Maurya dynasty (321-185 B.C.)
Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. It was the first historical dynasty of India. The Maurya dynasty came to a new era of India. Maurya was the new dynasty after the Nanda dynasty. Its capital was Pataliputra. The religion was Buddhism, Jainism and Ajivikas and Hinduism. There were 50 to 60 million peoples in the Kingdom. This was the most populous kingdom that time. There were 9 emperor of the Dynasty who ruled over the Magadha.
Pataliptra was a beautiful and clean city situated near the river Ganga and Sone. It was about 14 kilometers long and 3 kilometers broad. It was surrounded by 64 gates and 570 towers. A 60 feet deep and 200 yards wide filled with water around it. The Emperor’s palace was built at the center of the city was built by Wood and stone. The palace was decorated with parks, pillars fountains etc. the Emperor was protected by men bodyguards and some times women bodyguards.
Chandragupta and Ashoka was the great ruler of Maurya dynasty. The accounts of Greek writers of Plutarch in Life of Alexander, Pliny in Natural History, and Strabo in Geography mention about the Maurya dynasty. Chandragupta was known as Sandrakottos or Androcottus as Greek accounts. Megasthenes, who was sent as an ambassador to Chandragupta court at Pataliputra and stayed here for 4 year. That was more reliable about Maurya in his book Indica.
There are so many sources about Maurya Empire. According to Brahmanical sources Purana, Arthashastra of Chanakya, Mudrarakshasa of Vishakhadutta, Kathasarit sagar of Somadeva. Buddhist sources are, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, and Mahabodhivamsa etc.
Jaina sources are, Kalpasutra of Bhadrabahu, Parishistha Parvana of Hemachandra. The Kashmirian sources are Patanjali’s Mahabhasya and Ashoka-vadana give us the valuable souces about Maurya. But the most reliable sources are Arthashastra of Kautilya. The edicts of Ashoka give us the most information about Administrative system of Maurya.
Prakrit was the state language of Mauryan Empire. Ashoka declared Pali was the state language and Prakrit Magadhi was the language of Ashoka’s court.
Adminstration
Maurya Empire has a lage army and a vast Empire to control over it. There were so many sources to known about the administrative system of Chandragupta like Arthshastra, Greek accounts, Ashokan inscription etc. the administrative system was divided into 3 types, they are- Central Administration, Judicial Administrtion and Provincial Administration.
Central Administration
Chandragupta consist a strong Central Administration system in Pataliputra. The Emperor was the head of the State and Government. He respects the law and order. Kautilya was regulated his life. Chandragupta led the army and appointed the ministers and he was the head of justice. According to V.A. Smith, “the Mauryan state was organized elaborately with full supply of departments and carefully graded officials with well defined duties”. The Arthashastra and Ashokan inscription refer to a Council minister of Chandragupta Maurya. There were no fixed members in the council. Arthashastra mention that there were 18 departments under the central government. There were four high ministers or mantra parishada they were Mahamantri or Prime minister, Purohita or Chief Priest, Senapati or Commander-in-chief, and Yuvraja or Crown prince. The other Minister were-
i Dauvarika(Chamberlain)
ii Antarveshika(Chief of the Harem)
iii Prasastri(Head of the prison)
iv Samaharta(Collector general)
v Pradeshastri(Divisonal commissioner)
vi Nayaka(Custodian of the city)
vii Paura(Governor of the capital)
viii Vyavaharika (Chief Judge)
ix Karmantika( Head of the mines)
x Sannidhata (Treasure)
xi Dandapala (Police chief)
xii Antapala (Chief of Frontier)
xiii Mantri parishada Adhyaksha (Persident of the Council)
City administration
Megasthenes’s Indica gives a detailed account of the city administration of Pataliputra. The city council was divided into six committees of five members each. The First committee looked into Craft and industry. There worked was the material was used in the manufacture of goods and fixed of the wages of workmen. The Second committee was looked into safety and comfort of the Foreigners. There worked was arranging the foods, stay and comfort and security of the foreigners. The Third committee was looked into the registration of the birth and death. The fourth committee was looked into trade and measurements and commercial matter. The Fifth committee was looked into supervised the sales and strict watch was kept to distinguish between the new and second-hand goods. The Sixth committee was looked into collected taxes on the good sold at the rate of 10% of the selling price.
