Chandragupta Maurya -325/321-297BCE

Bindusara -297-273BCE
Ashoka -262-232BCE

Chandragupta Maurya (-325/321-297BCE)

➢ Successful Mauryan rulers till 187 BCE
➢ Transition between kingdom to Empire.
➢ Greek records mention the name Sandrocottus for Chandragupta Maurya.
➢ Buddhist sources mentions Chandragupta Maurya coming from the Kshatriya
clan called as ‘Moriya’, who ruled in the region of “Papphalivana’ modern day
Gorakhpur region of Nepal.
➢ According to Brahmanical sources, he was from ‘Shudra” varna.
➢ Chandragupta Maurya was from Heterodox clan.
➢ He was also associated with Nanda dynasty.
➢ According to some sources, Maurya comes from his mother’s name ‘Mura’ who
worked in the Nanda Empire court.
➢ Greek sources vert specifically mentioned that Sandrocottus did not come from
Royal Family.
➢ Chandragupta Maurya started from the modern region of Punjab and extended
eastwards.
➢ He Had conflict with the ruler and was successfully able to defeat the Nanda
ruler, whatever established by Nanda rulers directly came under the rule of
Chandragupta Maurya.
➢ This was in the North-Central region.
➢ In the North-western region there were Greek ambassadors, one of the was
Seleucus Nicator. There are references which talks about the conflict between
Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus Nicator in 301 BCE.
➢ This conflict was resolved by giving some regions of modern-day Afghanistan in
exchange of 500 elephants.
➢ Marriages between Greeks and people in the Indian subcontinent were
acknowledged.
➢ We gave Junagarh rock inscriptions by Rudradaman which refers to the
construction of a reservoir on a lake called as Sudarshan Lake which was started
by Chandragupta Maurya.
➢ Several references say that Chandragupta Maurya was associated with Jainism.
➢ His rule lasted for 24 years and it was followed by his son Bindusara.

Bindusara (297-273BCE)
i. Bindusara was referred with different names “Amitrogatha or Amitrochates”
in Greek sources.
ii. The meaning of Amitrogatha in Indian sources means “destroyer of the foes”
is a Royal Epithet.
iii. This indicates the expansion of the Mauryan Empire.
iv. Bindusara gave patronage to “Ajivika sect” which is a kind of heterodox sect
in Ancient India.
v. Also, some references talk about Bindusara led military campaign to modern
day region of deccan.
vi. 4 years after the death of Bindusara followed by a period of political turmoil.
 Ashoka (262-232BCE)

