The Mauryan empire

In ancient India, the Mauryan empire was centered on Pataliputra (later Patna), near the confluence of the Son and Ganges (Ganga) rivers. It was the first empire to span the majority of the Indian subcontinent, lasting from 321 to 185 BCE.

In this article, we will learn more about the Mauryan empire and who founded the Mauryan empire in detail.

Who Founded the Mauryan Empire?

The founder of the Mauryan Empire was Chandragupta Maurya. He destroyed the Nanda dynasty and formed the Mauryan empire in 322 BCE.

According to Brahmanical tradition, he was born in the Nandas palace to a shudra woman. However, according to Buddhist legend, the Gorakhpur region was home to a Kshatriya clan known as the Mauryas.

What was the Capital of the Mauryan Empire?

Pataliputra (present-day Patna) was the Mauryan Empire’s capital city. Under the Mauryas, the republic and oligarchy forms of administration came to an end, and monarchy achieved its pinnacle. In the realms of literature, art, architecture, and inscriptions, the empire is noted for its great innovation. This era is represented by Ashoka’s Lion Capital, which is India’s national emblem. By 180 BCE, the Mauryan empire had come to an end, and Brihadratha was the last monarch of the dynasty.

Establishment of the Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta took advantage of the Nandas’ deterioration and helplessness. With the support of Chanakya (Kautilya), he deposed the final ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda, and declared himself emperor. Seleucus was the ruler of North-Western India during that time.

In exchange for 500 elephants, Chandragupta Maurya liberated Afghanistan, Balochistan, and regions west of the Indus from Seleucus. He unified the Mauryan Empire, which comprised Bihar, Orissa, and Bengal, as well as the Indian subcontinent’s north and northwestern regions.

The only portions of India that were not under Mauryan authority were Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the North-Eastern plains.

Chandragupta Maurya was an autocrat who wielded absolute authority. The preservation of the massive army was the most remarkable element of his government.

Chandragupta had 600,000 men, 30000 cavalry, and 9000 elephants, according to Pliny, a Roman writer.

Bindusara, Chandragupta Maurya’s son, succeeded him as an emperor. The Greeks gave him the names Amitraghata, Amitrochates, and Allitrochates, which meant “slayer of adversaries.”

Bindusara took the Mauryan empire all the way to the south. He conquered the Indian peninsula by bringing sixteen nations under his rule. The only kingdom that was not under Bindusara’s dominion, aside from the southern states, was Kalinga. His reign was crucial for the continuation of Greek relations, and during this time, Kautilya remained Prime Minister.

Bindusara’s son, Ashoka, was the greatest king of the Mauryan Empire and succeeded to the throne after his father. He was the first ruler to use his inscriptions to communicate with the people.

The Kalinga war was the only conflict he fought after his succession to the throne. He abandoned the idea of conquest by the war and followed conquest by dharma after being moved by the massacre of the Kalinga war. To put it another way, he substituted Dham Magosha for Bherigosha. He was the first emperor to abstain from the war as a result of this. Ashoka became a Buddhist after being converted.

He hosted the third Buddhist council and dispatched missionaries to South India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and a number of other nations. Ashoka, who was known for his missions, was the great emperor of ancient India. With one dharma, one language, and one script, he pulled the Mauryan kingdom even closer together. His Dhamma policy was a comprehensive idea that encompassed a way of life, a code of conduct, and a set of principles that individuals should follow in their everyday lives.

Dhamma mahamatta was his choice for disseminating his dhamma. He acted in accordance with a policy of religious tolerance. His peaceful, non-aggressive, and cultural conquest made him famous.

The Decline of the Mauryan Empire

After the demise of Ashoka in 232 BCE, the Mauryan empire began to fall apart. The huge empire’s collapse and demise were caused by a number of events.

Brahmanical View:

Despite adopting a policy of religious tolerance, Ashoka was opposed to the slaughter of animals and birds, as well as superstitious sacrifices and rites were done by women. Because of Ashoka’s anti-sacrifice attitude, the Brahmanical society suffered a loss, as they relied on the offerings given in the name of sacrifices. As a result, the Brahmans turned against Ashoka and developed a dislike for him. 

Financial Crises:

In ancient times, the Mauryan kingdom was noted for having the largest army and the greatest regiment of officers. As a result, vast sums were spent on paying the troops and officials. Ashoka gave the Buddhist monks large sums of money from the royal treasury, which quickly ran out. In subsequent centuries, the gold images were melted to cover the costs. 

Oppressive Rule:

People in Taxila complained about the misrule of the wicked bureaucrats under Bindusara’s reign. By appointing Ashoka, this was resolved. This happened again during Ashoka’s rule. He told the mahamatras not to torture anyone unless there was a good reason. To address this issue, he instituted officer rotation in Ujjain, Taxila, and Tsali. However, tyranny persisted in the provinces on the outskirts.

Pushyamitra Shunga, the Shunga emperor, eventually overthrew the Mauryan empire. By defeating the dynasty’s last ruler, he grabbed the throne at Pataliputra (Brihadratha). The Shungas resurrected the Brahmanical way of life’s practices and policies. Kansas took over after the Shungas later.