The city superintended of Nagarika was maintained law and order. He was assisted by sub official Gopa and Sthanika. Bandhanagaradh yakasha was looked after Jails; Rakshi looked after the security of the people. City or Kingdom was divided into district and villages. Pradeshtha, Rajuka, and Yukta were the important officers. Pradeshtha control over the entire district, Rajukas looked into assessment and public works, and Yukta was the secretarial and accounting works. In villages Gramika was the head. Gramani, Gopa and Sthanika were officers of villages and acted as intermediaries between the district and villages administrations. They were elected by the villagers and were assisted by the villages’ elders called Grama Vriddhas.
The Officers salaries were different dependent on their post. A tirthas salary had 48000 panas, karmikas or clerk’ salary had 500 panas, Sannidhata and Samaharta salaries had 24000 panas and Artisans salary had 120 panas.
Military administration
The Mauryan Empire had a strong Army. This department was divided into six boards of five members. The army consisted Cavalry, infantry, Chariots and Elephants. These were called Chaturangabala. Other forces were Navy and transport. These were six committees. The horses and elephants were owned by the king and the private ownership was Phohibited. The soldiers were paid in cash. This department was divided into six boards of five members. The swords, lances, bows, javelin and buckles were the main equipment of the soldiers. The salaries of Adhyaksha were 4000 panas, Mukhyas was 8000 panas, Nayak was 12000 panas, and Senapati was 48000 panas.
Espionage
The Government was the well system of Espionage. The spies were appointed by the king to collect the news from the every corner of the Empire. There worked was sent the secret news to the King of the ruler and their activities. According to Arthashastra there were two types of Spies they were Santhak or posted in certain places and Sanchara or used to travel to different places. Pativedika had a direct link with the King. The spies were known by various names such as Gundhapurusas, Grihapati, vaidesic, Kapas, Kapalic etc. the spies’ were changed their identity as cooks, students, saints, beggers, and live a normal life.
Revenue system
In Northern India the economic condition was best. Land revenue was the main sources of income for Nanda and also Maurya government. The tax of the produce of land was based on quality of land and it was 1/4 to 1/6 of the total produce. The other source of revenue was land cess, canal dues, ferry dues, tax on loads, tax on trade and commerce etc. there were many departments to collect tax, regulate and manages. The revenue officers were called Samaharta or Chief tax collector and Sannidhata was the royal treasure. The peasants gave several taxes like Pindakara, Bali, and Pranaya of the produce. The tax was utilized on public works, maintenance of army etc. 5 percent tax imposed on Gambling and winning.
Judicial administration
The King was the head of the Judial department. Their were 18 types of tortures and 7 types of whipping so there were less number of crime in Mauryan Empire.The Arthashstra contain two courts Dharmasthiya as civil court and Kantakasodhana as criminal court who presided by three judges and assisted by the spies. There were also provincial or local courts. The cases were solves by three Judges and three commissioners. In the village Gramika was head and he tried to solve the problem and cases. Crime was rare for strong Judiciary, law and order. There was highly organized Secretariat for state business. There were 30 departments under Secretariat which deal with medical relief, school, irrigation, social activities, metal etc. during the reign of Chandragupta maurya which was mention in Arthashastra. Superintendent was assistance by Spies, accountants and stock taker.
Public works
The Muryan state took and interest in the Public works. Roads were built; the sub roads were joined to main road. Road signed were installed at regular interval. Pataliputra’s roads were joined to other Kingdoms. The educational institution and hospitals were built. The towns were clean and healthy for best municipality system. Canal and lakes were constructed to facilitate irrigation of agricultural land. Ashoka built the city Shri Nagar.
