Chapter 4: The Mauryan Empire

Question 1

When and how was the Mauryan empire formed?

Answer 1

The Mauryan Empire was founded in the 4th century BC by Chandragupta Maurya. He overthrew the Nandas from Magadha and the Greek Satraps from the North-West Frontier and unified a large part of the Indian subcontinent under his centralised government.

Question 2

What is the most important source of information of the Mauryas? Who wrote it? What does it convey?

Answer 2

The most important source of history of the Mauryas is the Arthashastra, written by Kautilya, who is also known as Vishnugupta and Chanakya. He was the advisor and Prime Minister of Chandragupta. Arthashastra is written in Sanskrit. It is a comprehensive manual that deals with politics, rules of diplomacy, principles of administration and other such political topics.

Question 3

Who wrote Indika? What is it about?

Answer 3

Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He had been sent to the court by Seleucus, the Greek ruler. He wrote a book named Indika which contains the impressions of what he heard and saw during his stay in India. The fragments of the real Indika still remain in the writings of later Greek authors like Strabo, Arrian and Diodorus.

Question 4

What is an edict?

Answer 4

An edict is a decree issued by a Sovereign

Question 5

What were the edicts of Ashoka?

Answer 5

The edicts of Ashoka are the oldest, best preserved and precisely dated records of India. These edicts include 14 major rock edicts, 7 pillar edicts and a number of minor rock edicts. The inscriptions on these edicts provide a useful insight into the the life and ideals of Ashoka in particular and about the history of the Mauryan empire in general.

Question 6

What is a stupa?

Answer 6

A stupa is a semi-spherical solid dome-like structure made of unburnt bricks and stone.

Question 7

What significance does the Buddhist Stupa (Sanchi Stupa) hold?

Answer 7

The Buddhist stupa has special significance. It represents the spiritual body of Buddha containing his relics such as hair, teeth and bones. A casket containing these relics is placed at the base of the dome.

Question 8

Who was Kautilya?

Answer 8

Kautilya was the son of a Brahmin. He too was wronged by the Nandas. He, therefore, joined hands with Chandragupta to destroy the Nanda dynasty.

Question 9

What was the extent of Chandragupta’s empire?

Answer 9

Chandragupta’s empire extended from Kabul and Kandahar in the North-West to Mysore in the South, and from Bengal in the East to Saurashtra in the West.

Question 10

Who was Bindusara?

Answer 10

The Greek historian Athenacus calls him a ‘slayer of foes’. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. He conquered many parts of South India after defeating 16 rulers. During his rule, he faced revolt in Takshila. This was quelled by his second son, Ashoka.

Question 11

Who was Ashoka?

Answer 11

He succeeded to the throne. Ashoka took the title of ‘Devanamapriya’ (The beloved of the gods’) and ‘Priyadarshi’ (The Beautiful One).

Question 12

What were the consequences of the Kalinga War?

Answer 12

1. The death and destruction caused by the Kalinga War brought a great change in the personal and political life of Ashoka. He abandoned the policy of ‘conquest by force’ (bherigosha) and ‘ambition of victory in all directions’ (digvijay) and embraced the policy of religion (dhammagosha).
2. Ashoka stopped hunting and eating meat and abandoned the life of luxury.
3. The prisoners of war were used for agricultural work. It resulted in an increase of production and brought about economic prosperity in his empire.
4. Ashoka himself went on tours to preach Buddhism to people. He sent his daughter, Sanghamitra and son, Mahindra to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism.
5. Ashoka embraced Buddhism and followed some of the Buddhist principles in state policy like non-violence and disapproval of empty rituals.
6. There was a decline in military preparedness and efficiency.

Question 13

What was the extent of Ashoka’s empire?

Answer 13

Ashoka’s empire extended from the Hindukush in the north-west to the river Pennar in the South.

Question 14

What were the chief advantages of the pan-Indian character of the Mauryan empire?

