Mauryan Period (322 BC – 185 BC)
Literary Sources of the Mauryan Empire
The history of the Mauryan Empire is reconstructed from a variety of literary, indigenous, and foreign sources. Among these, the most important are the following:
Kautilya’s Arthashastra
- Arthashastra, authored by Kautilya (Chanakya), is regarded as the most important literary source for understanding the Mauryan period.
- It is a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, administration, government, economics, diplomacy, and polity.
- The work provides a systematic and scientific analysis of the political, administrative, and economic conditions prevailing during the Mauryan Empire.
Megasthenes’ Indica
- Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador of Seleucus Nicator at the court of Chandragupta Maurya, composed the famous work Indica.
- Indica is considered one of the most valuable foreign accounts of the Mauryan Empire.
- The original manuscript has been lost, and its contents survive only through quotations preserved by later Greek writers such as:
- Strabo
- Diodorus
- Arrian
- Plutarch
- It is also cited by Roman writers like:
- Pliny
- Justin
- The work contains valuable information regarding:
- Mauryan administration
- The seven-fold caste system
- Absence of slavery
- Absence of usury (money lending at excessive interest) in India
Visakhadatta’s Mudra Rakshasa
- Mudra Rakshasa, written by Visakhadatta during the Gupta Period, narrates how Chandragupta Maurya, with the assistance of Chanakya, overthrew the Nanda Dynasty.
- Besides its political narrative, the text also offers important insights into the prevailing socio-economic conditions of the time.
Puranas
- The Puranas, although primarily religious texts interwoven with legends and mythology, provide chronological information and genealogical lists of the Mauryan rulers.
Buddhist Literature
Buddhist literary sources also serve as significant references for the Mauryan period.
- The Jatakas, which form part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka, contain 549 stories related to the previous births of Buddha and offer a broad picture of the social and economic life during the Mauryan age.
- The Sri Lankan Buddhist chronicles, namely:
- Dipavamsa
- Mahavamsa , describe the role played by Emperor Ashoka in the spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
- The Tibetan Buddhist text Divyavadana provides valuable information about Ashoka and his efforts to propagate Buddhism.
Archaeological Sources of the Mauryan Period
Ashokan Edicts and Inscriptions
- The Ashokan Edicts and Inscriptions constitute one of the most important archaeological sources for the study of the Mauryan Empire.
- These inscriptions are broadly classified into:
- Rock Edicts
- Pillar Edicts
- Cave Inscriptions
- They are found at numerous locations across the Indian subcontinent, reflecting the wide extent of the Mauryan Empire.
- The historical significance of these inscriptions was fully recognized only after their decipherment by James Prinsep in 1837.
- During the early twentieth century, scholars conclusively identified Emperor Ashoka as the author of these inscriptions.
- The majority of the edicts consist of Ashoka’s public proclamations, intended to communicate his policies and moral teachings to the people.
- A smaller group of inscriptions specifically records Ashoka’s personal acceptance of Buddhism and his relationship with the Buddhist Sangha (Monastic Community).
- Although the inscriptions were primarily composed in Prakrit language, the scripts varied according to different regions:
- Kharosthi Script – Used in North-Western India
- Greek and Aramaic Scripts – Used in the Western regions
- Brahmi Script – Used in Eastern India
Other Important Inscriptions
Apart from Ashoka’s inscriptions, several other archaeological records provide valuable information about the Mauryan period:
- Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman
- Sohgaura Copper Plate Inscription, discovered in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh
- Mahasthan Inscription, found in the Bogra district of present-day Bangladesh
- Although these inscriptions are closely associated with the Mauryan period, historians generally believe that they were not necessarily issued during the reign of Ashoka.
Material Remains of the Mauryan Age
Several important archaeological remains also help reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire:
- The wooden palace of Chandragupta Maurya, excavated at Kumrahar (Patna), is considered one of the finest examples of Mauryan architecture.
- Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) pottery is an important cultural marker associated with the Mauryan period.
- Silver Punch-Marked Coins and Copper Punch-Marked Coins, discovered at Kumrahar (Patna) and various other sites, provide valuable evidence regarding the economic and commercial life of the Mauryan Empire.
Ashokan Edicts and Their Contents
1. Rock Edicts
Fourteen Major Rock Edicts
- The 14 Major Rock Edicts primarily explain the Principles of Dhamma (Ashoka’s moral policy).
- These edicts have been discovered at the following important sites:
- Mansehra (Pakistan)
- Shahbazgarhi, Mardan (Pakistan)
- Kalsi (Dehradun, Uttarakhand)
- Junagadh (Girnar, Gujarat)
- Sopara (Thane, Maharashtra)
- Erragudi / Yerragudi (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)
- Dhauli (near Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Odisha)
- Jaugada (Ganjam, Odisha)
Kalinga Rock Edicts
- The Kalinga Rock Edicts describe Ashoka’s new system of administration and governance adopted after the Kalinga War.
- These edicts are found at:
- Dhauli (Odisha)
- Jaugada (Odisha)
Minor Rock Edicts
- The Minor Rock Edicts provide details regarding:
- Ashoka’s personal life
- His acceptance of Buddhism
- A summary of his Dhamma
- They have been discovered at:
- Sasaram (Bihar)
- Maski (Karnataka)
- Brahmagiri (Karnataka)
- Bairat / Viratnagar (Rajasthan)
- Rupnath (Madhya Pradesh)
- Gavimath
- Palkigundu
- Siddhapur
- Jatinga-Rameshwar
- Brahmagiri (Karnataka)
- The Minor Rock Edicts provide details regarding:
Bhabru–Bairat Rock Edict
- The Bhabru (Bairat) Rock Edict records Ashoka’s formal conversion to Buddhism.
- It was discovered at:
- Bairat (Jaipur District, Rajasthan)
2. Pillar Edicts
Seven Major Pillar Edicts
- The 7 Major Pillar Edicts are generally regarded as an appendix or continuation of the Rock Edicts, elaborating further on Ashoka’s Dhamma.
- They are located at:
- Meerut–Delhi (Chhota Lat)
- Topra–Delhi (Bada Lat)
- Allahabad (Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh)
- Lauriya Nandangarh (Bihar)
- Lauriya Areraj (Bihar)
- Rampurva (Bihar)
Four Minor Pillar Edicts
- The Minor Pillar Edicts mainly highlight Ashoka’s commitment to Dhamma and his opposition to religious fanaticism.
- These have been found at:
- Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)
- Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)
- Allahabad (Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh)
Tarai Pillar Edicts
- The Tarai Pillar Edicts reflect Ashoka’s reverence for Gautama Buddha.
- They are located at:
- Rummindei (Lumbini, Nepal)
- Nigali Sagar (Tarai Region, Nepal)
3. Cave Edicts
Barabar Cave Edicts
- The Barabar Cave Edicts illustrate Ashoka’s policy of religious tolerance and patronage.
