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Maurya Empire

Maurya Empire revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.

23 revision facts

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	The name 'Ashoka' is explicitly mentioned in the Gujjara minor rock edict.
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.
Scripts	The most common script on Ashoka's Pillars is Brahmi. The Kharosthi script (written right to left) was found in North-West India, such as on the Shahbazgarhi inscription.
Decipherment	The first scholar to decipher Ashoka's inscription (Brahmi script) was James Prinsep.
Dhamma	The central point in Ashoka's Dhamma is peace and non-violence.	UPPCS (Pre) 2012

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.	UPPCS (Pre) 1990
Key Officials	Yukta (district officials collecting revenue), Rajjuka (rural officials combining surveying and judicial functions), and Pradeshika (top official of the division, judicial work).
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.

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	Megasthenes divided Indian society into seven categories: Philosophers, Farmers, Herdsmen, Artisans, Military (Soldier), Overseers (Spies), and Councillors/Assessors. The division of Mauryan society into seven classes is specifically mentioned in Indica.	UPPCS (Mains) 2009, UPPCS (Mains) 2017
Absence of Slavery	Megasthenes explicitly mentions that there was no slavery in ancient India.	U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013
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'.