Post-Maurya-Pre-Gupta Period (185 BC-319 AD)
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Shunga Dynasty
UPSC Civil Services Examination UPSC Notes [GS-I] Topic: Era of the Kanva Dynasty - NCERT Notes (Ancient Indian History for UPSC) Kanva dynasty had a Brahmanic origin. The dynasty was named after the gotra of the ruler Kanva. The Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva. It is believed that Vasudeva Kanva killed the Shunga ruler Devabhuti and established his own empire in 72 BCE. Kanva dynasty had a ruling phase from 72 BCE to 28 BCE. The chronology of Shunga, Kanva dynasty and Satvahana dynasty is given below: Shunga dynasty Kanva dynasty Satvahana dynasty This article throws light on the emergence of Kanva dynasty from the Shunga dynasty and other important aspects of the events that took place during the rule of the Kanva dynasty. This is an important topic for UPSC 2020 exam and other government exams. Shunga dynasty The Shunga dynasty formed a large part of Magadha and was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga after the fall of the Mauryan Empire. There were 10 rulers who ruled India during the ancient period. Major cultural reforms took place during the reign which is evident from the coins and inscriptions retrieved by archaeologists. An interesting thing to note about the Sunga dynasty was the emergence of various mixed castes and the integration of foreigners into Indian society. The language of Sanskrit gained more prominence during the rule of the Shunga kings. Even some Buddhist works of this time were composed in Sanskrit. The major rulers of the Shunga dynasty were – Pushyamitra Sunga, Agnimitra, Bhagabhadra, Devabhuti, etc. To know more about the Shunga dynasty, check the linked article. -
Naneghat Inscription from the Perspective of the Vedic Rituals
Multi-Disciplinary Journal ISSN No- 2581-9879 (Online), 0076-2571 (Print) www.mahratta.org, [email protected] Naneghat Inscription from the Perspective of the Vedic Rituals Ambarish Khare Assistant Professor, SBL Centre of Sanskrit and Indological Studies Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth [email protected] Abstract A cave at Naneghat contains a long inscription stating the details of a number of Vedic sacrifices performed by the ruler of the Satavahana dynasty. It throws light on the religious and social history of ancient Maharashtra. The present paper is in attempt to study the inscription from the perspective of the Vedic rituals and to note some interesting facts that come before us. Key-words: Naneghat, Satavahana, Inscription, Vedic Ritual, Shobhana Gokhale, Ashvamedha Introduction Naneghat is one of the ancient trade routes in western India, joining the coastal region to the hinterland. It is situated 34 km to the west of Junnar. Junnar is a taluka place in the district of Pune, Maharahtra. There are several groups of Buddhist caves situated around Junnar. But the cave under consideration, which is situated right in the beginning of Naneghat trade route, is not a religious monument. It houses the royal inscriptions of Satavahanas and mentions several deities and rituals that are important in the Vedic religion. They are written in Brahmi script and in Prakrit language. A long inscription occupies the left and right walls of the cave. It is a generally accepted fact that this inscription was written by Naganika, the most celebrated empress of the Satavahana dynasty. It records the performance of sacrifices and donations given by the royal couple, Siri Satakarni and Naganika. -
SUNGA and KANVA DYNASTY Sunga Empire (187 to 78 BCE)
SUNGA AND KANVA DYNASTY Sunga Empire (187 to 78 BCE) Pushyamitra Sunga (187–151 BCE): The dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Sunga, after the fall of the Maurya Empire (when the emperor Brihadratha, the last of the Mauryan rulers, was assassinated by the then Senapati of the Mauryan armed forces, Pushyamitra Sunga). Its capital was Pataliputra, but later emperors such as Bhagabhadra also held court at Besnagar, modern Vidisha in Eastern Malwa. The empire of Pushyamitra was extended up to Narmada in the south, and controlled Jalandhar and Sialkot in the Punjab in the north-western regions, and the city of Ujjain in central India. The Kabul Valley and much of the Punjab passed into the hands of the Indo-Greeks and the Deccan to the Satavahanas. Origin Patanjali in his Mahabhashya and Panini in his Ashtadhyayi clearly states Pushyamitra Sunga was a Brahmin from Bhardwaj Gotra. The meaning of “Sunga” is the fig tree in Sanskrit. So Sungas took their dynastic name from the fig tree. (Other example of Indian dynasties like Kadamba (a tree name) of Banavasi, Pallava(Sanskrit word for “branch and twig”) of Kanchi who took their dynastic name from tree.) Prosecution of Buddhists? It believed by some historians to have persecuted Buddhists and contributed to a resurgence of Brahmanism that forced Buddhism outwards to Kashmir, Gandhara and Bactria. The earliest reference to persecution of Buddhists by Pushyamitra Sunga is from the Sarvastivadin Buddhist text of 2nd Century CE, Divyavadana and its constituent part, the Ashokavadana.Tibetan Buddhist Historian Taranatha also mentions proscution. Pushyamitra Sunga might have withdrawn royal patronage of Buddhist institutions. -
POST MAURYAN EMPIRE Introduction
