Ch 08 – Mauryan Empire | Exam Fusion Prep

Founded: 322 BCE

Founder: Chandragupta Maurya

Ended: 185 BCE

Chanakya's book: Arthashastra

Chandragupta Maurya (322–298 BCE)

Founder of Mauryan Empire

Establishment: Defeated Dhana Nanda · Occupied Pataliputra 322 BCE with Chanakya's help
Greek Identity: Identified as Sandrokottos by British scholar William Jones
Army: Pan-Indian Empire · Army of 6,00,000 (Greek writer Justin)

Treaty with Seleucus Nicator

Territory Acquired

E. Afghanistan, Baluchistan, West of Sindh

Marriage

Helena

Daughter of Seleucus Nicator

Gift to Seleucus

500 Elephants

Ambassador Sent

Megasthenes

Greek ambassador to Mauryan court

Later Life

Accepted Jainism under Jain monk Bhadrabahu
Migrated to Shravanabelagola · Performed Sallekhana
Play Mudrarakshasa (by Vishakhadatta) describes his rise

Bindusara (298–272 BCE)

Son of Chandragupta

Greek Title: Amitrochates / Amitraghata — "Slayer of enemies"
Religion: Patron of Ajivika sect
Administration: Council of 500 ministers · Chief Minister: Khalatanka
Revolts in Takshashila (Divyavadana): 1st revolt → sent Ashoka · 2nd revolt → sent Sushima

Foreign Ambassadors in Bindusara's Court

Sent By	Kingdom	Ambassador
Antiochus I	Syria	Daimachus
Ptolemy Philadelphus	Egypt	Dionysius

Ashoka (273–232 BCE)

Greatest Mauryan ruler

Accession: 273 BCE · Coronation: 269 BCE (4-year struggle among brothers)
First Indian king to directly address public through inscriptions
Standard Script: Brahmi · Standard Language: Prakrit
Kalinga War: 261 BCE (8 years after coronation)
Inscriptions read by: James Prinsep
Compiled by: Alexander Cunningham (published 1877)

📚 Literary Evidence — Indian Texts ▼

Text	Author / Tradition	Key Details
Arthashastra	Kautilya / Chanakya	Statecraft & Administration
Mudrarakshasa	Vishakhadatta	Chandragupta's rise to power
Akananuru & Purananuru	Tamil Sangam Texts	Chandragupta's conquest of South India
Buddhist Texts	Divyavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa	Mauryan lineage & Ashoka's Buddhism
Jain Texts	Kalpasutra, Parishishta Parvan (Hemachandra)	Jain connections
Kathasaritsagara	Somadeva	Later legends

🌍 Foreign Accounts & Archaeological Evidence ▼

Indica by Megasthenes — Urban administration of Pataliputra
Classical Greek writers: Nearchus, Strabo, Plutarch
Ashokan Inscriptions (first read by James Prinsep)
Junagadh Inscription of Rudradaman — Sudarshan Lake
NBPW: Northern Black Polished Ware
Silver punch-marked coins · Stupas · Rock-cut caves

⚔ Kalinga War (261 BCE) & Dhamma Policy ▼

Year

261 BCE

8 years after coronation

Toll

1 lakh killed · 1.5 lakh prisoners

Result

Bherighosha → Dhammaghosha

War-drum replaced by Dhamma

Renounced physical conquest → Cultural conquest (Dhamma)
Sent son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka
Appointed Dhamma Mahamatras (special officers)
13th Major Rock Edict: Mentions 5 Yavana (Greek) kings — sent Dhamma preachers
3rd Buddhist Council: 250 BCE at Pataliputra · Chairman: Moggalliputta Tissa · Compiled Abhidhamma Pitaka

🪨 Inscription Categories 5 Types · Total Pillar Edicts: 14 · Major Rock Edicts: 14 ▼

Major Rock Edicts

Minor Rock Edicts

Major Pillar Edicts

Minor Pillar Edicts

Maski Minor Rock Edict: Mentions name "Ashoka" + "Buddha Shakya"
Bhabru / Bairat Edict: Name "Piyadasi"
Nettur / Udegolam + Gujjara: Also mention name "Ashoka"

📋 14 Major Rock Edicts — Messages ▼

Edict I

Condemnation of animal sacrifice & festive gatherings

Edict II

Treatment of humans & animals · Mentions Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra, Keralaputras

Edict III

Orders to ministers (Yuktas, Rajjukas, provincial officers) to conduct tours every 5 years

Edict IV

Declaration of Dhammaghosha instead of Bherighosha

Edict V

Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras / Mahamattas

Edict VI

Mention of reporters (Prativedakas)

