Question : Determine the veracity of Megasthenes’ descriptions of Indian society and economy with the help of other contemporary evidences.
(1994)
Answer : Megasthenes was a Greek historian who came to this country in the fourth century B.C. as a representative or ambassador of Selukus Nector. He lived in the court of Chandragupta Maurya for about five years (302-298 B.C.). He has written an account of India and also that of Chandragupta’s reign in his book entitled “Indika”. This book is not at present available but most of its passages are found in the form of quotations in the writings of various Greek and Roman authors like Strabo, Arrian and Justin. From these passages we came to know that Megasthenes had tried to write about everything that he had seen in India-its geography, government, religion and society. Most of the sCholars attach a great importance to the information received from Megasthenes.
The accounts of foreigners have their plus and minus points. Any foreigner has the natural advantage of looking at things in an objective manner as he is not personally involved in the things that he observes. That is why very often-foreign travellers talk of customs, manners and habits of people which normally escaping the notice of native writers or local observers. Nevertheless, foreign writers and observers are likely to misunderstand the social system and practices of a country since they cannot understand what traditions lay behind some social practices, customs and ethics.
According to Megasthenes the Indian society was divided into seven classes or castes:
A critical examination of other sources indicates that caste system was in the root of Mauryan society. Kautilya strongly supports this view. Megasthenes says that the philosophers, who can be said the Brahmanas in context of the Arthasastra, occupied a high place in the society. Both Megasthenes and Kautilya support the caste-based marriage system. Megasthenes grouped minor officers and councilors as different classes. They can be identified as Adhyakshas and Amatyas of Kautilya.
Megasthenes writes that the slave system was not then known in India. On the other hand, we came to know about the existence of slave system from other contemporary sources like Kautilya’s Arthasastra, Ashokan edicts, Mudra Rakshasa, Jain and Buddhist texts and the Puranas. It is most probable that the condition of India slave was better in comparison to western world. They were treated well here and perhaps their number was less. So Megasthenes could not identify this element in Indian context.
According to Megasthenes the Indians were very truthful people. Theft was very rare. They had faith on each other and litigation was not so common. The Brahmans occupied a high place in the society and they were respected everywhere. The people were happy and prosperous. They led a very simple life and did not lock their houses. But he writes that the people had no fixed hours of meals, and they went on eating all the time. They took wine very rarely and that too on certain occasions and sacrifices. Megasthenes was much impressed by the sugarcane “reeds that produce honey without bees” and cotton, which he described as the “Vegetable wool.”
Megasthenes has written some strange things about the Indian society. He writes, “There are some people who had one eye in the middle of their forehead and there are others who had no nostrils. There are some tribes in India who had ears reaching down to their feet so much so that they could sleep in them. There are to be found in India dog-headed men”. It appears that Megasthenes had written these things on hearsay. These are mere fables and cannot be believed. It is because of such accounts that Strabo regards Megasthenes a liar and his account full of fables. Again according to Dr. V.A. Smith, “His work has sometimes discredited unfairly because he permitted himself to embellish his text by the insertion of certain incredible marvels on hearsay testimony.”
Every care was taken for the welfare of the public. Many canals had been dug for irrigating the land and roads were made for the convenience of the travellers and promotion of trade. Roads were provided with mile-stones for the convenience of the travellers. At short distances sarais were also built and shady trees grown on both sides of the roads. Because of these measures trade and commerce of the country was also on the increase. The public had to pay many taxes such as land-tax, customs, fines, excise duties. There was some short of sales-tax existing in those days, which was about 10% of the sale price. The land-tax, which was normally 1/6th of the total produce, was the main source of revenue.
That the Mauryas had a strong grip over the economic life of the times is evident from the Arthasastra as also from the accounts of the classical authors. The Arthasastra refers to state monopoly of mines (khani), and the manufacture of salt and of arms were royal monopolies. According to Strabo, all lands belonged to the king, and peasants, besides paying the land-tax, had to pay tribute. But this is some what doubtful. Such distinguishing terms as svatva, svamitva, and bhoga definitely indicate that private ownership of land was recognized.
