Essential Mauryan Empire History Notes: Perfect for 2025 BPSC & Civil Services Prep
History of Bihar-3
Here is a detailed explanation of the Mauryan Rule, focusing on Pataliputra as the capital and Ashoka’s role in spreading Buddhism across the world:
Mauryan Empire (321 BCE – 185 BCE)
The Mauryan Empire was the first and one of the largest empires in ancient India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya with its capital at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna, Bihar). It reached its zenith under Emperor Ashoka, who later became instrumental in the global spread of Buddhism.
Pataliputra as Capital
Geographical Importance:
- Located at the confluence of the Ganga, Son, and Gandak rivers.
- Natural defenses and fertile plains made it ideal for administration and military operations.
Political & Administrative Center:
- Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador, described Pataliputra as a large and well-planned city in his work Indica.
- Fortified city with wooden palisades, 570 towers, 64 gates.
- Central seat of governance during Chandragupta, Bindusara, and Ashoka’s reigns.
Cultural & Intellectual Hub:
- Flourishing center of learning, art, and philosophy.
- Attracted scholars, monks, and foreign dignitaries.
Ashoka the Great (r. c. 268–232 BCE)
Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, is remembered not just for expanding the empire but for transforming it ethically and spiritually.
Kalinga War & Transformation:
- The Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE) was a turning point.
- Witnessing mass death and suffering, Ashoka renounced violence and adopted Buddhism.
Dhamma (धम्म):
- Ashoka’s concept of Dhamma (based on Buddhist principles) emphasized:
- Respect for all life
- Tolerance of different religions
- Welfare of people and animals
- Justice and non-violence
- He appointed Dhamma Mahamatras (officers of morality) to promote ethical governance.
Edicts of Ashoka:
- Issued in Prakrit using Brahmi script, inscribed on pillars, rocks, and caves across the empire.
- Spread the message of peace, compassion, and righteousness.
Global Spread of Buddhism
Ashoka played a pivotal role in making Buddhism a world religion:
Missions and Diplomacy:
- Sent Buddhist emissaries and monks to distant lands:
- Sri Lanka (his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta)
- Central Asia, Greece, Egypt, and Southeast Asia
- Established diplomatic ties with Hellenistic kingdoms after Alexander’s era (e.g., Syria, Macedonia).
Buddhist Monasteries & Councils:
- Supported Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra, under Moggaliputta Tissa.
- Encouraged construction of stupas, viharas, and chaityas.
Legacy of Mauryan Rule:
- Unified Indian subcontinent under a centralized administration.
- Pioneered governance based on ethics and welfare, not just power.
- Ashoka’s lion capital at Sarnath became India’s national emblem.
- Laid the foundation for India’s Buddhist heritage which spread throughout Asia.
| Period: 321 BCE- 185 BCE | Capital: Patliputra |
| Chandragupta Maurya (321 BCE-297 BCE) | – Parishishtaparvan, written by Hemachandra, identifies Chandragupta as the grandson of the chief of the peacock tamers clan (mayura-poshakas). – He was the chief architect of the Mauryan empire and built a vast empire, which included Bihar, Nepal, western and north-western India, and the Deccan. – War with Seleucus: The Mauryans annexed several areas in the Hindu Kush region in 305 BC. These regions were governed by satraps (governors) appointed by Alexander during his campaign. This move prompted Seleucus to campaign against Chandragupta to secure the eastern border of his empire. – Treaty with Seleucus Nicator (303 BCE): According to the terms of this treaty, Seleucus ceded Chandragupta the territories of Arachosia (the Kandahar area of south-east Afghanistan), Gedrosia (south Baluchistan), and Paropomisadai (area between Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent). Alongside the treaty, the general rights of intermarriage between the Greeks and the Indians were also acknowledged. – Greek historians Megasthenes and Dionysius resided at the Mauryan court. – Religion: Chandragupta gave up his throne and became a disciple of Jain teacher Bhadrabahu. |
| Bindusara (297 BCE-273 BCE) | – The Mahabhashya refers to Chandragupta’s successor as Amitraghata (a slayer of enemies). He is also referred to as “Amitrochates” in Greek sources. – Conquest: He brought sixteen states under the Mauryan Empire and thus conquered almost all of the Indian peninsula. He conquered ‘the land between the two seas’, i.e., the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. He continued the empire’s expansion well into the Deccan, stopping around the region of Karnataka. – Deimachus was the Seleucid emperor Antiochus I’s ambassador at Bindusara’s court. – Religion: He joined the Ajivika sect. |
| Ashoka (272 BCE –232 BCE) | – During his father’s reign, he was appointed as the Viceroy of Taxila and Ujjain. – He was the first ruler to maintain direct contact with his people through his inscriptions. – Names of Ashoka: Buddhashakya and Ashoka (in the Maski Edict), Dharmasoka (Sarnath inscription), Devanampiya (meaning beloved of the gods), and Piyadassi (given in the Sri Lankan Buddhist chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa). – Kalinga War: Fought between Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. Reason for invading Kalinga: Kalinga was a glorious and prosperous region that valued freedom and was talented in the arts. Kalinga had some important ports as well as a strong navy. After witnessing so much loss of life during the war, Ashoka abandoned violence and established peace and harmony in his kingdom. – Religion: Proponent of Buddhism; Organised 3rd Buddhist Council at Pataliputra. – Dhamma: The word ‘Dhamma’ is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word ‘Dharma’. The Ashokan edicts were written primarily to explain to the people throughout the empire the principles of Dhamma. Ashoka’s dhamma was not a specific religious belief or practice. |
| Dasharatha (232 BCE – 224 BCE) | – He was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty to have issued imperial inscriptions. – Several territories of the empire broke away during his reign. – Religion: Continued the religious and social practices of Ashoka. |
| Samprati (224 BCE – 215 BCE) | – Samprati ruled both from Pataliputra and Ujjain, according to the Jain text Parisistaparvan. – He reconquered the provinces of Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Andhra, and Mysore, which were disintegrated after Ashoka’s death. – Contributions to Jainism: He is regarded for his patronage and efforts to spread Jainism in East India. He made it possible for monks to travel to barbarian lands. He was a disciple of Suhastisuriji. Samprati was mentioned in the Kalpa-sutra-bhashya as making Andhra, Dravida, Maharashtra, and Coorg safe for Jain monks. |
| Shalishuka (215 BCE – 202 BCE) | – He was mentioned in the Gargi Samhita’s Yuga Purana section as a quarrelsome, unrighteous ruler |
| Devavarman (202 BCE- 195 BCE) | – According to the Puranas, he was Shalishuka’s successor and reigned for seven years. |
| Shatadhanvan (195 BCE – 187 BCE) | – According to Puranas, Shatadhanvan succeeded Devavarman Maurya. – The empire lost some of its territories because of invasions from outside and neighbouring kingdoms during his reign |
| Brihadratha (187 BCE – 185 BCE) | – Brihadratha was the last Mauryan emperor. – According to some sources, he was assassinated by his Brahman commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, who went on to establish the Shunga Empire. |