There is ample evidence that the Mauryan Empire, a juggernaut of ancient India, stretched across a vast territory – from today's Bangladesh to modern-day Afghanistan. From the Himalayan foothills to the south… well, that's where the story gets interesting.
Powerful Opposition to Mauryan Empire in the South India
South India, during the Mauryan era, wasn't a political vacuum. Flourishing kingdoms like the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras held sway over the region. Evidence from Sangam literature, a rich collection of poems in Tamil, portrays these kingdoms as powerful entities with well-equipped armies. These established powers likely posed a significant challenge to any large-scale Mauryan invasion.
Evidence of Presence of Mauryan Empire in South India: A Complex Picture
Despite the presence of strong southern kingdoms, there are hints of Mauryan influence in the south.
Clues in the Sangam Literature
The Ancient Sangam Literature mentions the Mauryans as invaders, suggesting attempts at expansion.
'...He has gone on the path ... where the Mauryan newcomers came with their army with horses and fine chariots, cut into the mountains with splendid, white waterfalls and created paths for their chariot wheels to roll smoothly, to attack the king of Mōkūr who refused to submit to the Kōsars...' – Sangam Poem 'Akanānūru 251, Māmoolanār, Pālai Thinai (source)
This poem pictures Mauryans as invaders.
'...he went on the path, where the Vadukars who have great enmity tie the shed feathers of delicate peacocks with swaying walks, to their strong bows using long straps on the edges, shoot rapidly fitting the beauty of the tied fibers, creating sounds, and lead the Mauryas who desire to conquer the South, cutting into the rocks to let their chariot wheels with bright spokes roll...' – Akanānūru 281, Māmoolanār, Pālai Thinai (source)
Here too, the Mauryans are portrayed to be invading South India with the help of 'Vadukars'. The 'Vadukars' are believed to be the Telugu-speaking rulers of the time. The word "Vadugar" means "people from the north" in Tamil, so the Telugus and Badaga Kannadas, who lived north and west of the Tamils, were known as Vadugars
Ashokan Edicts in South India
The presence of Ashoka's rock edicts in Karnataka offers intriguing clues. These edicts, found in places like Brahmagiri, Siddapura, and Maski, represent the southernmost markers of Ashoka's dhamma mission.
The edicts themselves are in Prakrit, suggesting they were meant to be translated and disseminated by officials to the local population. This focus on spreading dhamma, alongside the geographical distribution of the edicts, hints at a possible Mauryan political influence extending into South India.
It's important to note that these edicts might not signify direct Mauryan rule. The region might have been under the control of local chiefdoms or kingdoms. However, the presence of Ashoka's message, even if delivered through translators, suggests a level of political influence or ambition on the part of the Mauryan Empire.
Geographical Challenges for Mauryan Expansion in South India
The geographical landscape of India might have also played a role. The mighty Vindhya mountains, Narmada river, Satpura ranges, vast Deccan Plateau covered with dense forests, other rivers like Tapi, Godavari, and Krishna, could have presented logistical hurdles for establishing and maintaining a firm control over a distant territory.
The Enduring Legacy of the Ancient South Indian Kingdoms
While the extent of control of the Mauryan Empire in South India remains debated, there's no doubt that the southern kingdoms were prominent players. The vibrant Sangam literature, a testament to their cultural richness, continues to be studied and celebrated today.
In fact, to ensure its continued preservation and translation, we've launched a crowdfunding campaign. You can learn more about it here: Glimpses of Animation Crowdfunding Campaign.
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