Making of Mayuryan Empire
Making of Mayuryan Empire
Making of Mayuryan Empire
MAURYAN ADMINISTRATION
The Mayuryan empire was one of the largest empire of the world in its time. At its
greatest, the empire stretched to the north along the natural boundaries of the Himalayas t
the east into the Assam. To the West into Bluchistan (South west Pakistan and south east
Iran) and the Hindukush mountains of what is now Afghanistan. The empire was
expanded into India Central and Southern religions by the emperor Chandra Gupta and
Bindusar but it excluded Kalinga (Modern Odisha) until it was conquered by Ashoka. It
declined for about 50 years after Ashoka’s rule ended and it dissolved in 185 BCE with
the foundation of the Shunga dynasty in Magatha, under Chandra Gupta Mayurya and his
successor internal and external trade, agriculture and economic activities all tried and
expanded across India thanks to the creation of a single and efficient system of finance
administration and security after the Kalinga war. The empire experience nearly half
century of peace and security under Ashoka. Mayuryan India also enjoyed an ear of
social harmony, religious transformation and expansion of the science and of knowledge
Chandra Gupta Maurya embranced of janism increased social and religious renewal and
onform across. His society while Ashoka embrance of budhism has been said to have
been the foundatioin of the reign of social and political peace and non-violence across all
of India Ashoka sponsored the spreading of Buddhist missionaries into Sri Lanka, South
The population of the empire has been estimated to be about 50 – 60 million making the
The career and achievements of Chandra Gupta Maurya make an interesting story
and romance. After the departure of Alexander there arose on the political
firmament of India a new star that soon eclipsed the rest of its brilliance.
tradition says that he was the son of Nanda king of a low born wife named Mara.
After who funded the mauryan dynasty. According to the Buddhist tradition he
was a descendant of the Kshatriya tribe called Moriya (who tamed peacocks, or
mayura poshaka) who at one time ruled over Pipphalivana, a region in modern
Uttar Pradesh. The classical source which know of the last nanda and the Marga,
though Chandragupta Known to them as Sandrakattusi is described to be of low
origin he meant that he was not a shudra but of the Kshetriya dynasty lowered
down to the humble status of a peacock tamers. It is also suggested that name
ending Gupta in Chandragupta name and the later episode of Ashoka’s marriage
The first task of Chandragupta was to liberate Sindh and Punjab from the hands of
greeks. The time was now ripe for Chandragupta t take the plunge as the position
of the greeks in India had been weakened by the death of Alexander and the
internecine squabbles among his generals. The Indians were also growing
resistive order the oppressive rule of the Greeks and the they demonstrated their
unrest by murdering the greek Satrap Nicanor and the formidable Philoppors.
Chandragupta moved to the North west to exploit the power vacuume created by
Alexander’s departure. He snatched away Sindh from the Greks. Then he turned
his attention to the Punjab by that time the power of Ambhi of Taxila was in a star
Chandragupta conquered the Punjab with ease. Thus, he had liberated the Punjab
Having driven away the greeks beyond the Indus Chandragupta collected a
strong force to thy in the task was paravtoaxa who has some time been identified
with Porus. But definite detils of conquest of Magadha by Chandragupta have not
been served. According to all accounts, pouranic, Buddhist or Jain agree that
Chandragupta was able to root ut the Nandas army completely but he Brahminical
tradition regard Koutaliya rather than Chandragupta. As the chief actor in the
drama Mudrarakshsa, the figure of Chandragupta is almost lost into shade by the
brilliant and masterful personality of Chanakya we may hold that the astute
diplomacy of Chanakya played no less prominent part in the bravery and military
skills of Chandragupta who besieged Pataliputra and killed Dhan Nanda and the
Nanda empire all into his hands. Historians have placed the date of Chandragupta
was announced an the Magdhan army was drawn from the city to a distant battle
field to engage with Maurya forces. Mayurya genral and spices meanwhile bribed
war in the kingdom which calminated in the death of the heir to the death of the
heir of the throne Chanakya managed to win over poplar sentiment. Ultimately
Nanda resigned handing power to Chandragupta, and went into exile and was
never heard of again. Chanakya contacted the prime minister Rakhsas and made
understand that his loyalty was to Magadha not to the Nanda dynasty.
