| |-- Role of Asoka in Spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka

LESSON 6 THE MAURYAN EMPIRE |

|-- Archaeological Sources
| |
Here's a mind map summarizing the sources for the history of the Mauryan Empire, including literary | |-- Edicts of Asoka
and archaeological sources: | |
| |-- Inscriptions in Pali and Prakrit
Sources for the History of the Mauryan Empire | |
| | |-- Brahmi Script
|-- Literary Sources | |
| | | |-- Major Rock Edicts
| |-- Kautilya's Arthasastra | | |
| | | | | |-- Details About Asoka's Dhamma and Instructions to Officials
| | |-- Divided into Three Parts | |
| | | | | |-- Minor Rock Edicts and Minor Pillar Edicts
| | | |-- Government and King | |
| | | | | |-- XIII Rock Edict (War with Kalinga)
| | | |-- Civil and Criminal Law | |
| | | | | |-- Pillar Edict VII (Efforts to Promote Dhamma)
| | | |-- Diplomacy and War |
| | | |-- Valuable Sources for Studying Asoka and the Mauryan Empire
| |-- Visakadatta's Mudrarakshasa
| | | This mind map provides an overview of the various literary and archaeological sources available for
| | |-- Describes Chandragupta's Overthrow of the Nandas studying the history of the Mauryan Empire, with a focus on Kautilya's Arthasastra, Mudrarakshasa,
| | | Megasthenes' Indica, other literature, and the Edicts of Asoka.
| | |-- Provides Socio-Economic Insights
| | POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE MAURYAS
| |-- Megasthenes' Indica
Here's a mind map summarizing the information about Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, and Asoka
| | |
the Great, the early Mauryan emperors:
| | |-- Greek Ambassador's Account
| | |
Early Mauryan Emperors
| | |-- Details on Mauryan Administration
|
| | |
|-- Chandragupta Maurya (322 – 298 B.C.)
| | |-- Contemporary Social Life
| |
| |
| |-- Founder of the Mauryan Empire
| |-- Other Literature
| |
| |
| |-- Capture of Pataliputra from the Nandas
| |-- Puranas and Buddhist Literature
| |
| | |
| |-- Assistance of Kautilya (Chanakya)
| | |-- Information on the Mauryas
| |
| |
| |-- Conquests in the Gangetic Valley, Northwest, and Central India
| |-- Ceylonese Chronicles (Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa)
| |
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| |-- Treaty with Selukas Niketar (Trans-Indus Territories)
| | Asoka and Buddhism
| |-- Gift of 500 Elephants |
| | |-- Asoka's Gradual Conversion to Buddhism
| |-- Arrival of Greek Ambassador Megasthenes | |
| | | |-- Sakya Upasaka (Lay Disciple)
| |-- Embraced Jainism and Abdication in Favor of Bindusara | |
| | | |-- Bikshu (Monk)
| |-- Death in Sravana Belgola | |
| | |-- Abandonment of Hunting
|-- Bindusara (298 – 273 B.C.) | |
| | | |-- Visits to Buddhist Holy Places
| |-- Greek Title: "Amitragatha" (Slayer of Enemies) | |
| | | |-- Organization of Missions
| |-- Conquests in the Deccan and the Far South | |
| | | |-- Appointment of Dharma Mahamatras
| |-- Diplomatic Correspondence with Antiochus I | |
| | | |-- Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra (240 B.C.)
| |-- Support for the Ajivikas Religious Sect | |
| | | |-- Spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka (Mahendra and Sangamitra)
| |-- Appointment of Asoka as Governor of Ujjain | |
| | |-- Embrace of Buddhism and Efforts to Strengthen the Sangha
|-- Asoka the Great (273 – 232 B.C.) |
| | |-- Extent of Asoka's Empire
| |-- Early Life and Role as Governor of Ujjain | |
| | | |-- Southernmost Kingdoms as Border States (Cholas, Pandyas, etc.)
| |-- Accession to the Throne After Bindusara's Death | |
| | | |-- Inclusion of Kashmir and Nepal
| |-- Controversy Surrounding Succession (Killing of Brothers) | |
| | | |-- Northwestern Frontier Demarcated by Chandragupta Maurya
| |-- Victorious War with Kalinga (261 B.C.) |
| | |-- Asoka's Dhamma
| |-- Effects of the Kalinga War (Conversion to Buddhism) | |
| | | |-- Principles of Dhamma as Stated in Edicts
| |-- Rock Edict XIII Describing the War and Its Toll | |
| | | |-- Code of Conduct and Way of Life
| |-- Annexation of Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire | |
| | | |-- Main Features of Asoka's Dhamma
| |-- Embrace of Buddhism under Influence of Upagupta | | |
| | |-- Service to Family, Ahimsa, Truth, Reverence, and Kindness
This mind map provides an overview of the early Mauryan emperors, including Chandragupta Maurya, | | |
Bindusara, and Asoka the Great, their achievements, and significant events during their reigns. | | |-- Prohibition of Animal Sacrifices and Meaningless Ceremonies
| | |
Here's a mind map summarizing the information about Asoka and Buddhism, Asoka's Dhamma, and the
| | |-- Social Welfare and Dhammayatras for Constant Interaction
later Mauryas:
| | | Purohita
| | |-- Humane Treatment of Servants and Prisoners
Mahamantri
| | |
Senapati
| | |-- Tolerance of All Religious Sects
| | | Yuvaraja
| | |-- Conquest Through Dhamma, Not War Civil servants (Amatyas)
| |
Revenue Department
| |-- Dhamma vs. Buddhist Teachings (His Dhamma as General Code)
| Samharta

