Gautam Buddha to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The Shared Social and Political Legacy of Indian Kingship!

 

The teachings of Gautam Buddha, centered on compassion (karuṇa), non-violence (ahiṃsa), justice (dhamma), and egalitarianism, transcended religious boundaries and deeply influenced India’s social, political, and administrative fabric. From Emperor Ashoka’s transformation to policy reforms inspired by Buddhist ethics, rulers across India incorporated Buddhist philosophy into governance. This article traces the legacy of Buddha’s ideals in the decisions and rule of major Indian kings up to the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

1. Emperor Ashoka (268–232 BCE)

Dynasty: Maurya, Capital: Pataliputra

Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism post-Kalinga war marks the most significant state-level adoption of Buddha's legacy. Ashoka’s Dhamma emphasized moral conduct, tolerance, welfare of subjects, animal protection, and religious harmony. He built stupas, funded monastic institutions, and dispatched Buddhist emissaries across Asia. His edicts, inscribed on pillars and rocks, stand as administrative documents promoting equity and justice.

Key Legacies:

·         Creation of a moral bureaucracy through the Dhamma Mahāmātras.

·         Public infrastructure for welfare: hospitals, rest houses, roads.

·         Religious tolerance and interfaith dialogues.

2. Kanishka the Great (c. 127–150 CE)

Dynasty: Kushan; Capital: Purushapura (Peshawar)

A patron of Mahayana Buddhism, Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir. His reign marked the spread of Buddhist art (Gandhara style) and doctrine into Central Asia and China.

Key Legacies:

·         State sponsorship of Buddhist texts and institutions.

·         Economic support for monks and artists promoting Buddhist imagery.

·         Use of Buddhism as soft power in foreign diplomacy.

3. Harshavardhana (606–647 CE)

Dynasty: Pushyabhuti; Capital: Kannauj

Though initially Shaivite, Harsha became a major patron of Buddhism, especially Mahayana. He organized religious assemblies and gave generous endowments to Buddhist monasteries.

Key Legacies:

·         Mixed patronage of Buddhism and Brahmanism, promoting religious pluralism.

·         Annual assemblies for intellectual and theological exchange.

·         Welfare-driven policies and infrastructural development.

4. The Satavahana Kings (1st Century BCE – 3rd Century CE)

Region: Deccan

Although largely Brahmanical, many Satavahana rulers funded Buddhist cave temples such as those at Ajanta and Ellora, supporting the Sangha through land grants.

Key Legacies:

·         Integration of Buddhist ethics in trade regulation and cultural patronage.

·         Protection and endowment of Buddhist sites as public religious spaces.

5. The Ikshvakus of Andhra (3rd Century CE)

The Ikshvakus were enthusiastic supporters of Buddhism, building stupas and viharas and sponsoring the Mahayana tradition.

Key Legacies:

·         Establishment of Buddhist centers at Nagarjunakonda.

·         Promotion of egalitarian religious discourse through public monuments.

6. The Pallavas (3rd–9th Century CE)

Region: Tamil Nadu

Though primarily Shaivite, the Pallavas allowed Buddhist institutions to thrive in their realm. Buddhist education centers were supported in Kanchipuram.

Key Legacies:

·         Religious co-existence and intellectual tolerance.

·         Patronage of Buddhist scholars and teachers.

7. The Pala Dynasty (8th–12th Century CE)

Region: Bengal and Bihar

The Palas were staunch patrons of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Kings like Dharmapala and Devapala established institutions such as Nalanda, Vikramashila, and Odantapuri.

Key Legacies:

·         Buddhist universities as global centers of learning.

·         Diplomatic and religious missions to Tibet and Southeast Asia.

·         Dhamma-driven economic and taxation policies.

8. The Cholas (9th–13th Century CE)

Region: Tamil Nadu

Primarily Shaivite, Chola rulers such as Rajaraja Chola I sponsored Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka and supported Buddhist seafaring missions.

Key Legacies:

·         Use of Buddhist ideals in maritime diplomacy.

·         Religious liberalism in policy despite personal faith.

9. The Eastern Gangas (11th–15th Century CE)

Region: Odisha

While patrons of the Jagannath cult, they allowed Buddhist Tantric practices to blend with local Hinduism. Their rule sustained Buddhist art and temple architecture like those in Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri.

10. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680 CE)

Though Shivaji Maharaj was a devout Hindwi Swarajya, many of his administrative principles bore resemblance to Buddha’s ethical and humanist values. His Ashta Pradhan council resembled the Buddhist ideal of ethical statecraft.

Key Legacies:

·         Welfare-centric rule with protection of peasants and traders.

·         Strict ethical code for army and civil servants.

·         Tolerance for all religions and promotion of justice without discrimination.

·         Respect for women, temples, mosques, and civilian property, echoing Ashokan principles.

