History · X-Factor Notes
Mauryan Empire revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Oldest dynasty in India | Maurya. | |
| Indian King defeated by Alexander on Jhelum | Porus (Puru), whose realm was between Jhelum and Chenab. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
| Indian King defeated Seleucus Nicator | Chandragupta Maurya. | |
| Inclusion of Gujarat in Chandragupta Maurya's Kingdom | Proved by Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010 |
| Deccan Conqueror (Mauryan) | Chandragupta. | |
| Names of Ashoka in inscriptions | Piyadassi and Devanampriya. | UPPCS (Pre) 2012 |
| Kalinga War | Greatest event of Ashoka’s reign; described in 13th rock edict. Took place 8 years after coronation (261 BC). | |
| Ashoka's visit to Lumbini | After the 20th year of his coronation; Bali tax was exempted and land revenue reduced from 1/6 to 1/8. | |
| Ashoka's inscription mentioning South Indian kingdoms | Second Major Rock Edict mentions Pandyas, Sattiyaputta, Keralaputta, and Chola. | UPPCS (Mains) 2016 |
| First hospital and herbal gardens builder | Ashoka. | |
| First scholar to decipher Ashoka’s inscription (Brahmi script) | James Prinsep. | |
| Kharosthi script location/direction | Used in north-west India; written from right to left. Shahbazgarhi inscription is in Kharosthi script. | |
| Mauryan Diplomatic Relations | Had diplomatic relations with distant countries like Syria and Egypt. | U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Chanakya (Kautilya) | Other names: Vishnugupta and Chanakya. Prime minister, advisor, and chief priest of Chandragupta Maurya. | UPPCS (Pre) 2002 |
| Kautilya's Arthashastra | Book primarily on principles and practice of statecraft. | |
| Pataliputra archaeological site |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Megasthenes | Greek historian, ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, lived in Chandragupta Maurya’s court for five years. Author of 'Indica'. | UPPCS (Mains) 2017, UPPCS (Mains) 2009 |
| Society division | Divided Mauryan society into seven categories: Philosophers, Farmers, Herdsmen, Artisans, Military, Overseers/Spies, Councillors/Assessors. | UPPCS (Mains) 2009 |
| Slavery in India |
| UPPCS (Mains) 2011, UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2008 |
| Sources of revenue | Bhaga (King's share in produce, as King was owner of the land) and Bali. Revenue collected from crown land was called Sita (maintained by Sitadhyaksha). |
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| Irrigation tax (Mauryan period) | Known as 'Udakabhog' (though mentioned in Gupta context, used for Ancient India tax systems). |
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| Court types (Arthashastra) | Dharmasthiya (Civil Courts) and Kantakshodhana (Criminal Courts). |
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| Head of convoy of merchants | Sarthwah (described in Arthashastra). |
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| Mauryan officials | Yukta (revenue collector); Rajjuka (surveyors/judicial functions in rural areas); Pradeshika (top official/divisional commissioner); Pautavadhyaksha (in charge of weights and measures). |
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| Penalty for littering roads | ‘Pankodakasannirodhe’. |
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| Most famous centre of learning | Taxila (major center for Hindus and Buddhists). |
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| U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
| Municipal administration | Described in Indica; Pataliputra governed by a 30-member municipal council (six committees of five members each). Third committee maintained birth and death records. |
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