The Maurya Empire: A Detailed Study

Shunga Dynasty (184 BCE – 75 BCE): A Detailed Explanation
The Maurya Empire: A Detailed Study

The Maurya Empire: A Detailed Study

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The Maurya Empire was the first major empire in ancient India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE. He was born in 345 BCE and rose to power by overthrowing the last Nanda ruler, Dhanananda. The empire played a significant role in unifying most of the Indian subcontinent for the first time under a centralized administration.

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  • Chandragupta Maurya was born in a humble family, often referred to as Vrishala or low-born in the Sanskrit drama Mudrarakshasa, written by Vishakhadatta.
  • His rise to power was supported and strategized by the Brahmin scholar Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta), a master of statecraft and author of the political treatise Arthashastra.
  • With Chanakya’s guidance, Chandragupta defeated Dhanananda and established his rule over Magadha, beginning the Maurya dynasty around 322 BCE.

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Greek Contacts and the War with Seleucus

After Alexander the Great’s death, his general Seleucus I Nicator tried to reassert Greek control over northwestern India. However, he was defeated by Chandragupta in 305 BCE.

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  • Following his defeat, Seleucus signed a treaty with Chandragupta.
  • Under the treaty, Chandragupta received territories such as Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Makran, which were part of the eastern Persian provinces.
  • As part of this agreement, Seleucus gave his daughter (commonly referred to as Cornelia in some Greek sources, although Indian texts do not confirm her name) in marriage to Chandragupta, establishing a diplomatic alliance.
  • In return, Chandragupta gifted 500 war elephants to Seleucus, a gesture that greatly helped the latter in his battles in the West, as noted by the Greek historian Plutarch.

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  • Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus to Chandragupta’s court.
  • He stayed in Pataliputra (modern-day Patna), the Mauryan capital, and wrote a famous book called Indica, which provides valuable information about Indian society, governance, and geography during the Mauryan period.

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  • The king appeared in public with a grand procession, riding in a golden palanquin, guarded by armed women and soldiers on elephants adorned with gold and silver.
  • The emperor’s food was always tested for safety before consumption.
  • For security reasons, the king never slept in the same room two nights in a row.
  • The capital Pataliputra had a large fortified wall with 570 towers and 64 gates.
  • Buildings were often made of wood and unbaked bricks; the royal palace was also made of wood and richly decorated with stone carvings.
  • The palace was surrounded by gardens and areas for birds, reflecting the aesthetic sense of Mauryan architecture.

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  • Towards the end of his reign, Chandragupta Maurya accepted Jainism under the guidance of Jain monk Bhadrabahu.
  • A severe famine in Magadha led Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta, along with other Jain monks, to migrate to Shravanabelagola in present-day Karnataka.
  • There, Chandragupta adopted the Jain practice of Sallekhana (fasting unto death) and died in 298 BCE through voluntary starvation, as per Jain tradition.
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Other Greek Sources on Chandragupta Maurya

  • The historian Justin referred to Chandragupta as Sandrocottus, a name that was identified with him by the British scholar Sir William Jones in the 18th century.
  • Another Greek writer, Appian, also mentioned the war between Chandragupta and Seleucus.

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  • He unified most of India under a single rule for the first time.
  • Laid the foundation for a strong centralized administration.
  • Established diplomatic relations with Hellenistic kingdoms.
  • Promoted economic and military expansion.
  • Shifted from political ambition to spiritual renunciation, setting a powerful example in Indian history.

Chandragupta Maurya’s life is a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to the throne of one of the greatest empires in Indian history. His collaboration with Chanakya changed the political landscape of ancient India. His later embrace of Jainism and renunciation of worldly life reflect the deep influence of religion and philosophy on Indian rulers. The legacy of the Maurya Empire, especially under Chandragupta, paved the way for a golden age under his grandson, Ashoka the Great.


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Bindusara: The Second Mauryan Emperor

After the death of Chandragupta Maurya in 298 BCE, his son Bindusara ascended the throne of the Maurya Empire. He ruled from 298 BCE to approximately 273 BCE. His reign marked a period of consolidation and internal governance, acting as a bridge between the expansive rule of Chandragupta and the globally known rule of Ashoka.

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  • Bindusara was known by various names in different sources:
  • Amitraghata” (also spelled Amitraghata): This is a Sanskrit title meaning “Destroyer of enemies”. This name reflects his military strength and strategic control over rival territories.
  • Bhadrasara” or “Varisara“: These names are mentioned in the Vayu Purana, an ancient Indian text. The exact meanings are debated, but they emphasize Bindusara’s royal dignity.
  • Singhsen“: This name appears in some Jain texts, which refer to him by this royal epithet.

