Chapter-2Kings, Farmers and towns

Class-XII

Subject: History

Module: 6( 2/4 Module of Lesson 2)

Topic: An early empire –Mauryan Empire

Teacher: B R Meshram, AECS No.3 Rawatbhata

Revision:

There were Sixteen Mahajanpadas.

Most Mahajanpadas were ruled by Kings.

Each Mahajanpadas had it own capital city which was fortified.

Sixth century BCE is often considered as a major turning point in the early Indian History.

Magadha was the most important Mahajanpadas.

An Early Empire: Mauryan Empire The Magadha kingdom was conquered and occupied by

Chandragupta by defeating Dhananand in 321 BC.

Chandragupta Maurya who founded the empire in 321 BC.

He secured the mastery over the powerful kingdoms with the rich resources.

He established an efficient system of government and organized huge army.

He also extended his control as far as Afghanistan and Baluchistan.

Mauryan empire

King Ashoka:

King Ashoka was the first Indian ruler who got inscribed his messages to his subjects and officer on rocks, pillars and caves.

After the war of Kalinga, Ashok left the policy of war and gave his heart and soul in spreading and propagation of Buddhism .

He himself obeyed those rule of this religion which he propagated.

He engraved those rules of this religion on inscriptions.

These rules were engraved in the language of daily use.

He also built many stupas and Viharas which become the centre of Buddhism.

Finding out about the Mauryan: Historians have used to verities of sources to reconstruct the

history of Mouryan empire.

These include the archeological finds, especially sculpture.

Another source that is often used is Arthashatra parts of which were composed by Kautilya or Chanakya traditionally believed to be the minister of Chandragupta.

Mauryan period the history of India gain interest owing to the discovery of many historical accounts which are reliable.

Besides the Buddhist and Jain religious books we have discovered an almost correct history of the period.

Administration of Empire: Central Government: The King

At the apex of whole administration was the emperor who was the fountain head of all the authority.

His power was unlimited.

He was law giver, the supreme judge, commander of army and chief of executive.

He appointed some men of high character and great wisdom as his ministers whom he consulted before deciding any policy.

Administrating the empire:There were five major political centre.

1.The capital Pataliputra

2.Provincial centres of Taxshila

3.Ujjayani

4.Toshali

5.Suvarngiri

It is likely that administrative control was strongest in the areas around the capitals and the provincial Centre.

Communication along the both land riverine routes was vital for the existence of the empire.

Army was an important means for ensuring the protection.

Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittee for coordinating military activities.

Importance of Mauryan Empire:

The reconstruction of the early Indian history was started by the scholars during the 19th century when India was under the control of British.

The emergence of Mauryan empire was regarded as major land mark in Indian History.

The Historians found this task both challenging and exacting.

The archeologists found that the inscriptions and sculptures associated with the Mauryan which were considered as the example of the spectacular art typical empire.

Importance of Mauryan Empire: continue

Many of these Historians found the message on Ashokan inscriptions very different that of other rulers.

Ashoka was more powerful and more humble than later rulers who assume high titles.

The leaders of the Indian national movement in the 19th

century were much inspired by the achievements of the Ashoka.

THE LION CAPITAL

New Notions of Kingship:

Chiefs and Kings in the South :

The new kingdom that emerged in the Deccan and further south , including the chiefdoms of the Cholas, Cheras, and paydays in the Tamilkam.

Many chiefs and kings including Satvahanas who ruled over part of western and central India and

The Shakas, a people of Central Asian origin who established kingdoms the north –western and western parts of subcontinents derived revenues from long distance trade.

Divine King: Kings often tried to identify themselves with a variety of

deities in order to claim high Status.

The strategy is best exemplified by the Kushans who ruled over vast kingdom extending from Central Asia to North-West India.

Colossal statues of Kushans rulers have been found installed in a shrine at Mat near Mathura (Utter Pradesh)

By the 4th century there is evidence of larger states, including the Gupta Empire.

Many of these depended on Samantha's ,men who maintained themselves through local resources including control over land.

The Gupta Empire:

Srigupta was the founder of Gupta empire.

The literary sources of Gupta empire are the puranas, Dharmashatras , literature, coins, inscription and prashasti, composed by the poet in the praise of king.

Samudragupta is regarded as one of the most powerful rulers of ancient India.

The Allahabad pillar inscription describe conquest and glory of Samudragupta.

Sandstone sculpture of a kushana King-

Home Assignment: Who was the founder of Mauryan Empire?

What was the extent of Chandragupta Mauryan’s Empire?

Name the four major political centers in the Mauryan Empire?

What were the position of the King emperor in the Mauryan Empire?

Why was Mauryan Empire regarded as a major landmark in the early Indian history?

Describe briefly about the sources of Mauryan Empire?

What is the importance of establishment of Mauryan Empire in the Indian History?

Suggested activity:

Refer Map 2 for more information regarding the distribution of Ashokan inscription on page no 33 NCERT textbooks –

Part One