Mauryan Society

According to Megasthenes, there were seven social classes in Mauryan society: philosophers, farmers, warriors, herdsmen, artisans, magistrates, and councilors. Since no one can change professions or marry outside his division, these have been interpreted as castes. Only the philosopher is granted this privilege.

Though, his perception of Indian society is not correct. These vocations consolidated as castes, a feature of Indian culture that continues to influence Indian politics today. Many thought he got confused between caste and profession, and what he meant was what we called today ‘Varnas.’ There were four categories of Varna i.e. Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra, and their profession was decided according to their Varna. Megasthenes may have spoken more about ‘Jati,’ a social group born in.

The Brahmins and shramanas made up the philosophers. The shramanas included a variety of ascetics of various sects – Buddhist, Jaina, Ajivika, and others. They were significant enough to warrant their category. According to references to Brahmans and monks in Indian sources, the philosophers were exempt from paying taxes.

The farmers included the Landowners and the cultivators, including the shudra, that worked on the land for their survival. The cultivators were not armed, according to the classical accounts. Megasthenes also maintains that the peasants were left untouched during the war. Which is not true based on what happened in Kalinga.

According to Megasthenes, the soldiers were the third class in his division, just behind the farmers and the philosophers. The empire had 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 8,000 chariots, and 9,000 war elephants as part of its military, along with followers and attendants. In peacetime, such a vast army could burden the treasury.

Megasthenes writes, ‘when they are not in service, they spend their time in idleness and drinking bouts, being maintained at the expense of the royal treasury. This led to the collection of tax on every possible taxable commodity. The enrollment to the army was not just limited to Kshatriyas; people of the lower caste would form foot soldiers, charioteers, and attendants. Kautilya required soldiers to return their weapons to the armory.

Herdsmen were the tribes still adhering to clan identities. These included hunter-gatherers and shifting cultivators, apart from horticulturalists.

Artisans were classified based on their craft. People involved in shipbuilding or making armor and other expensive items are ascribed to the higher class. While those engaged in weaving or pottery or housekeepers were kept part of the low class. Prosperous artisans were considered among the gahapatis in Buddhist literature. People with low earnings would have been classified as shudra.

Magistrates and councilors were obviously part of the administrative system and would tend to be either Brahmans or Kshatriyas, although exceptions are on record.

The picture painted by Megasthenes was incomplete in some ways. He presumed the flexibility of Indian society and the acceptance of each other as a whole. But the rift between the upper and lower class was beyond mending due to the economic and social status. The Dvija (Brahman, Kshatriya, and Vaishya) were more privileged and better placed in society than the Shudra and the outcastes. But the Vaishyas, though part of the elite group, only benefitted a little due to their relations with the first two.

There was a conflict between the traders and the merchants, who were now economically powerful with the superior caste. However, Ashoka’s emphatic plea for social harmony and repeated calls for equal respect towards Brahmans and shramanas suggest social tensions.

Women from the Mauryan Empire played a significant role in society. Like all citizens, they were also governed by the Arthashastra. Women’s education was highly valued in ancient India during the Mauryan era. The value of literacy for women was well-known at that age. Although women were permitted to pursue higher education, they were forbidden from engaging in national political activities. Even though the princess was well-educated, she had to abdicate the monarchy to her husband. Women were likewise discouraged from associating with men of the opposite sex during this period. 

Women are expected to remain virgins until they marry, and married women are expected to stay with their husbands for the rest of their lives. Contrary to recent times, men will reach the majority at the age of sixteen, while women will get the majority at the age of twelve. Parental consent was required for marriage, but they had a voice in the selection of husbands. While women have more rights to their property, they are not permitted to have any rights to their husband’s or father’s property. Instead, they can pass her property to her daughters and boys. Sons have a moral obligation to support their mothers, as well as legal responsibility and liabilities. During these times, widow remarriage is allowed. 

There is a mention of two classes for women. Brahmavadini were highly educated and talented women who remained unmarried. They continued their studies and performed the duties of scholars. Sadyovadhu, these women studied till their marriage. Child marriage was not so prevalent at that time. Women were enlisted in the military. Patanjali describes female spear carriers. Megasthenes, the Greek Ambassador, speaks of female troops who rode elephants and horses and carried bow arrows. 

 Arthashastra also said that when the King rose from his bed, he should be met by a regiment of female troops wielding bow arrows. Women often engaged in intellectual debates and assisted their husbands in business. Religious rites have to be performed by both men and women. Women were permitted to engage in sports and watch males play. The state maintained strict punishments for those who caused harm to women. There were economic laws for women farmers, which enabled them to work and repay the debt. Slave women could be freed if they gave birth to their master’s child. Women’s status was very high during ancient times compared to the modern era.