Maurya

Empire

Maurya

Empire

ChandraguptaChandragupta MauryaMaurya

321 BCE-298 BCE321 BCE-298 BCE

ChandraguptaChandragupta MauryaMaurya

321 BCE-298 BCE321 BCE-298 BCE Unified northern IndiaUnified northern India

Defeated the PersianDefeated the Persian general general SeleucusSeleucus..

Divided his empire Divided his empire intointo provinces, then provinces, then districts districts for tax assessments for tax assessments and law enforcement.and law enforcement.

• He feared assassination He feared assassination food tasters, slept in food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc.different rooms, etc.

• 301 BCE 301 BCE gave up his gave up his throne & became a Jain.throne & became a Jain.

The Maurya The Maurya EmpireEmpire

The Maurya The Maurya EmpireEmpire

321 BCE – 185 BCE321 BCE – 185 BCE

Asoka (304 – 232 Asoka (304 – 232 BCE)BCE)

Asoka (304 – 232 Asoka (304 – 232 BCE)BCE) Religious conversion Religious conversion

after the gruesome after the gruesome battle of battle of KalingaKalinga in in 262 BCE. 262 BCE.

Dedicated his life to Dedicated his life to Buddhism. Buddhism.

Built extensive roads.Built extensive roads.

ConflictConflict how to how to balance Kautilya’s balance Kautilya’s methods of keeping methods of keeping power and Buddha’s power and Buddha’s demands to become a demands to become a selfless personselfless person

AsokAsoka’s a’s

EmpiEmpirere

AsokAsoka’s a’s

EmpiEmpirere

Asoka’s law Asoka’s law codecode

Asoka’s law Asoka’s law codecode Edicts scattered inEdicts scattered in

more than 30 more than 30 placesplaces in India, Nepal, in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Pakistan, & Afghanistan.Afghanistan.

Written mostly inWritten mostly in Sanskrit, but one Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and was in Greek and Aramaic. Aramaic.

• 10 rock edicts.10 rock edicts.

• Each pillar [Each pillar [stupastupa] is ] is 40’-50’ high.40’-50’ high.

• Buddhist principles Buddhist principles dominate his laws.dominate his laws.

One One of of

AsokAsoka’sa’sStStupasupas

One One of of

AsokAsoka’sa’sStStupasupas

Turmoil & a power Turmoil & a power Vacuum:Vacuum:

220 BCE – 320 CE220 BCE – 320 CE

Turmoil & a power Turmoil & a power Vacuum:Vacuum:

220 BCE – 320 CE220 BCE – 320 CE

Tamils

Tamils

The Maurya Empire is divided into many The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms.kingdoms.

Mauryan Buddhist Mauryan Buddhist TempleTemple

The last Mauryan emperor was The last Mauryan emperor was assasinated in 184 BCassasinated in 184 BC

A series of attacks brought northern A series of attacks brought northern India under foreign ruleIndia under foreign rule

- Greek kings ruled India - Greek kings ruled India

(183-130BC)(183-130BC)

- Kushan rulers spread - Kushan rulers spread Buddhism (Mahayana and Buddhism (Mahayana and Hinayana) and traded with RomeHinayana) and traded with Rome