Maurya Research Articles

Brief Overview of Fourteen Major Rock Edicts of King Ashoka

–The fourteen major rock edicts are of great use to study the historiography of Ashokas Empire. These major rock edicts contain engraved information about the nature of his patronage given to Buddhism and his interpretation of Dhamma. These edicts also throw the light upon the Asoka’s administration, international relations, and law and order systems of his empire. The major rock edicts of the Ashoka are like the identity cards of his empire. These major rock edicts are distributed all over Indian subcontinent and can also be found in Afghanistan & Pakistan. Arguably these major rock edicts encapsulate the boundaries of ancient Mauryan Empire and found at those locations which are specifically chosen by King Ashoka for their construction. The location for the construction of these major rock edicts is arguably chosen on the basis of importance of the area, trade & population of that area. Every Major rock edict has a specific message engraved upon it and there is uniformity in the content of these rock edicts with addition of minor separate edicts which are found at Dhauli and Jaugada & there is little deviation which can be observed at Sannati where rock edict number 13 is replaced by a separate rock edict. Ashoka was the first king who has initiated a dialogue with his subjects by means of engraving such edicts on mighty rocks. By studying this paper you can understand why it is important to have brief knowledge about the contents of these major rock edicts of Ashoka while studying about the King Ashoka in particular & about the Mauryan Empire in general. This paper throws light upon the script and locations of these major rock edicts. This paper also argues about the nature of the patronage given to the buddhism by king Ashoka and insists upon forming conclusions about the Ashokas policy of Dhamma solely on the basis of the engraved texts of major rock edicts.

THE FUSION OF TURKISH RELIGIOUS THOUGHTS IN CENTRAL ASIAN BUDDHISM AND ITS REPERCUSSION TO BENGAL

This academic research is primarily concerned with two fundamental issues. The first objective is to depict Buddhist impacts on Turkic religious thoughts during Islamisation. The second issue is how this syncretic process aided Turks in capturing the Bengal region with the assistance of local Buddhists. The historical tie between Bengal and Central Asia dates to the first century BCE. In it, the northern Indian Maurya empire and the Turkish Huns played an important role. Through their efforts, Buddhism spread throughout Central Asia. Besides, Islam encountered significant opposition from Buddhism in Bengal and Central Asia. Over time, the Turks erected a Sultanate in Delhi and then hailed Bengal for the same purpose. As a result of an exhaustive search of the academic research on the database, applicable works have yet to be found related to running scholarly works. This study will employ a qualitative approach with a thematic focus. In addition, secondary categorical data from Turkish, English, and Bengali literature will be utilized in the current scholarly study.

Spy Leadership in India from Mauryan Empire to Modern Era

For over many years, the term Leadership has been a subject of debate within the area of Management. As we all know, many great leaders have lost their position and their lives too because of betrayal of people around them. So, we propose Spy leadership is also required in this current competitive scenario inspite of various leadership styles. Based on our approach, this paper provides the existence of spies from ancient India and also the importance of this Spy leadership in this modern era to analyze individuals and retain true and right persons for various position in an organization. This paper also highlights the existence of spy leadership and usage of technological surveillance to monitor employees. Hence, the researchers have chosen this topic to study about the existence and importance of this Spy Leadership from Mauryan Empire to modern era.

An Endless Struggle: A Comprehensive Analysis of Migrant Labour Struggles in India

Migrant workers are the workers who move from one place to another to pursue employment. Labour migration is not a new phenomenon but can be traced out right from the age of The Mauryan empire, The Gupta Empire and even in Tamil Sangam literature. The contributions of migrant workers help in the social and economic development of their destined locality of work and provide greater benefit to their origin locality through their acquired skills and remittances. Despite these advantages, the migrant workers face challenges as to their poor living conditions, exploitation, lack of job security and more. This article seeks to analyse the challenges and rights of migrant labourers, particularly highlighting the significant challenges they faced amid the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in job losses and their eventual return to hometowns.Furthermore, the article explores the role of ILO and international conventions and the upsides and downsides of legislations particularly enacted to safeguard these rights. Lastly, the study aims to investigate potential solutions offered by The Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020, to enhance the implementation of existing laws and address the concerns of migrant labourers.

