Maurya Period Sources (322 BC - 155 BC)

Maurya Period Sources (322 BC - 155 BC)

1. Literary Sources

Kautilya’s "Arthasastra"

• The title "Arthasastra" means "The science of material gain" (for a state, not a person). It is the most important literary source for the Maurya as it is a treatise on government and polity.

• It gives a clear and methodological analysis of the poetical and economic conditions of the Mauryan period.

Megasthenese’ Indica

• Megasthenese was the ambassador of Selecus Nikator in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.

• His Indica is foremost among all the foreigners' accounts for Maurya.

• But its original copy is lost, and it has survived only as quotations in the text of classical Greek writers, such as Starbo, Diodorous, Arrian, Plutarch, and Latin writers, such as Pliny and Justin.

• It refers to the Mauryan administration, the 7-caste system, absence of slavery and usury, etc.

VisakhaDatta's 'MudraRakshasa

• Though it was written during the Gupta Period, it describes how Chandragupta Maurya got Chanakya's assistance in overthrowing the Nandas.

• Besides this, it gives an excellent account of the prevailing socio-economic conditions.

Puranas

• Though a collection of legends intersperses with religious teachings, they give us the chronology and lists of Mauryan kings.

Buddhist Literature

• Indian Buddhist text Jatakas (a part of Khuddak nikaya of Suttapitak, which describes the 549 stories of Buddha's previous births) reveal a general picture of socio-economic conditions during the Mauryan period.

• Ceylonese Buddhist chronicles, Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, describe the part played by Ashoka in spreading Buddhism to Sri Lanka.

• Tibetan Buddhist text Divyavadaiva gives information about Ashoka and his efforts in spreading Buddhism

2. Archaeological Sources

Ashokan Edicts and Inscriptions

• There are Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts, and Cave Inscriptions located at severs sites. Places in the Indian sub-continent.

• Their importance came to be appreciated only after their decipheration by James Princep in 1S37 and also die identification of Ashoka as the author of these edicts at the beginning of the 20th century.

• The majority of them are like Ashoka's proclamations to the public at large, and only a small group of them describe his acceptance of Buddhism and his relationship with the Sangha (Commune).

• Though Prakrit was the language used in them, the script varied from region to region (Kharoshti in the North-West, Greek and Aramaic in the west, and Brahmi in the East of India).

Other Inscriptions

• Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman

• Sohgaura Copper Plate Inscription in Gorakhpur district of U.P.

• Mahasthan Inscription in the Bogara district of Bangladesh

All these are directly concerned with the Mauryan Period, though they are believed not to be necessarily those of Ashoka.

Material Remains

• Wooden palace of Chandragupta Maurya

• Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)

• Silver and Copper punch-marked coins found in Kumharar (Patna) and other places are the material remains of the Mauryan Period.

Ashokan 14 Major Rock Edicts

1. Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festive gatherings

2. Measures of social welfare.

3. Respect for Brahmanas.

4. Courtesy to relatives, elders, and consideration for animals.

5. Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras and their duties.

6. Need for efficient organisation of administration (orders to Dhamma Mahamatras).

7. Need for tolerance among all religious sects.

8. System of Dhamma-yatras.

9. Attack on meaningless ceremonies and rituals

10. Conquest through Dhamma instead of war.

11. Explanation of Dhamma-policy.

12. Appeal for tolerance among all religious sects.

13. Kalinga war, mention of 5 contemporary Hellenic (Greek) kings.

14. Inspiration to spend a religious life.

Final Thoughts

The Mauryan Empire stands as a landmark in Indian history, not only for its vast territorial expanse and political unity but also for the richness of its historical sources. The literary sources, including the Arthasastra, Indica, MudraRakshasa, Puranas, and various Buddhist texts, provide critical insights into the governance, diplomacy, economy, and cultural life of the period.

Simultaneously, the archaeological sources, especially Ashokan edicts and inscriptions, as well as other inscriptions and material remains, offer direct, tangible evidence of the administrative system, moral policies (Dhamma), and socio-political ideals upheld by the Mauryan rulers, particularly Emperor Ashoka.

Together, these sources help reconstruct a comprehensive and multidimensional picture of one of the most illustrious periods in ancient Indian history.