccan. This account is given by Megasthenes (A Greek ambassador sent by Selecus to the court of Chandragupta Maurya) in his book India. We also get details from the Arthashastra of Kautiliya. Vishakhadatta wrote a drama Mudrarakshasa (describing Chandragupta enemy) and Debi Chandarguptam in six century AD. Chandragupta Maurya became follower of Jainism. In his period North India experienced a famine, half of the North Indians left their houses, who stayed there in North India are called Aryawat. The leader of North India was Sthulabhadra. Chandragupta Maurya went to Sravanbelagola (near Mysore) with Bhadrabahu where he died by slow starvation. Who were in North India were called Shwetamber. (White – clad / clothes). Who came back from South India were called Digamber (Naked). Administration in Patliputra CIVIL MILITARY 1. Welfare of foreigners 1. Army infantry 2. Collection of Taxes 2. Chualry 3. Record of birth and death 3. Chariots 4. Manufutured of gods aspection 4. Elephants 5. Distribution of goods (sales and purchase) 5. Navy 6. Sanitation 15 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6. Transportation Spy system is superb. In the period of Chandragupta Maurya lady bodyguard were also appointed. Prostitutes were also deputed as spy. Mudra a minister of Nanda’s was use a minister of planning. Mudra joined had with Chandragupta. It was Chanakya behind this conspiracy Nanda was defeated. This information receives from Vishakhadutt’s book Mudra Rakshasa. This book story line at Maurya’s time and written in Gupta Age. Source of information about Chandragupta Maurya Kautiya (Arthashastra) – Third best Megasthenes (Indica) – Second best Ashoka’s Inscriptions – Bestest BINDUSARA’S (297 – 268 BC) Called Amitraghat by Greek writer. Chandergupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara in 297 BC. He is said to have conquered “the land between the 2 seas (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal). At the time of his death, almost the entire subcontinent came under the Maurya Rule. Bindusara was follower of Ajivika. Greek Ambassador Deimachos visited his court. Bindusara wanted wine, fig. and philosopher but they deny to give the philosopher. ASHOKA (269 – 232 BC) One who became a forecast before the birth of King Ashok ‘your son will be a great ruler’. “Pingalavasta” a Ajivika Monk In some books it was written Ashok killed his 99 brothers to get the throne. But it is wrong. First king who directly talk to their people through his inscription. Ashok was appointed the Viceroy of Taxila and Ujjain by his fater, Bindusara. He was at Ujjain when Bindusara died. • • One of greatest kings of all times. James Princep, told Ashok’s second name in 1837 Devamampiya (beloved of the gods) and ‘Piyadassi (of pleasing appearance). • Ashok became the Buddhist under Upagupta Monk. • Ashok’s successor Kunal. Kunal became blind and then his son Dasrath said he want to become the king and there is war between Kunal and Dasrath. Due to this war there is a divison and Taxila became the capital of Dasrath, and Patliputra became the capital of Kunal. • Asoka’s empire was divided into provinces with a viceroy in each province. He established Dharamshalas, hospitals and Sarai throughout his kingdom. • He appointed Dhamma Mahamatras (Publicity of Dharam) to propagate dharma among various social groups including women. 9 Years of his rule – Kalinga war 11 Years of his rule – Bodhi 13 Years of his rule – Dhamma 15 Years of his rule – Dhamma Mahamatra • He sent his daughter (Sanghamitra) and son (Mahindra) to Ceylon (Shri lanka), Burma and other South-east Asian regions, notably Thailand for publiciy of Boddh Dharam. • Ashoka is called “Buddhashakya and Ashok in Maski edict. FEATURES OF THE DHAMMA The edicts gave Ashoka the opportunity to expand his Dhamma. The Major Rock Edict XI contains an elaborate explanation of the Dhamma, apart from dealing with charity and Kinship of humanity. Main features:• Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festive gathering and avoiding expensive and meaningless ceremonies and rituals. • Efficient organization of administration in the direction of social welfare. • Consideration and non-violence to animals and courtesy to relation and liberality to Brahmins, Shramanas etc. • Human treatment of servant by masters and of prisoners by the government officials. 