Book Review:] Majumdar, Susmita Basu. Mahasthan Record Revisited: Querying the Empire from a Regional Perspective (1st ed.). London–New York: Routledge–Taylor & Francis Group; Delhi: Manohar Publishers, 2023. 111 pp., ill. (colour plates). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003405061 (ebk)

The Mauryan Empire and its neighbouring countries still remain as a desideratum research topic because of the scarcity of authentic data. The only available sources are the edicts of King Ashoka the Great and a few other inscriptions. The paper offers a review of the recent monograph by Professor Susmita Basu Majumdar (Calcutta) on the Mahasthan inscription, which is believed to be a part of the Mauryan epigraphy. Content analysis of the Mahasthan record and comparative study of various Mauryan inscriptions and coins help to find shortcomings in Majumdar’s reconstructions. First, there is no reason to believe that the Mahasthan inscription does mention unhusked rice because the term [dhā]niyaṁ means ‘grain’ in general. Second, there is no reason to treat the Mahasthan record as an order issued by the imperial Magadha authorities and, moreover, as a kind of ‘Mauryan clay tablet’. The Mahasthan inscription mentions no Magadha authorities. One may even suggest that this record was issued by a separate polity which imitated both epigraphical documents and punch-marked coinage of the Mauryan Empire.

The Role of Print Media and Muslim Education in Sub-Continent (1857-1897)

The objective of the study is to explore the educational thoughts among Muslims through print media in the sub-continent. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had a great influence on Muslim education. In following his footsteps, a lot of other journalists and educationists, such as Maulana Shibli came to the mainstream to investigate and remove the European misconception among Muslims. During the reign of the Mauryan Empire, the Slave Dynasty, and the Mughal Empire saw printing press practices. However, in the 18th century, different kinds of printing press worked under the East India Company and play a vital role in Muslim education in the 19th century. Sir Syed and Shibli's works used as primary and secondary sources with outstanding writing and knowledge provide the facts. That finds Shibli's educational thoughts for the whole community with both combinations. The Aligarh movement of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan paved the way for Muslims to get a Western and traditional education, that eliminated all kinds of misunderstandings which popped out after the War of 1857.

ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC FINANCE IN KAUTILYA'S ARTHASHASTRA

The study attempts to explore the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on public finance, authored by Kautilya around 300 BCE during the Mauryan period. The Arthashastra covers a wide range of topics including administration, politics, ecology, and economics, providing insights into the economic and political conditions of that era. The treatise emphasises the importance of treasury management, revenue generation, and expenditure allocation for the well-being of the state and its citizens. It enumerates seven sources of revenue, including income from crown property, state-controlled activities, taxes, trade, fees and service charges, fines, and miscellaneous sources. The Mauryan state, guided by the principles of the Arthashastra, established a centralised and efficient administration with specific officials responsible for revenue collection and management. The study also explores the significance of fraud prevention, accounting, auditing, and budgeting in public finance. The Arthashastra serves as a valuable historical document, offering inspiration and guidance for modern public finance, emphasising the balance between state management and the welfare of the people.

Justice System and Legal System in the Maurya Empire

In this research paper, while critically studying the judicial system and legal system in the Maurya Empire, I have presented its introduction, judicial system and legal system. This study explores the judicial system and legal structure in the Maurya Empire, an ancient Indian empire that existed from 322 BCE to 185 BCE. The Maurya Empire had a well-established system of justice and an extensive legal framework, which played an important role in maintaining social order and governance. Through an examination of historical sources including the concept of "Sambhita" or "Samhita" and the influence of Dharma Shastra, this research sheds light on the sources of law in the empire. Additionally, it delves into the organization and functionaries of the judiciary, legal procedures and practices, and the criminal justice system prevalent during the Maurya era. The study also explores civil law and dispute resolution mechanisms, highlighting the importance of property rights, contracts and alternative methods of conflict resolution. In addition, it analyzes the social and legal reforms initiated by Emperor Ashoka, which aimed to promote moral principles and social justice. By examining the legacy and influence of the Maurya legal system, this research provides insight into the continuity and change of legal traditions in India and provides lessons for contemporary legal systems. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the judicial system and legal framework in the Maurya Empire and its importance in shaping ancient Indian society and governance.
 
