Mauryas, Sungas, Kushanas and the Age of Empires in India
Domain focus
This section tests imperial consolidation in India: Mauryan administration and dhamma, Sunga cultural patronage, and Kushana power across northern India and Central Asia.
Core concepts
- Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan empire; Kautilya Arthashastra describes statecraft and economy.
- Ashoka used dhamma edicts on rocks and pillars; appointed dhamma mahamatta; promoted non-violence and social welfare.
- Mauryan administration used provinces, officials and spies; decline followed weak successors and regional pressures.
- Sungas succeeded Mauryans; Pushyamitra is associated with patronage and Brahmanical revival.
- Kushanas, especially Kanishka, controlled Silk Road trade; issued gold coins; patronised Gandhara and Mathura art.
Worked example
A question asks how Ashoka rule is known. Reasoning: his edicts give his own claims about dhamma, welfare and conquest by persuasion. They are primary evidence but royal propaganda, so they must be read with archaeology and later texts.
Traps
Ashoka did not make Buddhism the only state religion. Do not treat Mauryan decline as caused by one event. Do not confuse Gandhara and Mathura art. Avoid calling all Kushana coins Buddhist.