ook-ashoka and decline of Maurya (marathi translation)
Author- Romila Thapar
Publication_ maharashtra rajya sahitya sanskruti mandal
Rating 4/5
Finished it… Amazing book by Romila Thapar….
The english book is translated into Marathi by state literature and cultural corporation..
Romila opens the book with the list of the references like Kautilya Arthshastra ,Buddhist books like asokvadana, divyavdana ,the shilasanas and other archeological evidences.
Then she takes into account the Emperor’s biography in brief. And next she writes in detail, about ashok A’s mode of administration, taxation system, bureaucratic structure.This is a treat to a reader.
The Maurya Empire can be regarded as the imp. point in the evolution of indian civilization from cattle bearers to the farmers to the merchants. This new emerging mighty class was not happy by the inferior status assigned to it by Brahmins n Kshatriya’s . So it started embracing buddhism . Besides the Vaidic rituals like yadnya lagged a bit to fulfil the needs of the increased pace and complexity of that time and Buddhism came with a suitable and simple options. So the religion was more convenient for the king and the traders alike. Along with his genuine faith the ease of politics was an additional factor for Ashok to be a buddhist .
Contrary to the popular beliefs, Maurya empire was highly centralized… And the loyalty to state transferred to king gradually . Ashok in his last yrs presented himself as a larger than,life, complacent monarch. But in its highly centralized structure lied the seeds of its destruction.
Romila doesn’t seem convinced about the Story that Ashok was devastated by Kalinga Holocaust and then embraced buddhism. Zhe mentions the possibility that he became buddhist two years prior to the war. The buddhist books, in order to glorify their religion, changed the chronology of the events portrayed the prior king as a cruel , violent and the later one has a chariot of the non violence.
by sachinketkar