1. According to some legends, Ashoka murdered his 99 brothers and spared only one
brother named Tissa and eventually became the next ruler of Mauryan Empire.
2. We do not have Greek sources of Ashoka.
3. Till 1853, we just knew that Ashoka was the successor of Bindusara.
4. Archeologist James Princep in 1873 founded inscription in Brahmi, the inscription
referred to a ruler with a title ‘Devanampiya Priyadasi’ means ‘beloved of the God’.
5. The Archeologist came across major rock edicts and minor rock edicts, separate
rock edicts, major pillar edicts and minor pillar edicts.
6. Major focus was on major rock edicts (14 Major) and major Pillar edicts (7 Major).
7. Ashokan inscription were mostly in Prakrit language, Brahmi Script. In north
western region there was Aramaic language and Kharosthi Script.
8. In the region of Afghanistan there was Aramaic language and Greek script.
9. Location of edicts indicates the extend of Ashoka’s Mauryan Empire.
10. Most of the edicts are on the important Ancient Trade routes.
11. This also indicates that first time in Ancient India a ruler who was directly talking
to people who he was governing.
12. Ashokan Dhamma was found in the region of India, Nepal, Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
13. Rock edicts in the region of Sopara.
14. In a place in Karnataka called “Kanaganahalli”. A group of Archeologist found
various architecture etc. They found a sculpture but didn’t know of who.
15. A man surrounded by women, an umbrella (indicated Royal person).
16. Similar sculpture in Sanchi.
17. Inscription there called ‘Rayno Ashoka’, that is how they connected.
Ashokan Empire
1) ‘Ashoka the Great’ because of the establishment of Pan Indian region.
2) 1st ruler who was directly speaking with people.
3) Personal records of the rulers in the form of his inscriptions.
4) Extend was very large.
5) His policy of Dhamma.
6) Ashoka the Great referred by H.G. Well, “Greatest of kings” or “The Great”.
7) During the period of Bindusara, he was made the Viceroy of Ujjain. During the
same period, Ashoka was sent to Taxila to suppress the revolt, records were
found, he was successful in that.
8) There are legends related to Shoka’s killing 99 brothers, except his brothe Tissa,
Bindusara wanted another of his son, Susima, to ascend the throne.
9) We find this record in Buddhist epigraph, it says that before accepting Buddhism
he was cruel and after become Buddhist he became a Great king. It may or may
not be true.
10) May not have killed 99 brothers.
11) Bherighosa and Dhammaghosa defined how the expansion took place.
12) There are various Buddhist sources like Mahavamsa and Deepavamsa.
13) In other sources, Ashoka killed 6-7 brothers to ascend his throne.
14) We understand that he must have killed some brothers to ascend the throne but
not all.
15) Reason it cannot be true is because his edicts mention him to be kind to relatives.
16) Ashoka was referred as Devanampiya Piyadasi, not a title given by himself but
inscription mention him with this name. Except in Minor rock edicts of Maski
and Gujra.
17) Land of Kalinga had a very strategic location in ancient India. It had sea trade
routes and southern India had land routes.
18) It was 8 years after his coronation we see the Kalinga campaign being led by
him.
19) Reason we know about Kalinga is his major rock edict 13, this edict is very
descriptive in its nature. It mentions about 1 lakh 50 thousand people were
captured as prisoners, about hundred thousand were murdered and around the
same number died.
20) This was the causality of the Kalinga Army and mot about the Mauryan Army.
21) He felt bad about it and he decided to shift to Buddhism after the war.
Dhamma
- We find his association to sangha in Rummindei Inscriptions found in Lumbini
modern day Nepal.
- This inscription talks about Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini. It talks about installing a
pillar in Lumbini. It also mentions about construction of Stone walls around the
Pillar.
- It also talks about concession given to the villagers in Lumbini for welfare
purposes.
- Another reference talks about Pillar called Nigali sagar Pillar, the Pillar has a
inscription saying that Ashoka visited the place 14 years after coronation of the
Stupa.
- It mentions Ashoka visited the location again to establish Pillar.
- Pali chronicles talks about Buddhist council held at Pataliputra council. But we do
not find any epigraphy of the council. But we don’t find literally records.

→ Shift from Bherighosha (physical conquest) to Dhammaghosha.

→ Ashoka was guided by Buddhist monk called Upagupta.
→ In Dhammaghosha, he sent certain ministers called Dhamma mahamattas to
propagate the idea of Dhamma.
→ They not just went to Indian subcontinent but also South east Asia.
→ Role-
A) Carry out Humanitarian work.
B) To propagate Buddhism.
→ The Ministers who ere appointed to look after the Sangha.
→ During the time, he was propagating Buddhism, he took over the title
Devanampiya Piyadasi.
→ Non-violence was the central idea within the Ashokan Dhamma.
→ It also acts as a moral policy for the people.
→ Through dhamma he encouraged the people to have control over their passion.
→ To cultivate purity of life and character.
→ To abstain from killing of others also included Animals and Birds.
→ And to tell the truth.
→ Rock edict I – prohibits Animal slaughter in his kingdom. It also bans festive
gatherings. The rock edicts mentions that one peacock and one deer was killed
during his reign.

→ Ashoka also declared his faith in Sangha, Buddha and Dhamma.

