SSC EXAM PREP: Mauryna Period

THE MAURYAN EMPIRE (321-185 BC)

Indica – written in Greek by Megasthenes the ambassador of Selucus Nicator at the court of Chandragupta Maurya

He negotiated with Selucus Nicator, the Greek Viceroy of Alexander who ruled over the area west of Indus
The only parts left out of his empire were the present day Kerala, Tamil Nadu & parts of Northern India

The conquest & subjugation of Saurashtra / Kathiawad in the extreme west is attested in Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman, of middle of 1st century AD
This record refers to Chandragupta’s Viceroy / Governor, Pushyagupta who is said to have constructed the famous Saurashtra Lake

Son of Chandragupta, is said to have ascended the throne in 297 BC
In classical sources he is referred as Amitrochates & that he had contacts with the Selucid king of Syria, Antiochus I
Extended the kingdom further & conquered the south as far as Mysore

Janapadanivesa - settlement of permanent villages
Sita Lands – newly settle areas formed part as the crown land
Sitadhyaksha – to supervise the cultivation work in Sita Lands
Agriculture in Janapada was perhaps carried on privately by Gahapatis & Bhojakas
State provided irrigation facilities
Arthashastra mentions irrigation cess amounting to a 5th or 4th or 3rd of produce

The land revenue collection was efficiently organized so as to appropriate the maximum possible surplus form the people
Land tax (Bhaga), the main item of revenue was quite high & was levied at the rate of one sixth of the produce
Pindakara – tax paid by those practicing animal husbandry
Hiranya – paid in cash (literally means Gold)
Bali – traditional known levy form Vedic period, continued under Mauryan
Pranaya – literally means gift of affection. This tax is 1st mentioned by Panini but elaborated first time in Arthashastra

The Mauryan state exercised a rigid control through a no. of superintendents over, all trade & industry which yielded profit
Panyadhaksha – superintendent of commerce
Samshadhyaksha – superintendent of markets
Pautavadhyaksha – superintendent of weights & measures
Navadhyaksha – superintendent of ships
Sulkadhyaksha – superintendent of tolls
Akaradhyaksha – superintendent of mines
Important aspect of the Mauryan economy which increased royal power & assisted in maintenance of vast empire was the monopoly of mining & metallurgy
Government paid officers in cash; salaries ranging from 60-48000 panas per year were significant

Despite the growing influence of Buddhism & Jainism, the Vedas did not completely lose their hold on the people
Shiva & Samkarshan later became central deities in the brahmanical pantheon; they were referred to by Megasthenes & Dionysius
Evidence of popular belief in malevolent spirits, magical practices & superstitions of all kinds is also available in the Arthashastra
By 4th century BC, Buddhism had however emerged as a distinct religion with Jains as Nirgaranthas (those who have broken world ties)
More important than Jainism was Ajiva sect founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary of the Buddha

Asoka’s dhamma was an ethical code aimed at building up an attitude of social responsibility among people. It was a plea for the inculcation of virtuous behavior transcending all social, religious & cultural barriers
His Dhamma emphasized upon toleration – toleration of people & their religious beliefs & idea so as to promote a harmonious life both in the family & community
Asoka denounced all ‘ useless ceremonies & sacrifices held under the influence of superstition

Asoka asserted ‘all men are my children’, and ‘whatever exertion I make, I strive only to discharge the debt that I owe to all living creatures’. According to Arthashastra, the king owes nothing to anyone. His only job is to rule state efficiently.
Asoka undertook many measures for people’s welfare such as centers for medical treatment of men & beasts, shady groves, wells, fruits orchards & rest houses. This implied radically different attitude for the King in Arthashastra, who would not incur any expenses unless they brought more revenues in return.
Adopted a title of Devanampiya (beloved of Gods)
There are references to about 18 departments (tirthas) of central government which were being looked after by the ministers.
E.g. Karmantika – looked after industries
Antarvamsika – looked after King’s security
Sannidhata – looked after the treasury
Nagarika – head of urban administration
Ayudhagaradhyaksha – chief of department of Armaments (production & maintenence)
Two kinds of courts are mentioned in Arthashastra: @ Dharmasthiya – for personal disputes (b) Kantakashodhan – for matters between individual & state
Arthashastra mentions penalties based on Varna hierarchies

Cities paid its own revenue in form of fines, sales tax, excise (sulka) on sale of liquor. Kind of income tax was imposed on rich
Arthashastra mentions 21 tax collected by Durga

The head of the provincial administration was Kumara (royal princes) who was assisted by Mahamatyas

Brihadratha was the last ruler
He is said to have been slain by his brahamana general ‘Pushyamitra Shunga’, who founded an independent dyanasty

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