Explore Ashoka's Dhamma and the Mauryan Empire's expansion, governance, and influence on Indian history and Buddhism.

Ashoka (273-232 B.C.)

• Early Reign and Conversion

  • Asoka, the son of Bindusara, is renowned as one of the greatest Mauryan rulers. Initially, he was known for his cruelty but later embraced Buddhism.
  • Asoka’s conversion was significantly influenced by the Kalinga war, which caused him to adopt Buddhist principles and focus on cultural rather than territorial expansion.



• Inscriptions and Communication

  • Asoka is the first Indian king to address his people directly through inscriptions, which are found on rocks, polished stone pillars, and caves across the Indian subcontinent and in Kandhar, Afghanistan.
    • His inscriptions promoted dharma and appealed to tribal peoples and frontier kingdoms.

• Missionary Activities

  • Under Asoka, a Buddhist council was chaired by his brother.
  • Missionaries were sent to South India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and beyond to spread Buddhism.
  • Asoka made substantial gifts to Buddhists and undertook pilgrimages to Buddhist shrines, referred to as dharma yatras in his inscriptions.

Ashoka's Dhamma

• Concept of Paternal Kingship

  

  • Asoka aimed to set a high ideal of paternal kingship, urging officials to treat subjects as their own children and take care of their well-being.
    • Appointed dharmamahamatras to promote dharma across various social groups, including women.
    • Rajukas were assigned to administer justice throughout the empire.

• Rejection of Rituals and Social Practices

  • Asoka disapproved of certain rituals, particularly those performed by women.
  • He forbade the killing of specific birds and animals and prohibited animal slaughter in the capital.
  • Gay social functions involving revelry were also interdicted.

• Dharma and Social Order

  • Asoka's dharma aimed to preserve social order through obedience to parents, respect for brahmanas and Buddhist monks, and mercy towards slaves and servants.
    • These principles were reflected in both Buddhist and Brahmanical traditions.

Ashoka's Place in History

• Ashoka:
  • The third Buddhist Council was held in Pataliputra in 250 BC.
  • It was held under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka.
  • Mogaliputta Tissa presided over the council.
  • The third part of the Tripitaka was coded in the Pali language during the council.
  • Kalinga War was a horrifying event, as mentioned in the 13th Rock Edict of Ashoka.
  • Approximately one hundred and fifty thousand people were wounded, while one hundred thousand were killed in the war.
  • He preferred Dhammavijay over Dig-Vijay.
  • As a result of the Kalinga War, Ashoka renounced war and converted to Buddhism.
  • To strengthen the Sangha, Ashoka convened the third Buddhist council in 250 BCE at Pataliputra. However, this was not mentioned in any of his inscriptions.
  • In his minor rock edict 1, he called himself Upasaka, meaning a lay follower of Buddhism.

Buddhist Council	Details
1st Buddhist Council	Year: 483 BC Venue: Rajgriha Chairman: Mahakassapa Patron: Ajatashatru
2nd Buddhist Council	Year: 383 BC Venue: Vaishali Chairman: Sabbakami Patron: Kalashoka
3rd Buddhist Council	Year: 250 BC Venue: Pataliputra Chairman: Mogaliputta Tissa Patron: Ashoka
4th Buddhist Council	Year: 72 AD Venue: Kundalvan Chairman: Vasumitra/Ashvaghosha Patron: Kanishka

• Policy of Peace and Non-Aggression

  

  • Asoka’s policy focused on peace, non-aggression, and cultural conquest, making gifts to various religious sects, including non-Buddhist and anti-Buddhist groups.

• Legacy of Non-Aggression

  • Despite his resources and army, Asoka did not wage war after Kalinga, demonstrating his commitment to peace.



• Challenges to His Policy

  • Asoka's policy had limited long-term impact as his viceroys and vassals declared independence after his retirement in 232 BC.
  • His neighboring regions attacked the north-western frontier within 25 years of his departure from power.

