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Mauryan dynasty 1st empire of entire Indian history political upheavel Keywords:
Beginning of a new era
1st empire
outgrowth of national
One hand upsurge which is against
foreign oppression
Beginning of new era
Foreign oppression
Nanda Tyranny
Upsurge sudden large increase; culmination climax; tyranny cruel rule; upheavel lift up
Establishment of one of
biggest empires
Puranas - Chanakya hero of great drama of Nanda extermination seem to interpret the event
as revival of SANTHANA DHARMA which had suffered under the Nandas
SANTHANA DHARMA alternative native term for Hinduism
Nandas were overthrown by the valour of Chandragupta Maurya as to the astute diplomacy of
Chanakya
Chanakya Chandragupta alliance >> indicate the closing rivalry between the priest and the
prince & re-establishment of their joint monopoly in political power
Keywords:
Biggest empires
Administration
Source material
Chanakya
Chandragupta Maurya
Chanakya-CM alliance
1. Inscriptions
Sources for the period: 2. Arthasastra
3. Magasthanes and Indica
Reliable Source
Prakrit
Popular languages
Cave inscriptions
3 classes RPC
Rock edicts >> 2 groups 14 rock edicts and Minor rock edicts
14 rock edicts explain Ashokas principles of govt and ethical system 257 BC
Minor rock edicts 257 BC
Pillar edicts >> 2 groups minor pillar edicts and pillar inscriptions > 249 243 BC
4 cave inscriptions > 257 -250 BC
Keywords:
Keywords:
Seleucus
Pataliputra
Indica
Indian society
Beautiful description
Historical value
7 castes
No slavery
1. Rise of Magadha
Political conditions of India in 6th century BC: 2. Bimbisara
3. Ajatashatru
4. Nanda dynasty
Key lines:
1st emergence of kingdoms in N. India
Emergence of 16 mahajanapadas
Janapada territory, mahajanapada kingdom >> monarchial and republican
Centuries before the beginning of territorial kingdom political organization > tribal in nature
Tribal conflicts uncertain political conditions
1st time concept of territorial identity >> effective control in the form of developed
administrative system
Introduction of superior technology in the form of iron weaponry, warrior class imp role
New iron agricultural implements more production by peasants
Surplus collected by military and administrative authority >> meet growing needs of expenditure
To overcome the problems created by changed political system where in certain groups began
to dominate over the other boundaries of these kingdoms and numerous towns grown during
6th century BC
16 mahajanapadas situated in the north of Vindyas
Monarchial govt more fertile region
Republican govt less fertile and hilly areas
Political history of this period continuous struggle for supremacy between states
Kingdoms in N.India
16 Mahajanapadas
Political organization
Tribal conflicts
Territorial identity
Superior technology
Monarchial
Republican
Political history
Rise of Magadha:
State of confusion and conflict magadha got the supremacy in 6th century BC
Under the series of very able rulers steadily extended its control to get the supreme power
Became the seat of an empire which embraced the greater part of India
Confusion &
conflict
Supreme power
Seat of empire
Bimbisara:
Magadha centre of political activity
Contemporary of Buddha
Under his leadership policy of conquests and increase of power started
Expansionist policy dominated the political history of Magadha
Bimbisara began by acquiring the kingdom of Magadha, which he placed under his son
Ajatasathru
Dynastic relations based on marriage way strengthened his position >> matrimonial alliance
1st capital of Magadha @ Rajgir Magadha
Buddha
Policy of
conquests
Expansionist
policy
Ajathasatru
Matrimonial
alliance
Rajgir
Ajatasathru:
Son of Bimbisara became ambitious, killed his father >> ascended the throne
Acc. to buddhist tradition Bimbisara ruled for 52 yrs
Ajatasathru occupied kosala , vrijjis and mallas
Faced another rival i.e ruler of Avanthi died in 461 BC
Laid the foundation to become an empire by expanding the frontiers of Magadha
Later Sisunaga dynsaty ruled for half a century was succeeded by Nanda dynasty
Nandas most powerful rulers of Magadha
Killed his father
52 yrs
Occupied
Ruler of Avanthi
Expanding frontiers
Sisunaga dynasty
Nandas
Nanda dynasty:
Historians differ in views
Acc. to Puranas mahapadma nanda > son of sudra women founder
Adopted title of Ekarat > destoyed kshatriyas in great number
