Achaemenian Empire

Achaemenian Empire Based in Western Asia, founded by Cyrus the Great Its maximum extent was from the Balkans and Eastern Europe proper in the west, to the Indus Valley in the east. Largest empire in the ancient world It is presumed that Achaemenian dominated India till 330 B.C. because Indian soldiers formed part of the Achaemenian army that conquered Greece in the time of Xerxes (486-465 B.C.) and fought against Alexander at Gaugamela (Iraq)in 330 B.C. The Indo-Iranian contact was for around 200 years.

Effect of Iranian Invasion Development in Indo-Iranian trade It was through them that Greeks came to know about the great wealth of India and later on Alexander invaded. Led to the development of Kharosthi script, a new form of writing. Written from right to left like Arabic. Influenced the Mauryan Sculpture.

Alexander's Campaign Alexander succeded Philip and became the king of Macedonia at the age of 20. The defeat of Achaemenian king Darius III in the hands of Alexander in the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC became a turning point. He conquered most of the western Asia including Iraq and Iran and then turned his attention to India. Alexander marched to India after conquering Persian empire through the Khyber pass in 326 B.C. Greek sources give a very detailed account of Alexander's campaign to India but they are completely silent about Kautilya. They have mentioned though about C. Maurya as Sandrocottas or Androcottas ascending throne in 326 B.C.

Alexander's Campaign King of Takshasila (Taxila, near Rawalpindi in Punjab) and Abhisara offered to help Alexander. Numerous kings and republican Chiefs in Afghanistan, Punjab and Sindh offered brave resistance, but failed. Though the local rajas and chieftains were less powerful than Alexander, they decided to fight him. The Greek writers have paid tributes to the bravery and patriotism of a large number of them. After crossing the Hindukush, Alexander divided his army into two parts. a. 1st part under him b. 2nd part under the two of his best Generals. Hasti, a tribal chief of Pushkalavati gave strong resistance to Greeks Assakenoi  (Ashvakayans) people fought bravely and offered stubborn resistance to the invader. When the Chieftain of Massaga (capital of Assakenoi )fell in the battle, the supreme command of the army went to his old mother Cleophis (or his wife)

Alexander's Campaign After this win he met with the other branch and a bridge was constructed on the Indus river at Ohind about 24 km. Through that he crossed Indus at marched towards Taxila When he was about 7 km. from Taxila, Ambhi came forward to great Alexander and recognised him as his sovereign He fought with Porus in the Battle of Vitasta or Jhelum the most powerful battle in Indian subcontinent. Porus was king of a kingdom in NW between Jhelum and Chenab. Jhelum is also called Hydaspes by Greek Porus lost but Alexander secured the alliance of him by restoring his kingdom. He then moved to Beas where he fought with Kathaioi (Kathas). He invaded India during the time of Dhananada of nanda Dynasty in 326 BC

Alexander's Retreat – Why? When – July 326 BC From Where? – Banks of Beas Why? - His soldiers mutinied and refused to proceed further 1st Theory – War – Weariness ( Acc to Greek) 2nd Theory - Fear inspired by the mighty empire of the Nandas which lay beyond the river ( Acc to Greek) 3rd Theory – Army thought that Alexander might meet with an accident in course of the campaign and may die (far away from homeland) 4th Theory – Home- Sickness Result – Alexander considered the plea and decided to return back

Alexander's Retreat During his return he had to fight with republican states or ganasangha led by the Malloi (Malavas or Modern day Multan) and the Oxydrakai (Kshudrakas). Alexander won but wounded. He also fought with another ganasanghas, the Agalassoi (Arjunayanas). Alexander reached Patala in Sep 325 BC, and began his homeward journey He proceeded with his army by land, but sent the ships under Nearchus. He reached Susa in Persia in 324 B.C. and died in 323(or 323) BC

Alexander's Kshatrapas He had put many kshtrapas or generals incharge of different parts of the conquered territories. Later on the conquered ganasanghas rebelled

Impact of Alexander’s Campaign No effect Indian tradition should have remained silent over such an event. Reason may be that he only touched the western border of the then India and returned without leaving any lasting impact. The conquered territories was lost within three months of his departure, as most of the conquered areas asserted their independence. Hence can be said that his campaign had very less or no impact at all.

