The Mauryan Dynasty was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BC.The Family of Chandragupta Maurya were the resident of Mura(now in Orissa).Mura was the center of iron-ore called Murram. According to Kali -yuga  Raja Vrttanta 3/2,Matsya Puran 70/32 there were 12 kings of Maurya Dynasty who ruled for about 316 years.

The empire was extended to the North along the boundaries of Great Himalayan regions and in east up to Assam.In west this empire was extended up to Pakistan,Baluchistan in Persia and Afghanistan.According to Romila Thapar "Chandragupta belonged to Moriya tribe ,his caste was low,the the family apparently being Vaishyas..In fact Maurya was not the caste but the gotra of Jats.Gupta was the title not the caste." Chandra -gupta was under the direct patronage of the genius Chanakya. Along with him he overthrown-ed the King Dhana Nand..

Under his rule,this dynasty conquered the trans-Indus region which was under Macedonian rule. Under him,the internal and external trade,agriculture and economic activities developed and expanded across India.There was a secret service,inspectors and a large army,His chief adviser Chanakya wrote a book to run an efficient administration  called "Arthashastra".The Weights and Measures were standardized and money came in use. Other public utility services like sanitation and famine were the concerns of State.

Megasthenes describes that Chandragupta lived very simply and honestly.The people of the country lived carefully and proper discipline were maintained.The Crime was very low, theft and robbery were rare.He further describes that Chandragupta maintained a huge army including Naval Wing and Judicial policies were maint -ained. He was open to all religions.

The foreign policy was very good.He had very good relations with Egypt,Syria,Rome ,Greece and China.He patronized the famous university of Taxila.Many Greek historians like Megasthenes, Deimakos and Dionysus were the part of Chandragupta Court.Farmers were freed of taxes and the revenue was paid directly to the royal treasury.Chandragupta created a single currency system and provided full protection to merchants, farmers and traders.

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Some of the important events,literary,scientific and architecture works occurred  during Brihdratha to Nanda Dynasties i.e 1678 to 321 BC.

(1) Birth of Lord Krishna(1466 BC)

(2)Pandavas at Indraprastha Constructed the Crystal Hall for Rajasuya Yagna(1439 BC).

(3)Battle Of Kurukshetra(1424 BC).

(4)Start of the period of Parashara and Garg II(1423 BC).

(5)Great Epic Mahabharata composed by Vyasa(First edition)(1421 BC).

(6)Yagnavalkys composed Bridadaranyak Upanishad(1410 BC).

(7)Second edition of Mahabharata composed by Vaishampayan(1364 BC).

(8)Sages conference held at Naimisaranya,where Third edition of Mahabharata was composed by Ugrashrava(1316 BC).

(9)Ashwalayana and Patanjali I recorded Dhruv Tara(1300 BC).

(10)End Of Upanishad  Era.(1270 BC).

(11)Birth of Parswanath(817 BC).

(12)Foundation of India's first historical dynasty at Magadh(642 BC).

(13)Oldest sculpture made(The Park-ham and Yakshi statue)(618 BC).

(14)Mahavira Vardhamana born(598 BC).

(15)First reported arrival of Jews at Cochin(587BC).

(16)Mahavira renounced worldly possessions(569 BC).

(17)Lord Buddha born in Lumbini(544 BC).

(18) Jain Saint Mahavira died(525 BC)

(19)The Greek General Sky lax sailed down the Indus.(519 BC).

(20)Bimbisara became the king and rebuilt Rajgir.(519 BC).Mahagovind and Jivaka were present during his reign.

(21)Ajatshatru prisoned his father Bimbisara and starved him to death.(494 BC).

(22)Ajatshatru converted to Buddhism(490 BC).

(23) Lord Buddha died at Kushinara(461 BC)


(24)Ajatshatru succeeded by his son Udaibhadra(459 BC).

(25)Udaibhadra built city of Kusumpura on the Ganges (434 BC).

(26)First Tamil confederacy established(414 BC).

(27)Buddhist council held at Vaishali(377 BC).

(28)King Gopaditya built original temple of Jyeshtheswara(369 BC).

(29)The great Sanskrit grammarian Panini born(350 BC).

