CHAPTER-8

The First Empire-The Mauryas1

The Mauryas

� In India the first empire was established by theMaurya Dynasty

� Sources

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� Indica written by Megasthenes

� Arthashastra by Kautaliya

� Rock and Pillar edicts

Maurayan Emperors

� CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA

� The first ruler of this dynasty was ChandraguptaMaurya.

� He conquered Magadh and then defeated SeleucusNicator.

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Nicator.

� He tried to control other parts of Northern India

� BINDUSARA

� Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara.

� Under him the Mauryan Empire spread across thewhole of Indian subcontinent except for Kalinga.

Emperor Ashoka

� He was the most famous emperor.

� Ashoka conquered Kalinga, as it controlled the landand the sea route to south-east Asia.

� After the Kalinga war he decided to give up war alltogether and devoted rest of his life to serve his

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together and devoted rest of his life to serve hispeople through Dhamma.

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Dhamma

� Ashoka gave up the policy of conquest through warand began to follow a policy of conquest throughpeace.

� This policy of conquest is known as Dhamma

Dhamma is the prakrit word for the Sanskrit term

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� Dhamma is the prakrit word for the Sanskrit termDharma.

Spread of Dhamma

� Some steps taken by Ashoka to spread Dhammawere

� He appointed officials called Dharma Mahamatras tospread Dhamma

He issued rock edicts which contained principle of

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� He issued rock edicts which contained principle ofDhamma which were in Brahmi script.

Administration

Mauryan Administration was divided into

CentralVillage

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Central

ProvisionalDistrict

Village

Pataliputra

� It was the Capital of the Mauryan empire.

� Administration

� The committee of 30 members was divided into 6 boards

� Each board looked after a specific department such as,

�Comfort & Security

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�Comfort & Security

� Foreigners

� Industry

� Trade and Commerce

�Collection of taxes

� Inspection of manufactured goods

Question & Answers

� When was the Kalinga war fought? Why did Ashokaattack Kalinga?

� When Ashoka became the King, Kalinga was the onlyKingdom which was not under the Mauryan Control,Kalinga war was fought in 261 BC. Ashoka conquered

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Kalinga war was fought in 261 BC. Ashoka conqueredKalinga, as it controlled the land and the sea route tosouth-east Asia.

Question & Answers

� Why was the Kalinga War a turning point in the lifeof Ashoka?

� The of Kalinga War a turning point in the life ofAshoka as

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Ashoka as

� The death, destruction and suffering that he saw inthe war made him feel sad

� He realised the futility of fighting a war and vowednot to fight any more wars.

� He devoted the rest of his life to serve people.

Question & Answers

� What is Dhamma?

� Refer to Slide No.6

� Write any two stepts taken by the Ashoka to spread

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� Write any two stepts taken by the Ashoka to spreadDhamma?

� Refer to slide No.7

Question & Answers

� Write short notes on the Administration ofPataliputra, Sources of Revenue.

�Administration of Pataliputra

Refer to slide No.9

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�Sources of Revenue-

� Land revenue was the main source of income

� Revenue was also obtained from trade.

� Other sources were- forests, mines, custom duties,fines and gifts.