History (Kingdom to an Empire) (Part 1 & Part 2) Covers the Following Topics

1. Introduction to the Mauryan Empire

• Founding of the Empire
  • Chandragupta Maurya and his rise to power
  • Role of Chanakya (Kautilya)
  • Establishment of the Mauryan dynasty
• Dynastic Rule
  • Chandragupta Maurya
  • Bindusara
  • Ashoka

2. Ashoka’s Rule

• Ashoka as a Unique Ruler
  • Transition after the Kalinga war
  • Adoption of dhamma
  • Focus on ethical governance, non-violence, and welfare
  • Spread of dhamma through inscriptions and messengers
  • Sending his children Mahendra and Sanghamitra to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka

3. Ashoka’s Inscriptions and Edicts

• Rock and Pillar Edicts
  • Locations of inscriptions across the empire
  • Use of Brahmi script and Prakrit language
  • Key messages: non-violence, respect for all religions, and moral conduct
  • Edicts spreading dhamma beyond the Indian subcontinent

4. Geography of the Mauryan Empire

• Key Cities
  • Pataliputra (capital)
  • Taxila (northwest gateway to Central Asia)
  • Ujjain (north-south trade route)
• Provincial Rule
  • Role of governors and royal princes
  • Local autonomy in provinces
  • Importance of local customs and governance

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5. Administration of the Empire

• Centralized Control
  • Direct control from Pataliputra
  • Use of officials and messengers to supervise different regions
  • Role of dhamma mahamattas in spreading Ashoka’s message
• Taxation and Tribute
  • Regular collection of taxes
  • Collection of tribute from forest regions (elephants, timber, honey, wax)

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6. The Kalinga War and Its Aftermath

• Significance of the Kalinga War
  • Ashoka’s realization of the horrors of war
  • Decision to renounce further military conquests
  • The role of the war in shaping Ashoka’s dhamma

7. Ashoka’s Dhamma

• Key Principles of Dhamma
  • Non-violence (ahimsa)
  • Respect for all religious beliefs
  • Compassion and moral living
• Dhamma and Governance
  • Implementation of welfare projects (hospitals, rest houses, wells)
  • Appointment of dhamma mahamattas to spread ethical principles
  • Influence of Buddhist teachings on Ashoka’s dhamma

8. Economic and Trade Activities

• Internal Trade and Commerce
  • Trade routes connecting north and south India
  • Economic contributions from different regions (gold, precious stones, blankets)
• External Trade
  • Trade with Greek, Roman, and Persian empires
  • Importance of sea routes and the export of spices (pepper) from South India.

9. Post-Mauryan Kingdoms

• Collapse of the Mauryan Empire
  • Reasons for decline: weak leadership after Ashoka
  • Successor Kingdoms
    • Indo-Greek Kingdoms
    • Shunga Dynasty
    • Kushans
    • Satavahanas
    • Growth of regional kingdoms in north, central, and south India

10. Mauryan Sculptures and Symbols

• Lion Capital of Ashoka
  • Significance as a symbol of power and moral governance
  • Its adoption as the national emblem of modern India
• Rampurwa Bull
  • Example of Mauryan sculpture and its influence on Indian art

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