About the Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire (c. 321–185 BC) was the first great empire to unite almost the whole of the Indian subcontinent under a single government. It was founded around 321 BC by Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his mentor Chanakya (also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta), by overthrowing the last Nanda ruler Dhana Nanda. Its capital was Pataliputra (modern Patna).
Chandragupta Maurya (c. 321–297 BC) was the first Mauryan emperor. He defeated Seleucus Nicator, a general of Alexander the Great, around 305 BC. By the treaty that followed, Chandragupta gained Arachosia, Gedrosia and Paropamisadae, while Seleucus sent his ambassador Megasthenes to the Mauryan court; Megasthenes wrote the famous account Indica. Another Greek ambassador, Deimakos, was sent later. According to Jain tradition, Chandragupta became a follower of Jainism, went south with Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelagola, and died by the Jain practice of Sallekhana.
Bindusara (c. 297–273 BC), the son of Chandragupta, was also called Amitraghata (‘slayer of enemies’). He maintained friendly relations with the Greek world and asked Antiochus I for figs, wine and a philosopher. He suppressed a revolt in Taxila, and he is said to have followed the Ajivika sect.
Ashoka (c. 273–232 BC) was the greatest Mauryan ruler. In the 8th year of his reign (261 BC) he fought the Kalinga war. The terrible bloodshed filled him with remorse, and he embraced Buddhism and the policy of Dhamma. He spread his message through Rock and Pillar Edicts, written mainly in Prakrit using the Brahmi script (and Kharosthi in the north-west). He appointed officers called Dhamma Mahamatta to spread his ethical teachings, and he sent Buddhist missionaries to various countries; his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra went to Sri Lanka. The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra around 250 BC under his patronage. Ashoka died in 232 BC.
After Ashoka the empire declined. Among the later Mauryas were Kunala, Dasharatha, Samprati, Salisuka, Devavarman, Shatadhanvan and finally Brihadratha, who was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BC, bringing the Mauryan Empire to an end and beginning the Shunga dynasty.
The Mauryan administration was highly centralised. The king was the head of state and was assisted by a council of ministers, the Mantriparishad. The principles of administration are described in the Arthashastra of Kautilya. The empire was divided into provinces, often governed by royal princes, and officers such as the mahamatras, rajukas, pradeshikas, yuktas and amatyas looked after different duties. A spy system kept the king informed. The economy was strong: agriculture, crafts and trade flourished, and the Mauryas issued punch-marked silver coins (karshapana). The Sudarshana lake in Gujarat was built under Chandragupta’s governor Pushyagupta and repaired under Ashoka’s governor Tushaspha. The Grand Trunk Road linked Pataliputra with Taxila (the Uttarapatha). Mauryan art and architecture gave us the polished stone pillars (the Sarnath Lion Capital is the national emblem of India), stupas such as Sanchi and Bharhut, and the Barabar caves (made for the Ajivika sect). The main sources for this period are the Arthashastra of Kautilya, the Indica of Megasthenes, the Ashokan edicts, the Mudrarakshasa of Vishakhadatta and the Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman.
Timeline of the Mauryan Empire
- c. 321 BC: Chandragupta Maurya founds the empire by overthrowing Dhana Nanda.
- c. 305 BC: Chandragupta defeats Seleucus Nicator; Megasthenes arrives at the Mauryan court.
- c. 297 BC: Accession of Bindusara.
- c. 273 BC: Accession of Ashoka.
- 261 BC: The Kalinga war, in the 8th year of Ashoka’s reign.
- c. 250 BC: Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra under Ashoka.
- 232 BC: Death of Ashoka.
- 185 BC: Brihadratha killed by Pushyamitra Shunga; end of the Mauryan Empire.
Main Facts about the Mauryan Empire (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Founder of the empire: Chandragupta Maurya.
- Chandragupta’s mentor: Chanakya (Kautilya).
- Capital: Pataliputra.
- Greek general defeated by Chandragupta: Seleucus Nicator.
- Greek ambassador and author of Indica: Megasthenes.
- Bindusara’s title: Amitraghata.
- Greatest Mauryan ruler: Ashoka.
- Kalinga war: 261 BC.
- Ashoka’s policy after Kalinga: Dhamma.
- Officers spreading Dhamma: Dhamma Mahamatta.
- Scripts of the Ashokan edicts: Brahmi and Kharosthi.
