Class 6 Social Studies Notes Chapter 8 (Ashoka; The emperor who gave up war) – History - Our Past Book

Alright class, let's delve into a very important chapter about one of India's most remarkable rulers, Ashoka, and the empire he governed – the Mauryan Empire. This chapter is crucial not just for understanding ancient Indian history, but also because questions frequently appear from this section in various government exams. Pay close attention to the details.

Chapter 8: Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War - Detailed Notes

1. The Mauryan Empire: A Very Big Kingdom

• Foundation: The Mauryan Empire was established around 2300 years ago (circa 322 BCE) by Chandragupta Maurya.
• Support: Chandragupta was supported by a wise man named Chanakya (also known as Kautilya). Many of Chanakya's ideas were written down in a book called the Arthashastra.
• Dynasty: When members of the same family become rulers one after another, it's called a dynasty. The Mauryans were a dynasty.
• Key Rulers:
  • Chandragupta Maurya
  • Bindusara (Chandragupta's son)
  • Ashoka (Bindusara's son) - The most famous Mauryan ruler.

2. Difference Between Empires and Kingdoms

• Empires are generally larger than kingdoms.
• Emperors need more resources than kings because empires are larger and need bigger armies for protection.
• They also need a larger number of officials to collect taxes and administer the vast territory.

3. Ruling the Empire

• Capital City: The Mauryan capital was Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
• Administrative Structure:
  • Area around Pataliputra: Under the direct control of the emperor. Officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, craftspersons, and traders. Officials also punished those who disobeyed rules. Senior officials were given salaries. Spies kept watch on the officials. The emperor supervised everything with the help of ministers and members of the royal family.
  • Provinces: Other areas were ruled from provincial capitals like Taxila, Ujjain, and Suvarnagiri. Royal princes were often sent as governors (viceroys). Local customs and rules were likely followed in these areas, though Mauryan officials maintained overall control.
  • Areas Between Centres: Vast areas existed between these main centres. The Mauryans controlled roads and rivers, vital for transport and collecting resources (like taxes and tributes). For example, the Arthashastra mentions that north-west India was important for blankets, and south India for gold and precious stones.
  • Forested Regions: People living in forests were more or less independent but were expected to provide resources like elephants, timber, honey, and wax to Mauryan officials as tribute.

4. Ashoka: A Unique Ruler

• Ashoka was the first ruler who tried to take his message directly to the people through inscriptions (writings on hard surfaces like stone or metal).
• Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were in Prakrit language (the language of ordinary people) and written in the Brahmi script.

5. Ashoka's War in Kalinga

• Kalinga: Ancient name for coastal Odisha (Orissa).
• The War: Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga.
• Impact on Ashoka: He won the war, but the violence and bloodshed horrified him. He saw the immense suffering – many were killed, captured, or became refugees. This event marked a turning point in his life.
• Decision: Ashoka decided he would not fight any more wars. He is the only king in world history known to have given up conquest after winning a war.

6. Ashoka's Dhamma

• What it was NOT: Ashoka's Dhamma did not involve worship of a god or performance of sacrifices. It was not a specific religion.
• What it WAS: It was a code of conduct or a set of moral and ethical principles inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. Ashoka felt it was his duty to instruct his subjects based on these principles.
• Problems Ashoka Wanted to Solve:
  • Religious conflict among people.
  • Animal sacrifice.
  • Ill-treatment of slaves and servants.
  • Quarrels in families and among neighbours.
• Key Principles of Dhamma:
  • Being gentle with slaves and servants.
  • Respecting one's elders.
  • Treating all creatures with compassion (Ahimsa - non-violence).
  • Giving gifts to Brahmins and monks.
  • Tolerance: Not criticising other religions; trying to understand the main ideas of other religions and respecting them.
• Spreading Dhamma:
  • Officials: Appointed officials known as the Dhamma Mahamatta who went from place to place teaching people about Dhamma.
  • Inscriptions: Got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars, instructing officials to read them to those who couldn't read themselves.
  • Messengers: Sent messengers to spread ideas about Dhamma to other lands, such as Syria, Egypt, Greece, and Sri Lanka.
  • Welfare Works: Built roads, dug wells, built rest houses. Arranged for medical treatment for both human beings and animals.

7. Ashoka's Legacy

• Ashoka's emphasis on peace, non-violence, and tolerance remains relevant even today.
• His ideas about welfare and social responsibility were groundbreaking for his time.
• The Ashoka Chakra (wheel) in India's national flag is taken from the Ashokan pillar at Sarnath.
• His inscriptions are primary sources for understanding his reign and policies.

8. Elsewhere (Brief Mention in the chapter)

• The Great Wall of China was being built around the same time (starting about 2400 years ago) to protect the northern frontier from pastoral nomads. This construction spanned over 2000 years.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Remember to choose the single best answer for each question.

1. Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Chanakya
d) Chandragupta Maurya

2. The ancient city of Pataliputra, the capital of the Mauryan Empire, is located near which modern Indian city?
a) Delhi
b) Patna
c) Kolkata
d) Varanasi

3. What famous book containing political and economic ideas is attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya)?
a) Indica
b) Mahabharata
c) Arthashastra
d) Ramayana

4. The Kalinga War was a turning point in Ashoka's life because:
a) He lost the war and his empire.
b) He was horrified by the violence and bloodshed and gave up war.
c) He gained immense wealth from Kalinga.
d) He converted to Jainism after the war.

5. What was Ashoka's 'Dhamma'?
a) A new religion founded by Ashoka.
b) A specific type of sacrifice.
c) A code of conduct emphasizing moral duties and tolerance.
d) A system of taxation.

6. Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were written in which language and script?
a) Sanskrit language, Devanagari script
b) Pali language, Kharosthi script
c) Prakrit language, Brahmi script
d) Tamil language, Tamil script

7. What were the officials appointed by Ashoka to spread the message of Dhamma called?
a) Amatyas
b) Rajukas
c) Dhamma Mahamattas
d) Samahartas

8. Which area was NOT directly mentioned as a provincial capital under the Mauryans in the chapter?
a) Taxila
b) Ujjain
c) Suvarnagiri
d) Indraprastha

9. According to the Arthashastra, what resource was South India particularly known for?
a) Blankets
b) Elephants
c) Gold and precious stones
d) Timber

10. Ashoka's policy of Dhamma primarily aimed to:
a) Conquer neighbouring territories peacefully.
b) Promote a specific god's worship.
c) Solve social problems through moral instruction and tolerance.
d) Establish a uniform legal system across the empire.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. d) Chandragupta Maurya
2. b) Patna
3. c) Arthashastra
4. b) He was horrified by the violence and bloodshed and gave up war.
5. c) A code of conduct emphasizing moral duties and tolerance.
6. c) Prakrit language, Brahmi script
7. c) Dhamma Mahamattas
8. d) Indraprastha
9. c) Gold and precious stones
10. c) Solve social problems through moral instruction and tolerance.

Study these notes carefully. Understanding Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire provides a strong foundation for ancient Indian history. Let me know if any part needs further clarification!