 Abstract in Hindi Language:
 इस शोध पत्र में मैंने मौर्य साम्राज्य में न्याय प्रणाली और कानूनी व्यवस्था का विवेचनात्मक अध्ययन करते हुए इसकी प्रस्तावना, न्याय प्रणाली और कानूनी व्यवस्था के बारे प्रस्तुत किया है। यह अध्ययन 322 ईसा पूर्व से 185 ईसा पूर्व तक मौजूद एक प्राचीन भारतीय साम्राज्य मौर्य साम्राज्य में न्यायिक प्रणाली और कानूनी संरचना की पड़ताल करता है। मौर्य साम्राज्य में न्याय की एक सुस्थापित प्रणाली और एक व्यापक कानूनी ढांचा था, जिसने सामाजिक व्यवस्था और शासन को बनाए रखने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई। ’’संभिता’’ या ’’संहिता’’की अवधारणा और धर्म शास्त्र के प्रभाव सहित ऐतिहासिक स्रोतों की एक परीक्षा के माध्यम से, यह शोध साम्राज्य में कानून के स्रोतों पर प्रकाश डालता है। इसके अतिरिक्त, यह न्यायपालिका के संगठन और पदाधिकारियों, कानूनी प्रक्रियाओं और प्रथाओं, और मौर्य युग के दौरान प्रचलित आपराधिक न्याय प्रणाली में तल्लीन है। अध्ययन नागरिक कानून और विवाद समाधान तंत्र की भी पड़ताल करता है, संपत्ति के अधिकारों, अनुबंधों और संघर्ष समाधान के वैकल्पिक तरीकों के महत्व पर प्रकाश डालता है। इसके अलावा, यह सम्राट अशोक द्वारा शुरू किए गए सामाजिक और कानूनी सुधारों का विश्लेषण करता है, जिसका उद्देश्य नैतिक सिद्धांतों और सामाजिक न्याय को बढ़ावा देना था। मौर्य न्याय प्रणाली की विरासत और प्रभाव की जांच करके, यह शोध भारत में कानूनी परंपराओं की निरंतरता और परिवर्तन में अंतर्दृष्टि प्रदान करता है और समकालीन कानूनी प्रणालियों के लिए सबक प्रदान करता है। कुल मिलाकर, यह अध्ययन मौर्य साम्राज्य में न्यायिक प्रणाली और कानूनी ढांचे की गहरी समझ और प्राचीन भारतीय समाज और शासन को आकार देने में इसके महत्व को समझने में योगदान देता है।
 Keywords: नैतिक सिद्धांत, निरंतरता, संपत्ति के अधिकार, न्यायिक प्रणाली और कानूनी संरचना

Reviving the Soul of Ganga: A Comprehensive Review of the Development of River Front Ghats

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the impact of the Ganga River front Ghats on spirituality and temple architecture, as well as their development over the years. The Ganga River holds immense religious significance for Hindus, and the Ghats serve as places for spiritual and religious practices such as bathing, worship, and rituals. This paper delves into the different types of Ghats, their architectural styles, and their significance in the religious and cultural life of the people living along the river. The paper also analyzes the historical development of the Ghats, from their initial construction during the Mauryan Empire to their current state of disrepair and neglect. Furthermore, the paper assesses the impact of the Ghats on spirituality and the architectural evolution of temples built around them. It also explores recent efforts made by various organizations and government agencies to restore and develop the Ghats, including the use of modern technology and sustainable practices. The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of the impact of Ganga River front Ghats on spirituality and temple architecture and to evaluate the progress made in their development over the years.