Impact of Alexander’s Campaign Some effects Opened land and seas routes between India and Europe Establishment of Indo-Bacterian and Indo-Parthian states which at a later stage influenced Indian architecture (Gandhara architecture), astronomy and coinage Indian king thought of unity for the 1st time. As a result Chankya stressed on uniting the whole country.

UPSC 2005 Who among the following was not a contemporary of other 3? Bimbisara Buddha Milinda Prasenjit

UPSC 2005 Who among the following was not a contemporary of other 3? Bimbisara – 558 – 491 BC Buddha – 563 or 480 to 483 or 400 Milinda – 165 – 130 BC ( Ruling period) Prasenjit – 500 to 600 BC

UPSC 2005 Who among the following was not a contemporary of other 3? Bimbisara – 558 – 491 BC Buddha – 563 or 480 to 483 or 400 Milinda – 165 – 130 BC ( Ruling period) Prasenjit – 500 to 600 BC

UPSC 2006 Between which of the following was the ancient town of Taxashila was located? Indus and Jhelum Jhelum and Chenab Chenab and Ravi Ravi and Beas

UPSC 2006 Between which of the following was the ancient town of Taxashila was located? Indus and Jhelum Jhelum and Chenab Chenab and Ravi Ravi and Beas

MAURYA EMPIRE

MAURYA - INTRO Stretched from the valley of the Oxus to the delta of Kaveri Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler Sources of Mauryan rulers Epigraphical source (study of inscriptions or epigraphs) Inscriptions of Ashoka. b) Literary sources Arthashastra by Chanakya gives us detailed information about the administrative system of the Mauryan empire c) Foreign accounts Indica by Megasthenese, the Greek ambassador from the court of Seleucus to that of Chandragupta Maurya also tells us about Mauryan empire d) Archaeological excavations

MAURYA - Chandragupta Maurya (324-300 B.C.) Source 1 - Buddhist sources like Mahaparinirbana Sutta, Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa describe C Maurya from Kshatriya clan of the Moriyas branch of Sakyas who lived in Pipphalivana, eastern UP. Source 2 - Mudrarakshasa, a play written by Vishakha Datta, uses the terms like Vrishala and Kulahina, for Chandragupta which mean a person of humble origin. Source 3 - Justin, a Greek writer, also says that Chandragupta was "born in humble life Chandragupta Maurya is said to have ruled for 24

MAURYA - Chandragupta Maurya (324-300 B.C.) According to Puranas, C Maurya was the son of Dhananda and Mura (partner not wife), hence the name Maurya He is said to have served the Nanda army as a General. Chanakya formed an alliance between C. Maurya and Parvataka (Porus 2nd) who dethroned Nandas

MAURYA – C Maurya & Taxila Chandragupta's father was killed in a battle and he was brought up by his maternal uncle Chanakya. He took him as his pupil, and educated him at Taxila which was then a great centre of learning. Greek sources tell us that C Maurya when he was in Taxila had seen Alexander in course of the latter's campaign of Punjab.

MAURYA – C Maurya’s Campaign Greek and Jain sources - Chandragupta took advantage of the disturbances caused by the invasion of Alexander and his sudden death in 323 B.C. in Babylon. He, with the help of Kautilya raised a large army. He first overthrew the Greek kshatrapas north-western India after then turned he led to the conquest of Magadha from the Nandas. Jain source - Parisistha Parvam, describes that with the help of Chanakya, Chandragupta defeated the Nanda king

MAURYA –Extent of Empire Epighraphical Source – Junagarh(Gujarat) rock inscription of Rudradaman says that a dam on the Sudarshana lake (Gujarat) for irrigation was constructed by Pushyagupta, a provincial governor of Chandragupta Maurya. Yavanaraja Tushapha excavated canals for irrigation from Sudarshana Lake during Ashoka's reign. Ashokan inscriptions at Girnar hills in Junagarh district (in Gujarat) and at Sopara (Thane district, 'Maharashtra) Ashoka's inscriptions have been found at Maski, Yerragudi and Chitaldurga in Karnataka. Rock Edict II and XIII of Ashoka mentions that his immediate neighbouring states were those of Cholas, 'Pandyas, Satyaputras and Keralaputras. It can be said that south India,was conquered by Chandragupta because according to Jaina text Chandragupta abdicated the throne and retired to Sravanbelgola in Karnataka with his teacher, the Jain ascetic Bhadrabahu.

