β‘ Topic 06 of 6 Β· Chapter 05 Β· Quick Revision
Decline of Mauryan Empire & Quick Revision
Causes of decline, Pushyamitra Shunga, post-Mauryan period, complete chapter revision checklist.
π Decline of the Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire declined rapidly after Ashoka’s death (232 BCE). The last Mauryan king Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE, ending the Mauryan dynasty.
Causes of Decline:
- Weak successors: After Ashoka, weak kings could not hold the empire together
- Financial strain: Ashoka’s welfare measures and Buddhist activities drained the treasury
- Brahmanical reaction: Ashoka’s pro-Buddhist policies alienated Brahmin officials (Romila Thapar’s theory)
- Oppressive provincial administration: Ashoka’s edicts mention harsh treatment by officials
- Partition of empire: After Ashoka, empire was divided between his sons
- Foreign invasions: Bactrian Greeks (Indo-Greeks) invaded northwest India
- Over-extension: Empire too large to administer effectively
ποΈ Post-Mauryan Period
| Dynasty | Period | Region | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shunga | 185β73 BCE | Magadha, Central India | Founded by Pushyamitra Shunga; Brahmanical revival; patronised Sanchi Stupa |
| Kanva | 73β28 BCE | Magadha | Replaced Shungas; last Brahmanical dynasty of Magadha |
| Satavahana | 1st BCEβ3rd CE | Deccan | Important dynasty; patronised Buddhism; Amaravati Stupa |
| Indo-Greek | 200β100 BCE | Northwest India | Menander (Milinda) β converted to Buddhism; bilingual coins |
| Kushana | 1stβ3rd CE | North India, Central Asia | Kanishka β Fourth Buddhist Council; Gandhara art |
β Complete Chapter 05 Revision Checklist
β
Chandragupta Maurya founded Mauryan Empire (~321 BCE); overthrew Nanda dynasty
β Kautilya (Chanakya) = Chandragupta’s mentor; wrote Arthashastra (15 books)
β Arthashastra rediscovered by R. Shamasastry (1904)
β Seleucus defeated by Chandragupta (~305 BCE); 500 elephants for territories
β Megasthenes = Greek ambassador; wrote Indica; described Pataliputra
β Chandragupta abdicated; converted to Jainism; died at Shravanabelagola
β Bindusara (297β268 BCE) = Chandragupta’s son; called “Amitraghata” (slayer of enemies)
β Ashoka (268β232 BCE) = greatest Mauryan king
β Kalinga War = 261 BCE; 100,000 killed; described in Rock Edict XIII
β Ashoka converted to Buddhism after Kalinga War
β Dhamma = universal ethical code; not identical to Buddhism
β Dhamma Mahamatras = officials to propagate Dhamma (Rock Edict V)
β 14 Major Rock Edicts; 7 Pillar Edicts; written in Prakrit, Brahmi script
β Maski edict = first to mention “Ashoka” by name
β Sarnath Lion Capital = India’s National Emblem; “Satyameva Jayate” from Mundaka Upanishad
β Mauryan polish = mirror-like finish on stone; Chunar sandstone
β Ashoka sent Mahinda and Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka
β Mauryan Empire ended 185 BCE; Pushyamitra Shunga killed last Mauryan king
β Menander (Indo-Greek) = converted to Buddhism; Milindapanha
β Kanishka (Kushana) = Fourth Buddhist Council; Gandhara art
β Kautilya (Chanakya) = Chandragupta’s mentor; wrote Arthashastra (15 books)
β Arthashastra rediscovered by R. Shamasastry (1904)
β Seleucus defeated by Chandragupta (~305 BCE); 500 elephants for territories
β Megasthenes = Greek ambassador; wrote Indica; described Pataliputra
β Chandragupta abdicated; converted to Jainism; died at Shravanabelagola
β Bindusara (297β268 BCE) = Chandragupta’s son; called “Amitraghata” (slayer of enemies)
β Ashoka (268β232 BCE) = greatest Mauryan king
β Kalinga War = 261 BCE; 100,000 killed; described in Rock Edict XIII
β Ashoka converted to Buddhism after Kalinga War
β Dhamma = universal ethical code; not identical to Buddhism
β Dhamma Mahamatras = officials to propagate Dhamma (Rock Edict V)
β 14 Major Rock Edicts; 7 Pillar Edicts; written in Prakrit, Brahmi script
β Maski edict = first to mention “Ashoka” by name
β Sarnath Lion Capital = India’s National Emblem; “Satyameva Jayate” from Mundaka Upanishad
β Mauryan polish = mirror-like finish on stone; Chunar sandstone
β Ashoka sent Mahinda and Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka
β Mauryan Empire ended 185 BCE; Pushyamitra Shunga killed last Mauryan king
β Menander (Indo-Greek) = converted to Buddhism; Milindapanha
β Kanishka (Kushana) = Fourth Buddhist Council; Gandhara art