Art and Culture in the Maurya Empire – Study of Stupas, Paintings, and Literature

Art and Culture in the Maurya Empire – Study of Stupas, Paintings, and Literature

"The Riches of Ancient Pakistan: A Magnet for Invaders throughout History"

This research article delves into the historical narrative of ancient Pakistan, a region consistently sought after by invaders due to its abundant resources. Encompassing present-day Pakistan and parts of northern India, it has been a focal point for invasions and migrations over millennia. Its allure can be attributed to fertile lands, rivers, and mineral wealth supporting flourishing civilizations like the Indus Valley and Mauryan empires. Early invasions by Aryan tribes, Alexander's conquest, and Ashoka's Mauryan Empire marked significant chapters in the region's history. Islamic conquests in the 7th and 8th centuries introduced a new era, leading to the establishment of Islamic empires. The Mughals, drawn by the region's potential, brought cultural fusion. In the 19th century, British colonization further underlined its significance. This article highlights ancient Pakistan's enduring appeal, as a land of abundant resources and cultural diversity that has continuously attracted invaders, shaping the region's history and its role in human civilization.

Embassy of Megasthenes

The author of the article comes to the conclusion that the famous embassy of Megasthenes to India took place in the context of an acute conflict between Seleucus Nicator and Candragupta Maurya. It could be only the military campaign of Seleucus against Mauryan Empire around 303 BC. As a result of diplomatic negotiations, a peace treaty was concluded, sealed by marriage alliance – apparently, the daughter of Seleucus became the wife of the heir to the Mauryan throne. Since Megasthenes speaks of repeated visits to Candragupta, one can think that he could accompany the Seleucid princess to Pataliputra. Recent attempts to date the embassy of Megasthenes and publication of his “Indika” to a much earlier period or, on the contrary, to attribute the conclusion of the peace treaty to the beginning of the 3rd century, clearly contradict the reports of ancient historical sources. Greek cultural influence in India of the 3rd century BC can be explained not only by peaceful relations of India with Hellenistic world, but also by the dynastic ties between Mauryan Empire and the royal court of the Seleucids. Description of India by Megasthenes, published at the beginning of the 3rd century BC, is the most important Greek source about Mauryan Empire. However, the content of this text – contrary to the opinion established in historiography – does not give grounds to talk about Megasthenes’ long stay in Pataliputra, about his travels around India or about the author’s acquaintance with Indian languages.

Revisiting the sarnath buddhist site with the help of remote sensing & GIS

Sarnath is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, at a distance of about 8 km northwest of Varanasi Cantt railway station. It is an ancient site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and has been included in UNESCO's "Tentative list of heritage sites" since 1998. According to literary and archaeological evidence, Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon, known as DharmachakraPravartan. Sarnath has been mentioned in the Shunga inscription found here by the name of "Saddhadharma Chakra Pravartana". The most ancient structure found here dates back to the Maurya period, followed by remains from the Shunga, Gupta, Rajput, and Mughal eras. Sarnath has been mentioned in accounts of travelers such as Faxian and Xuanzang, as well as in Lalitvistara and Jataka tales. The site of Sarnath had a Buddhist monastery until the 12th century AD, which is believed to have been destroyed by Muhammad Ghori's general, Qutbud-Din Aibak, in 1194 (Sahni, D.R. 1972). This ancient site remained neglected until the ASI came into existence. The present research has utilized remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify the archaeological extent of the Sarnath site and its surroundings. In this article, we will demonstrate how GIS and RS can be used in the field of archaeology to understand the context of the currently visible remains within the original extent, thereby revealing the extent to which the site has been affected by modern development.

