Spread of Buddhism

Comparison between the rule of Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya

Introduction:
In 327 BCE, Alexander and his troops entered India and overran the existing kingdoms in the
Punjab region. He left after only two years, but his destruction of the regional powers opened
the opportunity for other groups to seize control.
Soon after, however, Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, successfully
seized control from the Nandas. He started on the outskirts and eventually made his way to the
heart of the kingdom.
Chandragupta ruled from 324 to 297 BCE before voluntarily giving the throne up to his son,
Bindusara, who ruled from 297 BCE until his death in 273 BCE. This led to a war in which
Bindusara’s son, Ashoka, defeated his brother and rose to the throne in 268 BCE, eventually
becoming the most successful ruler.

Reign of Chandragupta:
Under his rule, Mauryan court became famous for its splendour and luxury. The palace was built
of wood and had hundreds of rooms decorated with expensive ebony and teak wood. Large halls
with pillars were decorated with gold and silver birds. The royal family used gold vessels. The
royal storerooms had tonnes of gold and silver in them and may kilos of diamonds, rubies and
other precious stones. There were hundreds of servants, priests and entertainers. When
Chandragupta appeared in public, there was a marvellous procession of nobles, musicians, horses
and elephants. Chandragupta was carried in a special chair decorated with pearls. He enjoyed
sports like hunting, races etc.
Chandragupta had complete control over the empire. It was divided into at least 4 provinces,
each ruled by a viceroy, who was the member of the royal family. He owned the land and the
farmers had to pay heavy taxes. He had 600,000 infantry, or foot soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, or
soldiers on horseback, and 9,000 war elephants. A vast spy network collected intelligence for
both internal and external security purposes. Some spies were specially trained to kill the
emperor’s enemies.
He was strict but fair. He knew that if he wasn’t the people might rise up against him. He was
strictly guarded. He had food-tasters to taste his food for poison. People were scared to complain
as they could be arrested as spies reported everything to the emperor as they were everywhere.
The police tortured the accused for 18 days, a different torture every day until confessed and
then they were killed. The Brahmin priests were not tortured, but if they criticized the rule, they
were branded with hot metal and sent to work in a mine.
Despite this, people were well-off. Theft was rare. Truth and good behavior was important.
People lived simply, but loved fine clothes and Jewellery. There was no slavery.
Reign of Ashoka:
After the Battle of Kalinga, Ashoka converted to Buddhism in about 257 BCE. Ashoka called his
people his ’children’. He practiced ‘Dharma’ or his duties to spread peace. He wanted to provide
them with welfare and happiness in both worlds. He used his power to improve the lives of his
people and change the thought process of the people as well.
He travelled round his empire, and see how the people lived. Instead of spies but inspectors, who
reported to him. Asoka had his own saying known as the edicts, carved on cliffs, rocks and pillars
throughout his empire.
He set up new systems of government. He told the governors of different regions to respect the
local customs of the area. Punishments were made less harsh. He decided not to go for war and
made the army small. He saved money as a result and could charge people lower taxes.
He developed a welfare state and wanted his people to care for others. Ashoka also developed
new irrigation systems for farmers including dams and canals. He constructed new roads and
towns to boost trade. He made wells and rest houses for travelers along the roads and planted
trees for shade. He set universities so that ordinary people could get educated. He made homes
for old people and orphans and constructed new hospitals. He imported medicinal herbs and
food plants for the empire.
He always told the truth and treated everyone as an equal regardless of their caste or religion.
Setting an example, he led a life according to the beliefs and also worked to develop Buddhism.
He wanted people to stop eating animals and gave up hunting himself. He edicts were
instructions for people to lead an exemplary life. He built stupas and monasteries and sent
missionaries to foreign countries. Through these steps he was able to spread the teachings of
Buddhism and acted as though he gave royal patronage to Buddhism. He tried to spread his ideas
throughout the empire and believed that a ruler should use moral ideas to guide him.