→ We do not find idea which do not fit in Buddhism philosophy.
→ Ashokan Dhanna also focused on eliminating the tension among the people,
propagate living with harmony especially of people from different states.
→ Those who were not following also accommodated.
→ Ashokan Dhamma also called as code of conduct for the people.
→ After converting to Buddhism, we do not find him 3xpanding by military conquest.
→ Ideological conquest by means of Ashokan Dhamma which is why he became a
unique/different leader.
→ Ashokan edicts had paternal tone towards people of his Empire.
→ His presents himself like a father figure. As a ruler he declared himself as a
proclaimer and teacher of Dhamma.
→ The Roch edict VI talks about his ideals and goals of a welfare state.
→ Rock edicts mentions
1. Certain loans to people.
2. Complete debt of the people who were unable to repay.
→ It was also a welfare state, he also prioritizes ensuring happiness of the people.
→ He gave a lot of funds to Buddhist monks, Brahmin priest, Jain priest as well as
people from Ajivika sects within his Empire.
• He use to conduct a lot of pilgrimages to Buddhist sites.
• By the 11th year of his reign Ashoka started ‘Dhamma – Yatras’ started by visiting
the site of Bodhgaya.
• In the 21st year of his reign, he records his visit to Rummindie (Lumbini, Modern
day Nepal).
• He is emphasising certain places.
• Records also exempts the village around Lumbini from the tax called ‘Bhaga’
(share of the state).
1
• Bhaga is of the produce will go the state.
8
• Records also talks about Sarnath and Khushinagar.
• He sent about 60,000 missionaries or ministers to different parts of his empire as
well as going beyond Indian subcontinent.
• we find the reference in Buddhist text that there were about 84,000 stupas
constructed by Ashoka.
• The Buddhist texts also mentions that similar number of Pillars were constructed.
Ashokan pillar were called Dhammastambha.
• During this period, he conducted 3rd Buddhist council on the bangs of River Ganga.
In the city of Pataliputra Buddhist monk who presided was Mogaliputta Tissa.
• Aim was to eliminate the tension emerging within the Buddhisy sect.
• Second important task was codification of Abhidhamma Pitika.
• The council lasted about 9 months attended by over 1000 monks.
• He also took up the task of removing the monk who were not attainting to the
tenants of the Buddhist Sangha.
• A section was added to Abhidhamma Pitika called as ‘Kathavatu’.
• From edicts we came to know that he banned rituals related to sacrifices.
• Ashvamedha sacrifice which determined kingship in Ancient India.
• He also encourages his population to denounce superstitions.
• Rock edicts II talks about a lot of construction work, Ashoka undertook
construction of roads and also hospitals both for Animals and Humans.
• Other sects were also encouraged to adopt such policies.
• In Rock Edicts VII he asked Dhamma Mahamatta to take care of other sects as
well.
 1. Tone in edicts is paternal kingship.
2. Other ministers called Rajukas who’s specific task was to look after administrative
functions. Mention of Rajukas is there in the edicts as well.
3. Buddhism wasn’t the state religion, it was only followed by him.
4. Ashoka appealed to the sects to be respectful to other sects.
5. Dhamma was universal in nature and open for all.
6. Dhamma specifically categorised what were essential and not essential elements
of Buddhism.
7. It was moral or ethical code for the people.
8. Key Principals
i. Respectful towards elderly.
ii. Treating the young with affection.
iii. Having good relations with neighbours.
iv. The principals of truth, tolerance and charity.
v. The subject should lead a virtues life.

The extend of Ashokan Empire.

