Dasharatha Maurya was the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and is often considered the last ruler of the Maurya Dynasty, though some accounts suggest there were other lesser-known successors. His reign marked the beginning of the decline of the Mauryan Empire. Dasharatha’s rule was short-lived but significant in understanding the transition of power and the eventual end of Mauryan dominance in India.
Early Life and Background
Dynastic Context: Dasharatha was a member of the illustrious Maurya dynasty, established by Chandragupta Maurya and expanded significantly by his grandfather Ashoka.
Grandfather Ashoka’s Legacy: Ashoka’s reign saw the Mauryan Empire at its zenith, following which he adopted Buddhism and implemented non-violence and ethical governance (Dhamma). However, his death led to a weakening central authority, causing difficulties for his successors.
Accession to the Throne
Period of Reign: Dasharatha ruled between 232 BCE and 224 BCE. His reign immediately followed Ashoka, though it’s unclear how direct the succession was due to the possibility of other rulers or internal conflicts.
Division of the Empire: There are indications that after Ashoka’s death, the vast Mauryan Empire may have been divided. Dasharatha likely inherited the eastern portion of the empire, with Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) as the capital.
Governance and Administration
Continuing Ashoka’s Policies: Dasharatha is believed to have continued many of Ashoka’s policies, particularly his support for Buddhism. He upheld the Dhamma and maintained the ethical governance Ashoka had pioneered.
Support for Buddhism:
Dasharatha is known to have granted donations and endowments to Buddhist monasteries, continuing the patronage his grandfather began.
He issued dedicatory inscriptions on the caves of the Barabar Hills in Bihar, which were originally developed during Ashoka’s reign for the Ajivika sect. This patronage signifies his role in supporting religious and spiritual activities.
Decline of the Mauryan Empire
Weakening Control: Unlike Ashoka, Dasharatha struggled to maintain centralized control over the empire, which had already started to fragment.
Emergence of Regional Powers: Under Dasharatha’s reign, several regions of the Mauryan Empire, particularly in the northwest, began asserting autonomy or independence. The Indo-Greek invasion further weakened the Mauryan control in these regions.
Internal Challenges: The Mauryan administration had grown unwieldy by this time, and Dasharatha faced internal strife, particularly from local governors and ministers, who were growing in power.
Dasharatha’s Religious Contributions
Patron of Buddhism and Ajivika Sect: Dasharatha made endowments to the Ajivikas, a sect that Ashoka had supported during his reign. The Barabar Caves inscriptions bear testimony to Dasharatha’s dedication and reverence for religious sects in India.
Inscriptions: Dasharatha’s inscriptions, particularly in the Barabar Caves, reflect his commitment to religious institutions and further suggest that he tried to maintain Ashoka’s religious policies, even though his military and administrative capacities were weaker.
End of Reign and Legacy
Unclear Succession: After Dasharatha, records of the Mauryan rulers become sparse. The names of subsequent rulers, like Samprati Maurya, are mentioned, but their reigns were short and often disputed.
Fall of the Mauryan Empire: The Mauryan Empire‘s fall is generally associated with the weak successors of Ashoka, including Dasharatha. By 185 BCE, the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was overthrown by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, marking the end of the Maurya dynasty and the beginning of the Shunga dynasty.
Important Sources of Information on Dasharatha Maurya
Inscriptions in the Barabar Caves: Dasharatha’s inscriptions are crucial for understanding his rule and religious policies. These caves were dedicated to monks from the Ajivika sect and serve as the primary evidence of his reign.
Puranic Accounts: The Puranas offer brief mentions of Dasharatha and his successors, though these accounts tend to focus more on the decline of the empire rather than specific administrative details of his reign.
Conclusion
Dasharatha Maurya’s reign represents a critical but understated phase in Indian history. Though he inherited the Mauryan legacy, his limited success in maintaining the unity of the empire and confronting rising internal and external pressures highlights the challenges faced by Ashoka’s successors. His contributions to religious patronage, especially Buddhism and the Ajivikas, are his lasting legacy, though they were overshadowed by the rapid decline of the Mauryan Empire. His short and troubled reign reflects the broader instability of the post-Ashokan period, leading to the eventual end of one of India’s greatest empires.
Relevance for UPSC:
Post-Ashoka Period: Essential for understanding the decline of the Mauryan Empire and the socio-political transition in India.
Religious Patronage: His contributions to Buddhism and Ajivikas should be highlighted while discussing the continuation of Ashoka’s policies.
Inscriptions and Sources: Focus on the inscriptions at Barabar Caves for historical evidence, which is significant in ancient Indian history.
Governance Issues: Important to link Dasharatha’s failure to centralize power with the broader theme of empire decline in Indian history.
This comprehensive overview will help you cover all aspects of Dasharatha Maurya’s reign for the UPSC exam, ensuring no need for further reference.