16 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tolerance among all the sects. Replacement of Bherighosa (sound of war drums) by Dhammaghosa (sound of peace). Maintenance of constant contact with the rural people through the system of Dhammayatras. ASHOKA’S Inscription Allahabad Inscription – Ashoka Allahabad Prasasti – Samundragupta writer Harisen In his inscription following language have been used Brahmi, Kharoshthi, Aramic and Greek. Allahabad Kasam was written Kosambhi Jahangir left Allahabad when he was taking it to Delhi. So it is called Allahabad Kasam. Jahangir took this action because Firoj Tughlaq did the same. Three inscriptions were taken by Ashoka: Kosabhi, Merath (Meerut), Topara ALLAHABAD KASAM Pillar Edicts I – VI Queen’s Edict (This is only who describe his queen’s). Schism Edict. BARA BAR HILL CAVES Donatory inscription to the Ajivika sect. Ashok’s grandson Dasrath also donates Ajivika seet. The caves were in a group of hills girdling the city of Rajagriha. DELHI – MEERUT AND DELHI TOPRA Pillar Edicts I – VI respectively. They were transported to Delhi by Firoz shah from their original sites at Meerut and Topra. GIRNAR (MAJOR ROCK EDICTS) Situated at Junagarh in Kathiawar. A number of major inscriptions are found here. Its importance was increased by the fact that during the reign of Chandergupta a dam was constructed on the Sundarsana Lake in the neighborhood of Girnar. Rudradamans’s Junagarh inscription was first Sanskrit inscription in Indian history. Sudarsana Lake originally built by Pushyagupta, the provincial governor of Chandergupta. Subsequently conduits were worked from it by Tusapa in the reign of Ashoka. • After him Skanddagupta repair Sudarsana Lake dam. • Ruderdaman also repair Sudarsana Lake’s dam after Pushyagupta. KANDAHAR • Minor Rock edicts. • Greek Aromic inscription. RUMMINDIE / LUMBINI AT BUDDHA TIME (NEPAL) • Tax levied on Lumbini people was decreased from 1/6 to 1/8, it is written on Ashoka’s inscription. • Tax was decreased because it was land of his God “Buddha”. SANCHI • Schism Edict. • Modern name of Sanchi was Kakanandabota. SARNATH • Schism Edict (addressed to the Mahamattas). • Piller Inscription. • Sarnath is three and a half miles from Banaras. • In this Ashok is called Dharamasoka. • Schism Edict. Allahabad Kasam, Sanchi, Sarnath. • 13 edicts were about klinga (Rock and Pillar). • Lion and wheel on National flag taken from Ashoka inscription of Sarnath. SIGNIFICANT OF MAURYAN RULE • Gurukul and Buddhist monasteries developed with royal patronage. Universities of Taxila and Banaras are the gifts of this era. • Taxila is oldest university. • Kautilitya’s Arthasastra, Bhadrabahu’s Kalpasutra, Buddhist texts like the Katha Vatthu and Jain Texts such as Bhagwati Sutra, Acharanga Sutra and Dasavakalik comprise some of the important literature of this era. MAURYAN ADMINISTRATION CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION • Saptanga Theory – 17 • • • • • • • • • • • Kautilya explains the Saptanga theory or the theory of seven elements of the state. According to him state is constituted by: Swamin (King) – soul Amatya (minister) Janapada (territory and population) Duga – (Fort) Kosa (Treasury) Bala (Army) Mitra (ally) PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION Provinces – Divided into four provinces each under viceroy in council. Four are – Uttarapatha (Capital - Taxila) Avantiratha (Ujjain), Dakshinapatha (Sumavagiri) and Kalinga (Tosali). District – The district was under the charge of the Rajuka (Ashokan edicts), whose position and function are similar to those of a DC. Intermediate level – This unit, consisting of five to ten villages was under Gopa and Sthanika. Village – It was under the charge of Gramani. Municipal Administration – It was maintenance of law and order, Nagarika or City superintendent’s. Land Revenue – Main source of income for state. CAUSES OF THE FALL OF MAURYAN EMPIRE Revenue from agrarian areas was not sufficient to maintain such a vast empire as booty from was negligible. Brahmins were against the Ashoka. Last Mauryan king “Brihadratha” was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga (Commander in Chief) in 185 BC who started Shunga dynasty in Magadha. “Pushyamitra’s son – Agnimitra. “Malvika Agnimitram” was written by Kalidas. Best cause of decline of Mauryan Empire: Mauryan kings levied tax and everything except air.