The Mauryan Empire (Pages 37–44)

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Chandragupta Maurya (Pages 37–38)
• 3. Megasthenes and the Indica (Pages 37–38)
• 4. Source 4: Megasthenes on Pataliputra
• 5. The Arthashastra (Pages 38–39)
• 6. Mauryan Administration (Pages 39–40)
• 7. The Mauryan Army
• 8. Ashoka (Pages 40–44)
• 9. Kalinga War
• 10. Major Rock Edict XIII
• 11. Ashoka’s Dhamma (Pages 41–43)
• 12. Dhamma Mahamatta
• 13. Ashokan Inscriptions (Pages 42–44)
• 14. Types of Ashokan Inscriptions
• 15. Distribution of Inscriptions
• 16. Source 6: Ashoka’s Concern for His Subjects
• 17. New Notions of Kingship (Pages 44–47)
• 18. Kushana Kings
• 19. Gupta Kings
• 20. Samantas
• 21. Prayaga Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription)

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Introduction

The establishment of the Mauryan Empire marks one of the most significant developments in ancient Indian history. It was the first empire to unite a large part of the Indian subcontinent under a centralized administration. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 321 BCE, the empire reached its greatest extent under Ashoka.

The Mauryan rulers developed an elaborate administrative system, maintained a large standing army, issued inscriptions across the empire and introduced new ideas of kingship and governance.

Chandragupta Maurya (Pages 37–38)

Founder of the Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire was founded by:

Chandragupta Maurya

around 321 BCE after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.

He is regarded as one of the greatest empire-builders in Indian history.

(Page 37)

Chanakya (Kautilya)

According to later traditions,

Chandragupta received guidance from:

Chanakya (Kautilya)

who is traditionally regarded as the author of the:

Arthashastra

Although historians debate whether the present Arthashastra was written entirely during Chandragupta’s reign, it remains one of the most important texts on ancient Indian administration.

Expansion of the Empire

Chandragupta gradually expanded his kingdom by conquering:

• Magadha
• North-Western India
• Punjab
• Sindh

He also defeated:

Seleucus Nikator

(one of Alexander’s successors)

around 305 BCE.

Treaty with Seleucus

Following the conflict:

Seleucus ceded territories including parts of:

• Afghanistan
• Baluchistan

to Chandragupta.

In return,

Chandragupta is believed to have gifted:

500 war elephants.

The treaty also strengthened diplomatic relations.

(Page 37)

Megasthenes and the Indica (Pages 37–38)

Who was Megasthenes?

Megasthenes was:

• Greek ambassador
• Sent by Seleucus Nikator
• Stayed at Pataliputra

He wrote a book called:

Indica

Although the original work has been lost,

later Greek and Roman writers preserved many extracts.

Importance of Indica

Megasthenes described:

• Administration
• Pataliputra
• Agriculture
• Army
• Social organisation
• Roads
• Markets

His observations provide valuable information about the Mauryan Empire.

(Page 38)

Source 4: Megasthenes on Pataliputra

The NCERT includes Megasthenes’ description of Pataliputra.

He describes:

• Massive wooden walls.
• Numerous towers.
• Sixty-four gates.
• Broad moat surrounding the city.

The account demonstrates the city’s advanced planning and strategic importance.

(Page 38)

The Arthashastra (Pages 38–39)

Meaning

The Arthashastra is a treatise on:

• Statecraft
• Administration
• Economy
• Diplomacy
• Warfare

Traditionally attributed to:

Kautilya (Chanakya)

Subjects Covered

The Arthashastra discusses:

• Duties of the king
• Taxation
• Revenue collection
• Espionage
• Army
• Law
• Agriculture
• Trade
• Punishments

It presents a practical approach to governance.

(Page 39)

Ideal King According to Arthashastra

The king should:

• Work continuously.
• Supervise administration personally.
• Protect the kingdom.
• Promote prosperity.
• Ensure justice.

Source 5: The King’s Daily Routine

The NCERT includes a detailed schedule describing the king’s daily activities.

The king devoted time to:

• Administration
• Military affairs
• Religious duties
• Consultation with ministers
• Public welfare

This illustrates the disciplined nature of Mauryan kingship.

(Page 39)

Mauryan Administration (Pages 39–40)

Centralised Government

The Mauryan Empire had a highly centralised administration.

The king exercised supreme authority over:

• Administration
• Army
• Revenue
• Justice

Officials

Important officers assisted the king.

They supervised:

• Tax collection
• Trade
• Agriculture
• Mining
• Forests
• Public works

Provinces

The empire was divided into provinces.

Major provincial centres included:

• Taxila
• Ujjayini
• Tosali
• Suvarnagiri

Each province was administered by royal officials.

(Page 40)

Capital

The imperial capital was:

Pataliputra

It functioned as:

• Administrative headquarters
• Political centre
• Economic hub

The Mauryan Army

The Mauryan army consisted of:

• Infantry
• Cavalry
• Chariots
• War elephants

Greek accounts describe it as one of the largest standing armies of the ancient world.

Ashoka (Pages 40–44)

Ashoka’s Accession

Ashoka became ruler around:

268 BCE

He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.

He is regarded as one of India’s greatest rulers.

(Page 40)

Kalinga War

(Page 40)

One of the most important events of Ashoka’s reign was:

The Kalinga War

Approximate date:

261 BCE

Kalinga corresponds to present-day: Odisha

Consequences

According to Ashoka’s own inscription:

• About 100,000 people were killed.
• More than 150,000 people were deported.
• Many others suffered.

