Second Ruler of the Mauryan Empire – Bindusara
- Son of Chandragupta.
- He ruled from 297 BC to 273 BC.
- Also called Amitraghata (Slayer of foes) or Amitrochates in Greek sources.
- Deimachus was a Greek ambassador at his court.
- He had appointed his son, Ashoka as the governor of Ujjain.
- Bindusara is believed to have extended the Mauryan Empire to Mysore as well.
Who was the last emperor of Maurya Empire?
184 BCE: The empire collapses when Brihadratha, the last emperor, is killed by Pushyamitra Shunga, a Mauryan general and the founder of the Shunga Empire. According to Vicarasreni of Merutunga, Mauryans rose to power in 312 BC.
Who was Bindusara Maurya?
Bindusara was the second ruler of Maurya dynasty and son of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the dynasty. Bindusara consolidated the empire created by his Chandragupta. The Buddhist author Taranatha credits his administration with extensive territorial conquests in southern India.
How did Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire?
322 BCE: Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire by defeating the Nanda Dynasty. 317–316 BCE: Chandragupta Maurya conquers the Northwest of the Indian subcontinent. 305–303 BCE: Chandragupta Maurya gains territory from the Seleucid Empire. 298–269 BCE: Reign of Bindusara, Chandragupta's son. He conquers parts of Deccan, southern India.
How did the Mauryan Empire change over time?
Territorial evolution of the Mauryan Empire Territory of Magadha and the Maurya Empire between 600 and 180 BCE, including Chandragupta's overthrow of the Nanda Empire (321 BCE) and gains from the Seleucid Empire (303 BCE), the southward expansion (before 273 BCE), and Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga (261 BCE).
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How much does a Bindusara coin weigh?
Obv: Symbols with a sun. Rev: Symbol. Dimensions: 14 × 11 mm. Weight: 3.4 g. Bindusara was born to Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan Empire.
What was the Maurya Empire?
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia based in Magadha, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, and existing in loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE. The Maurya Empire was centralized by the conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and its capital city was located at Pataliputra (modern Patna ). Outside this imperial center, the empire's geographical extent was dependent on the loyalty of military commanders who controlled the armed cities sprinkling it. During Ashoka 's rule (ca. 268–232 BCE) the empire briefly controlled the major urban hubs and arteries of the Indian subcontinent excepting the deep south. It declined for about 50 years after Ashoka's rule, and dissolved in 185 BCE with the assassination of Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga and foundation of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha .
What did Ashoka's pacifism undermine?
Some historians, such as H. C. Raychaudhuri, have argued that Ashoka's pacifism undermined the "military backbone" of the Maurya empire. Others, such as Romila Thapar, have suggested that the extent and impact of his pacifism have been "grossly exaggerated".
What was the extent of the empire during Ashoka?
Outside this imperial center, the empire's geographical extent was dependent on the loyalty of military commanders who controlled the armed cities sprinkling it. During Ashoka 's rule ( ca. 268–232 BCE) the empire briefly controlled the major urban hubs and arteries of the Indian subcontinent excepting the deep south.
How old was Bindusara?
Bindusara, just 22 years old, inherited a large empire that consisted of what is now, Northern, Central and Eastern parts of India along with parts of Afghanistan and Baluchistan. Bindusara extended this empire to the southern part of India, as far as what is now known as Karnataka.
When did the Shunga Dynasty dissolve?
It declined for about 50 years after Ashoka's rule, and dissolved in 185 BCE with the assassination of Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga and foundation of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha . Chandragupta Maurya raised an army, with the assistance of Chanakya, author of Arthasastra, and overthrew the Nanda Empire in c. 322 BCE.
Which empire ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent?
See also: List of Mauryan rulers. Prior to the Maurya Empire, the Nanda Empire ruled over most of the Indian Subcontinent. The Nanda Empire was a large, militaristic, and economically powerful empire due to conquering the Mahajanapadas.
What was the first pan-Indian empire?
The Mauryan Empire, which formed around 321 B.C.E. and ended in 185 B.C.E., was the first pan-Indian empire, an empire that covered most of the Indian region. It spanned across central and northern India as well as over parts of modern-day Iran. The Mauryan Empire ’s first leader, Chandragupta Maurya, started consolidating land as Alexander ...
How did Ashoka leave his mark on history?
Ashoka left his mark on history by erecting large stone pillars inscribed with edict s that he issued. After leading a bloody campaign against Kalinga (a region on the central-eastern coast of India), Ashoka reevaluated his commitment to expanding the empire and instead turned to Buddhism and its tenet of nonviolence.
What is the significance of the Arthashastra?
One notable aspect of the Arthashastra was its focus on spies. Kautilya recommended the king have large networks of informants to work as a surveillance force for the ruler. The focus on deception reveals a pragmatic, and borderline cynical, view of human nature.
What is Kautilya's arthashastra?
In addition to being a political strategist, Kautilya is also known for writing the Arthashastra, a treatise about leadership and government. The Arthashastra describes how a state should organize its economy and maintain power. Chandragupta’s government closely resembled the government described in the Arthashastra.
What does "edict" mean?