Edict VII

Declaration of tolerance toward all religious sects

Edict VIII

Emperor's pilgrimages · Visit to Bodhi Tree

Edict IX

Criticism of various ceremonies

Edict X

Condemnation of fame & glory · Superiority of Dhamma policy

Edict XI

Explanation of Dhamma policy

Edict XII

Religious harmony (Sarva Dharma Samabhava) · Mahamatras for women's welfare

Edict XIII ⭐ Most Detailed

Kalinga War description · Neighbouring states · Atavika tribes · Dhamma Diplomacy with Greek rulers & South Indian dynasties

Edict XIV

Inspired people to lead a moral/religious life

Key Edict Locations

Edict Type	Location	State
Major Pillar	Allahabad, Lauriya-Nandangarh, Rampurva	UP / Bihar
Major Pillar (relocated)	Topra-Delhi, Meerut-Delhi	Haryana → Delhi
Minor Pillar	Allahabad-Kaushambi, Sanchi, Sarnath	UP / MP
Minor Pillar (Nepal)	Rummindei, Nigali Sagar	Nepal
Minor Rock (Ashoka named)	Maski, Gujjara, Nettur/Udegolam	Karnataka / MP

🏛 Central Administration ▼

King: Called Dharmapravartaka (Operator of Social Order) — Kautilya
18 Tirthas: Highest departments/officials (Arthashastra)
Salary: 48,000 Panas for top officers
Top 4 Officers: Mantri (Minister), Purohita (Priest), Senapati (Commander-in-chief), Yuvaraja (Crown Prince)
Spies: Gudhapurushas — roamed to supervise officers
Sannidhata: Chief Treasurer
Samaharta: Chief Tax Collector / Revenue General

5 Major Provinces

Uttarapatha

Capital: Taxila

Dakshinapatha

Capital: Suvarnagiri

Avanti / Avantiratha

Capital: Ujjain

Prachi / Prachyapatha

Capital: Pataliputra

Kalinga

Capital: Tosali

⚖ Kautilya's Saptanga Theory — 7 Elements of State ▼

Swami

The King

Amatya

Minister / Secretary

Janapada

Territory / Population

Durga

The Fort

Kosha

The Treasury

Danda

Army / Force

Mitra

Friend / Ally

⚖ Judicial Administration & Adhyakshas ▼

Courts

Court	Name	Officer
Criminal Court	Kantaka Shodhana	Pradeshta
Civil Court	Dharmasthiya / Dharmasthaniya	Vyavaharika
District Judge	Rajukas
Village Records	Gopa (maintained records for 5–10 villages)

4 Sources of Law (Kautilya)

Dharma

Vyavahara

Charitra

Rajagya

Key Adhyakshas (Superintendents)

Adhyaksha	Function
Sitadhyaksha	Head of Agriculture
Sansthadhyaksha	Head of Markets (checking wrong practices)
Shulkadhyaksha	Chief of Customs / Tolls
Navadhyaksha	Superintendent of Ships / Navy
Ashwadhyaksha	Officer of Cavalry Army
Akshapataladhyaksha	Chief Accountant
Nagarika	Head of City Administration
Dhamma Mahamatya	Inspector of Dhamma observance

Local Administration Hierarchy

Province → Mandal → District / Vishaya → Village (Gram)
Village Head: Gramik / Gramika | Each province under a Kumar / Aryaputra

🏙 City Administration (Pataliputra — per Indica) ▼

Nagarika: Head of city
Rajuka: District Officer
City administration: 30 members → 6 Committees → 5 members each

6 City Committees (per Megasthenes)

Committee 1

Arrangement of Navy

Committee 2

Transport & Logistics

Committee 3

Supervision of Infantry

Committee 4

Supervision of Cavalry

Committee 5

Supervision of Elephant Army

Committee 6

Supervision of Chariot Army

⚔ Military Administration ▼

Military camps: Called Gulma
Soldiers salary: Called Gulmodeya

Army Strength (per Pliny)

Foot Soldiers

6 Lakh

Cavalry

30,000

Elephants

9,000

Chariots

8,000

💰 Economic Condition ▼

Currency

Royal Currency

Pana

Silver Coins

Karshapana, Dharana

Punch-marked · Peacock, hill, crescent moon engraved

Copper Coins

Kakani, Ardhakakani

Key Economic Facts

Tax rate: 1/6th of produce
Arthashastra: 27 superintendents appointed to regulate economic activities
Port (West): Bharuch
Port (East): Tamralipti

Social Condition (per Megasthenes)

Indian Society: 7 classes — Philosophers, Farmers, Hunters & Cattle Herders, Artisans, Soldiers, Magistrates & Councillors
Women: Remarriage and Niyoga allowed
Noble women: Stayed at home — Kautilya called them Anishkasini
Megasthenes & Strabo: No slavery in India
Arthashastra: Mentions many Varnashankara (mixed caste) communities — Ambashtha, Nishada, Magadha, Suta, Vena etc.