C. Maurya and Seleucas He defeated Greek Kshatrapa Seleucus in about 305 B.C. Greek writers do not give details of the war but state that a treaty was concluded in which Seleucus conceded the territories of Kandahar, Kabul, Herat and Baluchistan and Chandragupta presented him 500 elephants. Matrimonial alliance - Seleucus married his daughter to Chandragupta Maurya or to his son Bindusara.(It is believed) Seleucus sent Megasthenese as his ambassador to the court of Chandragupta.

Mauryan Empire Mauryas Kashmir Assam Karnataka Afganisthan

Chanakya Born in 350 BC Father’s name was Chanaka and his Gotra was Kotil, hence named Chanakya and Kautilya Panchatantra text in Gupta Age calls him Vishnu Sharma Arthasahtra mentions him as Vishnugupta In western world, he is known as Indian Machiavelli (founder of modern political science, from Italy,  1469 –1527)because of his Arthasastra Strabo, a greek geographer gave him the name of Palibrothus. Chankya used to mix food of C. Maurya with poison to make him immune. C Maurya gave this food to his wife widout knowing who was in her 9th month. To save the baby Chankaya cut open his wife and saved his son. Hence the name Bindusara, coz he was touched by a drop(bindu) of blood having poison.

Chanakya’s Arthasastra This book has 15 chapters

Mauryans - Bindusara Son and successor of C. Maurya Also known as Amitraghata and Greeks called him Allitrochates According to jaina and Tibetan scholars Chanakya outlived Chandragupta and continued as a minister of Bindusara. Later on Khallataka became his minister According to Divyavadana - Bindusara appointed his eldest son Sumana (also named Susima) as his viceroy at Taxila and Ashoka at Ujjain. Maintained friendly relations with Greeks (Antiochos I) Deimachus (Greek of Seleucid Empire)became an ambassador to the court of Bindusara. Patrionised Ajivikas. Ruled for 25-26 years

Mauryans – Ashoka (273-232 B.C.) He was the governor of Taxila and Ujjain before being the emperor. Ashoka succeeded to the throne after the death of Bindusara in 273 B.C. Buddhist sources - Mother was Janapada Kalyani or Subhadrangi. Ashoka was very cruel in his early life and captured the throne after killing his 99 brothers. Not so true because other sources say that he felt affectionatly about his brothers,sisters. First king in the Indian history who has left his records engraved on stones. Has 3 wives – Vedisa, Karuvaki, Asandhimitra History mentions one son, Tivara of Karuvaki

Ashokan Inscriptions The inscriptions on rocks are called Rock Edicts The inscriptions on Pillars are called Pillar Edicts. Found in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan – 47 places Name of Ashoka occurs only in copies of Minor Rock Edict I found at three places in Karnataka and one in Madhya Pradesh. Other inscriptions refer to him as Devanampiya - beloved of the gods Piyadasi -  "one who looks with kindness upon everything“ Inscriptions are located on ancient highways.

Ashokan Inscriptions Inscriptions of Ashoka were written in four different scripts. Script Language Area Greek Afganisthan Aramaic Kharosthi Prakrit language Pakistan Brahmi Other Areas

Ashoka’s Kalinga War His first and last battle Conquest of Kalinga is earliest event of his reign which is recorded in his inscriptions - Rock Edict XIII He conquered it in his 8th year of rule Devastating affect on the people of Kalinga. After the war he became a follower of Mogaliputtqa Tissa He felt bad after the war and thus abandoned the policy of aggression and tried to conquer the hearts of the people He took steps for the welfare of people and animals. He sent ambassadors of peace to the Greek kingdoms in west Asia and several other countries.

Ashoka – Calm but Strict he warned people that peaceful measures should not be taken as a sign of weakness. Within the Rajjukas - class of officers appointed by him Rajjukas had the authority to reward and punish people.

Ashoka's Dhamma According to Bhabru edict – he had full faith in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, hence his personal religion was Buddhism He did not forced others to accept Buddhism. He showed respect to all sects and faiths and believed in unity among ethical and moral values of all sects - Rock Edict XII Rock Edict VII has Ashoka’s following words - "All sects desire both self control and purity of mind". Propagation of Dhamma was his objective after the war of Kalinga Dhamma - not a religion or a religious system but a 'Moral Law', a 'Common Code of Conduct‘ According to him there are two basic attributes or constituents of Dhamma : less evil and many good deeds.

