Emperor Ashoka and the Early Mauryan Dynasty: A Historical Review

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(Author - Biswarup Chatterjee.)

Introduction

The Mauryan Empire stands as one of the most influential and expansive empires in ancient Indian history. Among its rulers, Emperor Ashoka remains the most prominent—both for his political achievements and his transformative embrace of Buddhism. This blog explores Ashoka's lineage, the legacy of his predecessors, and the nuanced historical debates surrounding his rise to power.

Chandragupta Maurya: The Founder of an Empire.

The Mauryan dynasty began with Chandragupta Maurya, who ascended the throne of Magadha after defeating Seleucus Nicator, the former general of Alexander the Great and ruler of Syria. This victory allowed Chandragupta to expand his dominion across northern India and into the northwest up to Kandahar.

Greek sources note that Seleucus sent Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta’s court at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna). Megasthenes’ observations offer one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of Indian society from a foreign perspective.

Matrimonial Alliances and Diplomatic Ties.

Greek historians mention a matrimonial alliance between Chandragupta and Seleucus, although its exact nature remains debated. Some believe that Chandragupta married Seleucus’ daughter, while others suggest that the union was symbolic, perhaps legitimizing Greek-Indian intermarriages in regions like Kandahar.

This alliance possibly influenced future diplomatic relationships. Seleucus’ son, Antiochus I, sent the ambassador Deimachos to the court of Chandragupta’s son Bindusara, highlighting the continuation of cordial Greco-Indian relations.

On the Origins of the Maurya Name.

A popular legend claims that Chandragupta was the son of a maid named Mura, from whom the name "Maurya" derives. However, this theory is widely disputed. Pali Buddhist texts refer to a Moriya clan of Kshatriyas in Pippalivana during the Buddha’s time—suggesting a noble origin for Chandragupta.

Bindusara and the Southern Expansion.

Chandragupta’s successor, Bindusara, continued to consolidate the empire. Under his rule, the Mauryan Empire reportedly stretched as far south as Mysore. According to South Indian traditions, the Mauryas were seen as oppressive rulers, and Bindusara likely conducted military campaigns in the Deccan.

From Megasthenes’ records, it’s clear that Chandragupta had established a strong administrative system in Pataliputra—one that probably remained intact during Bindusara’s reign and was inherited by Ashoka.

Ashoka’s Early Life and Rise.

Little is known about Ashoka’s early years. Buddhist texts claim he served as governor of Ujjayini and Takshashila before becoming emperor—positions often held by royal princes to train them in governance.

During a journey from Pataliputra to Ujjayini, Ashoka reportedly fell in love with and married a merchant’s daughter in Vidisha. Other tales recount Ashoka's military intervention in Takshashila during a rebellion. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by the people, who declared their grievances were not with Ashoka but with corrupt ministers—an episode said to have impressed Bindusara.

A Contested Succession.

Ashoka's path to the throne was not straightforward. He may not have been the eldest son, and it’s possible that an elder brother temporarily assumed power after Bindusara’s death. Some legends claim Ashoka had to defeat rivals to secure his position.

The popular claim that Ashoka killed a hundred brothers to gain the throne is widely considered a myth. Ashoka’s later edicts express compassion toward his siblings and their families—an unlikely sentiment if such a massacre had occurred.

Ashoka’s Family and Religious Influences.

Theravāda and Mahayana texts mention Ashoka’s brothers—Tissa and Vitashoka (or Vigatashoka). Some Mahayana sources also claim Ashoka’s mother was a Brahmin woman named Subhadrangi, perhaps an attempt to lend him Brahmanical prestige.

Ashoka’s eventual patronage of the Ajivikas—a religious sect viewed skeptically by Buddhists, Jains, and Brahmins—may be connected to early influences. One tale recounts an Ajivika monk’s prophecy of Ashoka’s future kingship, which delighted his mother. Whether this is history or legend, it likely served to justify Ashoka’s later religious affiliations.

The Myth of "Chandashoka" to "Dharmashoka"

A common Buddhist portrayal of Ashoka’s transformation—from the violent "Chandashoka" to the benevolent "Dharmashoka"—is largely symbolic. Though Ashoka candidly acknowledges his early misdeeds, there's little in his inscriptions to suggest a cruel or malevolent past.

Religious reform can indeed transform character, but the exaggerated Mahayana stories appear more hagiographic than historical. Even Theravāda narratives, though closer to reality, require critical scrutiny.

Ashoka in the Historical Record

Curiously, Hindu Puranas mention Ashoka only by name ("Ashokavardhana") without elaboration. Sanskrit texts are similarly silent. It is through Buddhist sources, particularly those from Sri Lanka and the Mahayana tradition, that Ashoka’s legend survives—albeit in highly dramatized forms.

Despite the embellishments, these narratives may preserve kernels of truth, helping scholars reconstruct the life of India’s most iconic emperor.

Conclusion

Ashoka’s legacy is a complex interplay of political pragmatism, spiritual transformation, and cultural memory. Behind the legendary figure lies a man shaped by power, diplomacy, family dynamics, and the moral dilemmas of kingship.

Understanding Ashoka demands separating myth from fact—but even the myths reveal how deeply he has captured the imagination of generations.

References :-

Apte, Vaman Shivram, compiler and editor. The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1975.

Bhandarkar, D. R. Asoka. Calcutta: University of Calcutta, 1928.

Mookerji, Radha Kumud. Asoka. London: Macmillan and Co., 1928.

Sircar, D. C. Inscriptions of Aśoka. Calcutta: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1967 (1st ed. 1957).

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