Insistingthat choosing to resist could start a war that wouldseverly effect Magadha
and detroy the city Rakhsa accepted Chanakya reasoning and Chandragupta
Bindusar Maurya –
Bindusar was the son of the first Mauryan empire Chandragupta Mayurya and his
queen Durdhara. During his reign the empire expanded south wordly. According
to the Rajavalikatha a jain work. The original name of this emperor was
simhasena according to the legend mentioned in the jain text Chandragupta’s guru
and advisor Chanakya used to feed to build his immunity against possible
assassination attempts by his enemies. One day Chandragupta not known about
the poison shared his food with his pregnant wife. Who was 7 day away from
delivery. The queen collapsed and dired within few minutes chanakya entered the
room at they very moment she collapsed and in order to save the child in the
womb, he immediately cut open the dead queen’s belly and took the body out. By
that time a drop of poison had already reached the day baby and touched its head,
due to which the child got a permanent bluish spot (a. bindu) on his forehead thus
Bindusar just 22 years old inherited a large empire that consisted of what is now
Northern central and western parts of India along parts of Afganistan Bidusar
extended this empire to the sourthern parts of India. As far what is now known as
Karnataka he brought sixteen states under the Mauryan empire and thus conquried
almost all of the India peninsula (he is adi to have conquered the land between the
two seas the peninsular reign between the bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea)
apart from these southern states. Kalinga was the only kingdom in empire it was
later conquered by his son Ashoka. Who served as the victory of Ujjain during
his father’s reign. Bindusar life has not been documented as well as that of his
father Chandragupta jor of his son Ashoka. Chanakya continued to serve as Prime
minister during his reign. According to the medieval Tibetan scholar tranatha.
Klho visited India chanakya helped Bindusara to destroy the sixteen kingdom and
thus to become absolute mater of the territory between the eastern and western
ocean.
During his rule the citizen of taxila xxxxxxxxx twice the reason for the first revolt
was the Mal administration of Susima his eldest son. The reason for the second
revolt is unkown. But Bindusar could not suppress it in his lifetime. It was
crushed by Ashoka after bindusar death. It was crushed by Ashcoka after bindusar
death. Bindusar died in 272 BC (Some records say 268 BCE) and was succeded
ASHOKA –
As a young prince AShoka 272-232 BC was the brilliant commander who crushed
military xxxxx he gave up war and proclaimed the ideal of peace and non
violence.
The reign of Ashoka form the brightest of the history of India. The ruler himself
takes xxxxxxx early among the master minds of the xxxxxx, and xxxxx his
leadership India came to occup the foremost place amoing the civilized nations of
the time. The year 273 BC in which Ashoka ascended the Magadhan throne make
India’s history.
The brightest chapter of human history was the life and achievements of
AShoka whose reign is regarded as one of the brightest interludes in the troubled
history of mankind. Ashoka the philosopher king of India was great as a king and
great still as a man, because he was not as great a warrior diplomat or stateman.
AS he was a philanthropist. The ideal of kingship that he laid down also novel in
as much as considered all his subject as his children. He was the very
The birth and early life of Ashoka we hear very little from tradition.
During the reign of his father there were a revolt in the province of tAxila and he
successfully suppressed the rebellion after the death of his father, Ashoka became
king in 273 BC. Bindusar fell il and was near his end Ashoka went over
Pushpapura (patliputra) and took charge of the administration of the empire. The
Kalinga War –
The earliest event of AShokas reign that we find recorded his inscriptions is the
conquest of Kalinga (a part of xxxxx Kalinga usually denoted the long stretch
between the river Suvarnarekha and Godavari, but it exact limits in the days.
Ashoka cannot be determined. There is no doubt that it was powerful and popular
xxxxxxxxxxxxx state. It was in 261 BC in the Twelfth year of his reign. Ashoka
declare war against Kalinga war there were some plausible causes for the invasion
of Kalinga.
CAUSES –
empire.
with a large army was constance cause of anxity to the mauryan empire.
4. Kalinga had been hostile to magadha. It had helped the cholas and
Ashoka took a big army and invaded Kalinga in 261 BC there ensure a horrible war
between the armies of the two kingdom Rock no XII built by Aschoka provided a vivid
description of the horrors of the war the death of loving soldiers was remarkable. The
destruction caused by the war filled the king with remorse. Son after the victory of
Kalinga, it becames a part of mauryanemire. Toshali or modern Dhauli near bhubanesar
became the headquarter of Kalinga. A prince of the royal blood was posted as the viceroy
at Toshali in these edits AShoka makes his famous declaration “All men are my children”
and charges his officer to see that justice is done to the people.