- Third Buddhist Council: Pataliputra, c. 250 BC.
- Missionaries sent to Sri Lanka: Mahendra and Sanghamitra.
- Last Mauryan ruler: Brihadratha.
- End of the empire: 185 BC, by Pushyamitra Shunga.
- Text of administration: the Arthashastra of Kautilya.
- Mauryan coins: punch-marked silver coins (karshapana).
- National emblem from: the Sarnath Lion Capital.
Important Persons and Terms
- Chandragupta Maurya: founder of the Mauryan Empire; defeated Seleucus Nicator; according to Jain tradition, died at Shravanabelagola.
- Chanakya (Kautilya): the mentor of Chandragupta and author of the Arthashastra.
- Megasthenes: the Greek ambassador who wrote Indica.
- Bindusara: Chandragupta’s son, called Amitraghata.
- Ashoka: the greatest Mauryan ruler, who adopted Dhamma after the Kalinga war.
- Kautilya’s Arthashastra: the main text on Mauryan administration.
- Dhamma Mahamatta: officers appointed by Ashoka to spread his ethical teachings.
- Sarnath Lion Capital: the Ashokan pillar capital that is now India’s national emblem.
Why the Mauryan Empire Matters for Exams
The Mauryan Empire is one of the most important topics in ancient Indian history. Common questions include: Who founded the Mauryan Empire? (Chandragupta Maurya.) Who was his mentor? (Chanakya or Kautilya.) What was the capital? (Pataliputra.) Which Greek general did Chandragupta defeat? (Seleucus Nicator.) Who wrote Indica? (Megasthenes.) Which war changed Ashoka? (the Kalinga war.) In which year was it fought? (261 BC.) What policy did Ashoka adopt? (Dhamma.) Who were the Dhamma Mahamatta? (officers appointed to spread Dhamma.) Which Ashokan capital is India’s national emblem? (the Sarnath Lion Capital.) A frequent trap is to say that Chandragupta founded Buddhism; in fact it was Ashoka who embraced Buddhism after Kalinga, while Chandragupta is associated with Jainism in Jain tradition. Another trap is to confuse Megasthenes (author of Indica) with Kautilya (author of the Arthashastra). The last Mauryan ruler was Brihadratha, killed in 185 BC.
How to Prepare the Mauryan Empire
- Fix the founder and the fall. Chandragupta Maurya founded it around 321 BC; Brihadratha was the last ruler, killed in 185 BC.
- Learn the three great rulers. Chandragupta, Bindusara (Amitraghata) and Ashoka.
- Learn the Greek connection. Seleucus Nicator defeated; Megasthenes wrote Indica.
- Learn Ashoka and Kalinga. The Kalinga war in 261 BC led to the adoption of Dhamma and to the Third Buddhist Council.
- Learn the administration. Centralised rule, the Arthashastra, provinces, officers and punch-marked coins.
Common Exam Traps
- Ashoka, not Chandragupta, embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga war.
- Megasthenes wrote the Indica; Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra.
- The Kalinga war was fought in 261 BC, in the 8th year of Ashoka’s reign.
- The national emblem comes from the Sarnath Lion Capital.
- The last Mauryan ruler was Brihadratha, killed by Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Mauryan Empire and when?
The Mauryan Empire was founded around 321 BC by Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya), by overthrowing the last Nanda ruler Dhana Nanda.
Which Greek general did Chandragupta defeat and who wrote Indica?
Chandragupta defeated Seleucus Nicator, a general of Alexander the Great. Seleucus sent the ambassador Megasthenes to the Mauryan court, and Megasthenes wrote the account called Indica.
Why did Ashoka adopt Dhamma?
After the terrible bloodshed of the Kalinga war in 261 BC, Ashoka was filled with remorse, embraced Buddhism and adopted the policy of Dhamma. He appointed Dhamma Mahamatta to spread his ethical teachings.
Which Mauryan pillar capital is India’s national emblem?
The Sarnath Lion Capital, a polished stone pillar capital of Ashoka, is the national emblem of India.
What was the source of Mauryan administration?
The Arthashastra of Kautilya (Chanakya) is the main text that describes Mauryan administration, along with the Indica of Megasthenes and the Ashokan edicts.
Who was the last Mauryan ruler?
Brihadratha was the last Mauryan ruler. He was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BC, which ended the Mauryan Empire and began the Shunga dynasty.