Study Notes on Ancient Indian Art and Religion

The sixth century BCE marks a significant turning point in the Gangetic valley with the emergence of new religious and philosophical movements, primarily Buddhism and Jainism.
Both religions were part of the shraman tradition, an ascetic and renunciatory movement that challenged the orthodox Vedic traditions. This tradition emphasized individual spiritual practice, self-discipline, and direct experience over ritualistic sacrifices and hereditary priesthood inherent in the existing varna and jati systems in Hinduism.
Buddhism and Jainism gained widespread popularity due to their inclusive doctrines, which opposed the established rigid social hierarchies of the varna system (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras) and the discrimination based on birth (jati).
Jainism, founded by Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankara), stressed extreme asceticism, ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living beings, and the rejection of the caste system, appealing to traders and farmers.
Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), offered an Eightfold Path to liberation from suffering, accessible to all, regardless of social standing, and also emphasized non-violence and ethical conduct.

Concurrently with these religious shifts, the kingdom of Magadha became a dominant power in the region, systematically consolidating control over several smaller kingdoms and republics in the Gangetic plains. Its strategic location, fertile agricultural land, control over iron ore deposits, and access to elephants for warfare contributed to its rise.
Several dynasties, including the Haryanka, Shishunaga, and Nanda dynasties, successively ruled Magadha, laying the groundwork for a vast empire.
The Mauryan Empire rose to prominence by the fourth century BCE, when Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty. By the third century BCE, the empire had established extensive rule, becoming one of the largest empires in ancient India.
Ashoka Maurya, Chandragupta's grandson, emerged as a crucial figure during his reign (c. 268-232 BCE). After the Kalinga War, he famously converted to Buddhism and became a staunch patron of the Buddhist shraman tradition, propagating its principles (Dhamma) through rock edicts and pillars across his empire. His policies reflected Buddhist ideals of peace, non-violence, and welfare.