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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s6: Mauryan Period

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s6

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Mauryan Period

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During the Mauryan period, a fairly extensive network of communication in different regions of the empire was established. Extensive roads were built and special trade routes established between the capitals of various states. The most famous of these roads were the Northern (Uttarāpatha) and Southern (Dhakṣiṇāpatha) which stretched all the way from North Western frontier to Pāṭaliputra and then still further east. The existence of roads from the Epic age (or immediately after) is also attested by Greek records especially that of Megasthenes who refers to the Royal Road (from North Western Frontier to Pāṭaliputra) as the road existing in earlier times, and which was 10,000 stadia in length. This was probably the road, Megasthenes himself took on his enroute to the Mauryan court.

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This road is said to have been constructed in he following stages

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i) Peukelaotis to Taxila (sans Puṣkalavathi)

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ii) Taxila across Indus to Hydaspes (Jhelum)

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iii) From Hydaspes to Hyphasis (Beas) near where Alexander erected his altars

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iv) From Hyphasis to Hesidrus (Sutlej)

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v) From Hesidrus to Iomanes (Jamuna)
vi) From Iomanes to Gaṅgā (via Hastināpur)
vii) From river Gaṅgā to Rodopha possibly Dabhai near Anupshalias viii) From Rodopha to Kalinapaxa (Kānyakhupja or Kanauj)
ix) From Kanauj to Prayāg
x) From Prayāg to Pāṭaliputra
xi) From Pāṭaliputra to the mouth of Gaṅga probably Tāmaralipti

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The distances were supposed to have been measured out by Baeto and Diognetus, two survey officers of Alexander upto Hyphasis (Beas).

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From Hyphasis to river Gaṅga, the distance was measured out by Megasthenes and other Greek writers for Selukus Nikator.

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Megasthenes further mentions that the Mauryas “construct roads and at every ten stadia set up a pillar to show the by-roads and distances”. Pliny also quotes Megasthenes in that the road was in charge of officers of the public works department. They were responsible for its upkeep - any repairs and the maintenance/erection of signposts.

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The Indika also mentions that whenever the king set out on hunting, the roads were blocked by ropes and cleared of obstacles and dangerous persons. Dikshitar takes it as a reference to the Rāja-Mārga or the Royal road of Kauṭilya. The latter also states that the royal road was well guarded on both sides and cleared of armed persons, beggars and the crippled.

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Numerous fragmentary and complete examples of terracota toy cart wheels found during various periods give some idea of wheeled vehicles such as carts. They were presumably wooden carts - used mainly for carrying good and passengers.

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Terracotta wheels have been excavated from the early levels (800-200 B.C.) Period I of Varanasi. These wheels are plain without spokes and hub, but they possess a hole in the centre to take the axle.

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A few model carts also constitute evidence for the use of simple carts. These are also found in the Ganga valley and can be dated to 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.

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A simple type in frame, made of tortoise shell has been found from Campa. “It possesses a body frame long and rectangular and at the yoke-end curving in triangular-cut sharpness. It has a horizontal perforation at the rear end for the axle and a vertical hole at the yoke-end for animals” (Margabhandu).

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The wheels are solid, without spokes. The details of the toy-cart and measurements reveal its proportionate design to mathematical precision.

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Indika also gives many details regarding the breeding and training given to horses and other animals. Megasthenes mentions divisions of military officers who directed military affairs.

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The vast empire maintained a highly organized army and bureaucracy - army of chariots, elephants, cavalry and infantry. It had eight thousand chariots and thirty thousand horsemen which presuppose the existence of good roads for the chariots to travel. The highly organized military administration had six special Boards to look after six departments each one for admiralty, transport, cavalry,etc. Similarly, the well organized bureaucracy looked after accurate land survey and measurements and the maintenance of the roads. Megestheses mentions that there was a special officer, superintendent of bullock cart trains used for transporting the war equipments, food for the soldiers and other requisites.

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The commissariat is mentioned by Kauṭilya. Their work was the examination of roads, bridges, wells, rivers, carrying machines, weapons, armours, provisions, etc.

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There was a division one each for the horse, the war-chariots and the elephants. The chariots were drawn in the march by oxen, but the horses were led along by halter so that their legs may not be galled and inflamed by drawing chariots. (Dikshitar)

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Kauṭilya also mentions this road, but describes it as the trade route (Vanikpatha). According to Kauṭilya, the Dakṣiṇāpatha was more profitable as it led to places producing valuable commodities like diamonds, gems, pearls, and gold.

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According to a Pillar edict of Aśoka, at intervals of 8 Kos the roads were marked by rest-houses and wells. The Aśokan edicts also mention the improvements made in the communication by planting trees along the roads to provide shade. To implement his reforms, he appointed a new class of officers - the Dharmamahāmātras.

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