DDK HistoryF.p65 - CSIR

MAURYAN CONQUESTS 187
manifestation wasAsoka’s support of the Buddhist doctrine as well as
similar Magadhan sects.
Fig. 29 Candragupta. Bindusara, Asoka.
Candragupta’s armies penetrated the deep south, certainly into
Mysore state, which belonged to Asoka’s domains without any notice of
his^pr his father’s having campaigned there. The Vamba Moriyar- of
ancient- Tamil poetry may refer to a Mauryan army which had virtually
reached Madura before being driven back, or stopped by a mountain
which their chariots could not pass. The uncertain casual reference d’ltes
from the 2nd century A. D. The Mauryan empire was thus the first real
‘ universal monarchy’ over the v/hole country. Asoka undertook only one
campaign, an extremely bloody one against Kalinga (Orissa), after which
his influence penetrated without the help of arms, far across the frontiers.
During his feign, new powers arose in the south. His grandson and
successor Dasaratha was the first of the nonentities that ended the dynasty.
The traditional number of Mauryan emperors from Candragupta is ten.
though the final names are variously reported. There are not more than
ten five-mark groups in Mauryan punch-marked coins. - The last Mauryan
emperor Brhadratha was killecj by his general Pusyamitra at an army
review. The last descendant of Asoka, Purnavarman, feudatory king of