- It extended from modern day region of Kashmir to modern day region of Mysore
in South, to Peshawar in west and Bangladesh in east excluding modern day region
of Bengal.
- He was able to take over the territories of Yavanas. The area of Kamboja, Bhojas,
Nabhakas, Andras and surrounding areas.
- He was abot able to take over the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Satyaputra Kingdom.
- Empire had good relations with Egypt, Syria, Macedonia.
- Dhamma acted as ethical code to maintain the social order of the society.
- Dhamma wasn’t a religious sect, it was connected to Buddhist ideas but wasn’t
Buddhism.
- Objective of Ashokan Dhamma was more broder.
- Teachings of Dhamma were meant to strengthen the society and different
institutions within the society.
- Buddhist elements in a Dhamma
1. Duty oriented doctrine.
2. Buddhist elements in the sculpture of Ashokan period.
- According to Romila Thappar, a Dhamma was a political ideology to take over far
flung areas.
 Estimate of Ashoka.
i. Referred to Ashoka the Great for the extent of Empire. Known for bringing
political unification.
1. Dhamma
2. Uniformity in language and script.
ii. Known for the policy of non-aggression, peace and social order.
iii. Cultural conquest was also carried out by Ashoka.
iv. He had a standing army even if there was no war after kalinga was declared by
Ashoka.
v. Successful in maintain and keeping his empire safe from foreign attacks.
vi. He also made contribution in terms of arts and Architecture. Pillars AKA
monolithic columns, stupas, edicts, viharas, rock cut caves (in Barabar and
Nagarjuni caves.
vii. Pillars were known for its capital and animals like lion, elephats, horse and bulls.
viii. Capital at Sarnath has 4 lions on it.
ix. Capital at Lauriya Nandangarh has 1 lion on it.
x. Ramapurba capital has only 1 bull.
xi. Sankisha capital has 1 elephant.
Sunga dynasty
- Decline of Mauryan dynasty immediately after the death of Ashoka.
- Whenever a large-scale empire starts declining, small empire starts declaring
independence.
- Last Ruler of Mauryan Empire was Brihadratta. According to some legends, his
general commonder called Pushyamitra overthrew Brihadratta and established his
own empire called as Sunga Empire.
- Strong hold of the Sunga on Magadha, north India, Central India and eastern
India.
- The period od Shunga is 185BCe to about 73BCe.
- They ruled over for approximately 112 years.
- Pushyamitra was known for
1. revival of Brahmanism.
2. Stopping a lot of attack of foreign powers/kingdoms.
3. He had a very strong defence mechanism on the boundries.
- Agnimitra- Malvika Agnimitra talks about love story written by kalidas.
- ‘Mitra’ suffix for Shunga ruler.
- They came from a tribe, the term Shunga means ‘Fig’ tree.
- They belong to the region of Vidisha near Ujjain which is in eastern Malwa.

Several references
1. Panini connects the shunga family to the family of Sage Bharatswaj.
2. We also find reference of Shunga in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. The
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refers to a teacher called Shaungiputra and connects the
Shunga family to the family of teachers.
3. There are some references which connect to the family of sage Kashyap.
4. References
➢ To build political legitimacy by connecting to important figures of family.
➢ Connection are speculative.
→ Major ruler was Pushyamitra know as abled commander under Brihadratta.
→ Pushyamitra 1987 to 1951 BCE
→ He is known for checking the advance of the Bactrian Greeks.
→ He defended the region of Magadha from Bactrian ruler Demetrius as well as from
the ruler Menander.
→ He was patron of Brahmanism, revival of Vedic rights and rituals including the
practice of sacrifices.
→ Before him, Ashoka had banned sacrifices very specifically.
→ We find Sanskrit writing but often in Brahmi script.
→ Pushymitra Shunga conducted Ashwamedha sacrifice twice.
→ One was probably when he ascended the throne.
→ Second sacrifice after the defeat of Greeks.
→ He was also a patron of Art and Architecture.
→ His capital was region of Magadha. Within the region, Pataliputra was the capital
city.
→ He had authority over the region of eastern Punjab, including the region of
Modern-day Jalandhar and Sakala.
→ Strong hold over the region of Koshala and Ayodhya, they were capital of eastern
side.
→ Extended came to upper deccan, modern day Vidarbha region.

1. Area of Vidarbha was the area if conflict during Pushyamitra.

2. Ruler of Vidarbha was Yajnasena, he acted as the governor of the region.
3. During Mauryan Empire, Brihadratta appointed Yajnasena as Governor, so had
good relations.
4. According to some sources, they were relatives.
5. When Pushymitra takes over, there was hostility between Yajnasena and
Shunga dynasty.
6. When Brihadratta was killed by Pushyamitra, he imprisoned a lot of ministers,
one of them was brother-in-law of Yajnasena.
7. Yajnasena in response, imprison his own cousin Madhavsena, who was minister
under Agnimitra.
8. Madhavsena, who was minister under Agnimitra.
9. Madhavsena was close to Agnimitra from the Shunga dynasty.
 10. When Agnimitra comes to know that Madhavsena is imprisoned he asked
Yajnasena to release Madhavsena. In response, Yajnasena asks Pushymira to
release brother-in-law.
11. But Pushymitra gets angry that how can a governor and not an Emperor ask’s
him to release. So he asks Agnimitra to tell Yajnasena that he won’t.
12. The Shunga under Agnimitra successfully invaded Vidarbha.
13. Yajnasena surrenders to the Shunga Empire he releses madhavsena.
14. They divided the Vidarbha region between two cousins, one is given to
Madhavsena and one to Yajnasena.
15. They maintain their loyalty towards Shungas.
16. Pushymitra was also known for minting cast coins.
17. He stopped the circulation of punch mark coins.

