Title: The Mauryan Empire
Author: Samraat Mahendra Maurya




The Mauryan Empire G’day folks, It’s me, ye good ol’ Samraat back for some more action, t’day I’ll be enlightening you on one of the greatest Indian empires and world at large, this was known as the Mauryan Empire. In this article, I will be addressing the following questions

Origins of the Mauryan
Nanda Empire and rise of the Mauryans
Mauryan Government
Military Might
The Empire’s extent
The Great Emperor Ashoka


Origins of the Mauryans.

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Before the Ancient Mauryans (The first Empire to unite India) various states and kingdoms dominated the landscape, this was the classical age of India and for almost 4000 years India wasn’t united, however, It remained 100’s of Kingdoms and republics each with their own standing army and at most times keeping to themselves. One of the most successful was the Kingdom of Magadha, having some of the most fertile lands in India it grew rich from its exports to other Indian kingdoms. At around 1400BCE, It’s Capital as Rajagrtha was established. From here it began it’s military expansions and rose to prominence bearing a Kingdom from Bangladesh and Nepal down into central India. The Magdha empire saw advancements in ancient India's science, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy and were considered the Indian "Golden Age". The Magadha kingdom included republican communities. Villages had their own assemblies under their local chiefs called Gramakas. Their administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions. In essence, The Magdha Empire was a Constitutional Monarchy.

The Nanda Empire and rise of the Mauryans

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After around 500 BCE, the Magdha Empire experienced a series of revolts from local guilds and eventually, The Nanda Empire triumphed, they reformed there government abandoning the semi-autonomous freedom that Villages and councils had, he seized power and made his Empire a Militarised state that was very un-popular , harsh and corrupt. The Nanda king abandoned the village council affairs, managing based on jatidharma (Caste Principles) srenidharma (Guild Principles) and janapadadharma (foothold of local principles/customs) and seized absolute tyrannical authority, where sovereignty solely vested on the kings wish. The terms they imposed were harsh.

According to Plutarch, the size of the Professional Nanda army was the largest in Indian history, numbering 200,000 infantry, 80,000 cavalry, 8,000 war chariots, and 6,000 war elephants. It was the first militarized state! The Nanda empire was unpopular due to their “Financial Extrotion” and Taxes and this eventually led to a widespread civil war and massive rebellion under Chandragupta Maurya.
The Nanda Empire’s standing army was huge and it’s leaders terrifying. It was the key reason that Alexander didn’t enter India and you can understand why, with an army of almost 300,000 soldiers + Conscription, so it wasn’t just your usual Segesta. Chandragupta, who was from a humble, farmer’s origin usurped power and united the rebellious powers, he’s force opposing the Nanda Empire’s leader, Dhana Nanda is unknown, but it must have been heavily outnumbered. It is unlikely that a small state could have annexed an empire through a war of conquest; It is most likely that he employed guerrilla tactics and ambush to weaken their army. After the death of Dhana Nanda, the Nanda empire experienced Political disarray, Chandragupta taking the opportunity took a lot of their territory. The siege was that of attrition and eventually, the Mauryan forces broke the Pataliputra, the Nanda’s were gone.

Chandragupta eventually expanded his empire to southern India and warred with the Seleucid Empire over control over all of north western India, Afghanistan and parts of Persia. The Mauryan Empire eventually became the most extensive empire in the world on par with the Acheamenid Dynasty and Alexanders Macedonian Empire. But it was not done with it’s conquests and exploits just yet.


Mauryan Government

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Much of what we know of the Mauryan government and their system of rule comes from one of Chandragupta’s greatest minister, Chanakya, who wrote a treatise of a down-to-earth ruling system and social manual known as the Arthashastra (lit. State Scripture) Chanakya organized a system of Efficient military and civil administration which was key for the Emperors to establish their power.

The system of administration was elaborate and similar to the ancient Magdha Constitutional monarchy regime. The Emperor (Samraat) was advised by a council of advisors, The Empire was divided into provinces which was administered by members of the royal family, under them, local rulers seem to have been kept in place, these local rulers in turn collected taxes from Villiage councils who were provided their surplus by the local rulers. This form of government seems to be very complex and it is clear that corruption can permeate. In order to prevent corruption, Their activities, however, were checked on by senior royal officials, through regular inspections, and also watched by Mauryan spies, secretly. The espionage and amount of spies that was present within the empire was so large, a specific caste was dedicated to it. The espionage was so intricate that one would spy on another without anyone knowing but the Emperor directly.

Six boards or departments looked after the Municipal administration of the major cities, each board was divided into five members, this meant that the crime rate in the major cities would remain relatively low. The administrators looking over the district were responsible for the upkeep of such public facilities as roads and wells, and for the maintenance of justice as well as Census, survey and public wellbeing. This form of municipal organization existed in several major cities including Takshashila, Pataliputra, Suvamangiri, Madurai, Ujjain, Mathura and Tosali. Industry and manufacturing were also given a special preference; however the real income lied in agriculture.