(30)Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya captured Magadh.Nanda dynasty ended after defeat and murder of Last king Dhana Nanda(321BC).




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During Pre-Mauryan dynasties(from Brihdratha to Nanda Dynasties i.e 1678 to 321 BC) different forms of art and architecture,paintings,scriptures and sculptures developed.The heterodox sectors were dominant.Two great religions of the world(Jainism and Buddhism) emerged and posed  serious blow to orthodox Brahman culture.The period between 7 th and 5 th century is remarked as the phase of intellectual and spiritual developments.The vedic culture and philosophy had lost its entity,originality and purity.It became superstitious and complex.The Kshatriya rulers were fade up with the rise of Brahman.The desire of Vaishyas to improve their status and identity due to their strong economic position became immense.Possibly these factors were responsible for the weakening of Vedic culture and rise of two religions.
The rock-cut arts developed rapidly.This art however bridged the  cultural images of different  social and religious contexts and differences.The folk and tribal arts were transformed and modified.The rock-cut designs,temples architecture,typical Buddhist monasteries structure,stupas and fort structure designs were the  typical and obvious expression of their techniques and culture.Folk fairs and festivals were enjoyed and celebrated unitedly and thus played a pivotal role in the development of these art forms.Their culture were inter exchanged and mutually shared.Basantostav ,Malmas fair  and Makarsakranti etc were the examples.The peoples were tuned to the rhythm and vibrations of the natural forces.They were dependent on nature and restored the natural resources.
There was almost democracy.The emperors were the chief of legislative,judiciary and military branches.In other words  all powers were confined and concentrated to the kings.The Kings had efficient and dedicated officials for  different administrative works.The King had Council of Ministers for advice and policy making.The agents and spies were the integral part of the administration.They were allowed to meet the King at anytime and anywhere depending on the urgency and quality of information.They were the reporter of various good and bad developments and conspiracies.During the reign of Bimbisara the officers were named as per their work.Mahamantras, were the chief of Executive branch,Voharikas, were the chief of Judicial branch and Senanayaka was the chief of the Military Branch.The head of the village assembly was called as Gramaka.


In ancient Magadh other sects were also existed like Ajivika sect was founded by Gosala Maskariputra.According to Pakuda Katyayana,"Soul was the superior than good and evil.Earth,water,fire,air,pleasure,pain and soul were eternal.".Other thinker Ajita Kesakamblin believed in the materialistic world and against of after life theory propounded by Vedic culture.According to him death is the final phase of all souls.They were all contemporary to Lord Buddha.


Bheris, Shringi 's, Mridanga,Concshell, Nagara,Flute, Tarsi,Jhal and Veena were the musical instruments.The culture of crafts were circled around the religion,need of common people and wishes of the kings.The foreign and international trade played a decisive role in the development of crafts.The crafts men were well versed in the techniques of pottery,metal,stone sculpture, Jewell designing and weaving.


Ancient Magadh witnessed the emergence of great physician Jivaka.Jivaka conducted artificial limb transplantation,fracture treatment,rhinoplasty and brain surgery. Transplantation of an eye ball is also reported.Ayurveda practices flourished during 520 BC.Traditional massage,acupressure and reflexology was also introduced by Jivaka. The theory of Jivaka was based on the concept that all levels of human beings are interconnected naturally.Its main objective is the integrity of nature,body,mind and soul.It is less oriented towards the  physical and anatomical features and physiology of the human body.It refers to the massage of the local body.The art of acupressure and reflexology massage gives better results in health.


There are numerous examples of the emergence of artisans in pottery,stone,metal, terracotta sculpture.Pottery was made from clay, wood ,metals and stones.Painted Grey Ware(PGW} was finely made of clay on th wheel.The structure included flat convex sided dish,hemispherical bowl and Vase shaped straight structure.Northern Black Polished Ware(NBPW) marked the wave of urbanization. This pottery is considered to be the finest potteries of that time.The era of these potteries are(1000-200 BC).


