The Later Mauryas in Indian History
By G. S. Gai
Summary
Reassessing the Maurya dynasty’s fate after Asoka, this study assembles inscriptions, copper‑plate grants and regional legends to trace post‑Mauryan branches. Evidence from Goa describes kings Candravarman and Anirjitavarman as Maurya rulers in the sixth or seventh century. The Aihole inscription of Pulakeśin II hints at Mauryas along the west coast, while references from Rajasthan and Mewar suggest local chiefs like Durgaraja and the Mori dynasty may have been related to the Mauryas. Copper plates from Khandesh and traditions from Magadha indicate similar survivals. The author argues that the Mauryas fragmented into local houses who retained the dynastic name while acknowledging new overlords. This interpretation extends Maurya presence into the Gupta and early medieval periods and challenges the notion that the dynasty collapsed entirely after the second century BCE.
Conclusion
Far from disappearing, the Maurya dynasty persisted through fragmented regional branches that served as local rulers under subsequent powers. Inscriptions from western and central India show Maurya kings flourishing into the seventh century, highlighting regional continuity and the complexity of post‑Mauryan political landscapes.