DECLINE OF MAURYAN EMPIRE
DECLINE OF MAURYAN EMPIRE
Within a few years of death of Asoka, there was the decline and fall of Mauryan empire. Historians have debated the reasons for the decline of Mauryan empire.
Within a few years of death of Asoka, there was the decline and fall of Mauryan empire. Historians have debated the reasons for the decline of Mauryan empire.
DIVISION OF EMPIRE
The Mauryan empire was divided into two parts: the western and eastern. This weakened the empire and the Mauryans could not defend their territories from foreign tribes who captured Mauryan territories and established their kingdoms on the Indian soil. Among the foreign tribes, the most important were the Indo-Greeks, the Sakas and the Kushanas.
The Mauryan empire was divided into two parts: the western and eastern. This weakened the empire and the Mauryans could not defend their territories from foreign tribes who captured Mauryan territories and established their kingdoms on the Indian soil. Among the foreign tribes, the most important were the Indo-Greeks, the Sakas and the Kushanas.
WEAK SUCCESSORS
Asoka's weak successors were not in a position to continue his high ideals and they could not control all the aspects of administration. This factor has been suggested as the main cause for the fall of the Mauryan empire. The huge Mauryan empire needed capable monarchs to manage its administration.
Asoka's weak successors were not in a position to continue his high ideals and they could not control all the aspects of administration. This factor has been suggested as the main cause for the fall of the Mauryan empire. The huge Mauryan empire needed capable monarchs to manage its administration.
ASOKA'S POLICIES
Some scholars have suggested that it was Asoka's policy of non-violence and peace which was responsible for the fall of the Mauryan empire. Asoka stopped fighting battles and this weakened the standing army and encouraged invasion by the foreign tribes after the death of Asoka. He gave more importance to the propagation of Buddhism in the world.
Some scholars have suggested that it was Asoka's policy of non-violence and peace which was responsible for the fall of the Mauryan empire. Asoka stopped fighting battles and this weakened the standing army and encouraged invasion by the foreign tribes after the death of Asoka. He gave more importance to the propagation of Buddhism in the world.
BRAHMANICAL REACTION
Another argument is that the brahmanas were not happy with Asoka as he supported Buddhism and he stopped animal sacrifices, which reduced the income of the brahmanas. The last Mauryan king was killed by his brahman commander Pushyamitra, who later established the Shunga dynasty.
Another argument is that the brahmanas were not happy with Asoka as he supported Buddhism and he stopped animal sacrifices, which reduced the income of the brahmanas. The last Mauryan king was killed by his brahman commander Pushyamitra, who later established the Shunga dynasty.
However, these theories have been rejected by Romila Thapar and others. They argue that it is not correct to suggest that it was the policies of Asoka which led to the downfall of the Mauryas. Asoka did not withdraw capital punishment in his empire which indicates that he did not relax the rules regarding crime in the society.
LACK OF NATIONAL UNITY
During those days, there did not exist the concepts of nation state and national unity. As a result, when the foreigners invaded India, they were not resisted by all the Indians as a single force. This is a situation one can notice even in the medieval period.
During those days, there did not exist the concepts of nation state and national unity. As a result, when the foreigners invaded India, they were not resisted by all the Indians as a single force. This is a situation one can notice even in the medieval period.
thanks just the right answers
ReplyDeletecorrect answer nut incomplete.
ReplyDeletecorrect answer but incomplete.
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