This page is all about the Maurya Empire. (322 BC-185 BCE)
10 Political Science Objects/Documents:
1. Coin of Seleucus I Nicator
This silver coin of Seleucus I Nicator illustrates a key point in the political history of The Mauryan Empire. It depicts a man once in rivalry with Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of The Mauryan Empire and the very first emperor. Chandragupta later made an alliance with him by marrying Selecus's daughter. They agreed on a treaty and later exchanged presents, such as many types of aphrodisiacs being sent back and forth. Source: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/entity/%2Fm%2F0lj42
2. Buddhist Pillars
These pillars were very significant to the common people and kings alike in Mauryan society. Originally used as burial sites, these pillars eventually became religious symbols for Buddhism, becoming an icon for the influential emperor Ashoka.
3. Statue of a young Chandragupta
This statue, found in present-day India, is that of the first great conquerer of that region, Chandragupta. He seized control of Maghada, set out to expand, and even stretched the empire to Alexander the Great's previous occupational border, which includes modern-day Afghanistan and eastern Iran.
4. Buddhist Painting
This painting pretty much sums up the line of command in the Mauryan Empire and the deep connection to Buddhism rooted in its structure. After being established in 322 BCE, Ashoka, Chandragupta's grandson, adopted Buddhism and applied it to his entire state. The empire was categorized by power, holding the most was the priests, followed by the rulers and warriors, peasants and traders, and finally the laborers. Source: http://mauryan16.weebly.com/
5. Sculpture of Emblem of India
Ashoka is no doubt one of the Mauryan's most significant and influential rulers during the period of his reign. After his conversion to Buddhist beliefs in 261 AD after seeing death and destruction caused by him in a neighboring village, it became extremely apparent of his plans to become a Buddhist kingdom. He carved in many rocks and pillars shortly after, detailing his plans for running this unique state. These would later be known as the "Ashokan Edicts". One of these pillars is shown to the left at Sarnath as its emblem. Source: http://www.wondersandmarvels.com/2014/11/the-emperor-changes-his-mind.html
6. Established currency of the Mauryan Empire
These coins were apart of an attempt to establish a unified, singular, organized currency in ancient India, made by Chandragupta. This was done in the third century CE and led to "a network of regional governors and administrators, and a civil service to provide justice and security for merchants, farmers and traders. The Mauryan army eliminated bandits, regional private armies, and powerful chieftains who sought to impose their own supremacy in small areas. Although regimental in revenue collection, Maurya also sponsored many public works and waterways to enhance productivity." (I don't think I could have said it any better:)) Source: https://www.boundless.com/world-history/textbooks/boundless-world-history-i-ancient-1600-textbook/civilization-and-empires-in-the-indian-subcontinent-4/the-maurya-empire-322-185-bce-27/organization-trade-and-religion-in-the-maurya-empire-115-13215/
7. Sanchi Stupas
These statues said a lot about someone's class or rank in society, as these statues were burial sites of kings and people of much importance. Most of these were religious symbols and figures, implying that they were popular during the time of Buddha, along with the idea that people high ranking in the Buddhist faith were somehow superior. This not only tells of the general population's admiration for the faith, but also the ruler's views of using religious symbols as power ones as well.
8. Portrait of the emperor Ashoka
The third emperor of the Mauryan Empire was much more than a simple ruler. He was a great spiritual leader that led a legacy of peace and nonviolence that is still followed today. Many statues and symbols of this very important man are still apparent not only in mainland China, where Buddhism thrives, but as decorative pieces in gardens and other areas around the world. Alone, he was able to turn a tradition practiced by small groups in India into a world religion as it is known today. There is a common story told that he built over 84,000 stupas (buildings used as a place of meditation) during his lifetime. Source: http://www.ancient.eu/Ashoka/
9. The Rock Edicts by Ashoka (Document 3.4)
10. Passage from the Arthasastra of Kautilya
“a sophisticated civil service governed everything from municipal hygiene to international trade. The expansion and defense of the empire was made possible by what appears to have been the largest standing army of its time”.
This quote comes from a book from Ancient India, composed between the second and third century BCE, that describes recommendations and an analysis on the Mauryan state organization, economic policy, and military strategy. The author, Kautilya, was also the teacher and guardian of the founder of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta. In this quote, he describes how the Mauryans were able to control such a large area of land effectively and successfully. He writes about how as the international trade went up, the key feature of governing, the military, became larger and stronger, leading to a powerful and great empire.
Source: https://mscannistraci.edublogs.org/2014/12/23/documents-for-the-mauryan-empire/
Asoka's Edicts (as cited in our history book Ways of the World by Robert Strayer) were very important not only to the inhabitants of the people who lived in that ancient Indian civilization, but modern Buddhists today still look back at the past to learn how to practice Buddhism correctly and consistently. Ashoka's writes about the consequences of death and war, and how this conflicts very sharply with Dhamma belief. Ashoka writes, "no living beings are to be slaughtered or to be offered in sacrifice, implying that not only humans are protected from harm under these edicts, but all living beings, such as animals, are included as well. Source: Ways of the World by Robert Strayer
10. Passage from the Arthasastra of Kautilya
“a sophisticated civil service governed everything from municipal hygiene to international trade. The expansion and defense of the empire was made possible by what appears to have been the largest standing army of its time”.
This quote comes from a book from Ancient India, composed between the second and third century BCE, that describes recommendations and an analysis on the Mauryan state organization, economic policy, and military strategy. The author, Kautilya, was also the teacher and guardian of the founder of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta. In this quote, he describes how the Mauryans were able to control such a large area of land effectively and successfully. He writes about how as the international trade went up, the key feature of governing, the military, became larger and stronger, leading to a powerful and great empire.
Source: https://mscannistraci.edublogs.org/2014/12/23/documents-for-the-mauryan-empire/
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