- These inscriptions are found in:
- Barabar Hills, Gaya District, Bihar
Ashoka’s Fourteen Major Rock Edicts
Major Rock Edict | Key Content / Main Theme |
1 | Prohibited animal sacrifices and discouraged festive gatherings involving unnecessary slaughter, promoting compassion towards living beings. |
2 | Emphasized public welfare measures, including the establishment of facilities for humans and animals, such as medical care and other welfare initiatives. |
3 | Stressed the importance of showing respect and generosity towards Brahmanas and Shramanas, while encouraging moral conduct. |
4 | Advocated courtesy and obedience towards parents, elders, and relatives, and promoted kindness and consideration towards animals. |
5 | Announced the appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras (Special Officers of Dhamma) and defined their responsibilities in promoting moral values and public welfare. |
6 | Highlighted the need for an efficient and well-organized administrative system, directing officials, especially the Dhamma Mahamatras, to work diligently for the people. |
7 | Called for religious tolerance and mutual respect among all religious sects, encouraging harmony and peaceful coexistence. |
8 | Introduced the concept of Dhamma-Yatras (Moral Tours), replacing royal pleasure tours with journeys aimed at spreading ethical teachings and interacting with the public. |
9 | Criticized meaningless rituals and ceremonies, emphasizing that moral conduct and righteous living were superior to empty religious practices. |
10 | Declared that the true conquest is the conquest through Dhamma (Dhamma Vijaya) rather than victory achieved through warfare and military expansion. |
11 | Provided a detailed explanation of Ashoka’s Dhamma Policy, highlighting virtues such as compassion, truthfulness, generosity, and moral discipline. |
12 | Reiterated the principle of religious tolerance, urging people to respect all faiths and avoid criticizing other sects. |
13 | Contains a detailed account of the Kalinga War, expresses Ashoka’s deep remorse over the suffering it caused, and mentions five contemporary Hellenistic (Greek) rulers, while advocating Dhamma Vijaya instead of military conquest. |
14 | Serves as a concluding message, encouraging people to lead a righteous and religious life by following the principles of Dhamma. |
Origin of the Mauryas
- The Puranas describe the Mauryas as belonging to the Shudra Varna.
- In Visakhadatta’s Mudra Rakshasa, the Mauryas are referred to by the terms Vrishala and Kulahina, both of which imply low social origin or humble lineage.
- Classical Greek writers, particularly Justin, also describe Chandragupta Maurya as a person of humble birth.
- The Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman (150 AD) provides indirect evidence suggesting that the Mauryas may have been of Vaishya origin.
- On the other hand, Buddhist literature attempts to associate the Maurya dynasty with the Sakya Kshatriya clan, to which Gautama Buddha belonged. According to this tradition, the Mauryas originated from a region inhabited by peacock keepers (Mor) and therefore came to be known as Moriyas.
- Historians generally believe that the Buddhist tradition sought to elevate the social status of Emperor Ashoka, a major patron of Buddhism, and his predecessors.
- In conclusion, the Mauryas are believed to have belonged to the Moriya tribe and were probably of lower social origin, although their exact caste affiliation remains uncertain.
Chandragupta Maurya (322 BC – 298 BC)
- Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the last Nanda ruler, Dhanananda, and captured Pataliputra in 322 BC with the guidance and support of Kautilya (Chanakya).
- In 305 BC, Chandragupta defeated the Seleucid ruler Seleucus Nicator, who ceded several territories to him, including:
- Aria (Herat)
- Arachosia (Kandahar)
- Gedrosia (Baluchistan)
- Paropamisadae (Kabul)
- In return, Chandragupta presented 500 war elephants to Seleucus, and under the resulting treaty, the Hindu Kush Mountains became the boundary between their empires.
- Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, was subsequently sent to the court of Chandragupta Maurya.
- In the later part of his life, Chandragupta embraced Jainism and, accompanied by Bhadrabahu, migrated to Chandragiri Hill at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka).
- He is believed to have died through the Jain ritual of Sallekhana (also called Kaya-Klesha), which involves voluntary fasting unto death.
- Under Chandragupta’s rule, for the first time in Indian history, almost the entire Northern India was politically unified under a single empire.
- His reign witnessed significant economic and administrative reforms, including:
- Expansion of trade and commerce
- Regulation of agriculture
- Standardization of weights and measures
- Wider use of currency
- The Mauryan administration also assumed responsibility for taxation, sanitation, and famine relief, indicating the emergence of a welfare-oriented state.
Bindusara (298 BC – 273 BC)
- Bindusara, the son of Chandragupta Maurya, succeeded him as the second ruler of the Mauryan Empire.
- Greek writers referred to Bindusara as Amitrochates, derived from the Sanskrit title Amitraghata, meaning “Slayer of Enemies.”
