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| Extent of Mauryan Empire/250 BCE |
Here is an overview of the reasons for the decline of the Maurya Empire. These points can be further explored and expanded for a comprehensive understanding.
1. Brahmanical Reaction:
- Ashoka's anti-sacrifice stance and promotion of Buddhism resulted in loss for the Brahmanas who relied on sacrificial offerings.
- Brahmanas developed antipathy towards Ashoka and desired a policy favoring their interests and privileges.
- Brahmana dynasties like the Sungas, Kanvas, and Satavahanas emerged and performed Vedic sacrifices abandoned by Ashoka.
2. Financial Crisis:
- Maintaining a large army and paying bureaucrats led to immense expenditure and financial strain on the empire.
- Despite imposing taxes, the Mauryas struggled to sustain their massive administrative structure.
- Ashoka's grants to Buddhist monks depleted the royal treasury, necessitating the melting of gold images.
- Establishing settlements on newly cleared lands further strained the treasury due to initial tax exemptions.
3. Oppressive Rule:
- Misrule and oppression in the provinces caused dissatisfaction among the citizens.
- Ashoka attempted to address these grievances, but oppression persisted.
- Taxila, a city that had previously complained under Bindusara's rule, rebelled once again after Ashoka's retirement, leading to the loss of imperial control.
4. Partition of the Empire:
- Following Ashoka's death, the Mauryan Empire split into western and eastern parts, weakening its unity.
- Jalauka, Ashoka's son, ruled over Kashmir independently, opening the way for invasions from the northwest.
5. Highly Centralized Administration:
- The centralized administration of the Mauryas became problematic under later kings who were less efficient administrators.
- Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka effectively controlled the administration, but weaker rulers contributed to its decline.
- The vastness of the empire required a strong ruler at the center, and the weakening administration facilitated the rise of independent kingdoms.
6. Weak Monarchs after Ashoka:
- The successors of Ashoka were weak kings who couldn't handle the burden of the vast empire.
- Only the first three Mauryan kings were exceptional, while later rulers lacked their predecessors' abilities and character.
- Brihadratha, the last Maurya king, was overthrown by his army commander, Pushyamitra.
7. Independence of the Provinces:
- After Ashoka, the center's control over the empire weakened, leading to the emergence of independent kingdoms.
- Kashmir, Kalinga, Gandhara, and Vidarbha became independent under different rulers.
8. Spread of New Material Knowledge:
- The dissemination of iron tools and weapons in peripheral areas reduced Magadha's advantage.
- New kingdoms like the Shungas, Kanvas, Chetis, and Satavahans emerged based on the material culture acquired from Magadha.
9. Internal Revolt:
- Pushyamitra Shunga, the army chief, revolted against Brihadratha's rule, resulting in the end of Mauryan rule and the rise of the Shunga dynasty.
10. Foreign Invasions:
- During the reign of the first three Mauryan kings, foreign powers hesitated to attack due to the mighty Mauryan army.
- However, after Ashoka's death, the divided kingdom attracted foreign invasions.
- The Greeks, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, and Kushanas established their kingdoms on Indian soil.
11. Ashoka's Policies:
- Some scholars argue that Ashoka's policies of non-violence and pacifism weakened the empire.
- The cessation of wars made the kingdom vulnerable to foreign attacks, and Ashoka's focus on propagating Buddhism diverted resources.
12. Neglect of the Northwest Frontier:
- Unlike the Great Wall of China, constructed to defend against nomadic tribes, Ashoka neglected fortifying the northwestern frontier.
- The absence of defensive measures allowed foreign powers like the Greeks, Parthians, Shakas, and Scythians to invade India