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Foundation of Mauryan Empire

Foundation of Mauryan Empire

Section titled “Foundation of Mauryan Empire”

2020-04-20 00:10 :09

Foundation of the Mauryan Empire

Section titled “Foundation of the Mauryan Empire”
  • Maurya empire built on foundations laid by the Nandas.
  • first 3 rulers were Chandragupta (324/321-297 BCE), Bindusara (297-273BCE), and Ashoka.

Origin Theory of Mauryas

Section titled “Origin Theory of Mauryas”
  • Some say Chandragupta was son of a low born from a woman called ‘Mura’ thus the name Maurya. This link with Nanda king is not followed by other classical sources.
  • Buddhist say that he was member of Moriya clan of Pipphalivana linking them to the Sakyas.
  • Puranas called Mauryas as Shudras, also say that Chanakya had put Chandragupta on the throne. Puranas looked down upon Magadhans because they were Heterodoxical.

Sources and Details of Chandragupta Maurya Rule

Section titled “Sources and Details of Chandragupta Maurya Rule”
  • Buddhist texts such as the Digha Nikaya, Mahavamsa, and Divyavadana mentions them as Moriyas.
  • Various other texts mentioning them : Parishishtaparvan, Mudrarakshasa and medieval writings of Kshemendra and Somadeva.
  • Chandragupta may have first established himself in Punjab region and then moved eastwards.
  • Conflict with Nandas has been mentioned in Milindpanha Mudrarakshasa, Mahavamshatika, and Parishishtaparvan.
  • Inscription at Junagadh of Rudraman is the only definite inscriptional reference
  • writings of Mamulanar in his poem Akananuru refers to the larger army of Chandragupta
  • Later inscriptions of Jainas such as those at Shravana Belagola have the word Chandra as their suffix
  • Writings of foreign authors like Plutarch and Justin suggests Chandragupta to have over ran India and that he was the chief architect of the Mauryan Empire

D.D. Kosambi argued that Alexanders Invasion “hastened the Mauryan conquest of the whole country.”

  • Alexanders invasion caused a vacuum in North West, governors there either assasinated or retreated making it easy for Chandragupta.
  • Seleceus Nikator gave Chandragupta in lieu of 500 elephants eastern Afghanistan Baluchistan and the area west of the Indus.
    • Marriage alliance was also concluded.
    • He sent his ambassador Megasthenes.
    • Megasthenes was the ambassador of Seleuceus Nikator in the court of Chandragupta Maurya and wrote the book [[7.1 Sources from 200BC-300AD#Megasthenes’ Indica |Indica]].
    • The book does not survice. Later writers that have quotes his writings are Pliny the elder, Strabo and Arrian. ? #issue
  • Conquest and subjugation of Saurashtra/ Kathiawar mentioned in Junagadh Rock inscription of Rudraman
    • Pushyagupta the governor of Chandragupta constructed the Sudarshana lake.
  • Tamil writers of the Sangam text mention Moriyar

Bindusara

Section titled “Bindusara”
  • Bindusara succeeded Chandragupta
  • Mahabhasya refers to him as Amitraghata and Greek accounts as Amitrochates or Dionysius
  • Bindusara is called as Amitrochates by classical sources.
    • In his reign that Mauryan control of the Deccan and Mysore was concluded
    • followed Ajivika sect
  • Magadha : triumph of monarchial form of political organisation over other forms such ex gana-sangha
  • Deimachos was a greek ambassador at his court.

Polity

Section titled “Polity”
  • Mauryas was centralized bureaucratic empire. Established through the military and other exploits of individuals
  • unified centralized - decision making is monopolized often replacing earlier traditional/local authorities
  • Geo political factors shape their activities
  • Administration was expected to work for exploitative purposes.
  • High degree of inequality in society
  • Idea of an emperor was expressed through the Sanskrit term Chakravarti and the his sphere of rule was a Chakravartin Kshetra as mentioned in Arthashastra.
  • mentions the 7 limbs or angas which made a rashtra (FATAL EK prem katha). They are : ^8f5046
    • King
    • ministers (mantri)
    • ally,(mitra)
    • taxes (kara)
    • army (sena)
    • fort (durga)
    • land or territory (desh)
    • enemy (shatru)

Causes of Success of Mauryan Empire

Section titled “Causes of Success of Mauryan Empire”
  • #todo
  • State formation in India had been slow. Mauryan hinterlands did not have agressive shiefs and princes looking to fight M imperialists. M infact indirectly initiated state formation in such areas.
  • Iron from the chotanagpur areas helped create a greater agriculture surplus.
  • Large Standing army and Civil services
  • Administrative structure
  • Alexanders Invasion hastened decline of Nandas caused a vacuum that was filled by CM
  • Religio-Cultural uniformity created by Ashoka. Per Romila Thapar this was to make administration of fringe areas easy and also to make people conform to the ideals of state.

PYQs

Section titled “PYQs”
  1. Determine the extent of the Mauryan empire. [2005, 60m]
  1. Do you agree with the popular view that Mauryas established a unitary and highly centralized if not monolithic state system? [2018, 20 Marks]
  1. Analyse the causes of the success of the Magadhan imperialism upto the reign of Ashoka the Great. [2001, 60m]

The success of the Magadhan imperialism during the reign of Ashoka the Great was the result of a number of factors, including the following:

  1. Strong centralization: The Mauryan Empire was highly centralized, with a strong and efficient administrative system. This allowed the empire to effectively control its vast territory and maintain stability and security throughout the realm.

  2. Military power: The Mauryan army was well-organized, well-equipped, and efficient, and it played a key role in maintaining the stability and security of the empire. The army was made up of both infantry and cavalry units, and it was equipped with advanced weapons and tactics.

  3. Economic prosperity: The Mauryan Empire was a hub of economic activity, with a thriving trade system that facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between different parts of the empire and beyond. The empire was also rich in natural resources, including precious minerals, fertile farmland, and abundant forests.

  4. Cultural diversity: The Mauryan Empire was home to a diverse and thriving population, and its capital city, Pataliputra, was a center of learning and scholarship. The empire’s culture was shaped by a number of different influences, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, among others.

  5. Diplomacy and conquest: The Mauryan rulers were skilled diplomats, and they were able to forge alliances and secure peace treaties with neighboring states and kingdoms. At the same time, they were also successful in military conquest, and they were able to expand the empire through strategic campaigns and territorial gains.

  6. Administration and governance: The Mauryan administration was efficient and well-organized, and it was able to maintain law and order throughout the empire. The empire was divided into provinces, which were further divided into smaller administrative units, and the king was advised by a council of ministers who helped to govern the empire.

  7. Legacy of the Nanda dynasty: The Mauryan Empire was preceded by the Nanda dynasty, which had already established a strong and centralized empire in the region. The Mauryans were able to build on this legacy and continue the process of centralization and expansion.

Magadhan imperialism theory was put forward by Indian historians such as Radha Kumud Mookerji who started the concept and later expanded upon by D. D. Kosambi, and R. C. Majumdar.

Some scholars argue that the Mauryan Empire should not be considered an empire in the traditional sense, as it was not based on territorial conquest but rather on a system of alliances and treaties.