- According to historical accounts, Bindusara extended Mauryan authority deep into the Deccan region, up to Mysore, thereby expanding the empire considerably.
- Bindusara is also known for his diplomatic correspondence with Antiochus I of Syria, from whom he requested:
- Sweet wine
- Dried figs
- A philosopher
- While Antiochus I sent the requested wine and figs, he politely declined to send a philosopher, stating that Greek philosophers were not available for sale.
- Bindusara is believed to have been a patron of the Ajivika sect, extending royal support to its followers.
Ashoka (273 BC – 232 BC)
- According to Buddhist literature, when Ashoka, the son of Bindusara, was born, his mother joyfully exclaimed, “Now I am Ashoka”, meaning “without sorrow”, and the child was therefore named Ashoka.
- Historical evidence, mainly from Buddhist texts, suggests that a struggle for succession broke out among the Mauryan princes after the death of Bindusara.
- According to Buddhist tradition, Ashoka secured the throne by eliminating his ninety-nine brothers, while sparing only his youngest brother, Tissa. He was assisted in this fratricidal conflict by Radhagupta, an important minister of Bindusara.
- The prolonged war of succession created an interregnum of nearly four years (273 BC–269 BC), and although Ashoka assumed power in 273 BC, he was formally crowned only in 269 BC after firmly establishing his authority.
- Under Ashoka’s reign, the Mauryan Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, and for the first time, almost the entire Indian subcontinent (except the extreme south) came under a single imperial authority.
Different Names/Titles of Ashoka and Their Sources
Name / Title of Ashoka | Source |
Ashoka | Maski Minor Rock Edict |
Devanampriya Ashoka Raja | Gujarra Minor Rock Edict |
Raja Ashoka | Nittur Minor Rock Edict |
Raja Ashoka Devanampriya | Udegolam Minor Rock Edict |
Priyadassi Raja Magadh | Bhabru–Bairat Minor Rock Edict |
Priyadassi Raja | Barabar Cave Inscription |
Priyadassi | Kandahar Major Rock Edict and Dipavamsa |
Ashoka Maurya | Rudradaman’s Junagadh Rock Inscription |
Ashoka Vardhan | Puranas |
Kalinga War (261 BC)
- Ashoka fought the Kalinga War in 261 BC, during the ninth year after his coronation.
- The enormous loss of life and destruction deeply affected him, leading him to abandon the policy of military conquest in favour of cultural and moral conquest.
- Consequently, the traditional policy of Bherighosa (War Drum) was replaced by Dhammaghosa (Drum of Righteousness and Moral Law).
- Despite his transformation, Ashoka was not an absolute pacifist. He did not reject warfare under every circumstance and retained Kalinga as part of the Mauryan Empire after its conquest.
Spread of Buddhism under Ashoka
- Ashoka actively dispatched Buddhist missionaries to several kingdoms and foreign lands to spread his message of Dhamma.
- Missions were sent to the Chola and Pandya kingdoms of South India.
- He also sent emissaries to the kingdoms ruled by five contemporary Greek (Hellenistic) rulers, namely:
- Antiochus II (Syria)
- Ptolemy II Philadelphus (Egypt)
- Antigonus (Macedonia)
- Magas (Cyrene)
- Alexander (Epirus)
- Buddhist missions were further dispatched to:
- Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
- Suvarnabhumi (Burma/Myanmar)
- Several regions of South-East Asia
Ashoka’s Dhamma
- Ashoka’s Dhamma was not a sectarian religious doctrine but rather a universal ethical and moral code intended to maintain social harmony and public welfare.
- Its primary objective was to preserve social order by encouraging people to:
- Obey and respect their parents
- Show reverence to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks
- Treat slaves and servants with mercy and compassion
- Ashoka believed that by following these ethical principles, people would attain Swarga (Heaven).