The state was also the biggest trader and made arrangements to check adulteration and false declaration of the quality of quantity of the commodities. The state provided for the correctness of weights and measures, sale by public auction and collection of tolls through officials like the Panyadhyaksa, Mudradhyaksa, Kosthagaradhyaksha, Pautavadhyaksa and Sulkadhyaksa, all of them working under the samaharta. Megasthenes also refers to six boards of Astynomoi, some of which were entrusted with these duties.
Question : Determine the extent of the Mauryan Empire.
(2005)
Answer : In the history of India the Mauryan Dynasty is the first historical dynasty, about which some definite historical material is available. Chandragupta Maurya founded this dynasty with the help of his minister Chanakya or Kautilya. It is said that while Chandragupta was still in the Punjab he met Alexander at Taxila and induced him to invade Magadha. But the boldness of his speech offended Alexander and he had to run for safety. It was during this exile that Chandragupta was joined by Chanakya. After the return and death of Alexander there was a general revolt against the Greek rule. In the words of Justine, “India, after Alexander’s death, as if the yoke servitude had been shaken off its neck, had put his prefects to death. Sandrocottus was the leader who achieved its freedom.” Thus Chandragupta made the best use of this opportunity and occupied the province of Punjab and Sindh in about 322 B.C.
According to Buddhist and Jaina sources, Chandragupta made an alliance with Parvataka, a powerful ruler of the Himalayan region and attacked Magadha. Both Dhana Nanda, the last Nanda ruler and King Parvataka were slain in this war. This success made the Maurya ruler an undisputed master of Northern India. After the death of Alexander there ensued a struggle for supremacy among his generals and ultimately Seleukus came out successful and began to be called Seleukus Nector.
He became the master of a vast territory extending from Asia Minor to Indus and included Babylonia, Bacteria and Afghanistan in it. From the accounts of Greek writers like Justine, Curtious and Plutarch we come to know that when Seleukus invaded India in 305 B.C. he had to face defeat and to agree to the terms dictated by Chandragupta Maurya. Seleukus had to surrender the four provinces of Herat, Kandhar, Kabul and Baluchistan to the Mauryan ruler. Thus the limits of the Mauryan Empire were extended up to the Hindukush, “the scientific frontier of India”. As regards other conquests of Chandragupta Maurya no definite details are, however available. From the Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman we come to know that Chandragupta had ruled that State and appointed a Governor there. Girnar Rock Inscription records that his Governor Pushyagupta got built a lake for promoting agricultural facilities in that region. This shows that Gujarat and Western India was included in the Mauryan Empire.
We can determine the southern extension of the Mauryan Empire on the basis of various sources like Tamil literature and Ashokan edicts. Some Tamil writers “Mamulanar and Paranar” would suggest the invasion of Far South by the same ruler. From Sidhapur, Brahmagiri, Jating -Rameshwar, Maski and other places Ashokan edicts were recovered.
The XIII Rock Edict records that Ashoka won the Kingdom of Kalinga only. In this way, the credit of extending Mauryan Empire in South India goes to his grandfather, Chandragupta.
In the later days of his life, according to tradition, he abdicated his throne, became a Jain ascetic and fasted unto death in a true Jain fashion at Sravana Belgola in Mysore. The Greek writers, Justin and Plutarch also refer him as the master of the whole of India. Thus Chandragupta’s empire was a very vast one. It extended from Bengal in the east to the Hindukush in the west and from the Himalayas in the north to certain areas even south of the Vindhyas.
It included the modern territories of Kabul, Herat, Kandhar, Baluchistan, Punjab, U.P, Bihar, Bengal, Gujarat, Kathiawar and many other areas beyond the Vindhya ranges.