Great conqueror, powerful monarch, ruled 23 yrs 8 sons >> Navanandas
Not popular rulers because of their origin
Chandragupta Maurya defeated nandas due to hatred and worthless subjects of their origin
Last ruler Dhananada killed by Chandragupta Maurya > established Mauryan empire
Historians
Puranas
Ekarat
Navanandas
Not popular
Chandragupta maurya
Dhanananda
Porus
Weather
Existence of many independent monarchies and tribal republics
Two imp rulers
1. Ambhi prince of Taxila submitted without a battle
2. Porus kingdom b/n jhelum and chenab >> resisted Alexanders advance but was
defeated and captured
Much impressed by bravery and courage of porus restored his kingdom and made him his ally
Weather in India did not favour Alexander >> forced to retreat died at Babylonia
1. Political effect
2. Economic effect
Results of the Alexander Invasion:
3. Cultural effect
Historians divergent opinions Historians
Scholars like a storm which came and passed away without
Scholars
leaving permanent effect on India
Indian culture and Civilization unchanged Unchanged
Political effect:
1) Paved the way for the establishment of Mauryan empire 1st political empire of India
2) Greek rule was set up on bordering provinces of western Punjab and Sindh
3) Besides proving political unity of the country, Chandragupta maurya saved it from foreign
invaders 1st national monarch of India invasion of Alexander proed helpful in bringing unity
to the entire country
4) Provided a solid source material to establish the history of the country chronologically Greek
historians described every detail date wise writings helped in establishing the history of India
5) Indians learnt various methods of warfare realized the significance of discipline and organized
their army during their encounter with Greeks
Mauryan empire
Greek rule
Political unity
Solid source
Methods of warfare
Economic effects: 4 new routes
1) Alexanders invasion not only demolished the wall of separation between east and west, but
also opened 4 new routes b/n Europe and India- many traders and religious missionaries Trade and
travelled abroad though these routes and trade and commerce flourished commerce
2) Indians learnt the art of making beautiful coins. Indian coins were not shaped properly. The
Coins
Greek coins inspired the Indians to reshape their coins in an artistic way
Cultural effect:
1) With the establishment of Greek kingdom in western Asia, both Greeks and Indians came into
contact with each other. Learned men and Scholars visited each other country and it affected
the cultural outlook
2) It is stated that Kanihska, the Kushan ruler invited several Greco-Bactrian sculptors to gandhara
for making figures of Lord buddha and bodhisattvas - mingled the Greek and Indian Art gave
birth to new style of sculpture >> Gandhara school of art
3) Indian astrology and astronomy influenced by hellenic system , Greeks learnt science, art,
philosophy, mathematics and medicine from India
Greek kingdom in
W.Asia
Cultural Outlook
Kanishka
Gandhara School of
Art
Dhanananda
Early life
Buddhist works
Maurya name
Commander in chief
Popular
Murder
Left Magadha
Destroy Nanda
Kautilya
Large army
Jainism
Conquest of Punjab:
At that time Alexander was in India conquering NW states Alexander
Empire was established in India by force
His rule was not accepted by Indians for a long time Empire
Faced many troubles and difficulties Rule
After death in 323 BC CM instigated the people to revolt against the Greeks
Troubles
CM
Favourable
circustances
End of
Greek rule
Death of Alexander
His death:
Acc. to Jain literature , CM accepted Jainism in the last days of his life Jain literature
Abandoned the kingdom infavour of his son Bindusara and went to South
Died in 298 BC ruled for 24 yrs Bindusara
24 yrs
Estimate of Chandragupta Achievements:
1st national king of India
United several states into one national unit and laid the foundation of Maurya dynasty
Great warrior
Fearlessness and courage influenced Chanakya greatly
Great conqueror
1st to establish the political unity of the country
As a conqueror he may be compared with Akbar and Napolean Bonaparte
Great lover of Beauty, Nature and Splendor
Patronized art and literature
Arthasastra of Kautilya and kalpasutra wriiten in this period
Diff branches of art,architecture,painting etc. developed
Took care for the welfare of the people
Lover of justice
Organized judicial system in such a way that the common people could the benefit of plain and
