Arthasastraa - Written for Chandragupta

Arthasastra was written by Kautilya. Kautilya was the Chief Minister of Chandragupta Maurya (BCE 324 -300). He was a native of Chanaka region. So he was also known as Chanakya. His real name, was Vishnugupta. His book Arthasastra written in Sanskrit gives a detailed description on statecraft. Kautilya, in his Arthasastra mentions about the seven elements essential for a state. They are known as the 'Saptangas'. Chandragupta established a rule based on Saptanga concept. He formed a strong army and expanded his kingdom.

1. What information can we gather from Arthashatra about the  responsibility of the King.

The king should inspire his people to perform their duties.

He should be a model to the people.

He should attain the love of the people by gaining wealth.

Indolence telling lies, luxurious dressing deals arising from ego and misconduct should be avoided.

2. Discuss the relevance of the Saptangas mentioned in the Arthasastra in Modern period.

A ruler should be the life of the state. He should rule fearlessly and energetically. He should be free from luxurious life. He should rule according to the will of the people.

The ruler should have contact with the people. So he can understand the needs of the people. He should be able to rule the country even without the assistance of ministers and officers.

Expenses for the administration is  collected from taxes. People should be provided with peaceful life. There should be justice.

The military always protect the people.

Keep friendly relations with the neighbouring countries for the progress of the country.

3. How did the concept of Saptanga reflect in the reign of Chaudragupta Maurya?

Chandragupta was an able ruler. He was  assisted by ministers and officials in the administration. He formed a strong army and expanded his kingdom by conquering neighbouring states. He collected various taxes for meeting the administrative expenses. Thus he ruled according to the concept of Saptanga.

4. What are the factors that brought Maurya kingdom the status of the first empire in India?

Kingdom was extensively large.

Administration was centred on the king

Unified administration established throughout the whole state.

5. Bindusara and Asoka

Chandragupta Maurya was followed by his son Bindusara in BCE 297. He ruled the kingdom for 25 years. He died in BCE 272. After his death Ashoka became the ruler. He extended the empire conquering Kalinga and Kashmir.

6. The extend of the Mauryan empire can be seen from the map given.

The Maurya empire, during Ashoka's reign, extended to most part of India. Besides, it extended to the river valleys of Pakistan and  Kabul and Kandahar regions of Afghanistan.

7. Edicts of Asoka

Asoka was the most powerful ruler of the  Mauryan dynasty. He was known later from his stone edicts. Through his edicts he spread love, kindness and Ahimsa. In order to propagate and make people aware of his ideas and rules.

Asoka erected edicts in various parts of the country and made inscriptions on rocks. Most of them were near cities and highways. The edicts can be classified as major rock edicts, minor rock edicts and pillar edicts. These edicts are also examples of artistic skills of that period.

8. Asoka and Dhamma

In the past, killing or harming living beings and dis-honouring relatives, Brahmanas and Sramanas existed. We have to thank the king Piyadassi, who was the beloved of the Gods. Because of his effort that the wars in the empire ceased. The sound of the drum has been replaced by the Dhamma. By practising Dhamma, people restrained from killing living beings. They started respecting relatives, Brahmanas and Sramanas. They obey their mother, father and elders. In this way Dhamma went on spreading further.

9. The religion followed by Asoka after the Kalinga war.

Buddhism

10. From where  was our national emblem taken?

From the Saranath pillar of Ashoka.

11. Who was Megasthenese?

Ans:  Megasthenese was the ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, the Greek ruler.

12. Write a note on Saka Era

Ans: An year calculating system. Kanishka, the king of Kushana dynasty began the Saka Era. The official calendar of Independent India accepted Saka Era. Saka Era began from AD 78. It was being recorded in the national calendar from 1957.

13. How many eras can be seen in a calendar?

Ans: Kollam Era, Christian Era, Saka Era and Hijra Era.

14. The war which converted Asoka to Buddhism

Ans: Kalinga war

15. What changes did Ashoka bring in his personal life and in his Kingdom?

Kalinga war became a turning point in Ashoka's life. He abandoned the path of war and violence. Ashoka became an ardent follower of  Buddha and gave up hunting and taking of meat. He used Pali, the language of the people, to carry the messages in all corners of his empire.

16. Who were known as Navaratnas'?

The nine great scholars who adorned the court of Vikramaditya were known as "Navaratnas". They were Dhanwanthari, Kshapanakan, Amarasimhan, Sanku, Vethala bhattan, Khatakarpparan, Kalidasa, Varahamihiran and Vararuchi.

What details can you gather from this edicts about the Dhamma of Asoka?

Animal sacrifice was not permitted.

Respect the Brahmanas and Sramanas

Respect, father, mother and elders.

17. It was the Buddhist religion that inspired Ashoka to implement Dhamma.

The ideas of all religions are seen in this. What were the aims Asoka in introducing Dhamma?

Asoka implemented Dhamma to instill unity, peace and harmony among the people in his vast empire where Brahmanas, Jains, Buddhists, Ajivikas, etc inhabited.

18. How did Asoka propagate Dhamma?

He sent officers to different parts of the country and other countries to propagate Dhamma.

He sent his son Mahendra and his daughter Sangamitra to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)

He installed Stupas containing the relics and left overs of Buddha in various parts of the country. The most important among them is the Sanchi Stupa.

19. Observe the picture and prepare notes.

Rupnath Edict	Pillar Edict - Vaishali	Pillar Edict- Topara(Delhi)	Dhauli Edict

The rock edicts and Pillars built by Asoka are the major contributions of the Mauryas to the artistic profiles of India. It was through those edicts and pillars that Asoka propagated his Dhamma and Buddhist teachings among his people. Sculptures of animals and birds, statues, etc.were on pillars. They contain the sculptures of elephants, bulls, lions and Dharmachakra.

The discovery of these edicts from different parts of India prove the extent of the Mauryan empire.

20. Examine the given map and classify the places in the order where major edicts, minor edicts and pillar existed.

21. The places where the Edicts of Asoka were erected.