- Significantly, he did not preach Nirvana as the ultimate goal, since Nirvana was a specifically Buddhist ideal, whereas his Dhamma was meant for people of all faiths and communities.
Later Mauryas (232 BC – 185 BC)
- The Mauryan Dynasty ruled for approximately 137 years, from 322 BC to 185 BC.
- After the death of Emperor Ashoka, the vast Mauryan Empire was divided into two parts:
- Western Empire
- Eastern Empire
- The Western part came under the rule of Kunala (son of Ashoka), while the Eastern part was governed by Dasaratha.
- The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated in 185 BC by his Commander-in-Chief Pushyamitra Shunga, who subsequently founded the Shunga Dynasty.
Major Causes for the Decline of the Mauryan Empire
According to various historians, the principal reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire were:
- Highly Centralized Administration (Romila Thapar)
- Pacifist Policy of Ashoka (H.C. Raychaudhuri)
- Brahmanical Reaction (H.P. Sastri)
- Partition of the Mauryan Empire after Ashoka
- Later Mauryan Rulers were weaker
- Economic Pressure and Financial Strain on the Empire (D.D. Kosambi)
- Neglect of the North-West Frontier
Mauryan Kings: Other Names and Greek Ambassadors
Mauryan King | Other Names / Titles | Greek Ambassador / Foreign Contact |
Chandragupta Maurya | Sandrocottus (Strabo, Justin), Androcottus (Arrian, Plutarch), Vrishala / Kulahina (Visakhadatta – Mudra Rakshasa) | Megasthenes, ambassador of Seleucus Nicator |
Bindusara | Amitrochates (Greek texts), Vindupala (Chinese source), Simhasena (Jain texts), Bhadrasara (Vayu Purana) | Deimachos (sent by Antiochus I of Syria) and Dionysius (sent by Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt) |
Mauryan Administration
Central Administration
The King
- The Mauryan administration was a highly centralized bureaucracy, with the King serving as its supreme authority.
- According to Kautilya (Chanakya), the state consisted of seven essential elements (Saptanga Theory):
- Raja – The King
- Amatya – Ministers / Secretaries
- Janapada – Territory and Population
- Durga – Fortifications
- Kosha – Treasury
- Sena – Army
- Mitra – Ally / Friend
- Among these seven elements, the King was regarded as the soul of the state.
Mantri Parishad (Council of Ministers)
The King was assisted by a Mantri Parishad, whose prominent members included:
- Yuvaraja – Crown Prince
- Purohita – Chief Priest
- Senapati – Commander-in-Chief
- Other Ministers and Advisors
Important Mauryan Officials
Official | Function |
Sannidhata | Chief Treasury Officer |
Samaharta | Collector General of Revenue |
Vyavaharika (Dharmastha) | Chief Justice of the Dharmasthiya Nyayalaya (Civil Court) |
Pradeshta | Chief Justice of the Kantakashodhana Nyayalaya (Criminal Court) |
Dhamma Mahamatra | Officer appointed by Ashoka to propagate Dhamma and promote public welfare |
Rashtrapala / Kumara | Provincial Governor (Viceroy) |
Pradesika | Equivalent to a modern District Magistrate |
Rajuka | Land Surveyor and Revenue Officer (similar to later Patwaris) |
Yukta | Subordinate Revenue Officer at the district level |
Sthanika | Revenue Collection Officer working under the Pradesika |
Gopa | Officer responsible for maintaining accounts |
Nagaraka | Superintendent of City Administration |
Akshapatala | Accountant General |
Sitadhyaksha | Superintendent of Agriculture |
Panyadhyaksha | Superintendent of Commerce |
Samsthadhyaksha | Superintendent of Markets |
Pautavadhyaksha | Superintendent of Weights and Measures |
Navadhyaksha | Superintendent of Ships |
Sulkadhyaksha | Collector of Tolls |
Akaradhyaksha | Superintendent of Mines |
Lohadhyaksha | Superintendent of Iron |
2. Provincial Administration
The Mauryan Empire was divided into major provinces, each governed by a Kumara (Prince) or Rashtrapala (Viceroy).