Chandragupta was succeeded by his son, Bindusara, very little is known about his reign. He adopted the title of “Amitraghata” or “Slayer of Foes”, which shows that he must have been a great warrior like his father. Some historians also hold that it was Bindusara who conquered some Southern regions. But such a view has not been corroborated from any historical source and so must of the historians give the credit of conquering the southern territories to Chandragupta Maurya. Anyhow it is quite certain that he controlled well the empire of his father and safeguarded it. He, like his father, maintained friendly relations with the Greeks especially with Antiochos, the successor of Seleucus. Once he is said to have requested Antiochos to send him some figs, wine and a Greek philosopher. He also had good relations with Syria and Egypt. During his reign the governor of Taxila revolted but he was soon suppressed by his son Ashoka. After a reign of about 25 years Binusara breathed his last in about 273 B.C.
The extent of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka can be determined on the basis of the inscriptions. In the Northwest inscriptions have been recovered from Shahbajgadhi in Peshawar district and Mansehra in Hazara district. Besides, Ashokan edicts in Aramnaich script were found at Laghman on the Northern bank of the Kabul River near Jalalabad and Shar-e-Kuna near Kandhar. These edicts show that the empire of Ashoka included the provinces of Kabul, Herat and Kandhar. This is also proved by the accounts of Chinese traveller Heiun-Tsang who saw Ashokan stupa at Kapisha. Thus a major portion of Afghanistan was included in his empire.
Towards north direction, we have pillar edicts of Ashoka at Kalsi in Dehradun, Rummindev and Niglwa in Nepal. These remains are sufficient to prove that his empire was extended over a large portion of the Himalayan region in which the terai area of Nepal was included. Kalhan in his Rajatarangini clearly explains that Kashmir was included in Mauryan Empire under Ashoka. Moreover, Buddhist records mention that his daughter and son-in-law propagated Buddhism in Nepal. His inscription at Brahmagiri, Maski, Siddhapur and other places of South India are evidences of his influence in those places. In his second Rock Edict Ashoka says that Cholas, Pandyas, Satiyaputra and Keralaputra were his Southern neighbours. His inscriptions found at Sopara near Mumbai and Junagad show his suzerainty over the western part of India.
Ashoka had inherited a vast empire from his grandfather and father but Kalinga, the modern province of Orissa and Ganjam district, was not still in his empire. Ashoka who believed in the traditional policy of conquests and aggression could not tolerate the existence of an independent state on the borders of his empire. Thus Ashoka invaded this territory in 261 B.C. His Rock-Edicts were found at Dhauli and Jaugadh in Orissa. Hieun-Tsang saw Ashokan stupas at Samapa, Pundravardhan, Karna-Suvarna and other places. Thus, the empire of Ashoka extended from the Brahmaputra in the east to the Hindukush in the north-west and the Arabian Sea in the west and from the Himalayas in the north to river Pennar in the south. Some portions of Nepal and Kashmir also formed a part of Ashoka’s empire. Outside India it included the provinces of Kabul, Herat and Kandhar. Ashoka was probably succeeded by his grandsons. There was the partition of the Mauryan Empire, Dasratha getting the eastern part with his capital at Patliputra and Samprati getting the western part with his capital at Ujjain. The successors of Dasratha and Samprati were mere names and during their reign the Mauryan Empire steadily fell and at last Brihadratha, the last ruler of the Mauryan line, was killed in about 185 B.C. at the foundation of his own Commander-in chief Pusyamitra.
Question : Examine the nature of the Mauryan State. Bring out the features of their administrative system.
