Ashoka the Great Introduction: Ashoka the Great (also Samrat Ashoka, Ashoka Maurya) succeeded to the throne of Mauryan Empire in 273 B.C., after the death of his father, Bindusara. He is remembered for his efforts to spread the message of peace through Buddhism among the masses. King Ashoka is … [Read more...]
Brief note on Mughal Empire Art and Architecture
Mughal culture and refinement are best reflected in stone. More than any other forms of art, architecture depends upon rich patrons. As the might of the Mughal Empire spread and as the great Mughal emperors grew richer, more and more outstanding buildings were constructed in which Muslim motifs … [Read more...]
Biography of Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya The accession of King Chandragupta Maurya is a great event in the history of India. He was the first ruler who practically established an empire encompassing almost the whole of India. We can learn about his career from the Buddhist and the Jain literature, accounts given by … [Read more...]
Early Life of Asoka the Great (Devanampriya Priyadarshi)
Devanampriya Priyadarshi Samrat Ashoka (also Asoka, Ashoka Maurya) was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and the son of the second Maurya Emperor, Bindusara. Acknowledged as the greatest of monarchs in world history, Ashoka is singled out as a ruler without a parallel. In his role as a monarch … [Read more...]
Decline of Mauryan Empire
Decline of Mauryan Empire No political empire lasts forever. Every empire in history broke down for certain obvious causes. Among these causes, some causes appear almost as common, namely, the weak successors, vastness of the empire, independence of the provinces, foreign invasion, and internal … [Read more...]
Administration of Chandragupta Maurya
Introduction The Administrative System of Chandragupta Maurya was strong and highly systematic. Luckily enough a clear picture of that administration is derived from two most important sources of history, namely, Kautilya's Arthasastra and the Indika of Megasthenes which has survived in fragments … [Read more...]
Brihadratha (Maurya Emperor)
Emperor Brihadratha Maurya was the last Mauryan King of Mauryan Empire. He was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga, a military General in the Mauryan Army. Brihadratha Maurya had a vast empire. The extent of his empire extended from Jalandhar in the North India to the river Narmada in the South. One … [Read more...]
Ashoka and Buddhism
Emperor Ashoka was the first ruler in ancient India who embraced Buddhism as a tool for the consolidation of his empire. In the reign of Bimbasara and Ajatasatru Buddhism was taking shape into a Sangha. Early Buddhism was not concerned with laymen. Asoka in contrast sought the support of Buddhism, … [Read more...]
Religious policy of Ashoka
This spirit of philanthropy, humanitarianism lay at the bottom of the religious policy of Ashoka the Great. Maurya Emperor Ashoka found that in his vast empire there were various races, sects and diverse cultures. Ashoka found that application of force was no solution to the problem of separatism … [Read more...]
Ashoka Empire
The Ashoka Empire was not confined to Magadha alone. Ashoka the Great was the Emperor of a major portion of the present Indian-subcontinent. The extent of Ashoka Empire is generally known from the conquests of Chandragupta. Samrat Ashoka further added Kalinga to the empire of Chandragupta. The … [Read more...]