Mauryans Flashcards
Literary sources of Mauryans
- Kautilya’s Arthashastra
- Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
- Megasthenes’ Indica
- Puranas
- Jatakas
- Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa [Asoka spreading buddhism in ceylon]
when was political unity achieved for the 1st time in India
during mauryan period
Parts of Kautilya’s arthashastra
3 parts, deal with
1st- King and his council, govt dpts
2nd- civil and criminal law
3rd- diplomacy and war
what was Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
Mudrarakshasa was written by Visakadatta.
A drama in Sanskrit written during the gupta period about how chandragupta overthrew nandas
what was mehasthenes indica
Megasthenes was the greek ambassador in the court of chandragupta maurya
He gives details about Mauryan administration, esp of pataliputra
+ military + social life
who discovered Asoka’s edicts
James Princep in 1837
Language in which asoka edicts are written
Pali
Prakrit
Karoshti
types of edicts
- Major rock edicts
- Minor rock edicts
- Minor pillar edicts
use of asokan pillars
Asoka’s dhamma and instructions given to officials
which edicts gives info about the kalinga war
13th rock edict
which edict gives the summary of his efforts to promote dhamma
7th pillar edict
founder of Mauryan empire
chandragupta maurya, assisted by Kautilya/ Chanakya/ Vishnugupta
who is selukas niketar
Alexander’s general in charge of NW India
He lost to chandragupta maurya and ceded the trans indus territories and gave his daughter for marriage to CM.
Megasthenes was sent by him as the greek ambassador
religion of CM
Jainism
he stepped down from the throne in favour of his son bindusara
went to sravana begola led by Bhadrabahu and starved himself to death
What did the greeks call bindusara
Amitragatha / slayer of enemies
Who confirms the expansion of mauryan empire under bindusara
Taranantha, a buddhist monk
Sangam Tamil literature
area under bindusara
MAP IT
from kashmir to mysore
Which ambassador did Bindusara receive
Deimachus from Syrian king Antiochus I
religion of bindusara
Ajivikas
Ajivikas’ central belief was that absolutely everything is predetermined by fate, or niyati, and hence human action has no consequence one way or the other.
Asoka’s initial role
governor of ujjain
how are Susima and Tissa associated to asoka
eldest brother that asoka killed [98 other bros as well] acc to dipavamsa and mahavamsa
Tissa was the toungest bro who was spared
Asokan empire area
MAP IT
Reached till afghanistan till mysore [never reached to the southern end of india]
when did asoka embrace buddhism
after his war at kalinga
He was moved to such guilt by the hardships caused to the defeated people by the war that he discarded armed conquests
under whose influence did asoka embraxce buddhism
Buddhist monk Upagupta
Describe Asokas conversion to buddhism
his conversion was gradual and not immediate
He first became a Sakya Upasaka [lay disciple]
Then he gave up hunting, visited Bodh Gaya
he appointed special officers called dhamma Mahamatras to speed up the progress of dhamma
He visited Lumbini garden and other buddhist holy places
He sent a mission to Sri lanka, under his son Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra who planted the branch of the original Bodhi tree
Asoka convened the 3rd buddhist council at patliputra
which were his bordering southern most kingdoms during Asoka’s reign
Chola’s., Pandyas and Satyaputras and Keralaputras
was Kashmir a part of the Mauryan empire, acc to whom
Yes, acc to Rajatarangini
was nepal a part of mauryan empire
yes
what was Asoka’s Dhamma
It was a way of life, a code of conduct and a set of principles to be followed by ppl at large. Ashoka’s Dhamma [Dharma in Sanskrit] was not a new religion. It was not a new form of political philosophy either.
These principles were clearly stated in his Edicts
These ten principles are:
1. To be liberal while avoiding egoism. 2. To uphold a high moral standard. 3. To be willing to put one’s own pleasure aside for the sake of the subjects’ well-being. 4. To be truthful and uphold total integrity. 5. To be gentle and kind. 6. To live a humble life to inspire the subjects. 7. To be free of all forms of hatred. 8. To practise non-violence. 9. To develop patience. 10. Respect for the public’s viewpoint to create peace and concord.