Province | Capital |
Uttarapatha (Northern Province) | Taxila |
Avantirashtra (Western Province) | Ujjain |
Prachi (Eastern & Central Province) | Pataliputra |
Kalinga (Eastern Province) | Toshali |
Dakshinapatha (Southern Province) | Suvarnagiri |
Important Note :
- According to the Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman, Saurashtra was governed by Pushyagupta (a Vaishya) during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, while under Ashoka, it was administered by the Yavana (Greek) governor Tushaspa.
Administrative Units and Their Heads
Administrative Unit | Head |
Chakra (Province) | Rashtrapala / Kumara |
Ahar / Vishaya (District) | Pradesika (Administration) & Rajuka (Land Revenue) |
Sangrahana (Group of 10 Villages) | Gopa |
Gram (Village) | Gramika |
III. Municipal Administration
- Kautilya devoted an entire chapter of the Arthashastra to the duties of the Nagaraka (City Superintendent).
- The primary responsibility of the Nagaraka was the maintenance of law and order within the city.
- According to Megasthenes, municipal administration was managed through six committees, each consisting of five members, with responsibilities divided as follows:
- Industrial Arts
- Entertainment and Care of Foreigners
- Registration of Births and Deaths
- Trade and Commerce
- Public Sale of Manufactured Goods
- Collection of Taxes on Goods Sold (10% of the Sale Price)
IV. Military Administration
- One of the most remarkable features of the Mauryan Empire was the maintenance of a large standing army, supported by a powerful navy.
- According to Megasthenes, military administration was supervised by a Board of 30 Officers, divided into six committees of five members each, responsible for:
- Infantry
- Cavalry
- War Elephants
- Chariots
- Navy
- Transport and Logistics
Spy System (Gudhapurushas)
- The Mauryan Empire maintained an elaborate intelligence network, whose spies were known as Gudhapurushas.
- They were classified into two categories:
- Samstha – Stationary Spies
- Sanchari – Wandering Spies
Mauryan Economy
- During the Mauryan Period, the State exercised extensive control over economic activities, making it one of the most centralized economies of ancient India.
- The land revenue (tax) collected from peasants generally varied between one-fourth (1/4) and one-sixth (1/6) of the total agricultural produce.
- The government actively developed irrigation facilities, known as Setubandha, and levied a water tax for their maintenance and use.
- Tolls and customs duties were imposed on commodities brought into towns for sale, and these taxes were collected at designated entry gates.
- The Mauryan State enjoyed monopoly control over several important sectors, including:
- Mining
- Forests
- Salt production
- Liquor manufacture and sale
- Arms production
- The Sohgaura Copper Plate Inscription (Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh) and the Mahasthan Inscription (Bogra, Bangladesh) contain valuable information regarding famine relief measures adopted by the Mauryan administration.
- The principal trade ports of the Mauryan Empire included:
- Bharukachchha (Bharoch/Broach)
- Supara (Western Coast)
- Tamralipti (Eastern Coast of Bengal)
- The most common medium of exchange during the Mauryan period was the Punch-Marked Coin, which was predominantly made of silver.
Mauryan Society
- Kautilya (Chanakya/Vishnugupta) adopted a relatively liberal approach towards the Varna system and was less rigid than the earlier Smriti writers.
- According to the Arthashastra, the Shudras were regarded as an Aryan community, clearly distinguished from the Mlechchhas (non-Aryans).
- During this period, the distinction between Vaishyas and Shudras gradually diminished:
- Many Vaishyas shifted primarily towards trade and commerce, abandoning cultivation.
- Several Shudras took up agriculture and various artisan occupations.
- According to Megasthenes, Indian society was divided into seven occupational classes:
- Philosophers
- Farmers
- Soldiers
- Herdsmen
- Artisans
- Magistrates
- Councillors
- These seven divisions described by Megasthenes appear to have been economic or occupational classifications rather than social castes.
