Here is the notes from NCERT Class 6 History, Chapter 8: “Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War”.

The Mauryan Empire

  • The Mauryan dynasty founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 2300 years ago.
  • Chandragupta was helped by his minister Chanakya (Kautilya), who wrote the Arthashastra (a book on politics and governance).
  • Capital: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).

Extent of the Empire

  • The Mauryan Empire was very large — it included parts of modern-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
  • Important cities: Taxila, Ujjayini, Pataliputra.

Administration of the Empire

  • The emperor was the head of the administration.
  • Officials collected taxes, maintained law and order, and looked after roads, irrigation, etc.
  • Empire was divided into provinces, each with its own governor.
  • Spies were used to keep an eye on officials and citizens.
  • The Arthashastra tells us that the north-west was important for blankets, and south India for its gold and precious stones.
  • Megasthenes was an ambassador who was sent to the court of Chandragupta by the Greek ruler of West Asia named Seleucus Nicator
Ashoka – A Unique Ruler
  • Ashoka was the most famous Mauryan ruler.
  • He was the first ruler who tried to take his message to the people through inscriptions.
  • Ashoka’s inscriptions were in Prakrit and were written in the Brahmi script

The Kalinga War

  • Kalinga is the ancient name of coastal Orissa.
  • The war caused massive destruction and loss of life.
  • Ashoka was deeply moved by the suffering and decided to give up warfare.
  • He is the only king in the history of the world who gave up conquest after winning a war.
  • He adopted Dhamma (Dharma) to promote peace and welfare.

Ashoka’s Dhamma

  • Dhamma is the Prakrit word for the Sanskrit term ‘Dharma’.
  • Ashoka’s Dhamma was about:
    • Respect for all religions and people.
    • Non-violence and kindness to humans and animals.
    • Helping the poor, elderly, and servants.
    • Treating everyone equally.
    • Encouraging people to live truthfully and peacefully.

Note: Ashoka did not promote any one religion — Dhamma was a moral code.

Spreading the Message of Dhamma
  • Ashoka sent officials (Dhamma Mahamatta) to spread Dhamma.
  • Messages were inscribed on pillars and rock edicts across the empire (written in Prakrit language).
  • Ashoka sent messengers to other countries like Sri Lanka, Greece, and Egypt to spread Dhamma.
  • His son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta helped spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
  • Edicts: Messages carved on rocks and pillars.
  • Example: Famous Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath (National Emblem of India today).
China
  • about 2400 years ago, emperors in China began building the Great Wall.
  • to protect the northern frontier of the empire from pastoral people.
  • made over a period of 2000 years because the frontiers of the empire kept shifting.
  • The wall is about 6400 km long, and is made of stone and brick, with a road along the top.
  • There are watch towers all along, at distances of about 100-200 m.
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