UPPCS मंच

Search...Ctrl KSign in

Maurya Empire | UPPCS X-Factor Notes | UPPCS Manch

History · X-Factor Notes

Maurya Empire

Maurya Empire revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.

High-Yield Revision

I. Establishment and Key Rulers

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Foundation of Empire	The Mauryan Empire was established by Chandragupta Maurya after he defeated the last Nanda ruler, Dhanananda, with the assistance of his preceptor, Chanakya.
Chronology of Mauryas	The Mauryan dynasty (321 B.C. to 184 B.C.) is considered India's oldest dynasty.
Extent of Empire (Chandragupta)	The unified Mauryan Empire spanned from Bengal and Assam in the east to modern-day Afghanistan in the west, and north to Kashmir and south to the Deccan plateau.	UPPCS (Pre) 1990
Western Acquisitions	Chandragupta Maurya was the first king to conquer Malwa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. His sovereignty over Western India is attested by the Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman.	UPPCS (Pre) 1991, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010
Diplomatic Relations	Mauryan rulers had diplomatic relations with distant countries like Syria and Egypt.	U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010
Royal Epithets and Mentors	Chandragupta Maurya was referred to as "Sandrocottus" by Greek authors; Bindusara was called "Amitraghat" (Amitrachates); Ashoka was called "Piyadasi" in his inscriptions; and Chanakya was also known as Vishnugupta.	U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001

II. Ashoka, Edicts, and Dhamma

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Kalinga War	Ashoka conquered Kalinga eight years after his coronation, in 261 BC, detailed in the 13th rock edict. The invasion was necessary because Kalinga controlled land and sea routes for trade between the Gangetic valley and the Deccan/South India.	U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002
Lumbini Visit	Ashoka visited Lumbini in the 20th year of his coronation, erecting the Rummindei pillar, exempting the Bali tax, and reducing the land revenue rate from 1/6 to 1/8.
Ashoka's Name in Edicts

III. Administration and Society

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Capital Cities	Pataliputra was the capital of the Maurya dynasty. It was also the provincial capital of Prachyapatha. Kumrahar and Bulandibagh are ancient sites associated with Pataliputra.	UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2008, UPPCS (Mains) 2011
Provincial Capitals	The five Mauryan provinces and their capitals were: Uttarapatha (Taxila), Avantiratha (Ujjayini), Kalinga (Tosli), Dakshinapatha (Suvarnagiri), and Prachyapatha (Pataliputra). Taxila was the most famous center of learning during this period.

IV. Megasthenes and Foreign Accounts

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Greek Visitor	Megasthenes, a Greek historian and ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, resided in the court of Chandragupta Maurya for five years.	UPPCS (Mains) 2017
Megasthenes' Book	He authored the book "Indica", which details the municipal administration of Pataliputra.
Society Division

Pillars and Architecture	The Sarnath Pillar was constructed by Ashoka, featuring the lion capital adopted as the Indian national emblem. The Lion Capital of Ashoka is in Sarnath. The Bharhut and Sanchi stupas were constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka.

Economic Officials	Sitadhyaksha maintained crown land, and the resulting revenue was called 'Sita'. Samaharta regulated revenue collection. Pautavadhyaksha was in charge of weights and measures. Panyadhyaksha headed the Commerce Department.

Taxes/Penalties	"Bhaga" was the king’s share in agricultural produce, and "Bali" was another source of revenue. 'Pranayam' (Pranay) was an emergency tax. 'Pankodakasannirodhe' was the penalty for messing up the roads with dirt or mud/water.

Pataliputra Administration	Megasthenes recorded that Pataliputra was governed by a 30-member municipal council consisting of six committees of five members each. The 3rd committee maintained the registration of birth and death certificates. Town officials were called 'Astynomoi'.