Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta, Ashoka's Dhamma & Administration Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta, Ashoka's Dhamma & Administration

The Mauryan Empire (c. 322-185 BCE) was the first large and powerful empire in ancient India, marking a significant period of political unification and administrative efficiency. It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.

• Geographical Extent: At its zenith under Ashoka, the empire stretched from the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan plateau in the south, and from Afghanistan and Balochistan in the west to Bengal in the east.
• Capital: Pataliputra (modern Patna) was the imperial capital.

Key Sources of Information:

• Arthashastra by Kautilya (Chanakya): A treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, providing detailed insights into Mauryan administration, economy, and society.
• Indica by Megasthenes: A Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya's court, his work (though surviving only in fragments quoted by later writers) describes Mauryan India, its cities, people, and administration.
• Ashokan Edicts: Inscriptions on rocks and pillars across the empire, detailing Ashoka's Dhamma, his policies, and the spread of Buddhism. These are primary sources.
• Buddhist and Jain Texts: Provide accounts of Chandragupta's conversion to Jainism and Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism (e.g., Mahavamsa, Dipavamsa, Divyavadana, Kalpasutra).
• Classical Greek and Roman Accounts: Writings by authors like Arrian, Strabo, and Justin provide external perspectives on the Mauryas, particularly Chandragupta's campaigns.

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire and one of the most significant figures in Indian history.

• Rise to Power: With the help of his mentor and advisor Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta), Chandragupta overthrew the last Nanda ruler, Dhanananda, around 322 BCE, establishing the Mauryan dynasty.
• Conflict with Seleucus Nicator: After Alexander the Great's death, his general Seleucus I Nicator established the Seleucid Empire in Western Asia. Around 305 BCE, Seleucus invaded India but was defeated by Chandragupta.
• Treaty with Seleucus: A peace treaty was signed, under which Seleucus ceded territories including Aria (Herat), Arachosia (Kandahar), Gedrosia (Balochistan), and Paropamisadae (Kabul) to Chandragupta. In return, Chandragupta gifted 500 war elephants to Seleucus.
• Megasthenes: Seleucus sent Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta's court at Pataliputra. Megasthenes wrote 'Indica', a valuable account of Mauryan India.
• Expansion: Chandragupta expanded his empire across northern India, consolidating power and establishing a highly centralized administration.
• Jainism and Death: Towards the end of his life, Chandragupta is believed to have embraced Jainism under the influence of the Jain saint Bhadrabahu. He abdicated his throne in favor of his son Bindusara and went to Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) where he performed 'Sallekhana' (fast unto death) around 298 BCE.

Bindusara, son of Chandragupta Maurya, succeeded his father and ruled for approximately 25 years.

• Title: He was known to the Greeks as 'Amitrochates' or 'Amitraghata', meaning 'Slayer of Enemies'. This suggests he continued the expansionist policies of his father.
• Expansion: Bindusara is credited with extending the Mauryan Empire further into the Deccan region, possibly conquering up to Mysore. The only region not under Mauryan control during his reign was Kalinga (modern Odisha).
• Foreign Relations: He maintained friendly relations with the Hellenic world, particularly with the Seleucid Empire.
• He requested Antiochus I (Seleucid king) to send sweet wine, dried figs, and a sophist (philosopher). Antiochus sent the first two but politely declined to send a sophist, stating it was against Greek law to sell a sophist.
• Deimachus was the ambassador sent by Antiochus I to Bindusara's court.
• Revolt in Taxila: During his reign, there was a revolt in Taxila, which he initially sent his elder son Susima to quell, and later Ashoka was sent, who successfully suppressed it.
• Religious Affiliation: Bindusara is believed to have patronized the Ajivika sect.

Ashoka, grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, is considered one of the greatest emperors of India, known for his conversion to Buddhism and his policy of Dhamma.

• Early Life & Succession: Ashoka was one of Bindusara's many sons. There was a struggle for succession after Bindusara's death, and Ashoka is believed to have eliminated his rivals to ascend the throne. He was appointed governor of Ujjain and Taxila during his father's reign.
• Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE): This was the only major war fought by Ashoka after his coronation. The war resulted in immense bloodshed and suffering, which deeply impacted Ashoka. The horrors of the war led to a profound change in his personality and policies.
• Conversion to Buddhism: The Kalinga War was a turning point. Ashoka embraced Buddhism under the influence of Buddhist monks like Upagupta (or Nigrodha, as per some traditions). He became a devout Buddhist and dedicated his life to spreading the Dhamma.
• Titles: In his inscriptions, Ashoka is referred to as 'Devanampiya' (Beloved of the Gods) and 'Piyadassi' (He who looks with affection).
• Spread of Buddhism: Ashoka actively propagated Buddhism, not through conquest, but through peaceful means.
• He sent Buddhist missionaries (Dharmamahamatras) to various countries, including Sri Lanka (his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra), Southeast Asia, and Western Asia.
• He organized the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra around 250 BCE under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa, primarily to purify the Sangha and compile the Abhidhamma Pitaka.
• He built numerous stupas and viharas.

Ashoka's Dhamma was not a new religion or a sectarian faith, but a moral code or a set of ethical principles aimed at the welfare of all people in his empire.