|-- Estimate of Asoka Revenue sources

| |
Land
| |-- Asoka's Place in History and Universal Appeal
Irrigation
| |
| |-- H.G. Wells' Praise Customs
| | Shop tax
| |-- Asoka's Benevolent Administration and Policy of Non-Aggression
Ferry tax
| |
Forests
| |-- Central Ideal: Promoting the Welfare of Humanity
| Mines
|-- Later Mauryas Pastures
| |
License fee
| |-- Division of Mauryan Empire After Asoka's Death (232 B.C.)
Fines
| |
| |-- Western and Eastern Parts Ruled by Kunala and Dasaratha Land revenue (one-sixth of produce)
| | State expenditure
| |-- Collapse of Western Part Due to Bactrian Invasions
Army
| |
| |-- Eastern Part Under Samprati, Successor of Dasaratha Senapati
| | Salaries
| |-- Assassination of the Last Mauryan King, Brihatratha, by Pushyamitra
Army composition
Sunga
Infantry
This mind map provides a summary of Asoka's relationship with Buddhism, his principles of Dhamma,
Cavalry
and the later Mauryan rulers and their fate.
Elephants
Certainly! Here's a mind map summarizing the key aspects of Mauryan Administration: Chariots

Navy and Transport

Mauryan Administration
Department of Commerce and Industry
Central Government
Price control
Ascendancy of monarchy
Steady supply
Kautilya's influence
Regulation of trade
Council of ministers (Mantriparishad)
Judicial and Police Departments
 Civil and criminal courts Certainly, here's a mind map summarizing the key aspects of Mauryan Art and Architecture:
Dharmathikarin (Chief Justice)
Mauryan Art and Architecture
Punishments
Torture Before Asoka

Police stations Monuments made of wood

Jails and jail officials Perished over time
Census Asoka's Contribution
Regular census Introduction of stone architecture
Collection of demographic data Pillars
Provincial and Local Administration Found in Delhi, Allahabad, Rummindai, Sanchi, Saranath
Four provinces Crowned with animal figures (lion, elephant, bull)

Taxila Saranath pillar with four lions back to back

Ujjain Indian government's state emblem

Suvarnagiri Stupas
Kalinga Many destroyed in foreign invasions
Provincial governors Sanchi stupa (famous and massive)
District administration Originally built with bricks
Rajukas Later enlarged
Yuktas Caves
Village administration Presented to the Ajivikas by Asoka and his son Dasaratha
Gramani Residences for monks
Gopa Polished interior walls

Municipal administration Barabar Caves (near Bodh Gaya)

Nagarika Remarkable Mauryan architecture

Committees in Pataliputra This mind map provides a visual summary of Mauryan art and architecture, highlighting the transition
Industries from wooden structures to stone monuments, key features of Asoka's architectural contributions, and
notable examples like the Saranath pillar, Sanchi stupa, and the Barabar Caves.
Foreigners

Birth and deaths Here's a mind map summarizing the causes for the decline of the Mauryan Empire:
Trade
Causes for the Decline of the Mauryas
Goods manufacture and sale

Sales tax collection Traditional Approach

This mind map provides a visual overview of the key elements of Mauryan Administration, making it Asoka's policies
easier to understand the organization and functioning of the Mauryan state during that period.
Weak successors
 Alternative Approach

Inadequate political and economic institutions

Asoka's Policies

Pro-Buddhist policies

Alleged antagonism with Brahmins

Army's Fighting Spirit

Alleged reduction due to non-violence policy

Asoka maintained control despite pacifist approach

Multiple Causes

Weak successors

Partition of empire
Administrative abuses after Asoka

Result

Speeded up the breakup of the Mauryan empire

Facilitated Pushyamitra Sunga's rise to power

Establishment of Sunga Dynasty

This mind map provides a visual overview of the various factors that contributed to the decline of the
Mauryan Empire, including the two main approaches to explaining its decline, Asoka's policies, and the
combined impact of weak successors, partition, and administrative issues.