- Several records talks about destroying of monasteries and killing of Buddhist

monks. Other records, says that he was engaged in construction of Buddhist
architecture.
- One of the gateways of Sanchi Stupa was built by Pushymitra Shunga.
- Bharhut Stupa was also constructed during the period of Shunga Empire.
- Pantanjali’s Mahavashya and Yogasutra was written during this period.
- Shunga Art and Architecture was developed during this period.
- Centre of Art and Architecture was Mathura.
- Agnimitra was known was expanding the Shunga empire, carried out different
campaign.
- Agnimitra had region of Vidisha under him.
- Agnimitra succeeded by Vasumitra.
- Known for defeating Bactrian from Bactria.
- Several small Empires started revolting and gained independence during the
decline of Shunga Empire.
 Kushan Empire
❖ Yavnas- Greeks/Indo-Greeks.
❖ Shaka- Pahlavas or Seyntho-Parthians were in the region of Bactria modern day
Iran.

- Kushan Empire- 1st Century CE.

- A lot of migration happened in central Asia region.
- These regions were dominated with war like clans and war like tribe.
- They were large tribe.
- Yuch-Chi tribe was displaced by another tribe and they moved westwards towards
Bactria.
- While moving, a small tribe called as Little Yuch-chi moved southwards and settled
in Tibet.
- The remaining majority Tribe called Great Yuch-chi moved westwards.
- Yuch-chi Tribe defeated the Shakas and Pahlavas in the region of Bactria and
started moving downwards and eventually settled in modern day Afghanistan.
Then they started moving eastwards and entered Indian-subcontinent.
- The Great Yuch-chi Tribe constructed 5 major Principalities.
- One of the principalities was Kuei-Shang eventually came to know as Kushan
Empire.
- Gandhara was an important place in Afghanistan.
- The origin of Kushan Empire is debateable. There are different theories.
- We knew they were migrating.
- From 1st century we see Kushan.
- We see cultural, intellectual, artistic and religious development.
- In the period of Kanishka there was Mahayana Buddhism and revival of Buddhist
architecture happened during the Shunga Empire.
- Politically there were two distinct lines of Dynasties.
Kushans

Kadphises Kanishka
-
 Kadphises.

Two major
rulers

Kujula Kaphises
Vima Kadphises
(15-65CE)
i.
ii. Kujula Kaphises led the foundation of Kushan Empire.
iii. Kujula Kaphises was known for uniting different branches of great Yuch-chi
existing in the North-Western region.
iv. He took over the region of Gandhara and Kabul.
v. He was known for minting several Copper coins.
vi. It ha influence of Roman coinage.
vii. We also understand that he followed Buddhism-Hinayana.
viii. We find coins of Kujula Kaphises beyond Hindukush ranges which indicates that
his influence had extended in the Indian subcontinent.

Vima Kaphises
i. Vima Kaphises was known for conquering the region of Punjab and he extended
his empire eastwards towards the Gangetic plains.
ii. He also minted several coins which indicated that he was a co-ruler with his father.
iii. Vima Kaphises was also a follower of Shiva or Shaivism.
iv. After Vima Kaphises, there was a periof of Unstablity.
v. We see periof of Kanishka ascending the Throne in 78CE.
vi. 78CE is important because it is the beginning of Shaka calendar.

