Mauryan Dynasty
The Mauryan Dynasty, founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 321 BCE, marked a significant period in ancient Indian history. Chandragupta overthrew the Nanda ruler of Magadha and established his capital at Pāṭaliputra, ultimately unifying much of the Indian subcontinent under a powerful centralized government. This model of governance, developed in collaboration with his chief minister Kauṭilya, had lasting influences on Indian administrative practices. The dynasty is notably recognized for its third ruler, Emperor Aśoka, who reigned from approximately 265 to 238 BCE. Aśoka expanded the empire through military campaigns but later renounced violence following his conversion to Buddhism. He is remembered for his promotion of Buddhist values, emphasizing non-violence, tolerance, and moral conduct, which he articulated in his edicts inscribed on stone pillars across the empire. The Mauryan Dynasty is significant not only for its political achievements but also for its cultural and religious contributions, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.
Mauryan Dynasty
Related civilization: India.
Date: c. 321-185 b.c.e.
Locale: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan
Mauryan Dynasty
Chandragupta Maurya in about 321 b.c.e. founded the Mauryan Dynasty. He began by overthrowing the unjust Nanda ruler of Magadha. Then, from his capital at Pāṭaliputra, he began extending his authority to create an empire that eventually embraced all lands north of the Vindhya Mountains and extended from sea to sea. To govern his wealthy empire, he created a powerful centralized bureaucracy. He and his chief minister, Kauṭilya, established a model of governance that persisted well into the modern era in India. Most of what is known of Chandragupta Maurya comes from a Greek ambassador named Megasthenes, who wrote a treatise about his long stay in India.
The third ruler, Aśoka (r. c. 265-238 b.c.e.), became the most famous of the Mauryan line. Through prolonged warfare, he extended the empire until it covered nearly the whole subcontinent of India. Eventually sickened by bloodshed and full of remorse for having caused great suffering, Aśoka converted to Buddhism. Throughout his remaining years, he promoted the Buddhist religion and morality and even sponsored the Third Buddhist Council. Declaring that all subjects were his children, he encouraged all to eschew any form of killing, the eating of meat, and any cruel conduct toward living things. Aśoka recorded his declarations in some forty-four edicts carved on stone pillars and the faces of rocks located throughout his empire. In the edicts, he encourages his subjects to promote tolerance, mutual respect, self-control, kindness, and truthfulness.
Bibliography
Dikshitar, V. R. The Mauryan Polity. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 1993.
Nilakanta Sastri, K. A., ed. Age of the Nandas and Mauryas. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 1988.