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Rebellion of Mauryan Provinces
| Rebellion of Mauryan Provinces | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Maurya Empire after the rebellion of the Mauryan Provinces | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Mauryan Empire |
Satavahana dynasty Kashmir Province Gandhara Province Mahameghavahana dynasty Chola dynasty Chera dynasty Rebeled Mauryan Princes | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Dasharatha Maurya |
Jalauka Sophagasenus Kunala Bandhupalita Indrapalita Dronsa Virasena | ||||||
Several provinces broke away, with rulers like Jalauka in Kashmir and Virasena in Gandhara establishing independent kingdoms. The northwestern territories were lost, and southern vassal states such as the Satavahanas and the Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kalinga reasserted their independence. While Dasharatha retained control over Magadha, the overall imperial structure disintegrated, leading to the eventual end of the Mauryan dynasty.
Background
According to the Ashokavadana, the emperor fell severely ill during his last days. He started using state funds to make donations to the Buddhist sangha, prompting his ministers to deny him access to the state treasury. Ashoka then started donating his personal possessions, but was similarly restricted from doing so. On his deathbed, his only possession was the half of a myrobalan fruit, which he offered to the sangha as his final donation.[1] Such legends encourage generous donations to the sangha and highlight the role of the emperorship in supporting the Buddhist faith.[2]
Legend states that during his cremation, his body burned for seven days and nights.[3]
Rebellion
The Vayu and Brahmanda Puranas mention three Mauryan rulers Bandhupalita, Indrapalita and Dasona whose identification is rather difficult.[4] It has been suggested that they may have been members of a branch line of the Maurya dynasty whom Dasharatha had appointed as viceroys for the convenience of administration.</ref> However, Smith also wrote that "there is no clear evidence to support [the] hypothesis."[5] The political unity of the Mauryan Empire did not long survive Ashoka's death.[4] One of Dasharatha's uncles, Jalauka, set up an independent kingdom in Kashmir. According to Taranatha, another Mauryan prince, Virasena declared himself king in Gandhara.[4] Vidarbha also seceded. Evidence from Greek sources confirm the loss of the north-western provinces which was then ruled by the Mauryan ruler Sophagasenus (Subhagasena, probably a successor of Virasena).[4] There is also much modern speculation about a possible east–west division of the empire involving Dasharatha and another Mauryan ruler.[6]Epigraphic evidence indicates that Dasharatha retained imperial power in Magadha.[7]
Various dynasties of the south including the Satavahana had been vassals of the Mauryan Empire. These kingdoms are mentioned in Ashoka's edicts (256 BCE) and were considered part of the outer circle of the imperium—subject to the rule of the Mauryan Emperor, although doubtless enjoying a considerable degree of autonomy under their local rulers.[5] The death of Ashoka began the decline of imperial power in the south. Dasharatha was able to maintain some command of the home provinces, but the distant governments, including areas in the south, broke away from imperial rule and reasserted their independence.[5] The Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kalinga in central-eastern India also broke away from imperial rule after the death of Ashoka.[5]
Reference
- ↑ Strong 1989, p. 18.
- ↑ Singh 2008, p. 332.
- ↑ Strong, John (2007). Relics of the Buddha. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 149. ISBN 978-81-208-3139-1. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Sailendra Nath Sen; Ancient Indian History And Civilization. New Age International. 1999. ISBN 978-8122411980. pg 152-154.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Vincent A. Smith; The Early History of India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1999. ISBN 978-8171566181. pg 193-207.
- ↑ Buddha Prakash; Studies in Indian history and civilization. Shiva Lal Agarwala. 1962. pg 148-154.
- ↑ Kenneth Pletcher; The History of India. The Rosen Publishing Group. 2010. ISBN 978-1615302017. pg 70.
Sources
- Singh, Upinder (2008). A history of ancient and early medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
- Strong, John S. (1989). The Legend of King Aśoka: A Study and Translation of the Aśokāvadāna. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0616-0.