Was dhamma equated to buddhist teachings
no
buddhism remained his personal belief
Why is asoka the greatest ever
termed greater than alexander and julius caesar
his dhamma appeals to humanity even today
known for his benevolent administration
policy of non aggression
looked at larger welfare of humanity
what happened to the Mauryan empire after Asoka’s death
led to a division of the mauryam empire into western and eastern
western was ruled by Kunala [asoka’s son]
eastern was ruled by Dasaratha [asoka’s grandson]
western part collapsed due to Bactrian invasion
western part collapsed due to
Bactrian invasion
last of Mauryan kings
briharatha, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga
describe the Mauryan administration, headings
use for any empire —- TEMPLATE
- Central govt
- Revenue dpt
- Army
- Dept of commerce and industry
- Judicial and Police dpt
- Census
- Provincial and local administration
central govt during mauryan empire
led to triumph of monarchy in india
Sytems like oligarchies and republics prevalent in pre mauryan era had collapsed
Kautilya- supported monarchical form of govt but did not stand for royal absolutism.
Kautilya advocated the king to take advice of his ministry. hence there was a council of ministers called Mantriparishad.
It consisted of purohita, Mahamantri, Senapati and Yuvaraj.
Civil servants called Amatyas to look after day to day administration. — a well organised civil service.
what were civil servants called during mauryan empire
Amatyas
what was chief of the revenue dept called
Samharta
what all was revenue collected for
land
irrigation
customs
shop tax
ferry tax
forests
mines
pastures
license fee
how much land revenue was collected by mauryans
1/6th of total produce
Army of Mauryans was headed by
Senapati
who mentioned the mauryan army in their book
greek author, Pliny
Mauryan army had consisted of what all parts
6 boards of 5 members here
Infantry
Cavalry
Elephants
Chariots
Navy
Transport and supply
these were headed by Adyakshas or superintendents
who ensured retail and wholesale prices and study supply of goods
officers of Adyakshas
role of Adyakshas
Adyakshas were officers in Revenue dpt
- control the retail and wholesale prices of goods and tried to ensure steady supply
- Controlled weights and measures
- Levied custom duties
- Regulated foreign trade
what was the chief justice of supreme court called
Dharmathikarim
kinds of courts during mauryan empire
both civil and criminal courts
supreme court under dharmathikarim
subordinate courts at both provincial capitals and districts under Amatyas
way of punishement under Mauryans
fines
imprisonment
mutilation
death
jail
what do edicts mention vis a vis Judiciary
presence of jails and jail officials
remission of sentences
role of dhamma mahamatras against unfair imprisonment
role of dhamma mahamatras wrt judiciary
took steps against unjust imprisonment
what all was asked in census of mauryan empire
regularly held
- number of ppl
- caste
- occupation
- animals in house
to check movement of population both foreign and indigenous.
the mauryan empire was divided into how many provinces
4
Taxila
Ujjain
Suvarnagiri
Kalinga
who were the provincial governors
members of royal family
district administration was under
Rajukas, functions similar to modern day collectors
whom were rajukas assisted by
Yuktas, subordinate officials
who headed village administration
Gramani for a village
Gopa who was in charge of 15 villages
Arthashastra talks in depth about what wrt city administration
Nagarika or city superintendent
what were monuments made of before Asoka
wood, hence they perished
what material was used after asoka
stone
only remaining stupa of asoka is at
sanchi
majority of them were destroyed during foreign invasions
what animals were on Mauryan pillars
Lion
Elephant
Bull
Sarnath pillar
4 lions
Adopted by indian govt with some modification as its state emblem
sanch stupa was initially built with
bricks, but was later was enlarged at the time of asoka
who presented caves to Ajivikas
by asoka, not bindusara
the interiors of walls are polished like mirrors
they acted as residences of monks
caves at barabar are where
near bodh gaya
who made caves at barabar hills
Mauryas
what led to decline of mauryas
- Weak successors of asoka
- Inadequate political and economic institutions to sustain such a vast empire
- Asoka’s pro buddhist policies antagonised buddhists who brought a revolution led by pushyamitra sunga
- Non violence as a policy reduced the fighting spirit of his army
- partition of his empire
- administrative abuses after asoka’s reign
What religions come under shraman tradition
Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivikas
These are religious movements parallel to vedic movements
what is the shraman tradition
Tapasvi/ Yogi, who are seekers and ascetics [lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals]
why did jainism and buddhism become popular
opposed the varna and jati system
what kind of religions and worships exixted during the mauryan period
hindus, buddists, jains, ajivikas
worship of Yakshas and mother goddess was prevalent during that time, so multiple forms of worships existed.
