ANCIENT HISTORY FOR SSC | MAURYA & POST MAURYA

Introduction to the Maurya Dynasty

The lecture focuses on the Moran Empire End Post Maurya period.
It begins with a recap of the previous lecture, discussing the total number of Mahajanapadas and their mentions in different sources.
The most powerful Mahajanapada, Magadha, is highlighted, with its capital being Champa.
The ruling dynasties of Magadha, including the Harka, Chanaga, and Nand dynasties, are mentioned.
The invasion of Alexander the Great in 326 BC is briefly discussed, with his battle against Porus on the banks of the river Jhelum.
Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Dynasty, is introduced as the one who defeated Dhananand with the help of Kautilya (Vishnugupta or Chanak).

Important Historical Figures and Events in the Maurya Dynasty

Kautilya/Chanakya/Vishnugupta was the Prime Minister in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.
Megasthenes was a Greek traveler who wrote the book "Indica" during the Gupta period.
Seleucus Nicator was an ambassador and military commander who established the Seleucid Dynasty in the North Western part of India.
Jataka Tales are intellectual literature that provide stories about the previous lives of Buddha and his childhood.
Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus Nicator and married his daughter, Helena.
Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and the second ruler of the Maurya Dynasty.
Bimbisara was the first ruler of the Haryanka dynasty in Magadha and was treated by Jeevak, the ruler of Avanti.

Ashoka and his Rock Edicts

Ashoka, also known as Dhamma Ghosha, has renounced physical science and violence for the path of peace.
The three gems in Buddhism are Buddha, Sangha, and Dhamma, with Dhamma being the path followed by Ashoka.
Ashoka spread his teachings through edicts, particularly on rocks and pillars, known as rock addictions or pillar addictions.
There are a total of 14 major rock addictions, containing lines of Ashoka's teachings.
The 13th rock addiction mentions the Kalinga War.
Major rock addictions are found on large stones, while minor rock addictions are found in smaller rocks in Sadan and Central India.
The decipherment of these rock addictions was accomplished by Princip in 1837 AD.
Major rock addictions used three languages and four scripts: Prakrit language with Prakrit, Greek, and Kharosti scripts.

Summary of Pillar Edicts and Capitals

There are a total of seven pillar edicts.
The language used in the edicts is Adhik Prakrit in Brahmi script.
The Delhi Topra Pillar is the only one with a seventh edict.
Lauria Araj and Lauria Nandgarh pillars are located in Bihar.
The Rampurwa pillar has a capital in the form of a bull.
The elephant capital is found in Sankasi.
The lion capital is found in Vaishali, Lauria Araj, and Lauria Nandgarh.
The Sarnath pillar edict has four lines and features the national emblem of India.
The national emblem represents Dharma Chakra Parivartan and features ox and horse symbols.

Summary of Lecture on Maurya Empire and Administration

Maurya Empire was ruled by Ashoka, who built important caves for the Buddhists such as Lomas Rishi Cave and Nagarjuni Cave.
Ashoka was the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty, and he was defeated by Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga dynasty.
The administration of the Maurya Empire followed the Saptanga theory, which included elements such as the king (Raja), secretary (Amat), territory (Janapada), fort (Durg), treasury (Kosh), army (Sena), and friends (Mitras).
The Maurya Empire had both civil and criminal courts, governed by the Dharma sthanika and Vyavahika respectively.

Taxation and Administrative Roles in Ancient India

Land Revenue Tax was given voluntarily in the Early Vedic Age but became mandatory in the Later Vedic Age, and then became voluntary again during the Mauryan Empire.
Bali Tax was another tax that originated in the Early Vedic Age and was a voluntary offering.
Water Tax, known as Udak Bhag, was levied on water resources.
Sena Bhaktamar was a tax collected from villages visited by the army.
Taxes were also levied on agricultural produce.
Bharuch and Supara were ports on the western side, while the eastern side had a port in West Bengal.
Chief Treasury Officer was responsible for treasury management.
Collector General of Revenue, also known as Samarta, collected revenue.
Sani Data Gopa protected the treasury.
Accountant General, Akshay Patel, maintained the accounts.
Sita ji was responsible for agriculture.
President of the organization was responsible for overseeing the market.
Boat President was responsible for ship fees.
Chairman collected toll taxes.

