Maurya caste

Maurya (Maurya, Maury, Moriya), Kanojiya or Kushwaha (कुशवाहा) is an agricultural/farming Hindu community. Koiry, Kushwaha, Shakya and Kashi or Kachi belong to Maurya caste. "Mauryas" are traditionally involved in agricultural activities, farming and allied activities such as horticulture. They reside mostly in UP, MP, Bihar and North India. Many Mauryas have also settled in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Mauryas are a numerous group in UP and MP.

They use titles like Kushwaha, Maurya, Saini(Sainya), Morya, Singh, Mahto, Mehta, Bhagirathi, Prasad, Hardia, Verma, Vadiya, Panjiyara, Chaudhary, Mandal, Vairya etc.. Maurya caste is allied with other similar castes like Kashi (ancient republic of Kashi), Shakya (India and Nepal) as well as Bhagirathi and Sagarvanshi (Sainya, modified "Saini") agricultural castes Bhagrathi community (Western UP). Kushwaha/Maurya/Shakya/Saini are an important farming caste many of these are landlords in UP/Bihar/MP etc.

Origins

Maury or Maurya originated from the ruling clan of Shakya. As per historical narrative, the split occurred when upon the desire of King of Kosala (Prasenjit) Shakyas married a Shakyan damsel to them. However, when the son born of this marriage, Virudhaka (also called Vidudabha), went to his maternal people, he was ridiculed by being called dasi-putra. It transpired that a Shakya by the name Mahan, cousin of Gautam Buddha had married his daughter through a dasi to King Prasenjit (Pasenadi as per Pali literature).

Virudhaka organised a huge army and attacked the Shakyas. This particularly group of Shakyas fled far beyond Ganges and settled in the province of Himavanta, a place where many roads and water was plentiful on on account of a river. The city of Moriya (Mauriya-Nagari)was established by Pandu-Sakya and Gautam Buddha. These Shakyas started calling themselves Maurya. The princes of this city called themselves Mauryas. Mauryas of Pippalivahana were one of the groups to possess the remains of Gautama Buddha.

Maurya, Shakya and Kashi claimed decent from Shri Kush, eldest son of Shri Rama. Shakya, the grandfather of Gautam Buddha and Mahan was 21st in Ikshvaku line from King of Kashi, Brihad-Bala at the time of Mahabharata.

Maurya Kingdoms

Maurya Kingdoms are very well known in ancient India. Evidence of these kingdoms from Chinese Turkistan to Middle East shows the great influence Mauryas enjoyed in ancient times.

Maurya Empire

Chandragupta Maurya established a great empire with the help of Brahmin called Chanakya. The empire covered whole subcontinent as well as parts of Central Asia and China. As per puranic descriptions, the empire ended with the killing of Brahdratha Maurya by one of his senapati. Other descriptions describe a catastrophic description of Mauryas and burning of their cities by Lord Shiva. "When Shiva raised his arms, Mauryas were swept aside as pebbles are blwon away by ripples in a pond".

Maurya Kingdoms continued to exist in various parts. However, majority of Maurya kingdoms (they were both Hindu and Buddhist) were destroyed by the resurgence of Chalukyas and similar powers around 650-700 AD. Konkan Mauryas were destroyed in 635 AD. Mauryas of Sindh were destroyed in 636 AD. Mauryas of Chittor and Kota were destroyed in 720 AD. By 700 AD most of Maurya kingdoms in India had been destroyed except the Turki Shahi Kingdom of North West which was actually Kushan in origin.

See also

1. Koiry