• Core Principles:
• Non-violence (Ahimsa): Prohibition of animal sacrifices and certain festive gatherings (samajas) that involved killing animals.
• Respect for Elders: Obedience to parents, teachers, and elders.
• Truthfulness and Purity: Adherence to truth and moral purity.
• Tolerance: Respect for all religious sects and opinions.
• Charity: Generosity towards Brahmins, Shramanas, friends, relatives, and the needy.
• Compassion: Kindness to servants and slaves.
• Self-control and Moderation: Restraint in speech and actions.
• Propagation of Dhamma:
• Edicts: Ashoka inscribed his Dhamma principles on rocks (Major and Minor Rock Edicts) and pillars (Pillar Edicts) throughout his empire. These were written in Prakrit (Magadhi dialect) using Brahmi script in most parts, Kharosthi in the northwest, and Greek/Aramaic in Afghanistan.
• Dhamma Mahamattas: He appointed special officers called 'Dhamma Mahamattas' to spread and enforce the Dhamma, inspect the conduct of people, and look after the welfare of various religious sects.
• Public Works: He promoted public welfare through the construction of roads, wells, rest houses, and the planting of medicinal herbs and trees.
• Significance: Ashoka's Dhamma aimed to create a harmonious and just society, emphasizing ethical conduct and social responsibility rather than religious rituals. It represents an early example of a ruler attempting to govern based on moral principles.

The Mauryan administration was highly centralized and efficient, as described in Kautilya's Arthashastra and Megasthenes' Indica.

Central Administration:

• King: The supreme authority, assisted by a council of ministers (Mantriparishad).
• Mantriparishad: Comprised of important officials like the Mahamantri (Chief Minister), Purohita (Chief Priest), Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), and Yuvaraja (Crown Prince).
• Amatyas: High-ranking officials who performed judicial, administrative, and financial functions.
• Adhyakshas: Superintendents in charge of various departments (e.g., Panyadhyaksha for commerce, Sitadhyaksha for agriculture, Lakshnadyaksha for coinage).
• Espionage System: A well-organized network of spies (Gudhapurushas) to monitor officials and public opinion.

Provincial Administration:

• The empire was divided into four (later five) provinces, each governed by a Kumara (prince) or an Aryaputra (member of the royal family).
• Provinces:
• Uttarapath (Northern Province) - Capital: Taxila
• Avantipath (Western Province) - Capital: Ujjain
• Dakshinapath (Southern Province) - Capital: Suvarnagiri
• Prachya (Eastern Province) - Capital: Tosali (Kalinga)
• Magadha (Central Province) - Capital: Pataliputra (directly administered)

Local Administration:

• Provinces were divided into districts (Ahara/Janapada), administered by Rajukas and Yuktas.
• Villages (Gramas) were the smallest units, headed by a Gramani.
• Cities were administered by Nagarikas, assisted by various boards (as described by Megasthenes).

Judiciary:

• Two main types of courts:
• Dharmasthiya: Civil courts, presided over by Dharmasthas (judges), dealing with disputes related to marriage, inheritance, etc.
• Kantakashodhana: Criminal courts, presided over by Pradeshtris, dealing with theft, murder, etc.

Economy:

• Agriculture: The backbone of the economy. State owned large tracts of land (Sita land) and collected a significant portion of the produce (usually 1/4th to 1/6th) as land revenue (Bhaga). Irrigation was managed by the state.
• Trade and Commerce: Both internal and external trade flourished. Important trade routes connected Pataliputra with Taxila and other regions. Guilds (Shrenis) played a vital role.
• Coinage: Punch-marked coins (Karshapana) made of silver and copper were in circulation.
• Crafts: Weaving, pottery, carpentry, metallurgy were important crafts.

The Mauryan period witnessed significant advancements in art and architecture, particularly under Ashoka, characterized by monumental stone structures.

Mauryan Art and Architecture:

• Palaces: Megasthenes described the Mauryan palace at Pataliputra as grand and magnificent, rivaling the palaces of Persia. It was largely made of wood.
• Pillars: Ashokan pillars are the most striking examples of Mauryan art.
• Monolithic (carved from a single block of stone), highly polished, usually made of Chunar sandstone.
• Topped with animal capitals (e.g., Lion Capital at Sarnath, Bull Capital at Rampurva).
• Inscribed with Ashoka's edicts. The Lion Capital of Sarnath is India's national emblem.
• Stupas: Ashoka is credited with building numerous stupas (mound-like structures containing Buddhist relics). The Great Stupa at Sanchi (though enlarged later) and Bharhut Stupa are notable examples.
• Caves: Rock-cut caves, primarily for Ajivika monks, such as the Barabar Caves (Lomas Rishi Cave, Sudama Cave) near Gaya, are early examples of Indian rock-cut architecture.
• Pottery: Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) was a distinctive type of pottery associated with the Mauryan period.

Decline of the Mauryan Empire:

The Mauryan Empire began to decline rapidly after Ashoka's death in 232 BCE.

• Weak Successors: Ashoka's successors were generally weak and unable to maintain the vast empire.
• Financial Strain: The vast administration, large army, and Ashoka's extensive public works and Dhamma propagation efforts might have put a strain on the imperial treasury.
• Brahmanical Reaction: Ashoka's policy of non-violence and prohibition of animal sacrifices, along with his patronage of Buddhism, might have alienated the orthodox Brahmanical class.
• Administrative Over-centralization: The highly centralized administration might have become difficult to manage for weaker rulers, leading to revolts in distant provinces.
• Neglect of Northwest Frontier: The Mauryans might have neglected the defense of the northwest frontier, leading to incursions by foreign powers.
• Last Ruler: The last Mauryan emperor was Brihadratha, who was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, in 185 BCE. Pushyamitra then founded the Shunga dynasty, marking the end of the Mauryan Empire.