(2002)
Answer : Mauryan paramountacy which was established by Chandragupta was based on the ideal of enlightened and benevolent despotism. This idea prevails in the entire text that we know as Arthasastra and which no doubt is the first compedium on India’s statecraft. Ashoka who was the greatest despot of this dynasty has very explicitly depicted on Dhauli inscription that all of his subjects are his sons and daughters. His ideal was purely philanthropic and truly altraistic are based on the cardinal principals of welfare of the masses. In this regard also Mauryan empire can be termed as a welfare state or an ideal monarchy wich aimed amity and harmony in the society. Ashokan inscription very frequently mentions about the Dhamma mission which was not evangentical in spirit rather humanitarian in values and also about the Rajukas and Dhamma Mahamattyas who were appointed from promoting Dhamma and cultivating awareness about its greatest gospel. Kautilya also describes ‘Prajanam Hite Rajyam’ that means the glory of the monarch lies in the upliftment of the people.
Kautilya also mentions the Saptang theory of state that is still considered as a very realistic idea about it. Specially Bal(army), Swami (the ruler), Kshetra (territory), Kosh (treasury) make it clear that the perception which Kautilya had in his mind was that of a sovereign state.
As far as his discription is concerned, it is very clear that Mauryan administration was a kind of centralized bureaucracy. All the important ministers and officials were appointed by the ruler and they were directly responsible to him. At the centre of the administration was the king who had the power to enact laws. There was council of ministern to assist him in administrative work that was Mantriparishad. Ashokan inscriptions all mention about the Parishad. Arthasastra has mentioned three quality of minister such as birth, integrity and intelligence.
Two of the key offices in administration were that of the Treasurer and Chief Collector who were known as Samidhata and Samahrta. Arthasastra also mentions about 20 Tirthas or departments like Pavata (weights and measure), Sita (crown land), Akar (mines and minerals) etc. All these departments were headed by Adhyakshas, called suprentendent like Pautvadhyaksha, Manadhyaksha, Sutradhyaksha, Suvernadhyksha etc.
Apart from the metropolitan areas which was directly governed, the empire was devided into four provinces, each under a prince or a member of the royal family. Under Ashoka there were four such states : nothern province with capital at Taxila, western province with capital of Ujjain, eastern province with centre at Tosali and southern province referred to as Suvarnagiri. Head of these provinces were known as Kumaramatya or Aryaputra. They were assisted by Mahamattya who were directly responsible to the Magadhan ruler. That was an another important aspect of the centralized bureaucracy of the Mauryan time.
Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamattya who have been very frequently mentioned in his inscriptions. Provinces were sub divided into districts and further into villages. Yuktas were heads of the district administration. Rajukas, especially mentioned in IV pillar inscription were also district officers and local administration was in the hands of Sthanika and Gope. We all also hear about administrative units about Kharvatik and Dronamukha.
Megasthenese has also mentioned the municipal administration of Pataliputra. However, Kautilya has used the word Nagarak for the suprentendent of the city. Arthasastra has given a long list of taxes like Bhag (land tax), Sita (production from the crown land), Vivit (tax imposed on pasture land, Akar (tax on mines), Akramya and Niskrama (custom duty) etc. The entire Mauryan tax-structure has been called Ayasariram.
The espoinage system had also evolved in Mauryan period. Sanstha and Sanchara were spies who were appointed by the state. Kantak Sodhan and Dharmsthiya were respectively the criminal and civil court of that period which were headed by Pradesta and Vyavharika. The state also maintained a large standing and centralized army which has been mentioned by foreign authors like Justin and Plutarch.
All the important high officials were directly paid by the state. This shows that upper level of administration was highly centralized and at lower level picture was very different and control was far more decentralized.
Question : Analyse the causes of the success of the Magadhan Imperialism up to the reign of Ashoka the Great.
(2001)
Answer : Magadha was one of the sister maha-janapadas which flourished shortly before the time of Gautam Buddha. Magadhan imperialism was the result of the efforts of enterprising and ambitious rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatshatru and Mahapadma Nanda.
