Defining the Mauryan Extent: Evidence from Ashokan Edicts
Q: Define the extent of Mauryan empire on the basis of the Rock and Pillar Edicts of Ashoka.
Introduction
The Ashokan Edicts, comprising Rock Edicts and Pillar Edicts, serve as the most authentic epigraphical evidence for reconstructing the geographical extent of the Mauryan Empire. As historian Romila Thapar observes, the distribution of these inscriptions outlines a pan-Indian political entity that stretched from the Hindu Kush to the Karnataka plateau, marking the first time the subcontinent was brought under a single centralized authority.
Body: Geographical Markers of the Empire
The find-spots of the edicts provide clear boundary markers for the imperial frontiers:
- North-West Frontier: The Kandahar (Greek-Aramaic) and Shahbazgarhi (Kharosthi) inscriptions confirm that Afghanistan and the trans-Indus regions were integral parts of the empire, inherited from Chandragupta Maurya.
- Northern and Himalayan Limits: The Kalsi rock edict in Uttarakhand and the Rummindei pillar in Nepal Terai indicate that the Himalayan foothills were the northern limits.
- Eastern and Southern Frontiers: The Dhauli and Jaugada edicts in Odisha signify the conquest of Kalinga. In the south, inscriptions at Yerragudi (Andhra) and Brahmagiri (Karnataka) establish the frontier near the Pennar River, while mentioning independent neighbors like the Cholas and Pandyas as Antas (bordering states).
- Western Boundary: The Girnar (Gujarat) and Sopara (Maharashtra) inscriptions prove the inclusion of the Saurashtra and Konkan coasts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the spatial distribution of the edicts reveals an empire of unprecedented scale, excluding only the extreme southern tip and the Northeast. These permanent records in stone not only defined territorial limits but also acted as a medium for administrative integration and the propagation of Dhamma, ensuring that the Mauryan presence was felt from the mountains to the sea.
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