Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c12.s9.11

c12.s9.11

The Ājīvikas appear to have attained some importance in the time of Aśoka as the latter mentions them side by side with the Buddhists and Nirgranthas and says that his Mahāmātras had been asked to look after their welfare and progress as well (Pillar edict VII). In the 12th year of his reign, Aśoka made gifts of two caves in the Barābar hills to the Ājīvikas. The order seems to have maintained its importance throughout the Mauryan period as one of the grandsons of Aśoka, Daśaratha, is also known to have dedicated some caves in the Nāgārjuni hills to the Ājivika order.