The Shared Legacy of Gautam Buddha and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Indian Statecraft:-

Separated by two millennia, Gautam Buddha and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maharaj remain towering figures in Indian history—not just as spiritual or political leaders, but as architects of ethical governance. While Buddha offered a moral framework through his teachings on compassion, non-violence, justice, and public welfare, Shivaji Maharaj translated many of those values into a pragmatic administrative and political model during a turbulent historical period. This article explores the ideological, social, and administrative parallels in their legacies, revealing how dharma, justice, and welfare remained central to their vision of rule.

1. Dharma as the Core of Governance

Gautam Buddha taught the concept of Dhamma—a universal ethical code based on non-violence (ahiṃsa), truth (sacca), compassion (karuṇa), and right conduct (sila). It was not a religious law, but a moral law that governed the individual and society alike.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj implemented Rajdharma—rule based on justice, protection of all subjects, and the moral responsibility of the king. His commitment to dharma was visible in his respect for all religions, ethical treatment of women, and impartial justice system.

Commonality: Both viewed governance not merely as control, but as moral duty—to protect the weak, uphold justice, and ensure peace through virtue, not fear.

2. Welfare of the People

Buddha advocated a compassionate, people-centric approach. In the Cakkavatti Sihanada Sutta, he outlined the qualities of a righteous ruler: ensuring no poverty, protecting women, elders, and providing basic needs.

Shivaji Maharaj ensured welfare through:

·         Protection of peasants from unjust taxation.

·         Building irrigation systems and fort-based townships.

·         Promoting local self-rule through village-level sabhas.

Commonality: Both emphasized inclusive governance, seeing the well-being of the common man as the foundation of state power.

3. Religious Tolerance and Pluralism

Buddha encouraged open dialogue and co-existence, never imposing his doctrine. Emperor Ashoka later institutionalized this through edicts advocating tolerance.

Shivaji Maharaj was a devout Hindu but protected mosques, respected Sufi saints, and appointed Muslims in high administrative and military posts. He refrained from religious persecution.

Commonality: Mutual respect across communities—a radical ideal in their respective times.

4. Ethical Code for Officials and Army

Buddha’s teachings called for monks and laypeople to follow the Noble Eightfold Path, emphasizing right action, right livelihood, and mindfulness.

Shivaji Maharaj instituted a strict ethical code:

·         His soldiers were forbidden to molest women or plunder civilian homes.

·         Officers were punished for corruption or abuse of power.

·         High ethical expectations were set for the Ashta Pradhan Mandal (Council of Ministers).

Commonality: Moral discipline and accountability formed the backbone of public administration.

5. Role of Women in Society

Buddha admitted women to the Sangha, a bold move for his time, and upheld their right to spiritual liberation.

Shivaji Maharaj respected women as symbols of honor and forbade their mistreatment during warfare. He gave high status to women within his own court, like Rajmata Jijabai.

Commonality: Protection of women's dignity and endorsement of their role in social structure.

6. Decentralization and Local Autonomy

Buddhist Sanghas were largely autonomous, run by collective consensus—an early form of decentralized decision-making.

Shivaji Maharaj promoted local self-governance through village panchayats, empowered local officials, and made administration more participatory.

Commonality: Trust in grassroots governance and local autonomy.

7. Public Communication and Moral Messaging

Ashoka, a follower of Buddha, used inscriptions and edicts to propagate ethical governance and Buddhist values.

Shivaji Maharaj, too, employed public declarations and administrative reforms to communicate his policies transparently, like his royal orders (farman) ensuring justice, ration regulation, and fair trade.

Commonality: The public articulation of moral values as a tool for governance.

Conclusion

Buddha was a spiritual reformer; Shivaji Maharaj was a warrior-king. Yet, both upheld the same central idea: power must serve justice, not dominate it. The legacy of Gautam Buddha shaped Indian kingship by promoting moral statecraft, and Shivaji Maharaj centuries later, manifested those very ideals on the battlefield, in administration, and among his people.

In today’s world, where leadership often leans toward authoritarianism, the parallel legacies of Buddha and Shivaji Maharaj remind us of a time when ethics guided governance, and rulers saw themselves as servants of the people, not their masters.

Conclusion

The Buddha's teachings not only inspired monastic and spiritual traditions but also laid foundations for governance grounded in ethics, compassion, and equity. From Ashoka to Shivaji Maharaj, India witnessed a silent revolution where kings, regardless of their faith, borrowed the moral essence of Buddhism to create inclusive and welfare-oriented states. The dharmic legacy of the Buddha remains etched in India's political consciousness, manifesting across centuries in varying forms.

References

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2.      B. N. Lunia, Evolution of Indian Polity, Lakshmi Narain Agarwal, 2003.

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6.      D. D. Kosambi, An Introduction to the Study of Indian History, Popular Prakashan, 1956.

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