Sources of Mauryan Empire and Ashoka’s Edicts – UPSC Notes

Sources of Mauryan Empire and Ashoka’s Edicts

We have several sources that help us to reconstruct the Mauryan empire. These can be classified as either literary sources or Archaeological sources.

Literary Sources

These are the texts that describe the Mauryan Empire. These are either contemporary or non-contemporary.

Contemporary texts – These are books written during the time of the Mauryan Empire.

• Sanskrit Texts: –
  • Arthashastra – is a compilation of 15 books, probably composed by Kautilya or Chanakya, traditionally believed to be a minister of Chandragupta. It has a total of 180 chapters. It is a book on political economy and touches following subjects –
    • Chapter 1 – on the role of kings.
    • Chapter 13 – contains internal affairs.
    • Chapter 15 – comments on a state’s economy, politics, and administration.
  • Mrichhakatika(Meaning, ‘a clay cart’) – is a 2nd-century BCE Sanskrit drama written by Shudraka. It is a story about the love of a wealthy merchant (Charudatta) with the daughter of a courtesan (Vasantasena).
• Indica – written by Megasthenes, who was a Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta. His book survives in fragments.
  • It tells that the Mauryan ruler had a standing army of 6 lakh foot soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 elephants.
  • It mentions Pandyas of Madurai and Rani Mangamal.
  • Further, it contains some wrong information about the Mauryan society, such as the mention of 7 classes of society and the absence of any slaves.
• Buddhist texts-
  • Deepvamsa and Mahavamsa are Sri Lankan chronicles written in the 4^th and 5^th century CE, respectively. They mention the expansion of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. They also mention Sanghmitra and Mahendra, King Ashoka’s daughter and son, and their mission in Lanka. They mention about their relationship with South Indian kingdoms since 6^th century BCE.
  • Asokavadana & Divyavadana contain a collection of legends built around Ashoka’s personality, his expedition to Taxila to suppress the rebellion, and his conversion to Buddhism. These texts depict a cruel picture of Ashoka before his conversion to Buddhism.
  • Ashokavadan also tells us that some damage was done to the  Sanchi stupa during the Pushyamitra’s time. Although his son, Agnimitra, rebuilt it.
• Jain literature-
  • Kalpasurtra –  is a book written by Bhadrabahu, which mentions that Chandragupta deliberately starved to death by conducting Santhara/Sallekhana. Bhadrabahu was the spiritual guide to Chandragupta with whom he moved to Shravanabelagola after abdicating the throne.

Non-Contemporary texts –

• Parshvanatha, or Staviravali Charita – is a Sanskrit maha-kavya written by Hemchandra and focuses on the growth of the doms of Magadha.
• Mudrarakshasa – Written by Vishakhadatta in the 4^th century AD, is a Sanskrit drama that describes the overthrow of Nandas by Chandragupta with the help of Kautilya.
• Puranas – Some Puranic literature mentions Mauryan kings. For example, Matsya Purana mentions the names of Dasaratha and Samprati.

Archaeological Sources

Numismatics – Study of coins –

• Mauryans issued the largest number of punched-marked coins. This demonstrates the significant growth in economic activities during the Mauryan times.

Source: RBI