Tag: Dynasty

Introduction

The third Mauryan emperor Ashoka, sometimes referred to as Ashoka the Great, reigned in ancient India from 268 to 232 BC. He was the second son of the Mauryan emperor Bindusar. Although he was not the heir of the Mauryan throne, he was more adored than his elder brother Sushima.  Ashoka was an ambitious ruler and a gallant warrior. Some folklores suggest that Ashoka conspired against all his siblings to reach the throne. However, he is not only known for his war abilities but for the realizations he had after the war of Kalinga that led him to accept the doctrines of Buddhism and spread peace around the world.

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Ashoka: The Great

Ashoka was born in the year 304 BC to Subhadrangi, daughter of a Brahmin. It is said that Ashoka spent his childhood away from the royal pleasures and in a village. However, he was trained with good morale and this made him popular among the crowd. He was loved by his people and received titles of honor from them. For several reasons, Ashoka was referred to as Ashoka the Great. Some of them are as follows:

• The largest empire in the Indian subcontinent was founded by Ashoka. 
• One of the largest armies was that of Ashoka, which included infantry, cavalry, and war elephants. 
• The greatest conquistador was Ashoka. He resolved never to use violence again after the Kalinga conflict and gave his life to Buddhism.
• He dispatched his son, daughter, and many missionaries to spread Buddhism over the continent. 
• He constructed countless viharas and stupas, the most notable of which is the enormous Sanchi Stupa, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site.

Ashoka: The Ruler

• Following his accession to the throne, Ashoka decided to expand his empire and carried out all the royal responsibilities outlined in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
• This ongoing conflict lasted for eight years. Aside from these battles, he maintained good relations with other countries and maintained stability in all the regions that Chandragupta and Bindusar had previously controlled. 
• He gave himself the name “Devanampriya,” which means gods’ favourite.
• Kashmir and Kalinga, the only left-wing state in south India, were two targets Ashoka had long aimed to capture. His efforts were concentrated on Kalinga after he was successful in annexing Kashmir. The conflict significantly altered Ashoka’s life.

Ashoka’s War

The War of Kalinga was the largest and most well-known conflict during Ashoka’s rule. The Kalinga kingdom was a commercial state with easy access to the sea that was located in what is now the state of Odisha. In the year 260 BCE, Ashoka attacked Kalinga city. 

In India’s history, it was the bloodiest conflict ever. When Ashoka visited the battlefield to celebrate his victory after winning the war, he was horrified and deeply saddened by the scale of the carnage. At that very moment, he experienced a great conversion of heart and condemned war and all forms of violence after witnessing the devastation and feeling regret for the Kalinga. He swore he would never take up a weapon or use force of any kind. He subsequently adopted Buddhism as his religion, followed its path, and swore to disseminate the Buddha’s teachings.

Ashoka as a Devotee

Ashoka was dramatically altered by the Kalinga conflict. He converted to Buddhism and embraced the Dhamma, or Conquest by Dharma, philosophy. Ashoka erected several engraved rock and pillar edicts and thousands of stupas around India to publicise Buddha’s work and propagate his teachings. 

For people to adhere to the teachings and uphold the dharma, Ashoka’s rules and the Buddha’s teachings were etched on those pillars. One of the best-known dicta of dharma is the lion capital of the pillar at Sarnath, which eventually became the flag of India. Ashoka gave the order to erect 84,000 stupas throughout his territory, each housing the Buddha’s remains. Sanchi Stupa is among the most well-known stupas.

Ashoka’s Administration:

• The kingdom of Ashoka was split into provinces, which were further subdivided into villages by Visayas and Janpadas. 
• The provinces of his dominion were separated into five. 
• Magadh was the central Province, and each Province was independent, given a certain amount of autonomy.
• He adhered to the ideal of non-violence and had as his goal the welfare and security of his citizens. 
• Amatya and appointed officials, who all directly answered to the king, were trusted and knowledgeable authorities in charge of overseeing all administrative and judicial functions. 
• He had a competent and organised government.

Summary

One of the most amazing and legendary monarchs of ancient India was Ashoka. He gained much of his notoriety following the Battle of Kalinga when he decided to stop fighting. As the monarch who abstained from battle, he is well-known throughout history. Ashoka ruled over the whole Indian subcontinent and created the largest empire in historical India. After the Battle of Kalinga, he converted to Buddhism and became its most ardent supporter. To promote the teachings of Buddhism, he dispatched many missionaries and carved numerous stone edicts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.What was Ashoka’s Dhamma?
Ans. Dhamma is best understood as instructions, and Ashoka’s Dhamma were guidelines for a more ethical social order. It was an order that needed to be obeyed for the good of society.

2.What were the messages given by Ashoka for the Betterment of Society?
Ans. The messages given by Ashoka for the betterment of society were:

• Respecting everyone’s cast. 
• Being gentle with the poor. 
• Doing welfare of citizens. 
• Respecting each religion.