Noun. series of rulers from one family or group. edict. Noun. an official ruling, given out by a someone who holds power. empire. Noun. group of nations, territories or other groups of people controlled by a single, more powerful authority. legacy.
Where are the Ashoka pillars?
The masterfully sculpted Ashoka pillars tower over the municipal garden in Panjim, Goa, India. These are one of the last remaining relics from the Mauryan Empire. religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). series of rulers from one family or group.
Who was the first leader of the Mauryan Empire?
The Mauryan Empire ’s first leader, Chandragupta Maurya, started consolidating land as Alexander the Great’s power began to wane. Alexander’s death in 323 B.C.E. left a large power vacuum, and Chandragupta took advantage, gathering an army and overthrowing the Nanda power in Magadha, in present-day eastern India, ...
Who succeeded Megasthenes in Bindusara?
Bindusara maintained intact the vast empire which he had inherited from his father with capital Patliputra and also the friendly relations with the Greek rulers of the west. Deimachos succeeded Megasthenes as the ambassador sent by the Syrian king to the court of Bindusara. Pliny tells us that Ptolemy II Philadelphus, king of Egypt (285-247 B.C.), also sent an ambassador named Dionysus to the Indian court. [ref]
Who was the viceroy of Takshashila?
According to the Divydvadana, a revolt broke out in Takshashila, and in order to quell it Bindusara sent his son Ashoka as his Viceroy there. When Ashoka approached Takshashila with his troops, he was met in advance by the people who explained: We are not opposed to the prince nor even to king Bindusara, but only to the wicked ministers who insult us. Thus Asoka entered a peaceful city from where he extended -his conquest to the kingdom of the Khasas. [ref]
What title did Bindusara get?
In addition, Bindusara was given the title Devanampriya ("The Beloved of the Gods"), which was also applied to his successor Ashoka. [ref]
Who was the minister under Bindusara?
According to the literary evidence of a later date, Chanakya continued for some time as minister under Bindusara. According to the Tibetan writer Taranatha, Chanakya was instrumental in achieving the destruction of nobles and kings of sixteen towns and helped the king to make himself master of all the territory between the eastern and western seas. [ref]
What is the name of the Vayu Purana?
The different versions of Vayu Purana call him Bhadrasara or Nandasara.
Overview
The Maurya Empire, or the Mauryan Empire, was a geographically extensive ancient Indian Iron Age historical power in South Asia based in Magadha, having been founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, and existing in loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE. The Maurya Empire was centralized by the conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and its capital city was located at Pataliputra (modern Patna). Outside this imperial center, the empire's geographical extent was …
Etymology
The name "Maurya" does not occur in Ashoka's inscriptions, or the contemporary Greek accounts such as Megasthenes's Indica, but it is attested by the following sources:
• The Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman (c. 150 CE) prefixes "Maurya" to the names Chandragupta and Ashoka.
• The Puranas (c. 4th century CE or earlier) use Maurya as a dynastic appellation.
History
Prior to the Maurya Empire, the Nanda Empire ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent. The Nanda Empire was a large, militaristic, and economically powerful empire due to conquering the Mahajanapadas. According to several legends, Chanakya travelled to Pataliputra, Magadha, the capital of the Nanda Empire where Chanakya worked for the Nandas as a minister. However, Chanakya was insulted by the Emperor Dhana Nanda, of the Nanda dynasty and Chanakya swor…
Military
Megasthenes mentions military command consisting of six boards of five members each, (i) Navy (ii) military transport (iii) Infantry (iv) Cavalry with Catapults (v) Chariot divisions and (vi) Elephants.
Administration
The Empire was divided into four provinces, with the imperial capital at Pataliputra. From Ashokan edicts, the names of the four provincial capitals are Tosali (in the east), Ujjain (in the west), Suvarnagiri (in the south), and Taxila (in the north). The head of the provincial administration was the Kumara (royal prince), who governed the provinces as king's representative. The kumara was assisted by Mahamatyas and council of ministers. This organizational structure was reflected at …
Economy
For the first time in South Asia, political unity and military security allowed for a common economic system and enhanced trade and commerce, with increased agricultural productivity. The previous situation involving hundreds of kingdoms, many small armies, powerful regional chieftains, and internecine warfare, gave way to a disciplined central authority. Farmers were freed of tax and crop collection burdens from regional kings, paying instead to a nationally administered and stric…
Religion
In the early period of empire Brahmanism was an important religion. The Mauryans favored Brahmanism as well as Jainism and Buddhism. Minor religious sects such as Ajivikas also received patronage.
Chandragupta Maurya followed Jainism after retiring, when he renounced his throne and material possessions to join a wandering group of Jain monks. Chandragupta was a disciple of the Jain …
Society
The population of South Asia during the Mauryan period has been estimated to be between 15 and 30 million. According to Tim Dyson, the period of the Mauryan Empire saw the consolidation of caste among the Indo-Aryan people who had settled in the Gangetic plain, increasingly meeting tribal people who were incorporated into their evolving caste-system, and the declining rights of women in the Indo-Aryan speaking regions of India, though "these developments did not affect pe…