The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected. The revenue was spent for the welfare of the people. The officers in government would receive a high salary securing their loyalty. Mauryan form of currency united India, it’s name was known as Karshapanas, but it was classified as a Punch coin because they were silver coins with intricate, but small decorations that were punched on to it like a stamp when the silver was still malleable, however it is likely, that metal coinage was used and this technology was not new to India (metal coins found in Dwaraka were radio carbon dated to a date prior to 5000BCE)

Most parts of the Mauryan Empire were linked by roads. There was one route to Nepal via Visali. Another road linked Pataliputra with Kalinga in Orissa. Traders, travelers, spies and soldiers used these roads. Goods and men were transported via rivers and boats.

Judicial courts were set up in all parts of the country. Petty cases were decided by the village panchayats, often due to poor justice, Punishments were severe, however, in the City a more lenient and logical system was used by the trained judicials known as rajukas.


Mauryan Army

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Mauryan power rested ultimately on its formidable army which several greek and roman sources describe as being the largest in the world and most organized, the had claimed that the Mauryans possessed a professional army of over 700,000 Infantry, 100,000 cavalry, 10,000 chariots and 6,000 elephants, surely this was an exaggeration, however, it is likely that they possessed the largest army in the world for their time. the Mauryan army had 4 types of troops - elephant (Gaja Hasti), chariot (Ratha), cavalry (Turanga Asvarohi), and infantry (Pada sena).

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The Mauryan army was composed of people all over the subcontinent. In addition, Chandragupta Maurya did not discriminate against different castes, meaning that employment rate for the army was high and this boosted the empire’s prowess. The bulk of the Indian army, and most other armies in the world, were the infantry, or foot soldiers which were armed with a variety of weapon. Probably the most common weapon was the sword, but even this came in hundreds of shapes across India with their swords smelted with Wootz steel. Their armour differed greatly as well, most of the core troops wearing heavy armour, tough sturdy metal armour or mail armour, made of interlocking iron, steel, and leather plates. Conscripts, who made the majority of the army were tribals who wore thick silk padding which was able to protect against arrows. India was one of the first nations to implement tactics, divisions, and formations. Armies did not simply rush out onto the battlefield; there were commanders who carefully put their massive armies in intricate formations, in fact, levies were often wedged in between elite troops meaning they had to fight and could not escape unless the entire army broke.


The Empire’s extent

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The Mauryan empire was huge, at it’s height it was on par with Alexander’s empire and it had subjugated the tribal kingdoms of Sri Lanka, Burma and Nepal. It was a massive empire itself ranging from Afghanistan to Eastern iran through India into Bangladesha and down south to Kerala.



The Great Emperor, Priya-Darshi Samraat Chakravartin Ashoka Maurya

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Throughout history, one will find many great rulers and kings, but Ashoka stands above all. He was the only one with the spirit of conquest, saw the futility of violence and had the courage to renounce it. The Mauryan Empire in now at its peak of power, with the largest economy and most powerful standing army in the world, it is ruled by Asoka Maurya, age 56, a skilled statesmen and pacifist ruler under whom the empire has flourished to its greatness. Ashoka adopted Buddhism after the devastation and destruction of the Kalinga war, Yet Mauryan Empire’s military spending was high as usual and mighty enough to suppress unrest in any corner off the empire, however, his unwillingness to use this military actively and widely was a reason for its downfall. He now follows an economic policy of peace, bliss and harmony for his people; he established edicts instructing the Buddhist codes of dharma and provided rest stops and inns for travellers across all main roads with messages of non-violence. The people were content and this was, perhaps the most peaceful time in Indian history and when there is peace, there is prosperity.

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“Now it is conquest by Dhamma that Beloved-of-the-Gods considers to be the best conquest. And it [conquest by Dhamma] has been won here, on the borders, even six hundred yojanas away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy, Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among the Cholas, the Pandyas, and as far as Tamraparni.” - Rock Edict

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Ashoka's Dharma meant that he used his power to try to make life better for his people and he also tried to change the way people thought and lived. Ashoka, was also, very merciful upon his prisoners and decreed that Justice should be logical and upheld, hate and prejudice should not ordain judgment.

“It is my desire that there should be uniformity in law and uniformity in sentencing. I even go this far, to grant a three-day stay for those in prison who have been tried and sentenced to death. During this time their relatives can make appeals to have the prisoners' lives spared. If there is none to appeal on their behalf, the prisoners can give gifts in order to make merit for the next world, or observe fasts.” - Pilar Edict
“Twenty-six years after my coronation various animals were declared to be protected – parrots, mainas,aruna, ruddy geese, wild ducks,nandimukhas, gelatas,bats, queen ants, terrapins, boneless fish, vedareyaka, gangapuputaka, fish, tortoises, porcupines, squirrels, deer, bulls, okapinda, wild asses, wild pigeons, domestic pigeons and all four-footed creatures that are neither useful nor edible. Those nanny goats, ewes and sows which are with young or giving milk to their young are protected, and so are young ones less than six months old. Cocks are not to be caponized, husks hiding living beings are not to be burnt and forests are not to be burnt either without reason or to kill creatures. One animal is not to be fed to another.” - Edict on Fifth Pillar

Asoka proved to be one of the most remarkable, and attractive, rulers in the whole of world history who embraced Buddhism and engaged all of India and much of the world at large in the teachings of Dharma and Buddha, It was only by Ashoka's will that Buddhism has spread to china, south-east Asia. The message of Dharma had even been delivered up to France by the Romans.

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