Answer 14

1. It marked the end of small states.
2. It helped in establishing trade links with foreign countries.
3. It made India strong and helped the Mauryan Kings face foreign aggression successfully.
4. After Ashoka’s conquest of Kalinga, the Mauryan kings could pay more attention to the social and economic welfare of the people. Hence, there was all-round economic prosperity.

Question 15

Give 4 points on the administration of the Mauryan empire:

Answer 15

1. Ashoka added a new fifth province, Kalinga in the existing four provinces, with Tosali as its capital.
2. The Mauryan central monarchy became a paternal despotism under Ashoka. In one of his edicts, Ashoka says, ‘all men are my children’.
3. Ashoka simplified many rigorous practices related administration regarding taxation and crop collection. This helped to increase productivity and economic activity across the empire.
4. Ashoka appointed Mahamatras to look after the welfare of his subjects.

Question 16

Explain the central government system under Mauryan Administration. (4 points)

Answer 16

The Mauryan administration was centralised and was managed by several officers at different ranks.

The king was the supreme authority and the throne was hereditary. He was also the supreme judge.

He appointed Mahamatras to look after the welfare of his subjects.

At the central level, the king was advised by the council of ministers (Mantri Parishad), headed by the Prime Minister.

Question 17

What did the council of ministers include?

Answer 17

The council of ministers included the chief Pujari of the state called Purohit; Senapati, who advised the king in matters related to war and peace. The head treasurer, called Sannidhata. And Samaharta, the taxation expert.

Question 18

Explain the Provincial govt. system under Mauryan Administration

Answer 18

Head of the province was called the Kumar or Aryagupta. Only the princes was appointed to this position. The Kumar was assisted by the Governor (Mahamatra). Pradeshika collected taxes. Rajuka performed the functions of modern day Tehsildar or revenue officer.

Question 19

Explain the District Administration system under Mauryan Administration

Answer 19

The provinces were divided into Janapadas. Their administration was looked after by Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta.

Question 20

How was the administration of cities carried out?

Answer 20

The head of the city was called Nagaradhyaksha. The administration of Patliputra, the capital city of the Mauryan empire, was looked after by a committee of 30 members.

Question 21

Explain the revenue system and what the revenue was used for.

Answer 21

It was one-sixth to one-fourth of the produce. There were two kinds of taxes, Bali and Bhaga. Bhaga was levied on agricultural produce and cattle at the rate of one-sixth. Bali was a religious tribute. Taxes were levied on Liquor stores and Gambling houses. Some taxes were collected from forests and mines. From the revenue collected, the state would provide various facilities like roads, irrigation, hospitals and met other expenses of the state.

Question 22

Explain the spy system of the Mauryan Empire.

Answer 22

There were spies against the spies and on important matters, more than one agent was asked to collect information. The king was always kept informed of the working of the bureaucracy.

Question 23

Explain the military administration of the Mauryan Empire.

Answer 23

A huge army contained infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry and 9000 war elephants, 8000 chariots. Chief weapons that were used: bows, arrows, shields, swords. The king was the commander-in-chief.

Question 24

What was Ashoka’s Dhamma?

Answer 24

He wanted his subjects to follow such a Dhamma that may be based on unifying principles of all major religions of the world. The Dhamma, as described in Ashokan edicts, is not a religious system, but a ‘moral law’, ‘common code of conduct’ or an ‘ethical order’.

Question 25

What are the principles of Dhamma?

Answer 25

1. Respect for elders and love for children.
2. Ahimsa or non-violence.
3. Good deeds or good karma would give happiness to man in the next birth.
4. He taught people to respect all religions.
5. He disapproved empty rituals.

Question 26

What was the impact of the Dhamma on Ashoka’s imperial policy?

Answer 26

1. Religious Unity: There was religious tolerance.
2. Moral Values: People under the influence of Dhamma started living a normal life.
3. End of Crimes: The policy of Ahimsa did have a great moral impact on people. Thefts, crimes and other such activities almost came to an end.
4. Public welfare: Ashoka’s Dhamma helped officials to undertake public welfare and public work schemes. This resulted in prosperity and helped people live a peaceful life.