Mauryan Empire and Pataliputra
Founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BCE after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty of Magadha.
- First and largest pan-Indian empire in ancient history.
- Capital: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna, Bihar)
๐ PYQ (BPSC): Who founded the Mauryan Empire? โ Chandragupta Maurya
๐๏ธ Importance of Pataliputra
- Strategic location at the confluence of Ganga, Son, and Gandak rivers.
- Capital city during Mauryan, Shunga, Gupta, and Pala empires.
- Described by Greek ambassador Megasthenes in Indica as a well-planned city.
๐ PYQ (DPSC): Which river confluence made Pataliputra prosperous? โ Ganga-Son-Gandak
๐ Key Mauryan Rulers (Bihar Relevance)
1. ๐ข Chandragupta Maurya
- Founder of the empire with help of Chanakya (Kautilya)
- Defeated Seleucus I (Greek general of Alexander)
- Became a Jain and died at Shravanabelagola
2. ๐ข Bindusara
- Son of Chandragupta
- Known as Amitraghata (Slayer of Enemies)
- Extended empire to southern India
3. ๐ข Ashoka the Great
- Grandson of Chandragupta
- Fought and won the bloody Kalinga War โ adopted Buddhism
- Built edicts, pillars, stupas across Bihar
- Pataliputra flourished as a Buddhist hub
๐ PYQ (BPSC): After which war did Ashoka embrace Buddhism? โ Kalinga War
๐ฟ Ashokan Legacy in Bihar
- Barabar Caves (Jehanabad): Oldest surviving rock-cut caves; donated by Ashoka to Ajivikas
- Didarganj Yakshi (Patna Museum): Famous Mauryan sculpture
- Ashokan Pillars: Found in Lauriya-Nandangarh, Rampurva (West Champaran)
๐ PYQ (BPSC): Where are Barabar caves located? โ Jehanabad, Bihar
๐ Quick Revision Points
- Mauryan Empire founded: 321 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya
- Capital: Pataliputra (Patna)
- Ashoka: Adopted Buddhism after Kalinga War
- Ashokan sites in Bihar: Barabar Caves, Lauriya Nandangarh, Didarganj Yakshi
- Pataliputra: Described in Indica by Megasthenes
๐ Sources Used
- NCERT Class 6โ12 โ History
- Lucent GK โ Ancient History
- Drishti Bihar Special Book
- Ghatna Chakra PYQ Digest
- EduTeria BPSC GS Compilations