Mauryan & Gupta
Indian History · मौर्य और गुप्त · 27 facts
Ashoka's edicts were deciphered by James Prinsep (1837) — written in Brahmi script
Kalinga War (261 BCE) = bloodiest war, 1 lakh killed → Ashoka gave up violence
Ashoka called himself 'Devanampriya Priyadarshi' (Beloved of Gods)
Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath = India's National Emblem (4 lions). 'Ashoka Chakra' on Indian flag.
Ashoka's policy of Dhamma = non-violence, tolerance, respect for elders, kindness to animals
Ashoka was the FIRST king to ban animal sacrifice
Maurya dynasty: Chandragupta → Bindusara → Ashoka (CBA)
Chandragupta founded empire with Chanakya, defeated Seleucus, became Jain
Arthashastra by Kautilya = statecraft bible. Indica by Megasthenes = Greek account.
Ashoka: Kalinga War 261 BCE → adopted Buddhism → Dhamma policy
Ashoka's edicts in Brahmi script, deciphered by James Prinsep (1837)
Sarnath Ashoka Pillar = India's National Emblem (4 lions)
Last Mauryan = Brihadratha, killed by Pushyamitra Shunga (185 BCE)
Gupta Empire = Golden Age of India (320-550 CE)
Samudragupta = Indian Napoleon (V.A. Smith). Allahabad Pillar inscription by Harisena.
Chandragupta II = Vikramaditya. Fa-Hien visited. 9 Gems court.
Aryabhatta: zero concept, Earth rotates, value of Pi
Kalidasa = Shakespeare of India. Wrote Shakuntalam, Meghadutam.
Delhi Iron Pillar = Gupta period, no rust for 1600 years
Nalanda University founded by Kumaragupta I
Decimal system + zero = Indian (Gupta period), taken by Arabs to Europe
7 Pillar Edicts — Inscribed on tall stone pillars. Found at Topra, Meerut, Lauriya-Nandangarh, etc.
Mudrarakshasa — Vishakhadatta — Play about Chandragupta's rise to power with Chanakya's help
Chanakya (also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta) was a professor at Taxila University.
Sri Gupta — — — Founded the dynasty (~240 CE)
Skandagupta — — — Last great Gupta king. Defeated Huns (Hunas). After him, empire declined.
Varahamihira — Astronomy — Wrote Pancha Siddhantika and Brihat Samhita