Ch-6
The Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire was the first empire of India. It is called an empire because Mauryas controlled more land and power. An empire was much larger than a kingdom and needed to be a big army to protect it.
HISTORICAL SOURCES
We get information about the Mauryans from both, i.e., literary sources and archaeological source materials.
Among literary sources two main books, i.e, Arthashastra and Indika written by Kautilya and Megasthenes respectively provides useful information about the Mauryas.
On one hand, Arthashastra tell us the administrative system of the kings and way to how the kings administer the territory.
On other hand, Indika tell us the political, Social, and economic life of the
Among archaeological source materials, Ashoka’s edicts, remains of the monuments and coins are equally valuable source.
In addition to above, Puranas or traditional literature and Buddhist and Jain literature also provide useful information about the early life of the rulers of the dynasty.
DYNASTY
A dynasty rule means that the member of the same family became the next ruler on after another.
The Mauryan dynasty had 3 important rulers
CHANDRAGUPTAMAURYA (321-297 B.C.)
Chandragupta Maurya succeeded to the Nanda throne in 321 B.C. after dethroning the last Nanda ruler (Dhanananda) at the age of 25. He was the protege of the Brahmin Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, who was his guide and mentor both in acquiring the throne and in keeping it.
The acquisition of Magadha was the first step in establishing the new dynasty. Once the Ganges valley was under his control, Chandragupta moved to the north-west to exploit the power vacuum created by Alexander’s departure. The areas of the North-West fell to him rapidly.
Moving back to Central India he occupied the region north of the Narmada River.
Foundation of the empire
Before the establishment of the Mauryan Empire, the India was divided into many small kingdoms and...