Economic and Social Aspects of the Mauryan Empire

• The Arthashastra and Governance

  • Authored by Kautilya (Chanakya), it outlines governance, taxation, and political economy.
  • Encourages a centralized and efficient administration.

• Agrarian Economy and Taxation

  • Northern India’s economy was primarily agrarian, with land revenue as the main source of income.
  • Regular tax assessments ensured fiscal security.
  • Non-agrarian activities, such as livestock and trade, were also taxed.

• Major Towns and Urban Connectivity

  • Major towns were distantly located, especially outside the Ganges Plain.
  • Examples:
    • Mahasthan (Bogra, Bangladesh)
    • Shishupalgarh (Orissa)
    • Amaravati (Krishna delta)
  • Pataliputra was much larger than these towns.
  • Shishupalgarh was likely the administrative center of Tosali (mentioned in Ashoka’s edict).
  • The Kalinga conquest and Amaravati’s location likely boosted activity along the east coast.
  • In the post-Mauryan period, Buddhist sites emerged along the coast.

• Coins and Terracotta Art

  • Punch-marked coins and uninscribed cast copper coins were common in Mauryan periods.
    • Symbols: crescent-on-arches, hills, sun symbols.
    • Attempts to arrange coins chronologically by weight were inconclusive.
  • Terracotta figures vs. stone sculptures:
    • Terracotta figures were for ordinary people.
    • Stone sculptures were royal artistic statements.
  • Stone-cutting and carving techniques improved significantly.
  • Mauryan polish gave stone a distinctive gloss.
  • Stone sculptures:
    • Favored by the wealthy and powerful.
    • Example: Famous Didarganj yakshi with perfect polish.
    • The stone elephant at Dhauli was of rougher workmanship.

• Centralized Bureaucracy

  • Influenced by economic conditions and the Arthashastra.
  • The degree of centralization varied across the empire.
  • The system’s structure was adapted based on local realities and regional diversity.



• The Role of the King

  • The king was the nucleus of the Mauryan system.
  • Ashoka’s interpretation:
    • "All men are my children" → emphasized paternal kingship.
    • The king traveled extensively to stay in touch with his subjects.

• Legislation

  • Legislation primarily confirmed social usage.
  • Decision-making:
    • The king made final decisions after consulting ministers.
    • The ministerial council had no fixed political status.
    • Ashoka frequently consulted his ministers (mentioned in his edicts).

• Administrative Offices

  • Two key offices:
    • Treasurer: Managed income (both cash and in kind).
    • Chief collector: Maintained records of taxes across the empire.

• Salaries of Officials

  • Hierarchical salary structure:
  • Examples:
    • Chief minister and army commander: 48,000 panas.
    • Artisans: 120 panas.
    • Higher officials were well paid, potentially draining the treasury.

• Public Works

  • Included:
    • Roads, wells, rest-houses.
    • Irrigation projects, army maintenance.
    • Royal family grants.
    • Urban and provincial maintenance.

• Ashoka's Dhamma

  • New to Indian political and social theory.
  • Definition of Dhamma:
    • Derived from Dharma.
    • Means universal law, righteousness.
    • Ashoka’s Dhamma was about social ethics, not religious piety.

  

  • Principles of Dhamma:
    • Tolerance and respect for all religious sects.
    • Non-violence, renunciation of war.
    • Limited killing of animals.
    • Officers called dhamma-mahamattas ensured public welfare.

• Imperial Decline

  • Ashoka ruled for 37 years, died around 232 BC.
  • Events leading to decline:
    • Brihadratha assassinated by Pushyamitra.
    • Pushyamitra founded the Shunga dynasty.

• Economic Pressures

  • The Mauryan economy was under stress.
  • Causes:
    • High military and administrative costs.
    • Debased silver coins indicate fiscal crisis.
    • Advice of Kautilya on double cropping used to address food shortages.

• Ashoka's Legacy

  • Despite decline, his social ethic remains a unique aspect of his reign.
  • Considered a rare figure in Indian and world history.