Question

what are the importance of inscriptions in discovery of maurya to gupta Empire​

Answer 1

Answer:

Significance

A new era was opened in Indian History after the establishment of Mauryan Empire. It was very first time in history that whole India was politically united. In addition, from this period history writing became clear because of accuracy in chronology and sources. Along with this indigenous and foreign literary sources were available in ample form. This empire left epigraphical records in a large number to write the history of this period.

Also, some important archaeological findings associated with Mauryan Empire were stone sculpture a tremendous example of typical mauryan art. Some scholars suggest that message on Ashoka inscription was entirely different from most other rulers which is a symbol of powerful and industrious Ashoka and also he was humble more than other (later) rulers who adopted grand titles. So it’s not surprising that leaders of the nation regarded him as an inspiring figure.

Literary Sources

Kautilya’s Arthasastra: this was a book in Sanskri. Kautilya was also called ‘Indian Machiavelli’. R. Shama Sastri in 1904 first discovered the manuscript of Arthasastra. The treaty was divided into 15 books or adhikarnas and which were further divided into 180 chapters into three parts:

The first part deals with the ruler and council of ruler and the departments of Government; the second part containing law as civil and criminal and the third part deals with war and diplomacy. This treaty is the most important literary source for the history of the Mauryas. The work deals with all topics of internal administration and foreign realtions.