Maurya & Gupta Empires in UP

The Maurya Empire and UP (322 — 185 BCE)

The Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE, was India’s first pan-subcontinental empire. While the capital was at Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar), Uttar Pradesh was a core province — the empire’s wealthiest and most culturally significant territory.

Chandragupta Maurya’s Connection

• Chandragupta overthrew the Nanda dynasty with the guidance of Chanakya (Kautilya)
• UP’s major cities — Varanasi, Mathura, Kaushambi — became important administrative centres
• Trade routes through the Ganga-Yamuna Doab connected the Maurya capital to the northwest frontier

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Ashoka’s Pillars and Edicts in UP

Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BCE) left the most visible Maurya legacy in UP through his inscribed pillars and edicts. UP has the highest concentration of Ashokan pillars in India.

The Kaushambi pillar is unique because it contains the only known reference to Ashoka’s queen Karuvaki, mother of Prince Tivara.

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Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts

While the major rock edicts are mostly in border regions, Ashoka’s minor rock edicts have been found in several UP locations. The edicts promoted:

• Dhamma (moral law) — non-violence, respect for all religions
• Ban on animal sacrifice
• Medical facilities for humans and animals
• Planting of trees along roads

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The Gupta Empire — Golden Age of India (320 — 550 CE)

The Gupta Empire is called the “Golden Age of India” because of unparalleled achievements in science, art, literature, and philosophy. Though the capital was at Pataliputra, UP was the cultural and artistic heartland of the empire.

Key Gupta Rulers

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The Prayagraj Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription)

The Prayagraj Prashasti is one of the most important inscriptions in Indian history. Key facts:

• Composed by Harisena, court poet of Samudragupta
• Inscribed on the same Ashokan pillar at Prayagraj (now in Allahabad Fort)
• Written in Sanskrit, Gupta Brahmi script
• Records Samudragupta’s military conquests across India — lists defeated kings by name
• Describes him as the “Indian Napoleon” (title given by historian V.A. Smith)

Exam Tip: The Prayagraj pillar has three inscriptions from three eras: Ashoka’s edicts (3rd century BCE), Samudragupta’s Prashasti (4th century CE), and Jahangir’s inscription (17th century CE).

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Chinese Traveller Fa-Hien in UP

Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (399-414 CE). His observations about UP:

• Visited Mathura — described it as a prosperous city with many Buddhist monasteries
• Visited Kannauj — noted its wealth and Buddhist institutions
• Visited Shravasti and Kapilvastu — found them in decline compared to their earlier glory
• Described the Ganga plains as peaceful with low crime and no capital punishment
• People were vegetarian and did not consume alcohol

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Art and Architecture of the Gupta Period in UP

Deogarh Dashavatara Temple (Lalitpur)

The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (Lalitpur district) is a masterpiece of Gupta architecture:

• Dedicated to Vishnu and his ten avatars
• Built around the 6th century CE
• Features exquisite relief panels: Sheshashayi Vishnu (reclining on Shesha), Gajendramoksha, Nara-Narayana
• One of the earliest examples of the North Indian Nagara-style temple

Bhitargaon Brick Temple (Kanpur Dehat)

Bhitargaon temple is the oldest surviving brick Hindu temple in India:

• Built during the Gupta period (5th century CE)
• Located in Kanpur Dehat district
• Remarkable terracotta panels depicting Vishnu, Shiva, and river goddesses
• Demonstrates advanced Gupta-era brick construction techniques

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Gupta Achievements Connected to UP

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Key Takeaways

• UP has the highest concentration of Ashokan pillars — Sarnath, Prayagraj, Meerut, Sankassa, Kaushambi
• The Sarnath Lion Capital became India’s national emblem
• Prayagraj Prashasti by Harisena records Samudragupta’s conquests on the same Ashokan pillar
• Fa-Hien visited Mathura and Kannauj during Chandragupta II’s reign
• Deogarh Dashavatara Temple has the finest Gupta sculptures; Bhitargaon is India’s oldest surviving brick temple
• The Mathura School of Art produced India’s first indigenous Buddha statues

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Summary Cheat Sheet