introduction historical sources – ‘indika’ by megasthenes and ‘arthashastra’ by chanakya...
TRANSCRIPT
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Introduction
Historical sources – ‘Indika’ by Megasthenes and
‘Arthashastra’ by Chanakya and rock and pillar edicts of Ashoka
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321BCE – ascended the
throne by defeating Dhana Nanda
Successful because of the guidance and training given by Chanakya
305BCE – Chandragupta defeated Seleucus and conquered north – western India (between Asia Minor and Indus)
Chandragupta Maurya
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Seleucus – Chandragupta Treaty –
Seleucus gave Eastern Afganistan, Baluchistan and areas west to Indus. Also gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to Chandragupta. He sent Megasthenes to Chandragupta as ambassador and in return got 500 war elephants.
Chandragupta built the first great empire in Indian history.
Empire – Hindu Kush (north – west to Bengal in the east); from the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada in the south. Kalinga was independent.
Chandragupta Maurya
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Chandragupta
Maurya’s son Ruled for 25 years Extended Mauryan
Empire to Mysore Succeeded by his son
Ashoka
Bindusara
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273BCE – Ascended the throne 261BCE – Got the powerful kingdom of Kalinga under
his control. Kalinga was known to control the land and sea routes to South India and South – East Asia.
Kalinga War – turning point in Ashoka’s life – gave up violence and he embraced Buddhism.Fom ‘dig vijaya’ (conquest of territories) he moved on to ‘dhamma vijaya’ (conquest through dharma)
Ashoka
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Ashoka’s vast empire
Himalayas – northMysore – SouthHindu Kush in North – WestBrahmaputra – EastKabul, Kandahar,HeratParts of Nepal and Kashmir
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dhamma = dharma (religious duty) Inspired by human values, code of
conduct based on the teachings of Buddha
entire life - spread his dhamma Principles of his dhamma – 1. people – peace, harmony 2. ahimsa, non – violence, non –
injury to living creatures 3. love, tolerance and respect
towards other religions 4. children – obey elders, elders –
sense of understanding 5. truthful, charitable, kind to all
even servants and slaves
Ashoka’s Dhamma
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followed it strictly himself – set an example for others
visited places related to Buddha’s life like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath
funded construction of Buddhist monasteries sent Buddhist scholars to spread Buddhism sent son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra
to Sri Lanka special officers ‘Dhammamahamatras’ engraved in Prakrit on rocks, pillars and caves
– people can read and follow them organized third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra
discuss ways to propogate Buddhism
Propagation of Dhamma
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important historical
source comprise of royal
commands or proclamations
inscribed on rocks, polished stone pillars and caves
composed in Prakrit and written in Brahmi script
north – west – written in Greek, Kharoshthi and Aramaic
Ashokan Edicts
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Ashoka – one of the greatest kings in
Indian history Believed that king is like a father to his
subjects Prosperity, happiness and welfare of
subjects – given importance ‘mahamatras’ – administrative officers Good roads, shady trees on both sides Wells, rest houses for weary travellers Health centres – men, animals Officials – tour among subjects to solve
people’s problems First monarch to give up violence –
universal brotherhood , tolerance
Ideals of Kingship
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King – supreme power Council of Ministers – ‘Mantri Parishad’ Departments – treasury, industry, revenue,
security Official supervises each department. Division of empire – provinces – controlled by
princes of the royal family – ‘kumaras’ – ‘viceroys’ or representatives of the King
Provinces further divided into districts. Districts divided into many nagaras (towns) and gramas (villages)
Every level ruled by an official.
Mauryan Administration
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Capital city of Mauryan empire Administration – role model for administration of cities Six Committees of five members each Each Committee in charge of a particular department
like industries, regulation of births, deaths, care of foreigners, trade and commerce.
These 30 members – supervised health, sanitation, education related problems.
Elaborate spy system Well equipped army, infantry, cavalry, elephants,
chariots, navy Department to look after production of weapons. Army always alert and ready.
Pataliputra
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Magnificent walled city Many gates, watch – towers Well connected King’s palace – large, made of stone
Pataliputra
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Age of cultural brilliance Numerous stupas, monolithic pillars (edicts of
Ashoka), caves and sculpted figures – highly polished Eg – Sarnath pillar
Influenced by Buddhism Ashoka got 84,000 stupas built. Stupas – strong, semicircular, dome – like
structures, made of stones, bricks Relics of Buddha – his hair, tooth – kept at the base
of stupa Eg – stupa at Sanchi Built prayer halls, monastries (viharas)
Mauryan Art
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Lion capital Four lions sitting back to back on a circular base
– carved from a single piece of stone Base decorated – sculptures of four animals –
separated by four wheels (dharma chakras) 1950 – Lion capital adopted as national emblem
of India – currency notes Wheel – motion, progress – national flag of India
Pillar at Sarnath
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Peace, stability – growth of economy Main occupation – agriculture – farmers encouraged
to cultivate on a large scale – irrigation facilities provided to them
Land revenue from farmers – chief source of income for King
Mining, forestry, carpentry, pottery, masonry, trade and commercial activities
Inland and overseas trade – Sri Lanka, Egypt, Greece Taxes collected from mines, forests, other
professionals. Taxes used for paying salaries to officers, maintain
army, build roads, hospitals.
Mauryan Economy
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232BCE – Ashoka’s death Ashoka’s successors – weak, inefficient Vast empire – difficult to control No strong central authority – Viceroys became
independent Expenses increased – maintain army, elaborate
administrative system Last ruler Brihadratha killed by Pushyamitra
Sunga (founder of Sunga Dynasty)
Decline of Mauryan Empire
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