Surastra under the Mauryas
By Bankim Ch. Ray Chaudhuri
Summary
The article discusses debates about Surastra's political status under the Mauryan Empire, particularly focusing on Dr. U.N. Ghoshal's critique of Dr. D.D. Raychaudhuri's interpretation. Raychaudhuri suggested Surastra was an autonomous entity under Mauryan suzerainty, citing Tusispha's title in the Junagadh Rock inscription and Asoka's edicts. Ghoshal disputes this, arguing Raychaudhuri overrelies on the *Arthashastra*, which groups Surastra with other autonomous tribes like the Kambojas. He contends the *Arthashastra*'s references to *samghas* (corporations) are misinterpreted as political entities and notes the absence of corroborating evidence for Surastra's exceptional status. Ghoshal proposes Pusyagupta and Tusispha held small jurisdictions under a neighboring viceroyalty at Ujjain, though he provides no direct evidence for this claim. The article highlights unresolved tensions in interpreting ancient sources, with Ghoshal emphasizing the need for corroborative evidence when using the *Arthashastra*. It concludes by questioning the inclusion of Surastra within Avantirattha, as no geographical or textual sources explicitly link the two. The discussion underscores the complexity of reconstructing ancient political dynamics from fragmentary evidence.
Conclusion
The debate over Surastra's status under the Mauryas reveals critical insights into regional autonomy and administrative dynamics. While Dr. Ghoshal challenges Dr. Raychaudhuri's interpretation of Surastra's alleged autonomy, the evidence—particularly the Junagadh inscription and Asoka's edict—strengthens the case for its semi-independent position. The title *hhu*4106