Provincial administration
The head of province was Kumara or Crown prince. He was assisted by Mahamatya and council ministers. According to Ashoka edicts there were 4 provincial capitals, the North-West Frontier Province was Taxila, the Western province-capital was Ujjain, The southern province-capital was Swarnagiri, and the Eastern province- capital was Tosali. The provinces were divided into division and the Pradestri was in-charge of division. The division was divided into Aharas or Vishaya and the head was Sthanika. He was assisted by Gopa. All of them were responsible to Samharta; he was the minister of interior. There are 18 Superintendents in Maurya province, some of them are-
Sournika Adhyaksha- Superintendent of Money
Sitadhyaksha- Superintendent of Agriculture
Lakshanadhyaksha-Superintendents of Finance
Samastadhyaksha- superintendents of Markets
Panyadhyaksha- superintendents of Trade
Pautavadhyaksha- Superintendent of Weight and measurement
Navadhyaksha- Superintendent of Ships
Sulkadhyaksha- Superintendent of Customs
Akaradhyaksha- Superintendent of Mines
Kupyadhyaksha- Superintendent of Forests
Mudradhyaksha- Superintendent of Passports
Lohadhyaksha- Superintendent of Iron
Ganikadhyaksha- Superintendent of Prostitutes
Itihijika Mahamatta- Superintendent of Women
Economic conditions
The economics control over by the government. Chandragupta Maurya established a single currency in his region. The Arthashastra mention that state controlled and organized the agriculture, industry, and the trade of the country. Megasthenes had divided the Indian society into 7 categories that were Philosophers, cultivators, herdsmen, artisans, soldiers, overseers and councilors. These were mainly based on Occupational groups. The Indian society was divided into 4 Varnas that was Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Brahmanas were the higher cast and they acted as Purohita and salary was 48,000 panas. The Brahmans was the chief advisors of the King. They were exempted from tax. Kshatriya was involved in defense of the state. Vaishya were engaged with business. Vaishya were involved in Buddhism and Jainism. Vaishya were major tax payers. Shudras were served clas among three Varna or caste. Shudras were several punished and the result that eyes of the Shudra destroyed or fined 800 panas. According to Megasthenes there were no slaves but in the Buddhist literature there was 3 types of slaves in India. In Arthashastra they were called Dasas was paid 1 ½ panas per month.
There were out castes or Hianjatis or Antyavasayins or Mixed caste. They were assigned below the Shudra. They were Chandalas, Rathakaras, Venas, and Nishadas. The Rathakaras was leather worked, Venas were basket makers and Nishadas were hunter and fishermen.
Agriculture
The main occupation was Agriculture. Land tax or Bhaga was the main item of Revenue at the rate of ¼ to 1/6 of produce. The Rumindei pillar informs that Ashoka payment the Bali in Ludhiana and Bhaga was reduced to 1/8 of total produced. Peasants paid Pindakara and Hiranya or irrigation tax, cattle tax etc.
Industry
There were many industries in the Kingdom. India was famous for Ornaments making, weaving clothes. There were also mineral resources, transport system in the kingdom. Both Megasthenes and Kautilya were given account of industrial developments of the country. There were guilds or Srenis under Setthis for each industry.
The textile industry were produced like cotton and silken and wool types of clothes and designed with gold and silver in the city of Magadha like, Banaras, Vanga, and Pundra in Bengal. A large number of peoples employed in the industries.
Carpentry and pottery also produced in the Kingdom. Stone cutting was another occupation that time. Pottery in clay and porcelain designed was so popular. Bihar mand some part of Madhya Pradesh was rich in minerals wealth so the many peoples worked on there.
A hoard of coins found in Gorakhpur. These coins are seldom circular. The silver and copper coins were called Karshapanas, and Dharamas.
Trade and Commerce
In South-Asia, there was the best economic system in India. At the time of Maurya Empire there were so many route built for trade and commerce. All main roads were built to international border for trade and commerce. It was called as Grand Trunk road. According to Arthashastra; there were 3 main routes from India to West Asia. A road Taxila to Kabul, another route connects to heart, Kandhar, Susa, through Persian Gulf. The third was the sea routes on the west coast of India and gone to Arabia. The ship went to Sri Lanka and Myanmar also. There were important highways also Pataliputra to Taxila, Pataliputra to Tamralipti, Sravasti to Pratishthana, and Sravasti to Rajagriha. All connected to capital Pataliputra. Mauryan Taxs were varied like, General tax on goods was 10 percent, rate of custom duties were 20 percent and tax on wining gamblers was 5 percent.
They were export and import the goods from other countries. The Mauryan state exported ivory, diamonds, cotton, clothes, sandalwood, silver, dry fruits etc. Under the Indo-Greek friendship and the Ashoka’s regin the trade was expanded. The Khyber Pass the boundary of Pakistan and Afghanistan was the main port for trade this time. Greek and Hellenic kingdom of the West Asia is the important trade partners of India. The goods were carried by Bullock carts and camel and the boats were used in sea routes. Megasthenes conveys that there was no usury in India. Arthshastra permit the 15 percent for normal items and 60 percent per annum for risky items.
