MAURYAN EMPIRE

Sources Megasthenes - Indica Kautilya - Arthasastra Vishakhadutta - Mudrarakshasa Religious Sources like Divyadana, Asokavadana, Digh Nikayas Sri Lankan Chronicles like Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa.

Background Magadhan Empire

Its rise to power in the Gangetic plain to be traced to 550 B. C. with Bimbisara and Ajatasatru During Alexander's invasion in 326 B. C. - it was the strongest state

Chandragupta Maurya (321- 297 B.C)

The First Emperor in the history of India. Four Phases of Conquests War of Liberation from Greeks Political revolution against the Nandas The war with Seleucus Nikator Conquests of West and South India

Defeated Dhana Nanda, the last ruler of Nanda dynasty of Magadha. Liberated North West India from Seleucus, the Greek Viceroy in 303. Treaty - all territories to the East of Hind Kush Mountains to Chandra Gupta Most of Northern India - under his rule. His tutor- Kautilya. . Extension of the Empire North-west upto Ariana West upto Saurashtra East upto Magadha and even upto Bengal South upto Mysore and Nellore Dt.

Bindusara (297-272 B. C.)

Military conquests in South India. Conquered almost all the subcontinent except the Southern Plateau and Kalinga His title Devanampriya

Asoka (268-232 B. C.)

Edicts- 14 Rock edicts, 7 pillar edicts, and minor edicts. Maski edict- first to mention his name. Asoka's name appears in the edicts at Gujara, Nittur, Udayagolla and Sannati In others - as Devanampriya and Priyadarhsi

 Edicts in Karnataka- Maski, Gavimatha, Palkigundu, Brahmagiri, Siddapura, Jattinga Rameshwara and Nittur Kalinga war 261 B.C., 100,000 were killed, 150,000 were taken as prisoners. Renounced war and converted to Budhism.

Dhamma or Law of Piety

(Dharma or Practical Morality) inscribed on the rocks and pillars Denounced ceremonies as profitless Appealed for kindliness and consideration towards others. Stopped slaughter of animals

Inculcated the virtues of mercy, truthfulness; purity of thought, honesty, gratitude, gentleness; selfrestraint, non injury to animal life. Discontinued royal hunts Stopped killing of animals in the royal kitchens.

 He practiced what he preached Appointed Dharmamahamatras Third Budhist Council - at Pataliputra. A builder-first to use stone in India, built 84, 000 stupas.
Pillars, huge sandstone monoliths, at the top a single animal or more. The most outstanding is found at Sarnathfour lions seated back to back carrying Dharmachakra.

Rock cut halls at Barabar and Nagarjuni hills

Decline
Empire was divided into two among his sons- Kunala and Jalauka with twin capitals like Taxila and Pataliputra Last ruler Brihadrata- murdered by his own commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Sunga in about 80 B. C.

Art and Architecture of the Mauryas

The Earliest specimens of Indian Art- Indus Valley and Mauryan. Mauryan age - a land mark 84000 stupas, royal palace, Budhist structures- only few stupas, some pillars, some capitals, cave dwellings of Barabar were found. Ruins of a hall with 100 pillars excavated at ancient Pataliputra- speak splendors of the royal palace.

Monolithic Columns
finest examples of Asokan art found at Bakhira (near Vasali), Rampurva, Lauriya Nandangarh, Sarnath, Sanchi etc. Most Graceful- at Lauriya Nandangarh Each of the Columns- a plain monolithic shaft, circular in section, thirty to forty feet in height, an animal seated or standing in a round.

 Sarnath and Sanchi- Four Iions seated back to back in four directions Sarnath- On the heads, a stone dharmachakra of 32 spikes

Stupas- Sanchi and Sarnath

Mound of a low structure of a diameter of about 60 feet, built of large bricks. Hemispherical in shape with a raised terrace at the base, enclosed by a wooden railing

Rock Cut Chaitya Halls or Sanctuaries

4 at Barabar Hill, 3 on the Nagarjuni Hill. Animal Sculptures, number of figure sculptures, few fragments of reliefs Most notable- Yaksha statues from Patna, fragments of a ribbed stone umbrella, lifesize statues from Parkham. Terracota Objects found from Pataliputra to Taxila

Conclusion
Asokan monuments in their style and design influenced by alien models The exquisite finishing of the pillars suggest to the influence of Achaemenids of Persia. Decorative floral motifs and modeling of animal figures- Greek influence But the Traditional roots and Innate Originality of Indian Art was kept.