The chief mentors of two religions(Jainism and Buddhism)preached in Prakrit language( a language of  Common People) and thus they gained acceptance by the masses.The Judicial Language was Sanskrit.During those days Education began with the Upanayana Sanskar.The age as per old information was 8 Years for Brahmans,11 for Kshatriya and 12 for Vaishyas. Some special artists like Rathakara or Chariot maker had high status and were eligible to the sacred thread Sankara.




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The Nanda(424 BC-321 BC) were the successors of Shishunaga dynasty.Mahapadma Nand was the founder of Nanda dynasty.he was the illegitimate son of last Shishunaga King Mahanandin.Vishnu Puran(24/104) states that he defeated most of the kings of India and won most of the part of India.He exterminated all Kshatriya kings(Vishnu Puran 24/104 and Bhagwat Puran 12/1/10).he ruled about 88 years,followed by 8 sons for 12 years(Matsya Puran270/20,273/23).He defeated the Kingdoms of Aikshvakus,Panchalas,Kasis,Haihayas, Kalinga,Asmaka,Kuru,Maithilas and Surasena. He was referred as Sole Sovereign.The last ruler was Dhana Nanda.He was famous for for excessive taxation and extraction.The Nanda dynasty set up a efficient administration techniques. to run the huge  empire.They had very strong army of 2 lakhs infantry,twenty thousand mobile army using horseback,two thousand rathis and three thousand war elephants.They founded the stem of standard weights and measures.They were appreciators of art and literature and gave aid and support to the scholars.The famous Sanskrit grammarian Panini was present during this period.He formulated 3,959 rules of Sanskrit forms,syntax and semantics.This formulation was called Astadhyayi.

Dhana Nand levied taxes on skins,Gums,trees and stones.He  accumulated money to the extent of around 80 Kotis and buried up  in the bed of  River Ganges.As per Purana there are 9 Nandas,they were Ugrasena,Pundaka,Pandugati,Bhootpal, Rashtrapal,Govishank,Dassiddhak,Kaivest and Dhan.The main economic structure was agrarian.This dynasty constructed large number of canals.The Nanda dynasty followed Jainism.Dhana Nand built large number of Stupas and was the follower of Digambar Saint Jiva Siddhi .

This dynasty is known for inland waterways and worked on proper water supply system.Greek biographer stated that Nanda dynasty had a mighty military power of 80000 horse back troops,200000  foot soldiers, 6000 battle elephants and about 8000 war horse-drawn vehicles.

The language  used for communication was Sanskrit and monarch was termed Samrat.The reign of Nanda represents the great transitional period in ancient history.The changes in material culture In river Ganges Valley by settled high agricultural technology and uses of iron for making agricultural tools resulted in the surplus agricultural production.The high yield of agricultural goods resulted in the the growth of commerce and urban centers.

According to Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology,material culture term is used to describe the objects produced by human beings,including building,structures,,monuments,tools,weapons,utensils and furniture's.  Here the context material culture refers to the construction of the agricultural tools by using iron and construction of canal,inland waterways and advanced water supply systems (widely used and worked by Nanda dynasty).Nanda dynasty used the best available agriculture technology.The possibility is the mechanical processing of soil called Tilling by adding nutrients for proper plantation.Nanda dynasty rulers were the best taxes collectors and  had team of best officials for this work.

The last ruler Dhana Nand was very cruel and was unpopular among the masses.Chandragupta Maurya assassinated Dhana Nand with the help of  Chanakya.This way Shishu Naga dynasty ended and recorded in the history.The main rulers of this dynasty were Mahapadma Nand and Dhana Nand.This dynasty was preceded by Shishunaga dynasty and succeeded by Maurya Dynasty.

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Shishunaga(413BC) was the founder of this dynasty.He was an amatya 0r minister of King Nagadasaka.Nagadasaka is  often referred as the weaker and incapable king of Haryanka dynasty. Shishunaga was also called as Sisunaka.There was a civil revolt  during Nagadasaka rule due to his inefficient administration and crime rise.At the time of revolt ,he was the minister at Varanasi.He led the coup and after its successful completion,he became the King of Magadha.He sent his son Kalasoka to Varanasi and himself ruled from Rajagriha.Vaishali was his second royal residence.He ruled for almost 18 years.The main causes of Haryanka dynasty fall were:-

(1) Injustice

(2)Incapability Of Nagadasaka

(3)Instability and

(4)Crime rise.

