Question

What were the main sources of information about Mauryan Empire​

Answer 1

Question ⤵

What were the main sources of information about Mauryan Empire??

Answer ⤵

There are two types of sources of Mauryan History. One is Literary and the other is Archaeological. The literary sources include Kautilya's Arthasastra, Visakha Datta's Mudra Rakshasa , Megasthenese's Indica, Buddhist literature and Puranas.

Answer 2

Both literary and archaeological works are considered as the main sources of information of a particular period or dynasty. The history of Mauryan empire can be reconstructed through the literary and archaeological sources.

Literary Sources:

1. Arthashastra written by Kautilya is considered as the primary source for the Mauryan empire.

2. Indica written by Megasthenes. Megasthenes was an ambassador sent to the court of Chandragupta.

3. MudraRakshasa aurthored by Vishakadatta.

4. Buddhist texts which were written during Ashoka's reign.

5. Puranas and other Jatakas.

Archaeological Sources:

• Material remains which were existed during Mauryan empire helps to reconstruct the history.

• Material remains include coins, pottery works etc.

• Major and minor rock edicts of Ashoka.

• The rock edicts of Ashoka are considered as the earliest known written documents.