impartial justice
Severe punishments were given
Spy system - imp role
Man of diplomatic character
Great statesman
Ranked as greatest rulers of india
Achievements laid the foundations for the development and progress of the succeeding
generations
Ashoka
Ajivika sect
Anticolus-I
Deccan region
Ashoka (273 232 BC): 1. Early life
Son of Bindusara 2. Accession of Ashoka
Successor to the throne of Mauryan empire 3. The Kalinga war
One of the greatest kings in world history 4. Consequences of the
About a century ago no source to know about Ashoka conquest of kalinga
Scholars deciphered the edicts of Ashoka 5. Extent of the empire
wealth of info about the activities of the great king 6. Estimate of Ashoka
Subhadrangi
Early life:
Acc. to one tradition Ashokas mother was Subhadrangi > Brahmin Dhamma
Another tradition ashokas mother was Dhamma > chief queen of Bindusara
Taranath
Taranath Ashoka was born after the period of mourning following the death of king
(Bindusara), hence named Ashoka, meaning the end of grief Name mention
Ashoka name is mentioned only in the Maski and Gujarat edicts Devanampriya
Other edicts referred himself as Devanampriya (Dear to the Gods)
or as Priya darshana (of amiable appearance or good looking) Priyadarshana
His reign marked a new epoch in political and cultural history of India New epoch
Gave a new life to Indians a tone that persists still today
New life
Bindusara made fine arrangements for the education of all his sons,
yet Ashoka was ahead in sports and academics due to his extraordinary intelligence Sports & Academics
and disposition
Governor of Taxila &
Bindusara appointed him as govenor of Taxila and Ujjain Ujjain
Accession of Ashoka:
Controversy
Controversy accession and coronation of Ashoka
Celebrated in 269 BC Celebrated
Gap of 4 yrs (273 269 BC) b/n Ashoka and Bindusara >> war of accession among
the brothers and Ashoka might have killed some of his brothers before he was Gap of 4 yrs
successful for the throne
The Kalinga war 261 BC:
Kalinga situated b/n the rivers Mahanadi and Godavari and on the coast of Bay of Bengal Kalinga
power of these states which were situated on the borders of kingdom of Magadha Military power
In order to check the growing power of kalinga, Ashoka waged a war in 261 BC
Horrible war
Horrible war between the armies of two kingdoms
Slaughter and bloodshed was caused on large scale Blood shed
People of kalinga fought bravely in order to make their liberty safe, but Ashoka People of kalinga
conquered Kalinga
13th rock edict
13th rock edict of Ashoka throws much light on the battle of Kalinga
1. The war of Kalinga changed the heart and mind of Ashoka. His heart was filled with bitter
repentance to see the slaughter and bloodshed caused in the Kalinga war
2. The conquest of kalinga brought about a significant change in the imperialistic policy of Ashoka.
Before the war, Ashoka was a staunch follower of the policy adopted by his ancestors regarding
the extension of the empire. As he realized himself to be responsible for the destruction of
human beings in this war, he decided not to make any conquest in future in order to extend his
empire. Thus, as a consequenceof the war of Kalinga, Ashoka made up his mind to conquer the
people not by sword but by following the path Dharma. The place of Digvijaya was taken by
Dharmavijaya
3. In the early days of his life Ashoka worshipped Lord Siva. But as a result of the conquest of
Kalinga, Ashoka began to turn to Buddhism. He took keen interest in the study of Buddhism. He
made necessary arrangements to spread Buddhism throuhout the country and abroad.
Consequently, his empire became progressive in the field of religion and culture.
4. The policy of peace and non-violence adopted by Ashoka after the war of Kalinga had brought
into its train certain adverse effects. He made no use of his army in any sort of warfare. Hence
his soldiers became idle gradually. This lazyness of the army of Ashoka was responsible for the
downfall of the Maurya empire. Thus the religious policy of Ashoka contributed indirectly to the
downfall of the empire.
5. There came about great change in the system of administration of Ashoka after the war of
Kalinga. He devoted his full time to the welfare of the people.
Thus it may be concluded that the conquest of Kalinga war brought a great change in the life of
Ashoka. This event influenced every aspect of life.
Changed to Buddhism
Change in administration