3. Where is Kalinga located in Present Day?
Ans: Kalinga included a large part of present-day Odisha, north-easter regions of Andhra Pradesh, and large portions of Chhatisgarh.

Introduction

In the past, there have been numerous empires that included several kingdoms and were ruled by various dynasties. These three are connected on the one hand, while also having certain differences on the other. A dynasty can play a crucial role in both an empire and a kingdom. The terms “dynasty” and “empire” are more frequently used interchangeably, as in “Mughal empire or Mughal dynasty.” Similar to a kingdom, an empire is a state or nation governed by an emperor, respectively. Additionally, there are numerous ways in which these terminologies differ from one another.

What is an Empire?

An empire is a type of political system in which one state uses territorial conquests to expand and consolidate its dominance over a sizable territory while subjugating other states and nations, or a group of states and countries. An empire is often ruled by an emperor, however, there are instances in history where an empire has existed without a specific ruler. One such instance is the “British Empire” in India. In this approach, an empire is a group with a single sovereign authority and a centralised structure where the emperor had ultimate control. The idea of an empire’s emergence prepared the path for imperialism. In imperialism, nations dispatch a military expedition to other nations to build colonies.

What is a Dynasty?

A dynasty is a series of successive heads of the same family who rule over an empire or a kingdom. Primogeniture, or the idea that the eldest son of the king would inherit the throne, is typically the foundation of the succession process in dynasties. When a dynasty was deposed by members of another family or lineage, it came to an end. The dynasties are “hereditary,” meaning that rather than aptitude or skill, the powers are passed down through the generations depending on birth. The fact that a male is typically anticipated to ascend as the next monarch rather than a female shows how more “patriarchal” the idea of the dynasty was.

 What is a Kingdom?

A kingdom is a country or area that is governed by an absolute monarch (a king or queen), who makes decisions that affect the entire country. A kingdom may be a portion of an empire, where the emperor may delegate control of a particular territory to any of his kin. Multiple dynasties may succeed a single kingdom, although a kingdom cannot be exclusively connected with one dynasty. For administrative purposes, the kingdoms are further divided into provinces, where several officials are appointed and used to report to the monarch.

The idea of a kingdom originated in India during the later Vedic period, when janapadas, a tribal society, evolved into mahajanapadas and were eventually referred to as a kingdom. As numerous kingdoms began to compete for power, continual conflicts began.

What is the difference between an Empire, Dynasty and Kingdom?

Empire	Dynasty	Kingdoms
A political entity ruled by an emperor is an empire.	A succession of kings from the same family or bloodline is referred to as a “dynasty.”	A kingdom is a territory under a king or queen.
A wide area of land was made up of an empire. Even a few kingdoms could belong to an empire.	A dynasty has nothing to do with the geographic area. Rather a dynasty rules over a empire or kingdom.	The size of a kingdom might vary depending on its territorial scope.
Someone who may or may not be related to the ruler rules an empire.	Regardless of the circumstances, a dynasty is always made up of members of the same family.	A monarch may be chosen by the members of a certain key official and group or may inherit the throne from his or her family.

Examples-Ancient India

• The first indigenous empire of India, the Empire-Mauryan Empire, ruled over the whole Indian subcontinent from 321 BCE until 185 BCE. 
• The Gupta Empire, often known to rule during the Golden Age of Indian history, ruled over what is known as ancient India from the fourth to the sixth centuries BCE.
• Several dynasties, including the Nanda, Haryanka, Pandya, Pallava, Maurya, and Sunga dynasties, existed in ancient India. 
• Kingdom- Magadha was one of the illustrious kingdoms of prehistoric India.
• There were several other kingdoms present during the period, including Avanti, Vatsa, Kosala, Kuru, etc.

Summary

A political entity ruled by an emperor is an empire. A succession of kings from the same family or bloodline is referred to as a “dynasty.” A kingdom is a territory under a king or queen. The first indigenous empire of India, the Empire-Mauryan Empire, ruled over the entire Indian subcontinent from 321 BCE until 185 BCE. There were several other kingdoms present during the period, including Avanti, Vatsa, Kosala, Kuru, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why was the Gupta Period called the Golden Age of India?

Ans. Economic prosperity and outstanding accomplishments in the fields of science, technology, art, architecture, literature, mathematics, religion, and philosophy were witnessed throughout this time. The Gupta era is therefore known as the “Golden Age” of Indian history.

2. Is there any Country in the World which is still Ruled by Kings and Queens?

Ans. Yes, there are 44 countries in the world which have a monarchial system of governance. Where a monarch is considered as the head of state. United Kingdom, UAE, are popular examples.

3. Do we have an Empire or Kingdom Existing in India Today?

Ans. No, there is no longer an empire or kingdom in India. Now that we have a democratic system of governance, those who labour for the general benefit of the populace directly or indirectly elect the nation’s leaders.