Bimbisara, contemporary of Buddha, laid the foundation of the Magadhan imperialism. He started the policy of conquest and aggression which ended with kalinga war of Ashoka. He also strengthened his position by matrimonial alliances. His first wife was a sister of Prasenjit, the king of Koshala. She brought him as dowry a Kashi village, yielding a revenue of 100,000. His second wife Challena was a Lichchavi princess from Vaishali and his third wife was Khema, daughter of the King of Madra. This policy gave enormous diplomatic prestige and paved the expansion of Magadha westward and northward. Ajatshatru, reign saw the high water mark of the Haryaka dynasty. He followed his father’s aggressive policy of expansion with more vigor. Sisunagas also pursued the policy of empire building. It was Mahapadma Nanda who finally succeeded in establishing the first great empire in India.
Bimbisara maintained friendly relations even with distant power. He received the embassy Pukkusati, king of Gandhara. He maintained good relations with Pradyota, king of Avanti. He send royal physician jivaka to cure Pradyota when he fell ill.
Apart from this Magadha occupied a strategic position of geographical importance. The richest iron deposits were situated not far away from Rajgir, the earliest capital of Magadha. It enabled the Magadhan Prince to equip themselves with affective weapons, which were not easily available to their rivals.
The older capital Rajgir was protected by a group of five hills and the later on, Pataliputra, occupied a pivotal position commanding communication on all sides. It was situated at the confluence of the Ganga, the Gandak and the son, and the fourth river called the Ghaghar joined the Ganga not far from Patliputra. It served as admirable means for defence and communication and trade. Pataliputra was a true water fort (jaladurga) which was not easy to capture in those days.
The natural facilities of communication and trade both with north India and the sea helped it in its economic prosperity. Magadha lay at the centre of the middle Gangatic plain. It was very fertile which yielded rich harvest. Therefore proved to be a regular and substantial sources of income to the state. It enabled the king to maintain big army.
Besides, while neighboring forests provided timber for building and elephant for the army, its own iron ore deposits made possible the manufacture of better implements and weapons and profitable trade in iron.
The princes of Magadha also benefited from the rise of towers and use of metal money. On account of trade and commerce with north and east India, the princes could levy tolls on the sale of commodities, accumulate wealths to pay and maintain their army.
Magadha enjoyed a special advantage in military organizations. Although the Indian states were well acquainted with the use of horse and chariots, it was Magadha which first used elephants on a large scale in its war against its neighbours. The eastern part of the country could supply elephants to the princes of Magadha. According to the Greek sources the Nandas maintained 6000 elephants which could be used for storming fortresses.
The unorthodox character of Magadhan society was another important factor in the rise of Magadha an imperialism. Culturally, Magadha, being in the East, was a place where a balanced synthesis between the Aryan and the non- Aryan culture took place. Its inhabitants- the kiratas and Magadhas - were held in low esteem by the Brahmanas. But the Brahmanic culture could not claim dominance therefore the liberal tradition in religion and society could be maintained in Magadha. Since it was recently Aryanized, it showed more enthusiasm for expansion than the kingdom which had been brought under the vedic influence earlier. It was quite possible that the Vedic polity by now had spent its force and it was now the turn of the sturdy people of the east, who were not much affected by the Aryan invasion to play their part.
Heterodox sects like jainism and Buddhism took their birth within the territories of Magadha. They participated in enhancing the liberal traditions. The liberal traditions, particularly a sense of social equality and catholicity of religious ideas, contributed to the building of a strong empire in Magadha.
On account of the ambitious rulers of Magadha, its geographical location, fertility of its land, its mineral resources, forest and there by its economic prosperity and liberal cultural traditions of the people of magadha helped in its rise making it the first imperial power of India.
Question : How did Ashoka contribute to the moral and administrative welfare of his people?
(2000)
Answer : It was against this background that Ashoka expanded his famous policy of Dhamma to eliminate social tension and sectarian conflicts and to promote a harmonious relationship between the diverse elements of the Empire. Ashoka's private beliefs and his own perceptions of how he should respond to the problems of his Empire were responsible for the formulation of the policy of Dhamma. Dhamma is the Prakrit equivalent of the Sanskrit word Dharma, translated as religion in modern times. But the term used in the Ashokan edict has a much wider connotation.