⚠ TRAP 01 — Chandragupta's Greek Identity

Chandragupta = Sandrokottos (Greek name)
Identified by British scholar William Jones
Sandrokottos helped link Mauryan chronology to Greek records

⚠ TRAP 02 — Accession vs Coronation of Ashoka

Accession = 273 BCE (became de facto ruler)
Coronation = 269 BCE (official coronation — 4-year gap due to power struggle)
Exam mein dono alag-alag puchhe jaate hain!

⚠ TRAP 03 — Bindusara vs Ajivika

Bindusara = Patron of Ajivika sect
Greek name: Amitrochates / Amitraghata = "Slayer of enemies"
Chandragupta = Jain · Bindusara = Ajivika · Ashoka = Buddhist

⚠ TRAP 04 — 13th Rock Edict = Most Detailed

13th Major Rock Edict = Most detailed inscription
Describes: Kalinga War + Neighbouring states + Atavika tribes + Dhamma Diplomacy with Greek rulers
12th Edict = Sarva Dharma Samabhava (not 7th!)

⚠ TRAP 05 — Inscriptions Read By / Compiled By

James Prinsep = First read/deciphered Ashokan inscriptions
Alexander Cunningham = Published compilation in 1877
Dono alag hain — Prinsep = decipherer, Cunningham = compiler

⚠ TRAP 06 — Edict V vs Edict XII (Dhamma Mahamatras)

Edict V = Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras
Edict XII = Women's welfare Mahamatras + Sarva Dharma Samabhava
Dono mein Mahamatras hain — number yaad rakho!

⚠ TRAP 07 — Silver vs Copper Coins

Silver coins = Karshapana, Dharana
Copper coins = Kakani, Ardhakakani
Royal Currency = Pana
Punch-marked coins = Silver (Peacock, hill, crescent moon)

⚠ TRAP 08 — Megasthenes: Slavery in India

Megasthenes & Strabo say: "No slavery in India"
But Kautilya's Arthashastra mentions many forms of dasa/slavery!
Exam mein "Megasthenes ke anusar" puchha jaaye → No slavery

⚠ TRAP 09 — City Administration (30-6-5)

Pataliputra city administration: 30 members → 6 Committees → 5 members each
Nagarika = Head of city (NOT Rajuka — Rajuka is District Officer)

Mauryan Empire founded?

322 BCE

Defeated Dhana Nanda

Chandragupta's Greek name?

Sandrokottos

Identified by William Jones

Chandragupta's army size?

6,00,000

Per Greek writer Justin

Treaty with Seleucus — gift?

500 Elephants to Seleucus

Seleucus's ambassador to Maurya?

Megasthenes

Chandragupta married?

Helena (daughter of Seleucus)

Chandragupta's Jain guru?

Bhadrabahu

Mudrarakshasa author?

Vishakhadatta

Bindusara's Greek name?

Amitrochates / Amitraghata

Bindusara's religion?

Ajivika sect

Syria's ambassador to Bindusara?

Daimachus (Antiochus I)

Egypt's ambassador to Bindusara?

Dionysius (Ptolemy Philadelphus)

Ashoka's accession year?

273 BCE

Ashoka's coronation year?

269 BCE

4-year gap — brother conflict

Ashoka's script?

Brahmi (standard)

Kalinga War year?

261 BCE

8 years after coronation

Kalinga War toll?

1 lakh killed · 1.5 lakh prisoners

Inscriptions first deciphered by?

James Prinsep

Inscriptions published by?

Alexander Cunningham (1877)

Ashoka's name in Maski edict?

Ashoka + Buddha Shakya

Most detailed Rock Edict?

13th (Kalinga War + Dhamma)

Edict XII — main theme?

Sarva Dharma Samabhava

Edict V — main content?

Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras

Ashoka sent to Sri Lanka?

Son Mahendra + daughter Sanghamitra

3rd Buddhist Council patron?

Ashoka · 250 BCE · Pataliputra

Saptanga — 7th element?

Mitra (Friend/Ally)

King called Dharmapravartaka by?

Kautilya (Arthashastra)

Chief Treasurer?

Sannidhata

Chief Tax Collector?

Samaharta

Province of Kalinga — capital?

Tosali

Village head?

Gramik / Gramika

Head of city (Nagarika)?

City head per Megasthenes

City admin structure?

30 members · 6 Committees · 5 each

Military camp called?

Gulma

Silver coins (Mauryan)?

Karshapana, Dharana

Copper coins (Mauryan)?

Kakani, Ardhakakani

Western port of Maurya?

Bharuch

Eastern port of Maurya?

Tamralipti

Noble women called by Kautilya?

Anishkasini

Indian Society classes per Megasthenes?

7 classes