.Effects of Alexander’s invasion
The immediate effect of Alexander’s invasion was that it
encouraged political unification of north India under the Mauryas.
The system of small independent states came to an end. Alexander’s
invasion had also paved the way for direct contact between India
and Greece. The routes opened by him and his naval explorations
increased the existing facilities for trade between India and West
Asia. However, his aim of annexing the northwestern India to his
empire was not fulfilled due his premature death. His authority in
the Indus valley was a short-lived one because of the expansion of
Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta MauryaLiterary Sources.
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 booksand 180 chapters but it can be divided into three parts: the first
deals with the king and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal law; and the third
with diplomacy and war. It is the most important literary source for
the history of the Mauryas.
Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa written by Visakadatta is a drama in
Sanskrit. Although written during the Gupta period, it describes how
Chandragupta with the assistance of Kautilya overthrew the Nandas.
It also gives a picture on the socio-economic condition under the
Mauryas.
The immediate effect of Alexander’s invasion was that it
encouraged political unification of north India under the Mauryas.
The system of small independent states came to an end. Alexander’s
invasion had also paved the way for direct contact between India
and Greece. The routes opened by him and his naval explorations
increased the existing facilities for trade between India and West
Asia. However, his aim of annexing the northwestern India to his
empire was not fulfilled due his premature death. His authority in
the Indus valley was a short-lived one because of the expansion of
Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta MauryaLiterary Sources.
Kautilya’s Arthasastra
This book in Sanskrit was written by Kautilya, a contemporary
of Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian
Machiavelli’. The manuscript of Arthasastra was first discovered
by R. Shama Sastri in 1904. The Arthasastra contains 15 booksand 180 chapters but it can be divided into three parts: the first
deals with the king and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal law; and the third
with diplomacy and war. It is the most important literary source for
the history of the Mauryas.
Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa written by Visakadatta is a drama in
Sanskrit. Although written during the Gupta period, it describes how
Chandragupta with the assistance of Kautilya overthrew the Nandas.
It also gives a picture on the socio-economic condition under the
Mauryas.
Megasthenes’ Indica
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in the court of
Chandragupta Maurya. His book Indica has survived only in
fragments. Yet, his account gives details about the Mauryan
administration, particularly the administration of the capital city of
Pataliputra and also the military organization. His picture on
contemporary social life is notable. Certain unbelievable information
provided by him has to be treated with caution.
Other Literature
Apart from these three important works, the Puranas and the
Buddhist literature such as Jatakas provide information on the
Mauryas. The Ceylonese Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
throw light on the role Asoka in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
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