Edicts of Ashoka –
The Edicts of Ashoka set in stone are found throughout the subcontinent ranging from as
far as west as Afgahanistan and as far south as Andhra (Vellor District) Ashoka Edicts
state his policies and accomplishment although predominantly written in prakrit two of
them were written in greeks. Kambojas and Gandharas as people region of his empire.
They greek rulsers in the west as far as the Mediterranean. The edicts precisely name
each of the rulers of Hellenic walld at the time scuh as Amtiyoko (Antiochus) Talumaya
of Ashokas proselytism.
In the first pillar edict, Ashoka says, for this is my principles to protect although
Dhamma. Here he shows that the ideal king ought the rule according to Dhamma so the
The Mauryan administration system was efficient and maonarchical the king of the
mauryan government was the head of the mauryan empire administration. The Mauryan
empire was decentralized and the administration power were divided into convenient
administrative unit. Through the unit were administrated on common system they were
The administration of mauryan dynasty was controlled by the king. The king was
supreme and sovereign authority of the mauryan empire administration. He had the
supreme executive legislative and judicial power and functions in the government. As the
head of the executive, the mauryan king maintained social order by punishing the guilty.
He was responsible for the safety and security of his kingdom. It was his duty to protect
the life and property of his subject. He was to collect report from the spices. He had to
plan different campaigns and movements. He laid down the general lines of polices to be
followed by his subordinate officials. He appointed ministers and other officer of the
royal administration.
The Mauryan king was the head of the judicial department. It was his duty to ensure the
justice to the people and redress their grievance the mauryan empire was vast and this
vastness debarred the king from personally disposing of all the cases. But he was the final
court of appeal and issued ready judgment. The mauryan kings remained whole day int
eh court to hear appeals from the people and in this cause he even never cared for these
personal amenities. King Ashoka made many reform in the judicial system of the
Mauryan empire.
The king had the sovereign power of law making and also the power and right ot
In addition to all these the king was the supreme commander of the army and head of the
military administration of mauryan empire. The king was also the ultimate authority of
the bureaucracy. The king als controlled the Mauryan empire revenue system, It is true
thathte Mauryan kng enjoyed huge poer. But still there were several limits upon the royal
Accordingly to the Hindu concept, the supreme sovereign of the state was
o Secondly, the Mauryan king never dared to defy the ancient laws and usage.
o Thirdly, the king was aided and advised by a mantra parishad in ordinary times he
could ignore th adivse of his minister but in times of emergency it was obligatory
o Fourthly, the Brahmins had great influence over the king and even the king and
even the later dared not to disobey them instead he always had to look.
This is so far the power and position of the king is concerned but he called not run
this vast empire alone. So he had to depend on various officials and ministers. The
Mauryan king had to depend on the council of ministers for the success of the
efficient and well organized hierarchy of bureaucrats who filled the central executive,
judicial and revenue officers. The functionaries of the Mauryan empire
of the deparment the adhyaksha was assisted by a band of clerks, accountants and
spies etc., possible the Mauryan central government had not more than 30
superintendents or Adhyaksha.
In addition to these posts of superintendent there were two other post fo high
The Samharta was the collector general of revenue for the whole of the Mauryan
Empire. Probably the post of Sannidhata was meant for the officer-in-charge of the
treasury and store. There were also other officers like army minister chief priest,
PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION –
For the Mauryan Provincial administration the entire empire was divided into two
parts such as –
The Mauryan territory that was direct ruled by the king was divided into a number of
province of Janapadas. Ashoka had at least five provinces whose capital were Taxila,
Ujjain, Tosali, Suvarnagiri and Pataliputra. Each provinces was sub-divided into number
of district and each district was again sub-divided into number units.
However, in addition to these centrally ruled Mauryan territories, there were of Vassal
states. They enjoyed a great deal of autonomy. The Mauryan provincial administration
was similar to that of the central administration, the Mauryan emperor directly ruled by
the provincial governors. The provincial governors were responsible for the day to day
administration of the provinces. They were expected to consult important matter with the
central administration. There were also the district officers reporters, clearks, etc. who
helped provincial administration, in the provincial administration the village was at the
lowest unit.