Though, Buddhism became most popular.
describe the popularity of Yaksha worship
very popular before and after the advent of buddhism and it was also assimilated in Buddhism and Jainism
Did stupas and Viharas exist prior to buddhism as well
yes
they got assimilated inn buddhism
art and architecture found during mauryans
stupas
viharas
chaityas
stone pillars
rock cut caves
monumental figure scupltures
where did Mauryan pillars take inspiration from
it was prevalent in Achaemian empire as well
difference between mauryan and achaemenian pillars
Mauryan, rock cut, thus displaying the carvers skills, Achaemenian were constructed in pieces by a mason, no carving skills as such
Mauryan were independently erected on ground while achaemenian were built on top of buildings
where were stone pillars majorly found
north india
did stone pillars have inscriptions engraved on them
YES
What all capital figures were atop pillars
bull
lion
elephant etc
parts of mauryan pillars
top to bottom
capital figure
abascus
inverted lotus in bell shape [base]
shaft [the main lamba pillar type]
what kind of abacuses were found in pillars
circular and square
where have capital figures been found
In Bihar
Basra bakhira
Lauriya
Nandangarh
Rampurva
In Uttar Pradesh
Sankisa and Sarnath
where is the famous lion pillar found
Sarnath
lion pillar stands on what kind of abacus
circular
animals found on the lion pillar
lions - 5 [4+1]
bull- 1
horse- 1
elephant 1
animals found in indias national emblem in 2D`
3 lions
1 horse
1 bull
what does the lion capital signify
symbolises dhammachakrapravartana - the first sermon given by Buddha at Sarnath
what are Yakshas and yakshinis
male and female guard of lord kuber and his wealth.
they appear in hindu, jain and buddhist texts
not ajivikas since they’re atheists
position of yaakshas and yakshinis
mostly standing
but also found in sitting position
best position of yakshini is found at
Didarganj, patna
standing tall, half naked
difference between teracotta and scupltures
difference in delineation of the body
where is the rock cut elephant found
dhauli, odisha
where are Lomas Rishi
Barabar hills, Gaya in bihar
entrance of Lomas rishi cave is
chaitya arch
significance of lomas rishi cave
donated by asoka to ajivika sect
what is a stupa
a hemispherical structure containing relics [typically of buddhist monks or nuns] that is used as a place for meditation
what is chaityas or chaityagriha
place of worship
what is a vihara
residential quarters of monks
are stupas also associated with brahmanical gods
yes
over buddhas relics, where all have stupas been found
In Bihar
Rajagriha
Vaishali
Vethadipa
Pava
In nepal
Kapilavastu
Allakappa
Ramagrama
In UP
Kushinagar
Pippalvina
also in avanti and gandhara
religions stupas, chaityas and viharas are associated with
jainism and buddhism
Yes, even jainism
but larger number belongs to buddhism
parts of a stupa
top to bottom
chhatra
harnika
anda
pradakshina patha
medhi
torana
vedika
examples of famous stupas
Bairat in Rajasthan
Sanchi
who provided for building the stupas
royal patronage very lil
patrons range from lay devotees to gahapatis and kings
donations from guilds
are names of artisans mentioned on stupas
very few such examples
Kanha from pitamkhora
Balaka at Konadane caves
are categories of artisans mentioned on inscriptions
yes
how is the shape of chaitya entrance
horse shoe shaped
what kind of entrance does the lomas rishi cave have
chaitya arch
who built the lion capital pillar
asoka
what is dharmachakra
what does it signify
wheel having 8 spokes, representing the eightfold path
Wheel of the Law (dharmachakra), denoting the Buddha’s First Sermon in the forest at Sarnath, where he set Buddhist Law (dharma) in motion.
what is on our national flag
modified version of dharmachakra called asoka chakra
apart from sarnath where else has a lion capital been found
at sanchi but in a dilapilated condition
what is a chauri
a fly-whisk [to shoo flies] on yakshinis right hand found at didarganj
condition of yakshini at didarganj, patna
its left hand and nose is broken, otherwise good
size of yakshini at didarganj
life sized
how did patronisation take place for monuments in mauryan times
at times, only a specific portion of the monument is said to have been paronised by a particular patron
how was buddhism depicted initially
symbolically via footprints, chakra, lotus and stupas
how was buddhism depicted later
by historisation of life events of buddha, this became a part of buddhist tradition
Jataka stories were depicted on the railings of torans of stupas
events of birth, renunciation, enlightenment, dhammachakrapravartana, mahaparinibbana
what are jataka stories
stories associated with buddhists previous life
what is dhammachakrapravartana
Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath
what is mahaparinibbana
liberation from the cycle of birth
Name the frequent Jataka stories
Chhadanta
Vidurpundita
Ruru
Sibi
Vessantara
Shama
what is Bharut famous for
Bharhut is famous for the ruins of a Buddhist stupa