Development in Art and Architecture

- Kanishka extended his empire till Gangetic Plains.
- Region around Mathura, Peshawar and Takshashila.
- His empire also extended to the region of Malwa, southwards.
- He started appointing governors called as ‘Kshatrapas’.
- Eventually Kshatrapas became a different dynasty called Satavahanas.
- Kshatrapas were found in Centrak and eastern part of Indian subcontinent.
- Empire extended in the city or rwgion of Saket, kaushambi, Pataliputra.
Kanishka
→ Kanishka was known as a great builder for planning and construction of cities.
→ He also established a city called Kanishkapur around modern day region of
Kashmir.
→ He assumed titles like ‘Maharajadiraj’ means King of Kings, ‘Devaputra’ or ‘Son
of the God’, ‘Kaiser’ or ‘Caeser’.
→ Titles were very localised indicating that people should know that he is ruling.
→ He was trying to legitimize the title using local language so people could
understand and connecting the title to divinity.
→ Some sources say that Kanishka made an attempt to send an expedition towards
China but it was not a successful attempt.
→ The empire was divided and given o Kshatrapas and they were mostly Semi-
Autonomous rulers.
→ Kanishka was also known for conducting Fourth Buddhist council around 199CE
in the region of modern-day Kashmir called Kundalvana Vihara,
→ There was discussion on theology and doctrine of Buddhism in this council.
→ The fourth Buddhist council was presided by Vasumitra and the vice- Chairperson
was Ashwaghosha.
→ This 4th Buddhist council was the official break between Hinayana and Mahayana
Buddhism.
→ Sanskrit text was written during this council called Mahavibhasha which was
written on copper plate, buried into the ground and Stupa was erected on it.
→ It is a part of Tripitika.
→ Hinayana Buddhism is symbolic worship.
→ Mahayana Buddhism is representation of Buddha in different form, Buddha started
being Deified. They believed in Image worship of not just Buddha but also the
Bodhisattvas.
→ Sanskrit language was used for propagating of Mahayana Buddhism both for
teaching and Literature.
→ He sent several monks to region to China, Tibet, Japan and central Asia.
→ He was tolerant towards other religious sects. We understand this through coinage,
we see different deities from other religious sects.
→ Coins that have Hindi Gods, Greek Gods, Persian Gods and Sumerian Gods.
→ In the same period, there was initial representation of Buddha on coins.
→ Kanishka was also known for construction and reconstruction of several
monasteries.
 → He is known for construction of several Stupas and Viahras for monks.
→ He distributed a lot of money among the Buddhist monks.
→ During this period, in the cities of Takshahila and Mathura were was development
of Art, cultural and education.
→ There emerged Mathura Art, Gandhara Art and Amravati Art.
→ He builds public building in the region of Peshawar, Mathura and Takshashila.
→ He also built Kanshika Stupa- Vihara and Chaitanya in Peshawar.
→ This was a very large-scale construction; The Stupa was 400 feet. Greek Architect
was appointed for the construction of Stupa.
→ Another city was Sirsukh constructed near Takshashila.

Gandhara Art
i. It was Indo-Greek At.
ii. It was amalgamation of Greek and Indian elements.
iii. Also known as Graeco Buddhist Art.
iv. Prominent school of Art form from 1st to 3rd Century CE.
v. North western region of Indian subcontinent- Peshawar, Rakshashila, Gandhara
and Afghanistan.
vi. Images are Indian but representation in Greek like form. Looks like Greek gods
and Goddesses.
vii. Several sculptures were made this time, they were portraits.

• There was a lot of development in Literature and language.

• Kanishka was patron of Sanskrit language.
• Literature was both religious and secular.
• Prominent writers were Ashwaghosha, Vasumitra, Sangharakshak, Kumarlata,
Nagarjuna, Matricheta and Charaka.
• Ashwaghosha was a writer, philosopher, musician and poet.
• Buddhacharita was written by Ashwaghosha. He also wrote Sutralankar and
Vajrusuchi.
• Vasumitra was a philosopher who was part of Kanishaka’s court. Played major role
in Fourth Buddhist council.
• Commentaries of Mahavibhasha written by Vasumitra.
• Nagarjuna was known for writing on science.
• Buddhist work Divyavadana was written during this period.