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  • Unlike his father Chandragupta, who became a follower of Jainism later in life, Bindusara followed the Ajivika sect.
  • The Ajivika sect was a heterodox religious movement in ancient India, believed to have been founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary of Mahavira and Buddha.
  • The Ajivikas believed in niyati (destiny)—that everything is preordained and there is no control over one’s actions.
  • Ajivikas were known for austere lifestyles, similar to other ascetic groups of the time.
  • Bindusara supported the Ajivika sect, and this influence continued under his son Ashoka, who also patronized Ajivika monks during the early part of his rule.

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  • Bindusara continued diplomatic relations established during his father’s reign with the Hellenistic world, particularly the Seleucid Empire.
  • According to the Greek geographer and historian Strabo, the Syrian king Antiochus I Soter sent an ambassador named Deimachus to Bindusara’s court.
  • Deimachus succeeded Megasthenes, who had served as the ambassador during Chandragupta’s reign.
  • These contacts show that the Mauryan Empire maintained international diplomacy and cultural exchanges, including with the Mediterranean world.

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  • According to Athenaeus, another Greek writer, Bindusara once requested Antiochus I to send:
  1. Sweet wine
  2. Dried figs
  3. A philosopher
  • Antiochus agreed to send wine and figs but politely declined to send a philosopher, saying it was not lawful to send a philosopher outside Greece.
  • This account highlights the intellectual curiosity and refined lifestyle at the Mauryan court under Bindusara.

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  • Bindusara inherited a vast empire, and his main focus was maintaining order and administration across this wide territory.
  • According to Tibetan Buddhist scholar Taranatha, Bindusara is believed to have conquered 16 states, though this claim may be symbolic rather than strictly historical.
  • His reign was relatively peaceful, but he did face rebellions in Takshashila (present-day in Pakistan), which was an important provincial capital.

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  • There were two major revolts in Takshashila during his rule.
  • To suppress the first rebellion, Bindusara sent his elder son Susima, but he failed to restore order.
  • Later, he sent his younger son Ashoka, who successfully put down the rebellion and established peace in the region.
  • This early success in governance and military leadership helped Ashoka gain prominence in the royal court and may have played a role in his eventual succession.

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  • Bindusara died around 273 BCE (some sources suggest 272 BCE).
  • After his death, a struggle for succession occurred among his sons.
  • Ultimately, Ashoka, though not the eldest son, emerged victorious, reportedly with the support of loyal ministers and after eliminating his rivals.
  • Ashoka became the next ruler of the Maurya Empire and went on to become one of the greatest emperors in Indian history.

Bindusara’s reign was a critical period of transition in the Maurya dynasty. He successfully maintained the empire built by his father, strengthened administrative systems, supported heterodox religious sects like Ajivikas, and upheld diplomatic ties with the Hellenistic world. Though not as well-known as Chandragupta or Ashoka, Bindusara played a vital role in sustaining and stabilizing one of the largest empires in Indian history, setting the stage for the golden age under Ashoka.


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Ashoka the Great: The Most Famous Mauryan Emperor

Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was one of the greatest rulers in Indian and world history. He was the third emperor of the Maurya Dynasty and the son of Bindusara. He ruled most of the Indian subcontinent from 269 BCE to 232 BCE.

Ashoka is remembered not just for expanding the Mauryan Empire but more importantly for transforming it into a moral and spiritual kingdom based on the principles of Buddhism after the destructive Kalinga War.

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  • Ashoka ascended the throne of Magadha in 269 BCE, following the death of his father Bindusara.
  • Before becoming emperor, Ashoka served as the governor of Avanti, with Ujjain (modern-day Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh) as his headquarters. This administrative experience helped shape his future rule.
  • Historical accounts suggest that Ashoka faced a struggle for succession. He reportedly defeated or killed his brothers (especially Susima) to claim the throne, although these details are mostly found in later Buddhist sources like the Divyavadana and Mahavamsa.

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  • Ashoka’s name appears as “Ashoka” in the Maski and Gujarra inscriptions, which helped identify him with the ruler mentioned in ancient Buddhist texts.
  • In Puranic literature, he is referred to as “Ashokavardhana“.
  • His full title, found in inscriptions, is often “Devanampriya Priyadarshi“, which means “Beloved of the Gods” and “He who looks with affection“.
  • These titles highlight his religious and moral approach to kingship after converting to Buddhism.

