Notes For All Chapters – History Class 6
India during the Maurya Period
1. India and Iran
- In the 6th century BCE, King Cyrus ruled over Iran.
- His empire stretched from Northwest India to Rome and Egypt.
- In 518 BCE, Emperor Daryush of Iran conquered Punjab.
- He started trade and art exchanges between India and Iran.
- He introduced a common currency called ‘Darik’.
- His capital was Persepolis (in Iran).
2. Alexander’s Invasion (326 BCE)
- Alexander the Great was a Greek ruler.
- He invaded Northwest India and reached Takshashila.
- He faced strong resistance from Indian kings but defeated them.
- His soldiers were tired and wanted to go home, so he returned.
- Greek officers called “Satraps” ruled the conquered regions.
- He died in 323 BCE in Babylon (Iraq).
Effects of Alexander’s invasion:
- Trade increased between India and the West.
- Greek historians wrote about India.
- Greek art influenced Indian art, leading to the Gandhara school of art.
- Indian kings started minting coins like Greek coins.
3. The Maurya Empire
Chandragupta Maurya (325 BCE)
- He ended the rule of the Nanda king (Dhanananda).
- He founded the Maurya Empire in Magadha.
- He expanded his empire to Avanti and Saurashtra.
- He defeated Seleucus Nicator, a Greek general of Alexander.
- Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat became part of his empire.
4. Emperor Ashoka (273 BCE)
- Chandragupta’s grandson.
- He ruled almost all of India, from Afghanistan to Karnataka.
The Kalinga War
- Ashoka fought the Kalinga War (modern-day Odisha).
- The war caused immense destruction.
- Ashoka was deeply saddened by the war.
- He gave up war forever and accepted Buddhism.
- He spread messages of truth, non-violence, and kindness through pillar edicts.
- He banned hunting certain animals.
Ashoka’s Contribution to Buddhism
- He spread Buddhism in India and abroad.
- He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka.
- He built many stupas and viharas (Buddhist temples).
5. Administration During the Maurya Period
- Capital: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
- The empire was divided into four regions:
- Toshali (East – Odisha)
- Ujjayani (West – Madhya Pradesh)
- Suvarnagiri (South – Karnataka)
- Takshashila (North – Pakistan)
- A Council of Ministers helped the king.
- A strong intelligence service monitored administration.
6. Life of People in Maurya Period
- Agriculture was the main occupation.
- Other professions: Weaving, dyeing, metalwork, ivory carving.
- Black glazed pottery was made.
- Shipbuilding was important.
- Chess (Ashtapad), wrestling, chariot races, music, and dance were popular.
7. Art and Literature
- Rock-cut sculptures flourished under Ashoka.
- Pillars had carvings of lions, elephants, and bulls.
- The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath inspired India’s national emblem.
- Barabar Caves in Bihar were built.
8. The Decline of the Maurya Empire
- After Ashoka’s death, the Maurya Empire weakened.
- Many small kingdoms replaced it.
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