Shishunaga was the fighter,capable and efficient administrator.He captured Kosala,Kasi and Avanti Pradesh.He was born in the Lichchavi Royal family.He was succeeded by his son Kalasoka(395 BC).Vayu Puran refers him as Kakaverna.But according to Ashokavadna, Herman Jacobi and Ram Krishna Gopal Bhandarkar both Kalasoka and Kakaverna is same.Sri Lankan script called him Kalasoka.He was the governor of Varanasi.During his reign the Second Buddhist Council  at Vaishali was held.The meeting was called by a Buddhist monk Yasa.The meeting was presided by Sabakami.The overcrowded capital at Rajagriha was shifted to Patliputra.

Magadha ancient silver coins were roughly 7.6 gm in weight and had a single  6 arm punch.The second issue of coins were 5.5 gm in weight and had single 6 arm punch on it.The coins were thinner and flan type. The third issue retained the similar thin and flan type shape having 6 arm punch with additional three punches on the center.These silver coins were issued by Haryanka dynasty.The weight varied from 5.43 gm to 4.73 gm.The dimensions varied from 22mm*23mm to 27mm*23 mm.These silver coins were called Karshapana.The marks on the coins hypothetically describes the military power,unity,affluence,democracy and status of rising Magadha.

The denomination(25 to 20 Mashakas) of Haryanka Dynasty was replaced by light weight 3.5 gm silver coins or Karshapana. The four punches on coins remained the same but additional one punch was added on it.The weight varied from 3.05 gm to 3.50 gm.The dimensions of coins varied from 14mm*21mm to 20mm*27mm.The size of the coins became smaller and thicker.The trade and commerce was very well developed in the new capital of Patliputra.Craftsmen and traders established  a system of money lending and banking.

Kalasoka ruled for 28 years.His ten sons(Bhadrasena, Korandavarna, Mangura, Sarvanjaba, Jalika,Ubhaka,Sanjaya,Koravaya,Nandivardhana and Panchmaka)simultaneously ruled the dynasty.This dynasty in its era was one of the largest empire of ancient Indian Subcontinent.

The Shishunaga dynasty came to an end in 347 BC.The rulers of Shishunaga Dynasty were Buddhist.Kalasoka was murdered by a sharp knife which cut his throat.Out of the 10 rulers,Mahanandin was prominent ruler.He later on killed by his illegal son Mahapadma Nanda.

During the Haryanka and Shishunaga Dynasty political position was stable and developed. A regular army with advanced weapons  were present for the the security of the kingdom.Two  great religions(Buddhism and Jainism) were widespread , followed by kings and consequently the vedic rituals were weakened.The art and architecture of temples,numismatics,performing arts,construction of Buddhist monasteries and hospitals were very well developed. So many public utility institutions were constructed.

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The main causes of wars of Magadh with others Mahajanapadas were,expansion of boundaries, sovereignty of Magadh,trade and commerce,diamond and iron ore mines share distribution and the rising power of Lichchavi.History also states that there was a contract, between Lichchavi and King Ajatshatru for diamond sharing.The Lichchavi s unilaterally revoked  the contract of diamond sharing and this resulted the military intervention by Magadh.Some historian also claimed that the love affairs  of Ajatshatru and royal courtesan Amrapali and political shelter of Ajatshatru's brothers in Vaishali were the principal causes of war. 


Ultimately Ajatshatru defeated Lichchavi s and absorbed them in his empire.It was also believed that King Ajatshatru along with Amrapali became the Buddhist on  same day. But 
there are lots of contradiction on this belief.

Two advanced warfare's were invented by King Ajatshatru namely Mahasilakantaka and scythed chariot or Rathamusala(already discussed earlier).Mahasilakantaka was used in throwing big stones on enemies.The two great religions mentors Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira attained nirvana during the reign of King Ajatshatru.King Ajatshatru renovated about 18-20 Buddhist monasteries.