The enormous loss of life deeply affected Ashoka.

(Page 41)

Major Rock Edict XIII

One of Ashoka’s most famous inscriptions is:

Major Rock Edict XIII

This inscription records:

• Regret after the Kalinga War.
• Condemnation of violence.
• Commitment to Dhamma.

This is among the earliest examples of a ruler publicly expressing remorse after a military victory.

(Page 41)

Ashoka’s Dhamma (Pages 41–43)

Meaning

Ashoka’s Dhamma was:

Not a new religion.

Instead,

It was a moral code designed to promote:

• Harmony
• Compassion
• Non-violence
• Respect
• Good conduct

Main Principles

Ashoka advised people to:

• Respect parents.
• Respect elders.
• Treat servants kindly.
• Show compassion to animals.
• Practice truthfulness.
• Avoid unnecessary violence.
• Respect all religions.

(Page 42)

Religious Tolerance

Ashoka emphasized:

Respect for:

• Brahmanas
• Sramanas
• Followers of different faiths

He believed:

Religious harmony strengthened society.

Welfare Measures

Ashoka introduced several welfare programmes.

These included:

• Planting trees.
• Digging wells.
• Building rest houses.
• Medical treatment for humans.
• Medical treatment for animals.

(Page 42)

Dhamma Mahamatta

Ashoka appointed special officials known as:

Dhamma Mahamattas

Their duties included:

• Promoting Dhamma.
• Protecting public welfare.
• Assisting weaker sections.
• Supervising charitable activities.

(Page 42)

Ashokan Inscriptions (Pages 42–44)

Importance

Ashoka was the first Indian ruler to communicate directly with his subjects through inscriptions.

These inscriptions were engraved on:

• Rocks
• Pillars
• Cave walls

Languages Used

Ashoka issued inscriptions in:

• Prakrit
• Greek
• Aramaic

Scripts Used

Different scripts were employed.

These included:

• Brahmi
• Kharosthi
• Greek
• Aramaic

(Page 43)

Why Different Languages?

The empire covered a vast geographical area.

Different languages enabled people from various regions to understand the royal messages.

Types of Ashokan Inscriptions

Ashoka issued several categories of inscriptions.

Major Rock Edicts

Discuss:

• Dhamma
• Administration
• Welfare
• Kalinga War

Minor Rock Edicts

Contain:

• Personal messages
• Advice on morality
• Spread of Buddhism

Pillar Edicts

Mainly discuss:

• Administration
• Justice
• Welfare
• Dhamma

(Page 43)

Distribution of Inscriptions

Ashokan inscriptions have been found across:

• India
• Pakistan
• Nepal
• Afghanistan

This reflects the vast extent of the Mauryan Empire.

Source 6: Ashoka’s Concern for His Subjects

The NCERT includes inscriptions where Ashoka declares that:

“All men are my children.”

He explains that just as a father desires the welfare of his children,

he wishes happiness and prosperity for all his subjects.

This source illustrates Ashoka’s paternal model of kingship.

(Page 44)

New Notions of Kingship (Pages 44–47)

Changing Ideas of Kingship

After the Mauryas,

new dynasties developed different ideas about royal authority.

Kings increasingly emphasized:

• Divine status.
• Military power.
• Genealogy.
• Religious patronage.

Kushana Kings

(Page 45)

The Kushanas ruled large parts of:

• North India
• Central Asia
• Afghanistan

Their most famous ruler was:

Kanishka

Features of Kushana Kingship

Kings were represented as:

• Divine rulers.
• Powerful conquerors.
• Protectors of Buddhism.

Large royal statues discovered at Mathura illustrate these ideas.

(Page 45)

Gupta Kings

(Page 46)

The Guptas ruled between:

4th–6th century CE

They emphasized:

• Military victories.
• Genealogies.
• Religious patronage.
• Sanskrit inscriptions.

The Gupta period witnessed significant developments in:

• Art
• Literature
• Science
• Administration

Samantas

(Page 46)

The word:

Samanta

Originally meant:

Neighbour.

Later it came to mean:

• Feudatory chiefs.
• Powerful local rulers.
• Tributary kings.

Samantas:

• Paid tribute.
• Supplied military assistance.
• Attended royal courts.

Over time,

many became independent rulers.

Prayaga Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription)

(Pages 46–47)

One of the most important Gupta inscriptions is:

Prayaga Prashasti

Composed by:

Harishena

Court poet of:

Samudragupta

Importance

The inscription describes:

• Military campaigns.
• Political achievements.
• Administrative policies.
• Royal qualities.

It is one of the principal sources for Gupta political history.

Source 7: Harishena’s Description of Samudragupta

The NCERT includes extracts praising Samudragupta as:

• Brave
• Generous
• Learned
• Invincible

Historians note that such inscriptions were intended to glorify kings and therefore must be interpreted critically.

(Page 47)

End of Part 2

Part 3 will cover (Pages 47–61):

• Changing Countryside
• Agricultural Expansion
• Irrigation Systems
• Land Grants
• Land Ownership
• Peasants and Gahapatis
• Village Society
• Urban Centres
• Trade Routes
• Guilds (Shrenis)
• Coinage
• Roman Trade
• Inscriptions as Historical Sources
• Important Topics
• Important Terms
• 12 Very Short Questions
• 10 Short Questions
• 8 Long Questions
• FAQs
• 40+ Quick Revision Points

Click the next text link to read part 4, NCERT Class 12 History Chapter 2 Notes | Kings, Farmers and Towns: Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE–600 CE) Part 4