There have been numerous notable empires in ancient India. It also includes the Mauryan empire. Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan empire, which was a significant dynasty in human history. The Mauryan Empire (324–185 BCE), based in the Gangetic plains of India and with its Capital City at Pataliputra (modern Patna), was one of many small political dynasties of the early historic period whose development included the original growth of urban centres, coinage, writing, and eventually, Buddhism. Under the leadership of Ashoka, the Mauryan Dynasty expanded to include most of the Indian subcontinent, the first empire to do so.
It’s generally accepted that the name Maurya was derived from mora, the name of peacocks in Pali, a Middle Indo-European liturgical language that was native to the Indian subcontinent. The ancestors of the first rulers of the Mauryan Empire are believed to have settled in a place where peacocks were plentiful. Mora became Moriyas, which translates to “belonging to the site of peacocks”. The ancestors of Maurya established a city that named Moriya-nagara (Moriya-city).
Maurya’s association with peacocks is further given credence by the fact that peacock images appear on a number of artworks during the reign of Ashoka, including the Ashoka Pillar at Nandangarh in the modern state of Bihar in Eastern India.
Described in some texts as a model of efficient economic management, Maurya’s wealth was established in land and sea trade with China and Sumatra to the East, Ceylon to the South, and Persia and the Mediterranean to the West. International trade networks in goods such as silks, textiles, brocades, rugs, perfumes, precious stones, ivory, and gold were exchanged within India on roads tied into the Silk Road, and also through a thriving merchant navy.
The Mauryan period in Indian history was not only the era of greatest wealth, but also the home for literature, art and science, says Meena, a History Lecturer in a college in Belagavi.
Quotes on Maurya Dynasty and its rulers:
About Ashoka:
In the history of the world there have been thousands of kings and emperors who called themselves “their highnesses,” “their majesties,” and “their exalted majesties” and so on. They shone for a brief moment, and as quickly disappeared. But Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star, even unto this day.
Ashoka (264 to 227 B.C.), one of the great monarchs of history, whose dominions extended from Afghanistan to Madras is the only military monarch on record who abandoned warfare after victory. He had invaded Kalinga (255 BC) a country along the east coast of Madras, perhaps with some intention of completing the conquest of the tip of the Indian peninsula. The expedition was successful, but he was disgusted by what he saw of the cruelties and horrors of war. He declared, in certain inscriptions that still exist, that he would no longer seek conquest by war, but by religion, and the rest of his life was devoted to the spreading of Buddhism throughout the world. He seems to have ruled his vast empire in peace and with great ability. He was no mere religious fanatic.
Sources of Maurya Dynasty:
There are two types of sources of Mauryan History. One is Literary and the other is Archaeological. The literary sources include Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Visakha Datta’s Mudra Rakshasa , Megasthenese’s Indica, Buddhist literature and Puranas. The archaeological sources include Ashokan edicts and inscriptions and material remains such as silver and copper punch-marked coins.
Contributions of Maurya Dynasty:
Art and Architecture
Rock-cut elephant at Dhauli, Odisha – shows modelling in round with linear rhythm. It also has an Ashokan edict. Lomus Rishi Cave – Rock-cut cave at Barabar Hills near Gaya wherein the cave entrance is decorated with a semicircle Chaitya arch. An elephant is carved in high relief on the chaitya. The interior hall of the cave is rectangular; and it also has a circular chamber at the back. Ashoka patronised this cave for the Ajivika sect.
Stupas were constructed over the relics of the Buddha at Rajagriha, Kapilavastu, Vaishali, Ramagrama, Allakappa, Pava, Vethadipa, Pippalvina and Kushinagar. Stupas consist of a cylindrical drum with a circular anda and a harmika and a chhatra on the top. Sometimes there were circumambulatory pathways and gateways. In many cases, additions were added in later centuries.