Chapter 136: The Mauryan Empire’s Triumph Over Five Centuries of Invasions (1000 CE – 1500 CE)
For five centuries, the Mauryan Empire stood against the tides of war, repelling some of the most formidable invading forces in history. From Turkic and Afghan warlords to the legendary Mongol armies, the empire's rulers and generals ensured that Bharatvarsha remained unconquered.
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The Ghaznavid and Ghurid Raids (1000 CE – 1200 CE)
After Mahmud of Ghazni's failed invasion in 1000 CE, the Mauryan Empire remained on high alert. However, new threats emerged from the west.
1100 CE – 1140 CE: The Ghurid Dynasty, led by Muhammad of Ghor, launched multiple raids into the northwestern territories. He attempted to break through the Mauryan frontier, but Emperor Rudradeva Maurya (r. 1095 – 1135 CE) and his general Vikramaditya Sen crushed the Ghurids at the Battle of Multan (1115 CE).
By 1200 CE, the Ghurid forces attempted one final invasion, but the Mauryan cavalry and war elephants annihilated them at the Battle of Lahore. This permanently halted Islamic expansion into the Indian subcontinent, ensuring the empire remained intact.
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The Mongol Invasions and the Mauryan Counteroffensive (1220 CE – 1300 CE)
The Mongol Empire, under Genghis Khan, swept across Asia, destroying the Khwarezmian Empire, Persia, and even parts of Europe. However, when the Mongols turned their attention to India, they faced a force unlike any other.
1223 CE: A Mongol army led by Subotai, one of Genghis Khan's greatest generals, attempted to invade India through the Hindu Kush. The Mauryan Emperor Chandrakirti Maurya (r. 1210 – 1245 CE), alongside his trusted general Prithviraj Maurya, lured the Mongols into the Khyber Pass, where they were ambushed and annihilated.
1250 CE: Another Mongol force under Hulagu Khan (Genghis Khan's grandson) invaded, but was decisively crushed at the Battle of the Indus River by Emperor Jayasimha Maurya (r. 1245 – 1280 CE).
1295 CE: The Mongols, now under Duwa Khan, launched their largest invasion yet, sending over 200,000 Mongol warriors into the Mauryan frontier. However, Emperor Rudradeva II Maurya (r. 1280 – 1320 CE) led a massive counterattack, defeating the Mongols at the Battle of the Punjab Plains (1297 CE). This was one of the worst Mongol defeats in history.
By 1300 CE, the Mauryan Empire had successfully repelled the greatest military force the world had ever seen, ensuring that India remained unconquered by the Mongols.
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The Delhi Sultanate and Afghan Invasions (1300 CE – 1500 CE)
With the Mongols defeated, new threats emerged from the Turkic and Afghan rulers who established the Delhi Sultanate. The Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties attempted to challenge Mauryan dominance.
1320 CE – 1350 CE: Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the ambitious Sultan of Delhi, attempted to march southward into Mauryan-controlled lands. However, Emperor Rajaraja Maurya (r. 1320 – 1365 CE) defeated him at the Battle of the Vindhya Range (1335 CE), securing southern India from Turkic rule.
1398 CE: Timur (Tamerlane), the ruthless Central Asian conqueror, invaded the Delhi Sultanate, but when he attempted to push into the Mauryan Empire, he was met with overwhelming resistance from Emperor Veeranarayana Maurya (r. 1380 – 1425 CE). Timur, after suffering a heavy defeat at the Battle of Ganges (1400 CE), retreated, never attempting to conquer the Mauryan lands again.
1451 CE – 1500 CE: The Lodi Dynasty, the last rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, attempted multiple incursions into Mauryan lands but were consistently repelled by Emperor Vikramaditya III Maurya (r. 1450 – 1505 CE) and his general Mahadeva Singh.
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The Mauryan Empire in 1500 CE: An Unbreakable Titan
By the dawn of the 16th century, the Mauryan Empire had proven itself as the greatest military power in the world. It had repelled Turkic, Afghan, and Mongol invasions, ensuring that India remained unconquered for over a millennium.
Despite facing the most formidable empires in history, the legacy of Ashoka and his successors remained unbroken. The empire had not only survived but had expanded, prospered, and remained the dominant force in South Asia.
As the world entered a new era, the Mauryan Empire stood strong, undefeated, and ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.