Overview of Maurya, Shunga, and Satavahana dynasties

The Maurya dynasty was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who adopted Buddhism and introduced the concept of Dhamma.
Ashoka, a prominent Maurya ruler, appointed a separate officer called Dhamma Maha Matra to oversee the implementation of Dhamma.
According to Megasthenes, the municipal administration during this time was divided into six committees, each with five members, and the army was also organized into six committees.
Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism.
Pushyamitra Shunga, a staunch Brahmin follower, assassinated the last Maurya ruler, Brihadratha.
The capital of the Shunga dynasty was Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and they followed some aspects of Brahminism while patronizing Buddhism.

Contributions of Ashoka to Buddhism and the Construction of Caves

Ashoka played a significant role in the patterned growth of Buddhism, despite being a follower of the Brahmin religion.
He built numerous Chaityas and Viharas, which were rock-cut caves used by Buddhists for religious purposes.
These caves were made by cutting them out of rocks and were primarily used by Buddhist monks for meditation and living.
Ashoka practiced patriarchy, where only sons were allowed to sit on the throne. However, the sons would incorporate their mother's name into their own names.
Ashoka started the practice of donating land to both Brahmins and Buddhists and initiated the construction of the Ajanta and Ellora caves.
The Ajanta caves are mainly Buddhist, while the caves in Ellora accommodate Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
Ashoka also built the stupa in Amaravati and Nagarjuna Konda, both in Andhra Pradesh, and promoted Buddhism by using the Prakrit language.

The Chhedi Dynasty and the Hathi Gumpha Caves

The Chhedi dynasty was ruled by Hua Kya, an important ruler.
The Hathi Gumpha caves are associated with Khara Vela, another ruler of the Chhedi dynasty.
The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, different from the Udayagiri Caves in Madhya Pradesh, are also associated with Jainism and Buddhism.
The Chhedi dynasty was located in the region of Indo-Scythians, Indo-Greeks, and Kushans.
The Indo-Greeks and Indo-Scythians were pushed out by the more powerful Kushan dynasty.
The Indo-Scythians defeated the Shakas, and Vikramaditya Parmar, a ruler of the Chhedi dynasty, introduced the Kshatrapa system.

Ancient Dynasties and Trade Routes in India

Introduction of the Kshatrapa system by the Shakhas, with Rudra Daman as a famous ruler.
The existence of five branches of the Kshatrapa system, with rulers like Rudra Daman in Gujarat.
Mention of the Junagadh rock inscription found in Girnar Hills, which mentions the repair of the Sudarshan Lekh article.
Sudarshan Lekh was built during the time of Chandragupta Maurya by Pushya Gupta Vaishya.
The succession of Parthians and Kushans after the Shakas, with the capital shifting from Peshawar to Mathura.
Trade flourishing under the Kushans, with a North-Western and Northern trade route meeting at Kannauj.
Kanishka as the most powerful ruler, known as the second Ashoka, and the patron of Buddhist Buddhism.
The establishment of the fourth Buddhist Council under Kanishka, where Hinayana and Mahayana were practiced.

Summary of Harappan, Vedic Age, and Invasions

Redware pottery was used during the Harappan and Vedic ages.
The techniques of horsemen, turban, sherwani, etc. were introduced during this time.
Kshatrapas followed the system introduced by Shakas or Scythians and started worshiping Shiva and Buddha.
Ashvaghosha wrote the Buddha Charitra during their time.
Various books on medicine were written, including Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.
Charak is considered the father of medicine, and Sushruta is considered the father of surgery.
The last Mauryan ruler was Brihad Rat, who was murdered by Pushyamitra Shunga.
The Shunga dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Shunga, followed by the Kanva dynasty.

Overview of Kushan Empire and Gupta Empire

The Sak Samvat calendar was started in 78 AD.
The Kushan Empire introduced the purest form of gold coins and the Kshatrapa system.
The Kushan rulers were followed by Kanishk, known as the second Ashoka, who patronized the Fourth Buddhist Council.

ANCIENT HISTORY FOR SSC | MAURYA & POST MAURYA | FRB

Introduction to the Maurya Dynasty

Important Historical Figures and Events in the Maurya Dynasty

Ashoka and his Rock Edicts

Summary of Pillar Edicts and Capitals

Summary of Lecture on Maurya Empire and Administration

Taxation and Administrative Roles in Ancient India

Overview of Maurya, Shunga, and Satavahana dynasties

Contributions of Ashoka to Buddhism and the Construction of Caves

The Chhedi Dynasty and the Hathi Gumpha Caves

Ancient Dynasties and Trade Routes in India

Summary of Harappan, Vedic Age, and Invasions

Overview of Kushan Empire and Gupta Empire

The Moran Empire End Post Maurya Period Lecture Summary:

Taxation and Administration in Ancient India

Historical developments during the Harappan and Vedic ages.