During the tenure of Ajatshatru,Anand(main disciple of Buddha) recited Sutta Pitaka while another disciple Upali recited Vinay Pitaka after the demise of Buddha.Sutta Pitaka is the sutra  or saying basket.It is the collection of 10,000 or more sutra s attributed to Buddha and his close companions.It is basically the collection of teachings of Lord Buddha.It has five subdivision  or Nikayas namely;

(a)Digha Nikaya

(b)Majjhima Nikaya

(c)Samyutta Nikaya

(d)Anguttara Nikaya and

(e)Khuddaka Nikaya

Vinay Pitaka is the Code of Conduct or discipline manual for monks and nuns.It has three subdivisions namely  

(a) Suttavibhanga

(b)Khadhaka and

(c) Parivara


Pitaka is an application of secular words to religious matters.It is often considered as the rise of knowledge and consequently it contains maxim for the life of a good citizen.

Mahavamsa text states that Ajatshatru was overthrowned  and murdered by his son Udaibhadra.King Udaibhadra shifted the capital of Magadh to Patliputra.He ruled for sixteen years.

Haryanka dynasty rulers were power hungers.This dynasty is known for its bloody succession tradition.Udaibhadra was killed by his son Anirudha.The same bloody traditions were followed by his son Munda and later on by Nagadasaka.The bloody feud for power and throne led to the foundation of civil revolt and Shishunaga Dynasty emerged.


The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by Shishunaga Dynasty.King Bimbisara and King Ajatshatru were the prominent rulers of Haryanka dynasty.The crime cultures were specially reported during Haryanka Dynasty which ultimately lessened the power and prestige of Haryanka Dynasty.

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There are so many contradictions in the history.According to some,Lichchavi courtesan Amrapali had a son with King Bimbisara(as discussed earlier) while some describes the amazing love stories  of King Ajatshatru and Amrapali.Ajatshatru was originally the disciple     of Lord Mahavira.Some historian believes that Amrapali directed King Bimbisara to stop fighting with Republic of Vaishali and he did the same.King Ajatshatru met with Lord Buddha and was very much impressed by him.Later on he became the devotee of Lord Buddha.


On excavations Archaeologist found the remains of ""Jivakamravana".It was made out of the small bricks and had two long terraces measuring about 7790 feet.The description described earlier matched and found authentic.It was the place of famous royal physician.Jivaka, who treated Lord Buddha during the reign of King Bimbisara and was present during the reign of Ajatshatru too.The Fort of Ajatshatru was constructed by Ajatshatru around sixth century BCE.It was the fort where Ajatshatru imprisoned King Bimbisara and killed him.There is a famous sculpture of Parinirvana which shows the lying position of Lord Buddha on his right side with right hand supporting his head.


It was also stated that the first Buddhist Sangha meeting was held in the Saptaparni Cave after the demise of Lord Buddha, during the tenure of King Ajatshatru. A stupa was also built by King Ajatshatru in the memory of Anand the main disciple of Lord Buddha.The 6.5 meter another stupa was also built by Ajatshatru.


Ajatshatru was housed with one of the gracious,beautiful courtesan Amrapali when he visited Vaishali as a spy.He fell in love with Amrapali and she also grew fond of Ajatshatru. But King Ajatshatru could not disclose his real identity to Amrapali,because Amrapali had great hatred of Magadha and specially she hated King Ajatshatru.Ajatshatru decided(after getting all the necessary information's of Vaishali's warfare techniques) to return to Magadha and consequently escaped secretly.


In ancient India from 600-321 BC,many dynasties issued coins with only one symbol.Five symbols punch marked on silver coins were first issued by Magadha which continued till Mauryan dynasty.Most of the silver came from Afghanistan and Persia as a result of international trade and commerce.


The iron was voraciously used for making weapons and agriculture tools.Agriculture tools were used for clearing the forests and ploughing the land. The society was divided on caste lines,like, the Kshatriya were rulers,the Brahmins performed religious activities and rituals, the Vaishyas carried the trade activities while Shudras were laborers and farm workers. There was a fifth line of castes  which were involved in the menial works. The King was surrounded by ministers who helped him in controlling the administration.Town became center of crafts and barter system was very common.River Ganges became the main trans -port route.


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