Rama Ravana Battle Scenes in Tamil Temple Sculptures

The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are immortal epics that are the treasury of Indian culture. Both epics convey the values and ideals that people need. The Ramayana written in the Northern language by Valmiki is in some way the source for other Indian language Ramayanas. Kambana in Tamil and Konaputharetti in Telugu have composed Kambaramayana and Iranganatha Ramayana respectively. Sculptures can be found in the temples of Tamil Nadu including these three language Ramayanas. Thus, it is possible to realize that literature and art are interrelated. Many of the Alvars in the Vaishnava literary four-thousandth Prabhupada exemplify the message of Ramavatara. Among the Alvars, Kulasekara gives the Ramavatara reference. References to the Ramayana are also baked into vegetarian literature. The Ashoka Pillar of the Mauryan period is the beginning of the stone sculpture. Horoscope Ramayana messages in India are inscribed on Buddhist monuments. Although Rama, Krishna and Narasimhan are notable among the three incarnations of the Vaishnava deity Thirumal in Tamil Nadu, the influence on the Ramayana is due to the large number of sculptures about Rama. The Vedic Cholas in Tamil Nadu have created Vaishnava Ramayana sculptures in their temples. The influence of Vaishnavism was greatest during the Vijayanagara Nayak period following the Chola period. The Vijayanagara Nayaks built roundabouts, planes, towers, etc., along with the foundations of the temple. Of these, sculptures were placed on stones and sutas. Ravanavatha is featured in the war to fulfill the purpose of Ramavatar. The battle of Rama Ravana and Ravanavatha can be seen in the temples of Tamil Nadu as sculptures of this event.

The emergence of Gandhara Civilization: A Politico-historical discourse

This paper aims at to investigate the ancient regional political history (600-180 BCE), which seems the foundation of Gandhara Civilization that emerged in the Northwest of the Indian subcontinent. The evolution of Gandhara Civilization and emergence of ancient regional political history deem consolidated. In this paper, it would be endeavoured to address the emergence of ancient regional political history that paved the way for a great civilization. The employed design to address the question is historical and qualitative. For the collection and analysis of the data, the qualitative historical approach is adopted. The edifice of present work is mainly erected on the archival sources, reputed journals, historical literature and version of prominent scholars associated to the field. Gandhara possessed a decent political exposition during its early phase. It remained an empire during Pakosati, a federating unit during Persian, independent kingdoms during the invasion of Alexander and remained central part of Mauryan Empire. The emergence of Gandhara is the exposition of politico-historical discourse of the region, which is the foundation of Gandhara Civilization.

An Analysis of Economic Philosophy and Leadership in Ancient India

Economics was a part of social and political thoughts in general for most of history. In the eighteenth century, Adam Smith saw economics as a subset of jurisprudence. However, the seeds of economic analysis were planted long before; in ancient India, societies exercised economic theories and principles during the 3rd century BCE. This paper investigates the economic leadership in ancient India between the 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century C.E. During that era, a philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor named Chanakya authored the ancient Indian political treatise the Arthshastra. He has discussed many economic theories like economic growth, tax, and mixed economy in his book. He is considered the pioneer of political economics in India, and his work is believed to as an essential precursor to classical economics. This paper evaluates the theories of Chanakya by a comparative analysis of political and economic union between the modern-day the European Union and the Mauryan Empire of ancient times.

Study on Ashoka and Akbar's Influence by Comparing the Maurya Dynasty and the Mughal Dynasty

It is recognized that the history of a nation is not only the study of the dynamics of dynasties represented by individual rulers but the study of social and economic aspects of different rural and urban, religious groups of the Hindus, the Buddhists and the Muslims, customs and traditions, living standard and style of the agricultural and mercantile occupations, and artisans and craftsmen of different professions as a whole. This thesis would focus on the regulations and religions to study the influence of the great kings in India, especially the Akbar the Great who led the Mughal Dynasty to prosperity and the Ashoka the Great who not only led the Maurya Dynasty to prosperity, but also promoted the Buddhism all over the world.

