The First Empire-The Mauryas

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CHAPTER-8

The Mauryas
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In India the first empire was established by the

Maurya Dynasty

Sources

Indica written by Megasthenes

Arthashastra by Kautaliya

Rock and Pillar edicts

Maurayan Emperors
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CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA

The first ruler of this dynasty was Chandragupta

Maurya.
He conquered Magadh and then defeated Seleucus
Nicator.
He tried to control other parts of Northern India
BINDUSARA
Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara.
Under him the Mauryan Empire spread across the
whole of Indian subcontinent except for Kalinga.

Emperor Ashoka
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He was the most famous emperor.

Ashoka conquered Kalinga, as it controlled the land

and the sea route to south-east Asia.

After the Kalinga war he decided to give up war all
together and devoted rest of his life to serve his
people through Dhamma.

Dhamma
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Ashoka gave up the policy of conquest through war

and began to follow a policy of conquest through

peace.

This policy of conquest is known as Dhamma

Dhamma is the prakrit word for the Sanskrit term
Dharma.

Spread of Dhamma
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Some steps taken by Ashoka to spread Dhamma

were

He appointed officials called Dharma Mahamatras to
spread Dhamma

He issued rock edicts which contained principle of
Dhamma which were in Brahmi script.

Administration
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Mauryan Administration was divided into

Village

District

Central

Provisional

Pataliputra
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It was the Capital of the Mauryan empire.

Administration

The committee of 30 members was divided into 6 boards

Each board looked after a specific department such as,

Comfort & Security

Foreigners

Industry

Trade and Commerce

Collection of taxes

Inspection of manufactured goods

Question & Answers

10

When was the Kalinga war fought? Why did Ashoka

attack Kalinga?

When Ashoka became the King, Kalinga was the only
Kingdom which was not under the Mauryan Control,
Kalinga war was fought in 261 BC. Ashoka conquered
Kalinga, as it controlled the land and the sea route to
south-east Asia.

Question & Answers

11

Why was the Kalinga War a turning point in the life

of Ashoka?
The of Kalinga War a turning point in the life of
Ashoka as
The death, destruction and suffering that he saw in
the war made him feel sad
He realised the futility of fighting a war and vowed
not to fight any more wars.
He devoted the rest of his life to serve people.

Question & Answers

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What is Dhamma?

Refer to Slide No.6

Write any two stepts taken by the Ashoka to spread

Dhamma?

Refer to slide No.7

Question & Answers

13

Write

short notes on the Administration of

Pataliputra, Sources of Revenue.

Administration of Pataliputra
Refer to slide No.9

Sources of Revenue
Land revenue was the main source of income

Revenue was also obtained from trade.

Other sources were- forests, mines, custom duties,
fines and gifts.