Great Kings in Chronological Order
The Mauryan Empire was the extensive and most prosperous Empire of that time. We have read the sources that give us knowledge about the Mauryan Empire. So, here we are going to discuss rulers and the administration of the Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta Maurya
He was the founder of the Mauryan Dynasty. He laid the foundation of the most systematic and liberal as well as a rigid system of administration. The administrative system of the Mauryan Empire was designed by his mentor. And he was Chanakya, who guided Chandragupta Maurya.
The Sohagaurya Copper Plate Inscription and Mahasthana Inscription describe the arrangements done by the King during the time of Famine. In the late days of his life, he adopted Jainism. The Bhadrabahu (about whom one had read once before) took the Chandragupta Maurya to South India.
So, Chandragupta Maurya came to the Sravanbelgola near Mysore with the Bhadrabahu. He performed Santhara or Sallekhana there. Santhara or Sallekhana is just like Jaina ritual in which a person does fast to the death. The Greeks called him Sandrokottos or Androkottos.
Bindusara
Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and his Queen Durdhara. Greeks called Bindusara as Amitragatta or Amitrakottos (meaning slayer of enemies). Jaina text Rajavalikatha, mention his original name as Simhasena.
Taranatha was a Tibetan Monk contemporary of Bindusara who wrote about him. He said that Bindusara conquered 16 States comprising ‘the land between two Seas‘. In the late days of his life, he inclined towards the Ajivikas Sect.
During the Bindusara’s reign, the Mauryan Empire spread over the large extent of India. He appointed his son Ashoka as a governor of Ujjain. So, after his demise, Ashoka became the Ruler of the Magadha Empire.
The Great Ashoka
Ashoka was the only king of ancient India with the title ‘The Great’. It is because of his greatness we as a country adopted Ashoka’s Symbol as our National Emblem. According to the Buddhist text Dipavamsha and Mahavamsha, Ashoka captured power after killing his own brothers. However, it was a long tradition of ancient India, Ajatshatru also killed his father and attacked his maternal place because of the throne.
So, though Ashoka presented a bad example by killing his brothers. But at the same time, his act of killing his own brothers proved a blessing for his subjects. It was so because no one of his brothers was as capable as he was. So, he adorned the throne of the Mauryan Empire and helped the Mauryan Empire to reach its heights. During his reign, the Third Buddhist Council was organized in Pataliputra.
Bhabru Inscription tells us about Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism. He was very tolerant of all the religious sects of that time.
Extent of Mauryan Empire under the Great Ashoka
Ashoka in the battle of Kalinga won the Kalinga. And it was probably the last battle he fought. So, after winning the Kalinga war from Kandahar in North-West to Mysore in South was under his rule.
Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras, and Kerala Putra or Cheras mentioned in Ashokan inscription along with people of Tmrapani or Sri Lanka (Major Rock Edict II and XIII). So, Ashoka’s daughter Sanghamitra and son Mahendra were sent as the missionary to Ceylon or Sri Lanka.
Now we will have a look how was this extensive Empire systematically administered?
Mauryan Administration
There were many officials in the Mauryan Empire. These were having their different duties. Let’s have a look at the various officials of the Mauryan Empire,
- 18 Tirthas called as Mahamattras. They were high functionaries.
- 27 Adhyakshas or Superintendents. These officials look after the most economic and military duties.
- Shudras, for the 1st time, added to the mainstream of work. They all employed in agricultural works.
- Sitadhyaksha: Crown Land named Sita. So, Sitadhyaksha were the officials employed to look after the Agricultural productivity of the crown land.
- There was state-sponsored prostitution during the Mauryan Empire. These Prostitutes were worked as the spies of the Mauryan Kingdom. The head of this department was Bandiposhaka.
- Senapati was the name for the commander-in-chief.
- Gramika was the Village head.
- Samaharta was the official in charge of the assessment.
- Sannidhata was chief treasurer.
- Rajjuka was Revenue Officer.
- Amatya was high ranking officers.
Currency and Taxation System
Punch-Marked Silver coins carrying symbols of peacock, Hill, and crescent. Pana was the term for these coins. So, the Taxation system was very simple and systematic.
- Bhaga: Land Tax, It was the major source of the revenue of the empire. It was one-sixth of the produce.
- To have an established agricultural irrigation system, there was the provision for the Water Cess.
- Kara: It was also a tax. Levied upon the part of produce from fruit and flower garden.
- Hiranya: tax paid in cash.
- Pranaya: Emergency Tax.
- However, there was a provision for the Poll tax.
- The second major source of income was the Toll Tax. Toll Tax imposed on all articles. So, it was approximately 10 percent.
Other Important Designations during Mauryan Period
- Panyadhyaksha: Superintendent of commerce.
- Sulkadhyaksha: Head of the department of Toll or Custom tax.
- Lakshanadhyaksha: Head of the Mint.
- Pantavadhyaksha: Superintendent of weights and measures.
- Akaradhyaksha: Head of Mines.
- Lavnadhyaksha: Superintendent of the department of Salt.
Important Note
After the battle of Kalinga, The Great Ashoka inaugurated a new policy of Dhammavijaya or conquest by piety. And he replaced the old policy of conquest by force of arms which was Digvijaya.
Provincial Administration
There were 5 provinces during Mauryan Era.
District Administration
The three posts were there to look after the District Administration.
Municipal Administration
For the Municipal Administration, 30 commissioners were there. So, these officials got divided into six groups each containing 5 members. However, these six groups were having different duties.
Conclusion
This was brief about the Most important ancient kingdom. After the Ashokathere was not the great ruler in the Mauryan Dynasty. So, no one was really able to carry forward his supreme legacy. So, after Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire became decentralized in every sense. This once again gave the opportunity to the external invaders.
So, after the Mauryan Kingdom, there was the rule of the Sunga Dynasty over the Magadha. Pushyamitra Sunga was the important ruler of the Sunga Dynasty. Sungas were the staunch believer of the Brahmanism. Because of which Buddhism lost its importance in the region it was first originated. But Buddhism spread over the south-east and east Asia.
After the Shunga Dynasty, there was the rule of the Kanva Dynasty. So, there were no strong central forces until Kushana kings. Though the Empire of Kushanas was not so big so was Mauryan. But it gave many things to the Indian Peninsula in terms of art and culture.
In the upcoming post, we are going to read about the Golden age of Ancient India. Yes, it is none other than the Age of Guptas.
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