Ashoka's insistence on abstinence from killing, on considerate relationships between parents and children, elders, and young people, friends, masters and servants, and various religious sects and his excessive concern form the general welfare of his subjects suggest that his Dhamma was an ethical code aimed at building up an attitude of social responsibility among people. It was a plea for the inculcation of virtuous behaviour transcending all social, religious and cultural barriers.
Ashoka's Dhamma emphasized upon toleration — toleration of people and of their religious beliefs and ideas so as to promote a harmonious life both in the family and community. However, contrary to his emphasis on toleration, Ashoka banned festive meetings or gatherings (parhaps due to the fear of conflict arising out of the differences of opinion). Only the ones that the state sponsored seemed to have been permissible.
Ashoka denounced all 'useless ceremonies and sacrifices' held under the influence of superstition. Ashoka's attack on rituals and sacrifices was probably intended to undermine the influence of the priests who presided over various scuh ceremonies.
Ashoka';s Dhamma also emphasized upon non-violence. After the Kalinga war, Ashoka is said to have renounced all further bloodshed. And, in one of his edicts, he prohibited animal slaughter. This measure was to prevent only the ritual sacrifice of animals and was not a general prohibition of animal slaughter. This measure obviously hit the interests of the brahmanas for whom animal sacrifice was the source of livelihood. Ashoka did not fully abjure violence. In dealing with the trouble same forest tribes, he clearely recognized the possible use of violence.
The policy of Dhamma also included measures of social welfare. After the tenth year of his reign, Ashoka started the system of royal tours whereby the came into contact with his subjects and propagated Dhamma. He also ordered every high administrative officials throughout the empire to undertake quinquennial tours. To implement his policy of Dhamma, Ashoka created a new class of officials known as Dhamma Mahamattas who were give control over officials and provided with special funds. They were active not only in and around Pataliputra, but also in the remote frontier areas and among the neighbouring people. They looked into the complaints of law abiding groups and sects, ensured a fair treatment to them and attended to the welfare of prisoners. Some of them were specially appointed to take care of Buddhists, Brahmanas, Ajivikas and Nirganthas. These officers were directly responsible for the working of Dhamma. They were permitted entry into the houses of all the sections of the society including those of the royal family. Ashoka also tried to propagate his policy through his edicts inscribed on rocks or monolithic pillars. Many of these edicts have come to light.
Question : Examine sources of Information for Maruyan dynasty. Throw light on historical significance of Ashoka's inscriptions.
(1999)
Answer : There is not one, but there are several sources combined together which provide sufficient information about Maruyan dynasty. Infact, Mauryan dynasty can be called as the first historical dynasty in India. As pointed out by Dr. V.A. Smith. 'With the establishment of Maruyan dynasty, the history of ancient Indian emerges from darkness to light.' The Puranas of the Hidnus, Buddhist texts like Dipavanasa, Mahabodhivansa and Mahavansa, and Jain texts like Kaplasutra of Bhadrabhahu, Parisista-Parva of Hemachandra form some of the important sources. Amongst descriptions of foreign writers, particularly those of the Greeks, the accounts of Nearchus, Herodotus, Aristobulus and Megasthenes have been regarded valuable. Here I am giving in detail the description about some main historical sources of Maruyan History.
(a) Indica : Indica is the famous historical work of famous Greek traveller Megastheness (who had been sent by Selucus to the court of Chandragupta). In this book he has described whatever he saw or heard about India during his stay of 5 years in India. He wrote a detailed description of the central, city, military and provincial administration of Chandragupta Maruya. Though his book 'Indica' is not available now but references from it have been found in the works of other Greek historians. A scholar named Meckrindle has collected those references and translated them into English. This work gives very valuable information about the Maruyan period of Indian history. Megasthene's Indica not only gives useful information about Maruyan administration but also about social classes and economic activity during the Maruyan period. This work is not free from exaggeration and certain facts accepted without any logical arguments but still it is important as a historical sources because such draw backs can be found in the accounts of all foreign travellers of the Ancient period. This book also gives useful information about Indian institutions, geography and Indian flora and fauna.
