A silver coin from the Maurya dynasty (3rd-2nd century BCE. Pic: The British Museum, London)
As I step up to finish at least a dozen unfinished novellas and novels, I am quite immersed in this one titled 'Asoka's Mint' that I started on a whim in 2012.
Here is a bit of a teaser from a short story I am writing about a fictional crisis that grips Samrat Asoka’s rein in 231 BCE, just one year before the great king’s death. The story is still being written and should be out pretty soon.
By Mayank Chhaya
“As the chief metallurgical assayer at the Royal Pataliputra Mint, Salisuka’s may not have been a glamorous job but it was decisive as a determinant of the health and stability of the kingdom. So when he received a secret messenger from the royal court that cold morning in 231 BCE, Salisuka knew it had to be something rather significant.
The messenger had just one line message “The Samrat has summoned you.” Its brevity added extra urgency to the summons. The messenger told Salisuka he was there to escort him to the court.
In his 23-year-long career as a royal metallurgist Salisuka had met the Samrat only twice, first when he was appointed and the second in 248 BCE when a new silver rich coin was minted and released to commemorate the silver jubilee of the great king, Asoka’s ascension to the throne. It was obvious that Asoka had something pressing and much less celebratory on his mind.
Salisuka was ushered into Asoka’s private chamber where the king was waiting. The nape of Salisuka’s neck bent forward reflexively in a courtesy that was expected of all subjects. Asoka was not looking at Salisuka directly but gazing into a distant horizon as if scouring for signs of an impending economic crisis.
“Cut down the silver in the coins by more than half,” Asoka said.
It was a simple instruction fraught with historic implications.
It was not expected of Mauryan bureaucrats to say anything but merely nod in deference when the Samrat spoke in somber tones. But Salisuka being a scientist first and a government servant later often defied that convention.
“Samrat, with such little silver we might as well carve out little rocks as coins,” Salisuka said and instantly realized that he had gone too far.
To his surprise Asoka did not react and said, “The kingdom is facing some grave challenges. Debasement is our only option. Use more copper.”
The emperor’s tone suggested that he was not going to entertain any discussion on this. His mind was made up.
“When would you like me to start?” he asked.
“From today,” said Asoka and left the private chamber.
Salisuka was escorted out.
On the way back to the mint, this time traveling alone, he decided to drop by at the home of Yashovardhan, a scholar and scribe who “published” Pataliputra’s most widely read stone tablet called “Maurya Bhoomi.” Salisuka had a scoop for him.”
