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The Mauryan Empire - Coggle Diagram
The Mauryan Empire
ASHOKA’S DHAMMA
Meaning
- After Kalinga, Ashoka became the people’s king.
- He embraced Buddhism but did not impose it on its subjects.
- He wanted his subjects to follow such a Dhamma that may be based on the unifying principles of all major religions of the world.
- The Dhamma as described in Ashoka's Edicts is not a religion or religious system but a “Moral Law”, “ a Common Code Of Conduct” or an “ Ethical Order” which is a common meeting ground of all religions.
PRINCIPLES OF DHAMMA
- Respect to elders and love to children.
- Ahimsa or non-violence
- He taught people to respect all religions.
- Good deeds or good karma would give happiness to man in the next birth.
- He disapproved empty rituals.
Impact Of Dhamma On Ashoka’s Imperial Policy
- Religious Unity: emperor’s policy of religious tolerance
- Moral Values: People under the influence of Dhamma started living a moral life.
- End Of Crimes: The policy of Ahimsa had a great moral impact on people. Thefts, crimes came to an end
- Public Welfare: With the wars and conquests coming to an end, Ashoka's Dhamma helped officials to undertake public welfare and public work schemes leading to prosperity and peace
Literary Sources:
(Books)
Arthashastra of Kautilya
- Important source of the Mauryas- Arthashastra written by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta.
- He was the advisor and Prime Minister of Chandragupta.
- Arthashastra is written in Sanskrit.
- It is a comprehensive manual that deals with politics , rules of diplomacy, principles of administration and other such political topics.
- Discovered in 1909 and its English translation is now available.
Indika
- Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya.
- Sent to the court by Seleucus, a Greek ruler.
- He wrote a book named Indika which contains his impressions of what he learned and saw during his stay in India.
- Megasthemes’ original Indika has been lost, but its fragments still survive in the writings of later Greek authors like Strabo, Arrian and Diodorus.
Archaeological
Sources:
Edicts Of Ashoka
- An edict is a decree issued by a Sovereign. (a rule of law)
- The edicts of Ashoka form the most important source of Mauryan history.
- Oldest, best preserved and precisely dated records in India.
- inscription on rocks and pillars throughout the country and include 14 major rock edicts, seven pillar edicts and a number of minor rock edicts.
- They provide a useful insight into the life and ideals of Ashoka.
- The conquest of Kalinga is the most important event of Ashoka’s reign.
- The suffering and atrocities of the Kalinga war deeply affected Ashoka’s conscience and he made a solemn resolve not to take up arms any more.
- The war drum (Bherighosha) was silenced forever and henceforth were heard the echoes of Dhammaghosha , the call to non-violence and universal peace.
- Ashoka prohibited killing of animals for sacrifices, advocated restraint in the number that had to be killed for consumption, protected some of the animals and in general condemned cruel acts against animals
Sanchi Stupa
- The stupa is a semi-spherical solid dome like structure made of unburnt bricks and stones.
- The stupa represents the spiritual body of Buddha containing his relics such as hair, teeth or bones .
- A casket containing these relics is placed at the base of the dome. (an object, tradition, etc. from the past that still survives today)
- The foundation of the stupa was laid by Ashoka at Sanchi about 45 kms from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
- There are four gateways in four directions. They have carved panels depicting events from Jataka stories.
- Buddha is represented by symbols like peepal tree, lotus, wheel and the pillars are surmounted by capitals which contain sculptures of lions.
ADMINISTRATION
The Mauryan administration had
two main divisions
**1.CIVIL ADMINISTRATION AND
- MILITARY ADMINISTRATION**
CIVIL ADMINISTRATION
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
- The king was the supreme authority and his throne is hereditary.- supreme judge.
- Ashoka appointed Mahamatras (governors) to look after the welfare of his subjects
- The king was assisted by council of ministers (Mantri Parishad) headed by Prime Minister.
- The council included the chief Pujari of the state called Purohit, Senapati who advised the king on matters related to wars and peace, the head treasurer called Sannidhata and Samaharta, the taxation expert.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
- The head of the province was called Kumar or Aryaputra.
- The Kumar was assisted by the Governor
- Pradeshika collected taxes.
- Rajuka performed the functions of modern day Tehsildar or revenue Officer.
- The Yukta was the treasurer.
- The provinces were divided into districts called as Janapadas. Their administration was looked after by Yukta, Pradeshika, Rajuka.
Administration of Cities
- The head of the city was called Nagaradhyaksha.
- Pataliputra, the capital city of the Mauryan Empire was looked after by a committee of 30 members.
Revenue System
1.The land revenue was the chief source of income in the Mauryan empire. It was one-sixth to one-fourth of the produce.
- Two kinds of taxes, namely Bali and Bhaga were collected.
- Bhaga - agricultural produce and cattle at the rate of one-sixth.
- Bali -religious tribute
- Toll tax was imposed on articles which were bought for sale. Taxes were levied on liquor shops and gambling houses. Some taxes were collected from forests and mines.
- From the revenue collected, the state provided various facilities like roads, irrigation, hospitals and met other expenses of the state.
The Spy System :
- There were spies against spies and on important matters more than one agent was asked to collect information.
- The king always kept informed of the working of the bureaucracy.
Military Administration:
1.The Mauryan Army consisted of 6,00,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and 9000 war-elephants.
- The Mauryas maintained 8000 chariots.
- The chief weapons - bows, arrows, shields, swords etc.
- The king was the commander in chief of the army.
- The whole army was under a military commission of thirty members.
- The Mauryas -well laid recruitment policy. The soldiers were paid salary in cash.