Ashoka’s Rock Edict Major Rock Edict I - Prohibits animal slaughter. Bans festive gatherings and killings of animals. Major Rock Edict II - Provides for care for man and animals, describes about Chola, Pandyas , Satyapura and Keralputra Kingdoms of South India Major Rock Edict III - Generosity to Brahmans. Issued after 12 years of Asoka’s coronation. It says that the Yuktas (subordinate officers) and Pradesikas (district Heads) along with Rajukas (Rural officers ) shall go to the all areas of kingdom every five years and spread the Dhamma Policy of Asoka. Major Rock Edict IV - Dhammaghosa is ideal to the mankind and not the Bherighosa. Impact of Dhamma on society.

Ashoka’s Rock Edict Major Rock Edict V Concerns about the policy towards slaves. He mentions in this rock edict “Every Human is my child…”. Appointment of Dhammamahamatras is mentioned in this edict. Major Rock Edict VI Describes King’s desire to get informed about the conditions of the people constantly. Talks about welfare measures. Major Rock Edict VII Requests tolerance for all religions Major Rock Edict VIII Describes Asoka’s first Dhamma Yatra to Bodhgaya & Bodhi Tree. Major Rock Edict IX Condemns popular ceremonies. Stress in ceremonies of Dhamma.

Ashoka’s Rock Edict Major Rock Edict X Condemns the desire for fame and glory. Stresses on popularity of Dhamma. Major Rock Edict XI Elaborates Dhamma Major Rock Edict XII Directed and determined request for tolerance among different religious sects. Major Rock Edict XIII Asoka’s victory over Kalinga . Victory of Asoka’s Dhamma over Greek Kings, Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas, Alexander and Cholas, Pandyas etc. This is the Largest Edict. It mentions Kamboj, nabhaks, Bhoja, Andhra etc. Major Rock Edict XIV Describes engraving of inscriptions in different parts of country.

Dhamma - Moral Code Obedience to mother and father, elders , teachers and other respectable persons. Respect towards teachers. Proper treatment towards ascetics, relations, slaves, servants and dependents, the poor and miserable, friends, acquaintances and companions. Liberality towards ascetics, friends, comrades, relatives and the aged. Abstention from killing of living beings. Non-injury to all living creatures. Spending little and accumulating little wealth. Mildness in case of all living creatures. Truthfulness . Attachment to morality. Purity of heart.

Ashoka’s Post Nature He tried to make moral law (Dhamma) as the governing principle and forced in every sphere of life. Never discussed god or soul or religion as such. He practiced these principles as well. He established hospitals for humans and animals Made donations to the brahmans and ascetics of different religious sects. Erected rest-houses, wells and planted trees ( Architecture and nature loving) Ashoka took for the propagation of Buddhism and so conducted Dharmayatras and instructed his officials to do the same. Appointed Dharmamahamatras whose sole responsibility was to propagate Dhamma among the people. Ashoka is the only king in the history of human kind who apologised to his conquered subject for having waged war against them

Decline of the Mauryan Empire With Ashoka’s death in 232 B.C. the decline set in and soon after the empire broke up. Ashoka’s Fault Ashoka's pacifist policies weakened the empire in terms of wars and military strength. Centralised empire needs very strong rulers which was not the case with Ashoka's successors. Ashoka's welfare measures eaten away a large chunk of income No money to maintain the army and the administrative machinery 2. Division of Empire Empire was divided into an eastern and an western part. The western part was governed by Kunala, Samprati and others The eastern part with southern India, with its capital at Pataliputra was governed by six later Mauryan kings from Dasarath to Brihadratha.

Ashoka’s Foreign Policy Sent missions to foreign countries also to propagate dhamma. They were sent to western Asia, Egypt and Eastern Europe Foreign kings, whose kingdoms received the message of Buddhism and that are mentioned in his inscriptions were Antiochus Theos, of Syria and western Asia, Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt, Antigonus Gonatas of Macedonia, Megas of Cyrene Alexander of Epirus. Sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to propagate Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Decline of the Mauryan Empire 3. Revolt of the Andhras in the south 4. Raids of Greek king in the west 5. Dissatifaction among people and army Pushyamitra, the commander-in-chief killed the king Brihadratha while he was reviewing the army. King was killed in full view of the public. King neither enjoyed the loyality of his own army nor the sympathy of the people Pushyamitra, ascended the throne, but he retained the title of the Senapati.