Introduction

Babur founded the Mughal empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. In order to establish the empire, Babur had to command a number of military campaigns. Expeditions of Babur include-

• The Battles of Khanwa (1527)
• The Battles of Chanderi(1528)
• The Battles of  Ghagra (1529).

It took almost two decades for Akbar, who rose to the Mughal throne in 1556, to establish his authority and bring central and northern India under his control. His reign saw some significant military campaigns, such as the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 and the Battle of Haldighati. A number of military conquests were led by Akbar’s successors, Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb, to further the empire’s reach in Mewar, Deccan, Kangra, and Bengal.

Mughal Military Campaign

Gunpowder tactics, in which the Mughals employed cannons to beat their enemies, and well-trained cavalry were the reasons behind the military campaigns’ success. We shall examine in depth the three occasions when the Mughal military campaigns refused to carry on campaigns due to the fear of seasons in those regions.

• A campaign headed by prince Murad Bakhsh in Balkh
• Mughal’s Military campaign in Kashmir
• Mughal Conquest of Assam

A Campaign Headed by Prince Murad Bakhsh in Balkh

• The Mughal emperor Shahjahan led a military expedition in the seventeenth century under the command of his younger son prince Murad Bakhsh to conquer the Uzbek city of Balkh (modern-day Afghanistan). 
• This territory belonged to the Mughals and was taken by Uzbeks under Babur. Balkh’s monarch fled as soon as the Mughal army arrived, and Murad quickly took control of the region.
• Murad eventually made the decision to leave the area. So, he asked for permission to move away from that location.
• Winter was about to arrive in Central Asia at the time, and it was difficult to survive with a sizable force. This was the reason for the request for relocation.
• It was very challenging for them because of the surrounding snow, which could close roads for months and complicate logistics by making it difficult to feed both the sizable army and the horses used for the cavalry.
• Shahjahan rejected his son’s petition and instructed him to stay in position. Murad still left his subordinates there and began his return trip.
• As a result of this, Shahjahan expelled Murad from his court and his mansab was called.

Mughal’s Military Campaign in Kashmir

In 1586, the Chak dynasty of Kashmir was overthrown by the Mughal emperor Akbar.A military expedition to conquer Kashmir was planned under the leadership of Muhammed Qasim Khan. Because of the harsh winter, Mughal troops gradually began to refuse to advance during the capture of Kashmir, forcing Qasim Khan to go out and fight with the enemies on his own. The Mughal soldiers in Kashmir struggled to survive the bitter weather, rough terrain, and unbearable conditions with little to no food supplies.

The Mughal warriors were used to a hotter, more open environment, hence this campaign was difficult for them.

Mughal Conquest of Assam

• The Mughal marched in Assam and Aurangzeb dispatched an army in 1662 with Mir Jumla as its supreme commander.
• The Mughals 1663 sent an army to Assam. The Mughal army successfully conquered the region and compelled the Ahoms to seek sanctuary in the highlands.
• At the conclusion of this campaign, Aurangzeb sent an order to Assam from the Mughal court to select two officials to serve as subedar and faujdar. But, due to the difficulties of the climate they had to endure during the conquest, such as rain and floods, the commanders declined to take the position.
• Ahom took advantage of the circumstance and left their hiding place to begin attacking the Mughal invaders after seeing the helplessness of the Mughal forces.
• In addition, the warriors’ line of communication with one another and the supply of food grains were disrupted by the constant, heavy rain.
• The imperial army fled from Assam as a result of all of these.

Summary

The Mughal military campaigns began in the latter part of the fourteenth century and lasted virtually until the seventeenth. Even though the Mughals were successful in almost all of their conquests, they occasionally faced difficulties in the form of internal insurrection and persistent external pressure. Additionally, environmental considerations presented challenges for the Mughal army. As a result, campaigns like those in Kashmir and Balkh by Murad occasionally had to be abandoned due to unfavourable circumstances. Although many difficulties were faced by the Mughals, their reign is still considered the most powerful in the history of India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Who were the Ahoms?
Ans: The tribal communities that moved to Assam were known as Ahoms. They conquered Assam’s traditional landowner elite, known as bhuiyans. The Chhutiyas and Koch-Hajo were also captured by them in the sixteenth century. In the end, they conquered a number of local tribes and established a new, sizable state in the Brahmaputra valley.

2.When and between whom was the Haldighati Fight Fought? Who Emerged Victorious from the Conflict?
Ans: In 1576 CE, Rana Pratap and Akbar’s Rajput armies engaged in combat at Haldighati. Rana Pratap was defeated by the Mughal army under Raja Man Singh’s leadership.

3.Who was Faujdar in the Mughal Era?
Ans: The head of a garrison in the military was known as the “Faujdar” during the Mughal dynasty. These faujdars were later elevated to the position of district chiefs, or sarkars, during Akbar’s rule.