Question

Explain any three sources to know about the Maurya Empire.

Hint:

Ashoka’s inscriptions are among the most important primary sources for studying the Maurya Empire and its social policies.

Answer 1

To understand the Maurya Empire, historians rely on a variety of sources:
1. Archaeological Evidence: Excavations at places like Pataliputra (modern Patna) have revealed significant insights into Mauryan urban planning, including remains of large palaces, public buildings, and fortifications. Additionally, the discovery of the Mauryan pillar edicts, like the Ashokan inscriptions, provides valuable information about the empire’s governance, policies, and administration.
2. Literary Sources: Ancient texts such as the *Arthashastra* by Kautilya (Chanakya) offer detailed accounts of Mauryan administration, statecraft, and military strategy. The *Indica* by Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador to the Maurya court, provides valuable foreign perspectives on the Mauryan Empire, especially under Chandragupta Maurya.
3. Inscriptions: The edicts of Emperor Ashoka, inscribed on stone pillars throughout the empire, give us direct insights into his reign. These inscriptions highlight Ashoka’s policies on governance, law, welfare, and religious tolerance, as well as his role in the spread of Buddhism.
Thus, these sources—archaeological, literary, and epigraphic—are key to understanding the Maurya Empire.