Megasthenes on the Military Livestock of Chandragupta and the Making of the First Indian Empire

AbstractMegasthenes was an eyewitness to the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, maker of the first India-wide empire (from ca. 321 BCE). The army with which he made that empire depended largely upon the supply of men, horses, elephants, and oxen, a sector which may be called military livestock. Megasthenes’ account of this large sector of government expense and the policies under which it operated gives important testimony about the causes of Chandragupta's success, namely the maintenance of a royal monopoly of horses, elephants, and arms, payment of the soldiers in peacetime and war, the demilitarization of the farmers, and the separation of the soldiers from the land. Over the long run of Indian history, from the Mauryan Empire to the present, the environmental roots of the political order lay in the complementary distribution of horse and elephant country, to the dry west and humid east of a line running down the middle of the Subcontinent; that is, respectively, the valleys of the Indus and the Ganga. The dominating power of India has always had its capital in elephant country, the valley of the Ganga, in cities from Pataliputra (Patna) to Kanauj to Delhi, in a position from which to control the eastward flow of horses and the westward flow of elephants to other states.

Considerations on Two Cruces Philologorum (Ael. NA 15, 15)

The present article aims to elucidate an interesting narrative that forms a portion of Aelian’s paradoxographic work Περὶ ζῴων ἰδιότητος (On the Characteristics of Animals, Lat. De natura animalium). The passage under discussion describes some horned animals of oriental origin that were involved in the annual fighting contests during a one-day competition held on the initiative of a “great king of India” — probably Chandragupta (4th–3rd c. BC), the founder of the Maurya dynasty. Aelian’s chapter (NA 15, 15) was perhaps taken from Megasthenes’s Ἰνδικά (Description of India). The passage includes two hapax legomena referring to two species of animals: †μέσοι† and †ὕαιναι†. The first of these should be identified with the Ladakh urial (Ovis orientalis vignei Blyth); cf. Prasun məṣé ‘ram, urial’ (< Vedic mēṣá- m. ‘ram’). Aelian’s exact description of the horned animals called †ὕαιναι† clearly demonstrates that the alleged “striped hyena” (Gk. ὕαινα) must represent the chinkara, i. e., the Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii Sykes). The Indo-Aryan term for ‘chinkara’ (Ved. hariṇá- m ‘Indian gazelle’, hariṇī́- f. ‘female gazelle’; cf. Pa. and Pk. hariṇa- m., hariṇī- f.) suggests that the corrupted form in Aelian’s passage should be emended as ὑάριναι [hyárinai]. This seems a near-optimal adaptation of the Pali or Prakrit appellative háriṇā pl. ‘chinkaras’.

Hydrology and water resources management in ancient India

Abstract. Hydrologic knowledge in India has a historical footprint extending over several millenniums through the Harappan civilization (∼3000–1500 BCE) and the Vedic Period (∼1500–500 BCE). As in other ancient civilizations across the world, the need to manage water propelled the growth of hydrologic science in ancient India. Most of the ancient hydrologic knowledge, however, has remained hidden and unfamiliar to the world at large until the recent times. In this paper, we provide some fascinating glimpses into the hydrological, hydraulic, and related engineering knowledge that existed in ancient India, as discussed in contemporary literature and revealed by the recent explorations and findings. The Vedas, particularly, the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, have many references to the water cycle and associated processes, including water quality, hydraulic machines, hydro-structures, and nature-based solutions (NBS) for water management. The Harappan civilization epitomizes the level of development of water sciences in ancient India that includes construction of sophisticated hydraulic structures, wastewater disposal systems based on centralized and decentralized concepts, and methods for wastewater treatment. The Mauryan Empire (∼322–185 BCE) is credited as the first “hydraulic civilization” and is characterized by the construction of dams with spillways, reservoirs, and channels equipped with spillways (Pynes and Ahars); they also had an understanding of water balance, development of water pricing systems, measurement of rainfall, and knowledge of the various hydrological processes. As we investigate deeper into the references to hydrologic works in ancient Indian literature including the mythology, many fascinating dimensions of the Indian scientific contributions emerge. This review presents the various facets of water management, exploring disciplines such as history, archeology, hydrology and hydraulic engineering, and culture and covering the geographical area of the entire Indian subcontinent to the east of the Indus River. The review covers the period from the Mature Harappan Phase to the Vedic Period and the Mauryan Empire.