Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE

bindusara (298 273 BCE) Asoka (273 232 BCE)

Kunal became the ruler after asoka

Brihadrath: last mauryan ruler

Rise of the Mauryan Empire

Alexander the Great Alexanders legacy
Alexander conquered force in northwest India, 326 BC Did not remain in India long Battle-weary soldiers wanted to return home, soon left India Alexanders conquest inspired Chandragupta Maurya Seized throne of kingdom of Magadha, 321 BC Began Mauryan empire

Mauryan army
Chandragupta built immense army, 60,000 soldiers Chariots, war elephants Began conquering northern India

Extended empire
Defeated Seleucus I, 305 BC Mauryan empire controlled northern India, 303 BC Also controlled much of what is now Afghanistan

Chandragupta: 321 BCE1. Unified northern India. 2. Defeated the Persian general Seleucus. 3. Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement. 4. He feared assassination [like Saddam Hussein] food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. 5. 301 BCE gave up his throne & became a Jain.

298 BCE

The Mauryan Empire

Megasthenes Greek ambassador visited Mauryan Empire during Chandraguptas reign Wrote about his observations Described land of prosperity Pataliputra Greatest city, Mauryan capital: magnificent palaces, temples, parks Government controlled economy Emperor owned land, rent money from farmers funded government

Kautilya
Chandraguptas advisor. Brahmin caste.

Wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra.

A guide for the king and his ministers:

Supports royal power. The great evil in society is anarchy. Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

Asoka
After converting to Buddhism, one of the greatest emperors of India, Ashoka disseminated the teachings and knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures. Ashoka always had belief in morals and principles and had high ideals in life. These came to be known as Dhamma of Emperor Ashoka. The word Dhamma is the Prakrit version of the Sanskrit word Dharma CAPITALS OF ASOKA
1.TAXILLA ------------. NORTH WEST 2. SUVARANAGIRI ------------- SOUTH 3. UJJAIN -------------- WEST 4. TOSHALI ----------- CAPITAL OF KALINGA 5. PATLIPUTRA ----------- MAIN CAPITAL

Asokas Empire

Asokas law code

Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. 10 rock edicts.

Each pillar [stupa] is 40-50 high.

Buddhist principles dominate his laws.

The Mauryan Empire

Mauryan empire began to decline following death of Ashoka, 232 BC Sons battled for power, central control weakened Distant provinces began to slip away

Last Mauryan emperor killed by one of generals, 184 BC

Mauryan empire lasted 140 years, then collapsed

Importance of Kalinga war

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Becomes a follower of Buddhism Policy of peace and Non Violence Noble conduct of life Preached the law of Piety Upliftment of Moral characters of the people Works of Public welfare Expansion of Empire Dampened the Spirit of war

Principles of Asokas Dhamma

Dhamma was aimed at building up an attitude of mind in which social responsibilitiy, the behavior of one person towards another, was considered of great relavence. It was a plea for the dignity of man and for humanistic spirit in the activities of society. Respect Elders Regards for Youngers Righteous Non-Violence High Moralistic life Kind Heartedness Self Assesment Religious toleration Criticism of rituals Aim of salvation after death

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Contribution to the spread of Buddhism

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Adoption of Buddhism Himself Personal Example (Dharam Vijay instead of Dig-Vijay) State Patronage Pilgrimage to religious places LUMBINI (birth), Sarnath (first sermons), Shravasti (stayed for many years), Kushinagar (died) Abandoned policy of Warfare Edicts of Asoka Organization of III buddhist council at Patliputra in 251 B.C Appointment of Dharam mahamatras Policy of Religious Toleration Welfare of Subjects Missions in India and Abroad

Decline of Mauryas
1. VASTNESS OF THE EMPIRE 2. NON-VIOLENCE POLICY 3. REVOLTS IN THE EMPIRE 4. ASHOKA LIBERAL FINANCIAL AID 5. CAPITAL NOT IN THE CENTER 6. FAMILY FEUD 7. FOREIGN INVASIONS (GREEK AND SAKAS) 8. OPPRESSION OF THE PEOPLE 9. OPPOSITION OF THE BRAHMINS 10.FINANCIAL CRISIS