- Although Megasthenes claimed that slavery did not exist in India, Indian sources confirm that slavery was a recognized institution during the Mauryan period. It is believed that Megasthenes interpreted slavery in the Western legal sense, leading to this misunderstanding.
- Women enjoyed comparatively high social status and greater freedom during the Mauryan age.
- According to Kautilya, women were permitted to:
- Seek divorce
- Remarry after separation
- Women also served in several official capacities, including:
- Personal bodyguards of the king
- Spies
- Various administrative positions
Mauryan Art
- Ananda Coomaraswamy classified Mauryan Art into two major categories:
- Royal (Court) Art
- Folk (Popular) Art
- Royal / Court Art
Royal Art included monumental constructions and state-sponsored architecture, such as:
- The Royal Palace of Chandragupta Maurya at Kumhrar (Patna).
- The planned city of Pataliputra.
- Ashokan Pillars.
- Rock-cut Caves.
- Buddhist Stupas.
- Folk / Popular Art
Popular Art consisted mainly of sculptures and terracotta objects created for common religious and cultural purposes.
Important examples include:
- Yaksha of Parkham (Mathura)
- Yakshini of Besnagar (Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh)
- Chamar-bearing Yakshini of Didarganj (Patna)
- Terracotta figurines and objects
- Inscribed stone portrait of Emperor Ashoka
- Broken relief sculpture of Emperor Ashoka from Kanaganahalli (Karnataka)
Architecture and Sculpture under the Mauryas
- The Mauryas, especially under Ashoka, introduced the large-scale use of stone masonry in Indian architecture.
- Excavations at Kumhrar (near Patna) have revealed fragments of:
- Stone pillars
- Wooden flooring
- Wooden ceilings , indicating the existence of a magnificent 80-pillared hall.
- The Chinese traveller Fa-Hien admired these structures and remarked:
“These palaces are so beautiful that they appear to be the creation of God rather than of men.”
- The Ashokan Pillars represent the finest achievements of Mauryan sculpture.
- These pillars were generally:
- Carved from a single block of sandstone (monolithic)
- Surmounted by beautifully sculpted animal capitals, including lions and bulls.
Important Pillar Capitals
- Four-Lion Capital → Sarnath and Sanchi
- The Sarnath Lion Capital was adopted as the National Emblem of India on 26 January 1950.
- Single Lion Capital → Rampurva and Lauriya Nandangarh
- Single Bull Capital → Rampurva
- Four-Lion Capital → Sarnath and Sanchi
Animal Sculptures
- Carved Elephant → Dhauli
- Engraved Elephant → Kalsi
Rock-Cut Caves
- The Mauryan artisans pioneered the tradition of hewing caves out of solid rock for monks.
- The earliest examples are the Barabar Caves (Gaya, Bihar), including:
- Sudama Cave
- World Hut
- Chaupada Cave
- Another famous example is the Lomas Rishi Cave, also located in Gaya, dating to the Ashokan period.
- Additional examples include the Nagarjuni Caves, excavated during the reign of Dasharatha Maurya.
Stupas
- Numerous Buddhist Stupas were constructed across the Mauryan Empire to enshrine the relics of the Buddha.
- Among these, the most celebrated are:
- Sanchi Stupa
- Bharhut Stupa
Important Quotations from Ashoka’s Edicts
In Rock Edict VI, Ashoka declared:
“At all times, whether I am eating, or am in the women’s apartments, or in my inner apartments, or at the cattle shed, or in my carriage, or in my gardens—wherever I may be—my Mahamatras should keep me informed about public business.”
This statement reflects Ashoka’s commitment to efficient governance and constant public administration.
Another famous declaration of Ashoka is: “All men are my children.”
This phrase highlights his paternal approach to kingship and deep concern for the welfare of his subjects.