Q14. What can you infer from the landmark projects undertaken by the Mauryan rulers?
Answers
There are reasons why Mauryan Empire is considered landmark in the Indian history
(I) Huge Empire- Mauryan empire was huge , it stretched till Afghanistan and Balochistan in northwest to Bengal in east, and to central and southern India.
(ii) Taxation: The Maurya period constitutes a landmark in the system of taxation in ancient India. Kautilya mentions many taxes to be collected from peasants, artisans and traders.
(iii) Coins: It seems that the punch-marked silver coins, which carry the symbols of the peacock, and the hill and crescent, formed the imperial currency of the Mauryans.
(iv) Art and Architecture: The Mauryas made a remarkable contribution to art and architecture. They introduced stone masonary on a wide scale. Megasthenes states that the Maurya palace at Patliputra was as splended as that in the capital of Iran.
(v) Huge Buildings: Fragments of stone pillars and stupas indicating the existence of a 80 pillars hall has been discovered at Kumrahar on the outskirts of modern Patna.