(b) Arthashastra : This work was composed by the intimate friend and Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya named Chanakya or Kautilya. It gives us information about the ideals and administrative system of the Mauryan administration. It tells us what difficulties Chanakya had to face in seating Chandragupta on the throne. This book is divided into 15 sections. Out of them section second and third are older. It seems that various sections have been written by different people. In this work Chanakya has mentioned four divisions of diplomacy, viz, Sanr, Dam, Danda and Bheda. This book tells us the Chandragupta ruled successfully with the help of his army and officials. To increase his income he brought the barren land under cultivation and kept strict supervision over industry and trade. In brief, this work is an important source of Information for Maruyan social, economic and political conditions.
(c) Vishakhadatta's Mudra Rakshasa' is another important source for the study of Chandragupta's carrier. Though not contemporary, this fifth century (Gupta-period) drama may be trusted for its details of the revolution by which Chandragupta, guided and aided by his Brahmana advisers, Chanakya, first made the Puravas his allies but after capturing Magadha and overthrowing the Nandas, killed the Purava prince.
(d) The Puranas are also an important source of the Maruyan dynasty. The Mauryan Empire has been described as a powerful and extensive empire.
(e) Jain and Buddhist Literary Sources also supplement our knowledge of the Maruyas. Jain sources claim that Chandragupta become an Orthodox Jain towards the end of his life abdicated the throne, and ended his life (according to Jain ideal) by voluntary starvation. The Divyavadan and other Buddhist works containing traditions are an important source of information about Mauryan history but they are not always reliable.
(f) Archaeological Sources : Many archaeological sources especially Asokan pillar and rock inscriptions are in some respects the most reliable and most ample sources of Maruyan history. Rudradaman's Junagarh inscription throws light on Chandragupta's irrigation policy and Asoka' Inscriptions tell us about his law of Piety (Dhamma) and help us to form an idea of the extent of his empire and the contemporary development of art. Some Inscriptions also throw light an Ashoka's administration.
Historical Importance of Asoka's Edicts : Asoka's edicts and inscriptions are an invaluable source of Indian history. They throw a good deal of light on all aspects of Asoka. Perhaps, without them we would not have been able to know as much about that great monarch. It has been rightly remarked. They are a unique collection of documents. They give us insight into his inner feeling and ideals and transmit across the centuries almost the very words of the Emperor. 'These edicts and inscriptions provide us with the following useful historical material about Asoka and his times.
Extent of Ashoka's Empire : Asoka's edicts and inscriptions have been found inscribed on rocks, pillars and caves, the locations of which have helped us a lot in forming an idea of the extent of Asoka's Empire. For instance, the discovery of 'The Minor Rock Edicts', at three different places in Mysore would suggest that state also formed a part of Asoka's Empire.
Asoka's Personal Religion : It is form these edicts that we come to know that Asoka's personal religion was Buddhism and that he forbade the slaughter of animals, made pilgrimages to the holy places of Buddhism, sent missions in foreign lands and prescribed certain rules for the Buddhist monks, etc.
Asoka's Dharma and Policy of Toleration : These edicts make it quite clear that Asoka was a tolerant ruler. Though he himself belonged to the Buddhist faith he never persecuted the other religionists. He got constructed three caves for the Jain Sadhus. Similarly the Dharma that he put before his people was not his peronal religion, i.e. Buddhism. It was the essence of all the religion and contained some accepted principles of ethics. This side of Asoka's greatness is also revealed by his edicts and inscriptions.