REVENUE SYSTEM –
Kautilya, the greatest political thinker of the ancient India laid greater stress on the
treasury as the smooth and successful functioning of the government depends on finance.
The main source of Mauryan revenue were taxation and rent, the land revenue was the
main source of revenue collection. Though theoretically the rate of and revenue was 1/6
of the total produce, yet in reality much higher proportion was charged varying with the
economics, from the writing of the Greek writers we came to now that the whole of India
was the property of the King and no private land nor were they permitted to keep any
In addition to land revenue, there were other sources of revenue of the state. These
included excise duty, forest taxes, water taxes, mines coinage etc. much of the state
revenue was expended on paying the army, the officials of royal government, on charities
and of different public works like irrigation project, road construction etc.
MAURYAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM –
As regards the judicial system, the king was the head of the judiciary and he himself was
the judge. He was the highest court of Appeal and personally listened to appeals from the
people. However, since the Mauryan empire was hudge it was not possible for the king
to solve each and every case, so he appointed many judges subordinate to him to hear the
cases.
Ordinary petty cases were generally adjudicated by the village headman. However,
during Ashoka’s time many reforms were made in the judicial system. Granting of
There were the municipal boards. The Greek writer Megathenes had given us an account
how the city of Pataliputra was administered. The Municipal board was a board of 30
members divided into six commites. Each of these committees had five members to
The six committees had the following duties respectively. They were industrial arts to
take care of the foreigners, to register the birth and death of the citizens of Pataliputra to
took after trade and commerce, to supervise different manufacture and to collect excise
MILITARY ADMINISTRATION –
It is also learnt that the war office of Mauryans were managed by a Board of 30 memebrs
they were also divided into six committees each of the committees having five members
to look after –
Navy
Infantry
Cavalry
War Elephants.
King Ashoka also known as Ashoka the great, introduced innovations and reforms in the
administration, executive, legislative and judiciary. He had reformed many aspects of the
Ashoka appointed a special class of offiers known as the Dhamma Maha Matras. The
Dhamma Mahamatras were appointed by him to look after the material and spiritual well
being of the people. He introduced these officers to preach the principle of Dharma.
But the most outstanding reforms of Mauryan Administration during the rule of AShoka
was in the realm of judiciary. The principle of uniformity of penalty and uniformity of
judicial procedure wwere also enforced in Maurya government. Those officer were
Rajuka, Predesika, Yukta, Prativadaka, Lipikar, Duta, Ayukta, Etc. the main duties of the
Rajuka was to look after the Janapedas. To measure and keep financial accounts. The
Braja Bhumik managed works of public utility. The pressure kept liaison between the
Gopas were the head of four or ten villages. The Villages head was called Gramika in the
LOCAL ADMINISTRATION –
The province were divided into divison. The pradeshtri or Divisional commissioneir was
in charge of the administration of the divisionis. The divisions were sub-divided into
Aharas or Visayas District. The head of the district administration was Sthanika. He was
assisted by a class of officer called Gopa. All of them were responsible of Samaharata
The Village constituted the smaller administrative unit. The Gramani was the officer in
Charge of village administration. Gnerally he was elected by the village and he was
PUBLIC WORKS –
The Mauryan state took a peep interest in public works. Network of road was spread
over the country and with of main and side road was fixed. Road signs were installed at
regular interval. The capital city Pataliputra was connected with distant parts of the
empire by Roads. Inns were built all along the roads for the comfort of travelers.
Educationi and health care not neglected either, Educational institutions were set up at
the town. Sanitary regulation were made to keep the town clean and healthy. Canals,
SECRETARIAT –
There was a highly organized secretariate for the conduct of state business. There were
mentions about 30 departments which deal with all the activities of a modern government
such as education, medical relief, revenue, irrigation, metals, mine, etc. the
superintendent of each department was assisted by accountants, stock taker, spies etc.
CONCLUSION :
The Mauryan Empire was founded by king Chandragupta. He reign was one of the most
successful one. He was followed by his son Bindusar. Bindusar was known to have
conquered two seas and was quite well known among the Greek.
After Bindusar his son fought for the throne for quite a long time and finally Ashoka the
great was successful. Ashoka was known leader but later his attitude became a hindrance
and the Mauryan Empire lost its position after Ashoka’s decline.
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