In the state there was Masika or Copper coin, Kakini the one/fourth of Masika is common used. The Punched marked coins were used in this period. Some coins have elephants symbol representing the gift of 500 war elephants to Seleucus by Chandragupta Maurya.
The Mauryan inscription of Sahgaura and Mahasthan conveys that there were famines that cause of damage, the strong economic of the Mauryan state helped to recover crisis.
Position of women
The women in this period participated in social and cultural and religious functions. They also worked as spies and Bodyguard of the King. But there were the practice of Sati was prevalent in some area of North-Western India. The widow remarriage, divorces etc were discouraged. Then many Women were joining to Jainism and Buddisim as a nun. The system of Purdha prevailed in some forms in the Mauryan age. However the Women were prevailed in music, dance, painting and others art. Kanduk Kriya was a popular game which was played by Women with balls.
Architecture
Chandragupta built so many monument and pillars in the Kingdom. The palaces were built by supported pillars and column, the number of column is 80, each is 7 meters high. According to eye witness of Megasthenes, the palace was constructed with timber, and pillars were designed by golden vines and silver birds. The palace surrounded by park, fish ponds, and furnished with great variety of ornaments trees, and shrubs. Kautilya’s Arthashastra also mention this type of palace and method of buildings. At the times of Chandragupta, the palace was build by wood but time of Ashoka built or replaced by stone.
Ashoka built several stupas, domes, for Buddha’s disciples. The most important location is Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati, Bodhgaya, Nagarjunakonda etc. The peacock was a symbol of Maurya was proved by Ashoka pillars inscription of Nandangarh and Sanchi stupa.
Mauyan art
Mauryan art was influenced by Persian art. Ashoka credits for stone architecture in India. His monuments of Mauryan period may be broadly divided into 5 groups- the remains of palace, the Stupas, Pillars, caves, and rock- cut halls. Ashoka replace his wood palace to stone palace. The first pillar of Ashoka was founded by Thomas coryat in 16th century of the ruins of ancient Delhi. Fa-hien was very much surprise to see the royal palace of Ashoka. There had artificial lakes, fruit trees, and other different kinds.
Language
During the Mauryan age Prakrit was the language of Ashoka’s court and Pali was the state language. Brahmi script was used for writing. However all books were written in Sanskrit script. The Arthashastra of Kautilya, Kalpasutra of Bhadrabahu, the Buddhist book Katha-Vasthu and many Dharmasutras and Grihasutra were written in this period. Subandhu a Brahmin minister of Nanda and Maurya period was written Vasavadatta Natya Dhara and he was regarded as Mahakavi of the age. Chhandasutra of Pingala, the sutra of Gautama may be assigned to this period. Many Jaina and Buddhist books were written in this period. A Famous versatile Scholar of this period was Katyayana.
Maurya Terms and meanings
Sandhivigrahaka- minister of war and peace
Rajapanya- state goods
Pana- standard coin
Ahar- district
Amazoo- unmarried lady
Sarthavaha- carvan of traders
Prasasna- wine
Duhesadhasanika- police officer
Adhikarnika- chief justice
Pativedika- spies who direct access to the King or reporters
Durgapala- governor of the fort
Dauravika- gate keeper of the palace
Rajukas- public worker and taught in policy of Dhamma and related to survey and settlement
Pradeshika-officer-in-charge of a district
Yuktas---sub-ordinate officer
Sthanika- the tax collector under Pradeshika
Brajbhum- welfare officers appointed by Ashoka
Kantakashodhana- Criminal justice
Dharmasthiya- civil justice
Sita- crown village
Pradeshtha- district officer
Samaharta- revenue collector
Sannidhata- treasurer
Ratnins- advisors
Dwarbhasic- entry tax
Pranaya- emergency tax
Niskramaya- export tax
Desopakara- import tax
Rajakelam- a game played by Chandragupta
Kapas, kapitic, udashitit, gohipati, vaidesik------- Spies
Sthala- high and dry land
Kedara- crop fields
Krshta- cultivated land
Tondai- creeper
so long
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