End of the Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire, despite its strength, began disintegrating after Ashoka’s death in 232 BCE. By 185 BCE, it formally ended with the assassination of the last Mauryan king Brihadratha by his general Pushyamitra Sunga.
📉 Factors Behind the Fall
1. Brahmanical Reaction:
- Ashoka’s anti-sacrifice stance reduced the income of Brahmanas (no yajnas = no dakshina).
- Post-Ashoka, Brahmanical kingdoms emerged to restore Vedic supremacy:
- Shungas, Kanvas (North India)
- Satavahanas (Deccan) – all had Brahmana rulers.
- They revived Vedic rituals and challenged Buddhist influence.
2. Financial Crisis:
- Running a massive army and paying a vast bureaucracy drained resources.
- Ashoka’s generous grants to Buddhist Sangha further burdened the treasury.
- At one point, even golden idols were melted to meet expenses.
3. Oppressive Rule in Provinces:
- Provinces like Taxila saw recurring complaints of corruption and oppression.
- Ashoka rotated officers and issued ethical codes, but problems persisted.
- Rebellions post-Ashoka reflect the breakdown of local control.
4. Rise of Peripheral Powers:
- Iron tools, agriculture, and administration spread from Magadha to Deccan/Kalinga.
- These regions developed indigenous strength, reducing Magadha’s strategic edge.
- Led to new regional powers like:
- Shungas, Kanvas (Central India)
- Chetis (Kalinga)
- Satavahanas (Deccan)
5. Neglect of Northwest Frontier:
- Ashoka focused on missionary work, ignoring border defense.
- Scythians (Shakas) and other Central Asian tribes advanced.
- Meanwhile, China built the Great Wall (220 BCE) to counter these threats.
- Ashoka didn’t adopt such measures, which left India vulnerable:
- Parthians, Shakas, Bactrian Greeks began invading NW India post-Ashoka.
🌟 Modern Relevance of Ashoka
- Today, Ashoka’s Lion Capital is our National Emblem.
- His Dharma Chakra is at the center of the Indian National Flag.
- UNESCO’s Kalinga Prize honors science popularization, reflecting Ashoka’s intellectual legacy.