Current Events of india

Mauryan Empire: Reasons For Decline Late stages of the Mauryan Empire After the death of Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire collapsed within five decades. There are many reasons given by historians for this disintegration of a once-mighty empire. At its zenith, the Mauryan Empire stretched from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. It covered almost the whole Indian subcontinent except modern-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. A few years after Ashoka’s death, the weakening of the empire started. The various reasons for the fall of the Mauryan Empire are highlighted below: The partition of the Empire After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire split into two halves – western and eastern parts. This weakened the empire. Kalhana, author of the work Rajatarangini which is an account of Kashmir’s history says that after Ashoka’s death, his son Jalauka ruled over Kashmir as an independent ruler. This partition resulted in invasions from the northwest. Highly centra...

Buddhist Councils and Important Texts There are four Buddhist councils, the first one being held around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru of the Haryanka Dynasty under Magadha Empire. The other three Buddhist councils were held around 383 BCE, 250 BCE, and 72 AD respectively.  List of Buddhist Councils Four Buddhist Councils were held under different kings. First Buddhist Council Conducted under the patronage of King Ajatasatru of Haryanka dynasty. The council was established in order to arrive at a consensus on how the  teachings of the Buddha  could be spread further. It was held in 483 BC just after Buddha’s demise. It was held at Sattapani caves (Sattaparnaguha) in Rajagriha. The monk who presided over the first council was Mahakassapa. Main objective was to preserve the Buddha’s teachings. At this council, Ananda composed the Suttapitaka (Buddha’s Teachings) and Mahakassapa composed the Vinaypitaka (monastic code). Second Buddhist Council Conducted under ...

Gautam Buddha - Life & Teachings Gautam Buddha’s teachings revolve around the middle path of the living, the eight-fold path to enlightenment, and four noble truths. This article will provide you with relevant NCERT notes on Buddha, Gautam Buddha – Facts for UPSC Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha at Lumbini near Kapilavastu (in present Nepal) in 566 BC. He was the son of Suddhodhana and Mahamaya. Suddhodhana was the chief of the Sakya clan. Due to this, Buddha was also known as ‘Sakyamuni’. His mother died either giving birth to him or after seven days. Siddhartha was brought up by his maternal aunt, Prajapati Gautami. This gave him the name ‘Gautama’. He was married to Yashodhara and had a son, Rahula. He left his home at the age of 29 to become an ascetic. This event is called Mahabhishkramana. The idea of renunciation occurred to the Buddha after he saw four different states of man – sick man, old man, corpse and ascetic. Buddha wandere...

Ashoka Inscription (The Edicts Of Ashoka) The great Emperor Ashoka, the third monarch of the Maurya dynasty converted to Buddhism after witnessing the horrific effects of war in Kalinga. He became a champion and patron of Buddhism and strove to spread Dhamma throughout his empire and beyond. He erected pillars and edicts all over the subcontinent and even in modern-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan to spread the Buddha’s word. Ashoka Inscription (Rock Edicts) James Prinsep, a British antiquary and colonial administrator was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s edicts.  These Ashoka’s inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that maximum number of people would read them. More than religious discourses, they talk about the moral duties of the people, how to conduct life, Ashoka’s desire to be a good and benevolent ruler, and about Ashoka’s work towards this end. Ashoka inscriptions can be classi...

Ashoka - Life & Dhamma  Early life Son of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and Subhadrangi. Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. His other names were Devanampiya (Sanskrit Devanampriya meaning Beloved of the Gods) and Piyadasi. Considered one of India’s greatest emperors. He was born in 304 BC. His reign lasted from 268 BC to 232 BC when he died. At its zenith, Ashoka’s empire stretched from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. It covered almost the whole Indian subcontinent except present Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and modern-day Sri Lanka. Ashoka built many edicts all over India including in present-day Nepal and Pakistan. His capital was at Pataliputra (Patna) and had provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain. Rise to power Ashoka was not the eldest son of Bindusara and so was not the heir presumptive. Bindusara wanted his elder son Susima to be crowned the next king. But Ashoka was trained in military and weapons and showed great skills as an administrator when he was made th...