(i) ‘Indica’ written by Megasthenes was the most important source of information about the Mauryan period. Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya. A beautiful depiction is given by it about the society and administrative system.
(ii) Arthashastra written by Kautilya is another important source of information. It provides a detailed knowledge about the Mauryan administrative system.
(iii) Vishaka Dutta wrote Mudra Rakshash which gives a lot of information about how Chandragupta snatched the reins of rule from the Nanda dynasty.
(iv) The text of Jain and Buddhist religion illuminate on the life and religions views of the Mauryan kings. The inscriptions of Asoka help in understanding the history of the Mauryan age.
