Question

Describe the sources to reconstruct the Age of the Mauryas with reference to the following:

Literary Sources

Answer 1

Literary sources include valuable contemporary works, such as the account of Megasthenes (a Greek ambassador to the covet of Chandragupta Maurya) which survives in fragments Another source that is often used is the Arthashastra, parts of which were composed by Kautilya or Chanakya, traditionally believed to be the minister of Chandragupta. Besides, the Mauryas are mentioned in later Buddhist Jaina and Puranic literature, as well as in Sanskrit literary works. While these are useful, the inscriptions of Ashoka on rocks and pillars are often regarded as amongst the valuable sources. Mudrarakshasa of Vishakadatta describes how Chanakya won the diplomatic battle against the Nanda minister Rakshasa, how Rakshasa was compelled to work of Chandragupta and also how Nandas were finally overthrown.