Asoka's Administration : These edicts and inscriptions throw a good deal of light on Asoka's administration and the steps taken by him for the welfare of his subjects. Like a father to his son, Asoka did to his subjects. He constructed many new roads, planted shady trees, built sarais at every two kos, opened new hospitals, ordered his officers to follow his ideal of public-welfare.
Asoka's Character : Asoka's edicts and inscriptions show him to be a kind brother, the noblest man of earth, tolerant towards other religionists, kind both to men and beasts and always devoted to the welfare of his subjects. In Kalinga Edict II he says, 'All men are my children and just as I desire for my children that they may enjoy every kind of prosperity and happiness both in this world and in the next so also do I desire the same for all men' can there be anything nobler than this?
Mauryan Art : These edicts and inscriptions have been found inscribed on rocks, and caves. These pillars are still renowned all over the world for their exceptional beauty and fineness. The polish which these pillars bear still shines in spite of the ravaging influence of rain and bad weather for the last so many centuries. We wonder at the skill of the Maruyan engineers who carried these huge pillars to places which lie thousands of miles away from each other. The Maruyan sculptors had done miracles, while they thought like a giant they executed like a jeweller.
Literacy : These edicts were meant for the common people and they have been found in almost all part of India. From this we can easily conclude that a great percentage of the people in the Mauryan period were literate, who could read those edicts, other wise there was no sense in spending so much amount in inscribing the edicts and inscriptions on rocks, pillars and caves.
Popular Language : These edicts are not in the Sanskrit language but in Prakrit. So historians have concluded that the spoken language of the people in the Mauryan period was Prakrit and not Sanskrit. The script of these edicts in Brahmi except the Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi inscriptions where Kharoshthi script is used which runs like Urdu and Persian from right to left.
Foreign Relations : That Asoka had friendly relations with many foreign countries (like ceylon) is also indicated by his edicts and inscriptions.
Question : Mauryan municipal administration.
(1996)
Answer : Megasthenes has given us a detailed account of the municipal administration of Patliputra, the Mauryan capital. From this account we can easily infer that the administration of other big towns must have been carried on similar lines. There was a committee or commission of thirty members to carry on the day-to-day administration of Patliputra. This commission was further divided into six Boards of five members each. Each board had been assigned special assigned special duties in the following manner:
Kautilya however does not mention these boards. According to him the municipal administration of Patliputra was in the hands of “Nagaraka” or Town perfect who was assisted in his work by “Sthaniks” and “Gopas”.
Question : Inscriptions of Ashoka.
(1995)
Answer : Ashoka’s edicts and inscriptions are an invaluable source of Indian history. They throw a good deal of light on all aspects of Ashoka. Perhaps, without them we would not have been able to know so much about that great monarch. There were 14 major rock edicts, two separate Kalinga edicts, 7 pillar edicts, and many other inscriptions engraved separately in areas such as Maski, Bhabru, Samapa etc. In the north-west the Ashokan scripts were in to be bio-lingual i.e., Greek and Aramaic. Generally, most of the edicts within Indian sub-continental boundaries have been composed in the Brahmi script.
The locations of these inscriptions have helped us a lot in forming an idea of the extent of Ashoka’s empire. For instance, the discovery of “The Minor Rock Edicts” at three different places in Mysore would suggest that state also formed a part of Ashoka’s empire. It is from these edicts that we come to know that Ashoka’s personal religion was Buddhism and that he forbade the slaughter of animals, made pilgrimages to the holy places of Buddhism, sent mission in foreign lands and prescribed certain rules for the Buddhist monks, etc. These edicts and inscriptions throw a good deal of light on Ashoka’s administration and the steps taken by him for the welfare of these subjects. We can easily conclude that a great percentage of the people in the Mauryan period were literate, who could read those edicts. That Ashoka had friendly relations with many foreign countries like Ceylon is also indicated by his edicts and inscriptions.
