Mauryan Dynasty History
The Mauryan Empire was the first major
empire in Indian history. Chandragupt Maurya was the first king and founder of
the Maurya dynasty in 322 B.C.E (1516 B.C.E as per recent translations). after overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty. His
mother’s name was Mur, so he was called Maurya in Sanskrit which means the son
of Mur, and thus, his dynasty was called Maurya dynasty.
The Maurya Empire was one of the largest
empires of the world in its time. The capital city of Mauryan dynasty was
Pataliputra (modern Patna). The kingdom of Magadha stretched from the eastern
side of the Indian subcontinent to the north along the natural boundaries of
the Himalayas, to the east into Assam, to the west into Balochistan (south west
Pakistan and south east Iran) and the Hindu Kush mountains of what is now
Afghanistan. Emperor Bindusara expanded the Empire into India's central and
southern regions, but it excluded a small portion of unexplored tribal and
forested regions near Kalinga, India.
Archaeologically, the period of Mauryan
rule in South Asia falls into the era of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW).
The “Arthashastra” and the Edicts of Ashoka are the primary sources of written
records of Mauryan times. The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath has been made
the national emblem of India. During the Mauryan empire there is only a single
and efficient system of finance, administration, and security. The Mauryan
dynasty enjoyed an era of social harmony and religious transformation. Chandragupta
Maurya fallowed Jainism and spread Jainism all over his dynasty. Later Ashoka
fallowed Buddhism and spread it across the boundaries of his region.
In 185 BC, Military General Pushyamitra
Shunga Killed Brihadratha, the last ruler of Mauryan Empire. He established
Shunga Dynasty in the year 185 BC (1217 BCE as per recent translations).
Mauryan Empire Beginning
Chanakya was once badly insulted by the
then cruel ruler of Nanda dynasty, Dhana Nanda, in his royal court and in front
of all the Courtiers. Chanakya vowed at that time that he would dethrone Dhana
Nanda at any cost and left the royal court. He was passing through the Vinjha
forest in search of a person who can replace Dhana Nanda. He saw a group of
children playing a king game and the child playing the role of king was
Chandragupta Maurya. Chanakya was very much impressed by the boy for the role
he played in the game and the Leadership qualities he showed in the game. He
decided to make the child the king who replaces Dhana Nanda. He took
Chandragupta with him and trained the boy.
After the training, Chandragupta Maurya raised
a small army with assistance from Chanakya, who went on to become his chief
advisor and prime minister after establishing Mauryan Empire. The military
strength lacked by Chandragupta's force was balanced out by cunning strategies
of Chanakya or Kautilya. Chandragupta along with Chanakya entered Magadha
kingdom, Pataliputra where he triggered a civil war using Chanakya's
intelligence. After many attempts, he finally managed to seize the throne
putting an end to Nanda dynasty and he established the Mauryan dynasty which
would rule India till 185 B.C.E (1218 BCE as per recent translations).
Art and Architecture in Mauryan Dynasty
The origins of monumental stone
sculpture and architecture in the Indian subcontinent go back to the Harappan civilization.
However, after decline of that civilization, there is a long gap and it is only
in the Maurya period that monumental stone sculpture and architecture appeared
on the scene again.
Many of the surviving remains of art and
architecture were the direct result of the patronage of Mauryan kings specially
Ashoka and fall within the category of court art. However, there are also stone
sculptures and terracotta figurines, ring stones and disc stones which
represent popular art i.e. the art connected to the lives, activities and
patronage of ordinary people.
Mauryan Dynasty Kings
Maurya was the fifth dynasty of Magadha after the
Mahabharat war (3138 BC). Many Puranas
contains the chronology of Mauryan kings. However, there were inconsistencies
in the list of Mauryan rulers and period of their rule. Because of uncertainty
it is difficult to give absolute dates of Mauryan kings rule.
Based on the work of Pandit Kota Venkata
Chelam the fallowing were the rulers of Mauryan Empire.
Totally Mauryans ruled for 316 Years.
of the Above Sloka:-"These twelve
Maurya kings Chandragupta etc., will rule for 316 years."
Important rulers of Mauryan Dynasty
Chandragupta Maurya
Main article: Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya was one of the
important and prominent kings of India. He was the founder and first ruler of
Mauryan Dynasty. He ruled from 322 to 298 B.C as per Greek translations (1534 to 1500 B.C according recent translations). He was the father of second
ruler of Mauryan dynasty Bindusara and grandfather of well known and great king
Ashoka, who was the third Mauryan ruler. The journey of Chandragupta and
Chanakya for throne was already published in our earlier article.
Bindusara
Main article: Bindusara
Bindusara was second ruler of the
Mauryan dynasty. Greek scripts refer him as Amitrochates or Allitrochades which
was from the Sanskrit word "Amitraghata", which means "The
slayer of enemies." According Jain scripts, Bindusara's original name was
"Simhasena." He was also given other title by Neighbouring states as
"Ajathashatru", which means "Man without enemies." One
interesting fact about Bindusara was, he wanted his eldest son Sushima as his
heir and not Ashoka.
Ashoka the Great
Main article: Ashoka, the Great
Contemporary historians consider
Chandragupta's grandson Ashokavardhan Maurya, better known as Ashoka, as perhaps the greatest of Indian monarchs, and perhaps the
world. H.G. Wells calls him the "greatest of kings."
Major References
newworldencyclopedia
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