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  • In the 8th year of his coronation, around 261 BCE, Ashoka launched a military campaign against Kalinga, a prosperous region located in modern-day Odisha.
  • The war was extremely violent and bloody, resulting in massive destruction and loss of life.
  • According to Ashoka’s 13th Rock Edict, over 100,000 people were killed, 150,000 were taken as prisoners, and many more suffered.
  • The horrors of this war deeply affected Ashoka, leading him to renounce further violence and adopt Dhamma (a moral code based on compassion, truth, and non-violence).
  • Ashoka’s transformation after the war is one of the most remarkable events in Indian history.

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  • After the Kalinga war, Ashoka embraced Buddhism.
  • He was influenced by the teachings of a Buddhist monk named Upagupta (sometimes written as Upa Gupta), who helped guide him in spiritual matters.
  • Ashoka became a strong patron of Buddhism and made efforts to spread its values throughout his empire and even beyond.

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Religious and Cultural Contributions

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  • Although Ashoka became a follower of Buddhism, he was tolerant of other religious sects.
  • He built four caves in the Barabar Hills (in Bihar) for the Ajivikas, a religious sect that his father Bindusara also supported.
  • The names of these caves are Karan Chaupar (Karz), Sudama, Vishvakarma (Vishva Jhopdi), and Lomas Rishi.
  • These caves are among the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India.
  • Ashoka’s grandson Dasharatha later donated another cave at Nagarjuna Hill to the Ajivikas.

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  • Ashoka’s mother was Subhadrangi, who is sometimes identified in Buddhist texts as a woman of Brahmin origin.
  • He had several wives, but his chief queen was Asandhimitra.
  • To spread Buddhism, Ashoka sent his son Mahendra (Mahinda) and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka.
  • Mahendra became a Buddhist monk, and Sanghamitra became a nun.
  • They successfully converted King Devanampiya Tissa of Sri Lanka and helped establish Theravāda Buddhism there.
  • A branch of the Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya was also taken to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitra, where it is still venerated today.

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  • Ashoka was the first Indian ruler to issue official inscriptions to communicate directly with his subjects.
  • These inscriptions were carved on rocks, pillars, and cave walls across the Indian subcontinent.
  • The scripts used in his inscriptions were:
  1. Brahmi – Found in most parts of India (deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837 CE).
  2. Kharosthi – Found in the northwest regions (modern-day Pakistan).
  3. Greek and Aramaic – Found in Afghanistan, indicating his rule or influence in those regions and his outreach to Greek-speaking subjects.
  • These inscriptions were written in the Prakrit language, which was more commonly understood by the people than Sanskrit.

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Ashoka’s inscriptions are classified into three main types:

  1. Rock Edicts – Carved on natural rock surfaces (14 major ones and many minor).
  2. Pillar Edicts – Carved on freestanding stone pillars.
  3. Cave Inscriptions – Found in Barabar and Nagarjuna Hills.

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  • The first known discovery of Ashokan inscriptions was by a traveler named Father Tieffenthaler (wrongly spelled as “Pabreti Fenthaler” in earlier sources) in the 1750s.
  • However, these inscriptions remained undeciphered for decades.
  • In 1837 CE, James Prinsep, a British scholar, successfully deciphered the Brahmi script, thereby identifying Ashoka as the author of the inscriptions.

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  • Ashoka maintained diplomatic contacts with the Hellenistic world.
  • According to Pliny the Elder, the Egyptian king Ptolemy II Philadelphus sent an ambassador named Dionysius to Ashoka’s court in Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
  • Ashoka also mentioned friendly contacts with kings of:
  1. Egypt
  2. Syria
  3. Macedonia
  4. Cyrene
  5. And even South Indian kingdoms
  • These relations show that India under Ashoka was an active part of international diplomacy.

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  • Ashoka died around 232 BCE.
  • After his death, the Mauryan Empire began to decline gradually.
  • He is remembered as a ruler who shifted from conquest through war to conquest through Dhamma (moral governance).
  • Ashoka’s model of ethical and welfare-oriented kingship deeply influenced later Indian rulers, Buddhist countries, and even modern Indian identity.

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  • The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath was adopted as the National Emblem of India.
  • The Ashoka Chakra (wheel of law) is placed at the center of the Indian national flag, symbolizing righteousness, justice, and progress.

Ashoka’s reign was a turning point in Indian history. He not only expanded the Mauryan Empire but also redefined kingship based on ethics, peace, and compassion. Through his inscriptions, social welfare policies, and global Buddhist missions, he laid the foundation for India’s spiritual and cultural identity that resonates even today. His legacy is a unique blend of power and humility, warfare and peace, imperialism and spiritualism.

Maurya Empire


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