Class - 6th | History | Chapter - 8 | The First Empire The Mauryas | Notes

In this chapter, we will study the Mauryas. The Mauryas established the first-ever empire in the history of India. It was called an empire because it was much larger than a kingdom and was spread over a vast area. SOURCES The main sources of information on the Mauryas are two books- Indika by Megasthenes and Arthashastra by Kautilya. Indika- Political, social, and economic conditions of life during that period. Arthashastra-how to govern an empire. The rocks and pillars of Emperor Ashoka are an equally valuable source. These edicts were inscribed on rocks and stone pillars. Inscriptions and coins are important sources. MAURYAN EMPERORS CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA ( 321-297BCE) The first ruler of the dynasty was Chandragupta Maurya. He overthrew the last Nanda ruler in 321 BCE. He was supported by his minister Chanakya, who was also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta. BINDUSARA Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara. He defeated the rulers of 16 kingdoms and added their lands to his empire. EMPEROR ASHOKA Ashoka was the most famous Mauryan king and one of the greatest rulers ever. Ashoka governed his kingdom well. KALINGA WAR When Ashoka became the king, Kalinga was the only kingdom that was not under Mauryan control. ASHOKA'S DHAMMA Dhamma is the Prakrit word for the Sanskrit term dharma, which means religious duty.