Chapter 7: POST MAURYAN EMPIRE Introduction After the death of Ashoka, his successors were not able to keep the vast Mauryan Empire intact. The provinces started declaring their independence. The northwest India slipped out of the control of the Mauryas and a series of foreign invasions affected this region. Kalinga declared its independence and in the further south the Satavahanas established their independent rule. As a result, the Mauryan rule was confined to the Gangetic valley and it was soon replaced by the Sunga dynasty. Chapter 7: POST MAURYAN EMPIRE Shunga Dynasty Chapter 7: POST MAURYAN EMPIRE Shunga Dynasty The founder of the Shunga dynasty was Pushyamitra Shunga, who was the commander- in-chief under the Mauryas. He assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and usurped the throne. The most important challenge to the Shunga rule was to protect North India against the invasions of the Bactrian Greeks from the northwest. The Greeks advanced up to Pataliputra and occupied it for sometime. However, Pushyamitra succeeded in regaining the lost territory. He also fought a campaign against Kharavela of Kalinga who invaded north India. Chapter 7: POST MAURYAN EMPIRE Shunga Dynasty The founder of the Shunga dynasty was Pushyamitra Shunga, who was the commander- in-chief under the Mauryas. He assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and usurped the throne. The most important challenge to the Shunga rule was to protect North India against the invasions of the Bactrian Greeks from the northwest. The Greeks advanced up to Pataliputra and occupied it for sometime. However, Pushyamitra succeeded in regaining the lost territory. -
Buddhism in the Northern Deccan Under The
BUDDHISM IN THE NORTHERN DECCAN UNDER THE SATAVAHANA RULERS C a ' & C > - Z Z f /9> & by Jayadevanandasara Hettiarachchy Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the University of London 1973* ProQuest Number: 10731427 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10731427 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 ABSTRACT This study deals with the history of Buddhism in the northern Deccan during the Satavahana period. The first chapter examines the evidence relating to the first appearance of Buddhism in this area, its timing and the support by the state and different sections of the population. This is followed by a discussion of the problems surrounding the chronology of the Satavahana dynasty and evidence is advanced to support the ’shorter chronology*. In the third chapter the Buddhist monuments attributable to the Satavahana period are dated utilising the chronology of the Satavahanas provided in the second chapter. The inscriptional evidence provided by these monuments is described in detail. The fourth chapter contains an analysis and description of the sects and sub-sects which constituted the Buddhist Order. -
Ancient History of Bihar
Ancient History of Bihar By- BPSC Notes http://bpscnotes.com The word ‘Bihar’ has originated from the ‘Viharas’ which means resting house of Buddhist monk but it was the Muslim rulers of 12th Century who started calling the state as ‘Bihar’. Advent of Aryans in Bihar 1. Aryans started moving towards Eastern India in the later Vedic period (1000-600 BC). 2. Satapatha Brahmana mentioned the arrival and spread of Aryans. 3. Varah Puran mentions that Kikat as inauspicious place and Gaya, Punpun and Rajgir as auspicious place. The Mahajanpada The Buddhist and Jaina literature mentioned that 6th century India was ruled by a number of small kingdoms or city states dominated by Magadha. By 500 BC witnesses the emergence of sixteen Monarchies and Republics known as the Mahajanapada. 1. Anga: Modern divisions of Bhagalpur and Munger in Bihar and also some parts of Sahibgunj and Godda districts of Jharkhand. 2. Magadha: Covering the divisions of Patna and Gaya with its earlier capital at Rajgriha or Girivraj. 3. Vajji: a confederacy of eight republican clans, situated to the north of river Ganges in Bihar, with its capital at Vaishali. 4. Malla : also a republican confederacy covering the modern districts of Deoria, Basti, Gorakhpur and Siddharth nagar in Eastern U.P. with two capitals at Kusinara and Pawa. 5. Kashi: covering the present area of Banaras with its capital at Varanasi. 6. Kosala: covering the present districts of Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich etc. with its capital at Shravasti. 7. Vatsa: covering the modern districts of Allahabad and Mirzapur etc. with its capital at Kaushambi. -
Indian HISTORY
Indian HISTORY AncientIndia PRE-HISTORICPERIOD G The Mesolithic people lived on hunting, fishing and food-gathering. At a later G The recent reported artefacts from stage, they also domesticated animals. Bori in Maharashtra suggest the appearance of human beings in India G The people of the Palaeolithic and around 1.4 million years ago. The early Mesolithic ages practised painting. man in India used tools of stone, G Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, is a roughly dressed by crude clipping. striking site of pre-historic painting. G This period is therefore, known as the Stone Age, which has been divided into The Neolithic Age The Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age (4000-1000 BC) The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age G The people of this age used tools and The Neolithic or New Stone Age implements of polished stone. They particularly used stone axes. The Palaeolithic Age G It is interesting that in Burzahom, (500000-9000 BC) domestic dogs were buried with their masters in their graves. G Palaeolithic men were hunters and food G First use of hand made pottery and gatherers. potter wheel appears during the G They had no knowledge of agriculture, Neolithic age. Neolithic men lived in fire or pottery; they used tools of caves and decorated their walls with unpolished, rough stones and lived in hunting and dancing scenes. cave rock shelters. G They are also called Quartzite men. The Chalcolithic Age G Homo Sapiens first appeared in the (4500-3500 BC) last phase of this period. The metal implements made by them G This age is divided into three phases were mostly the imitations of the stone according to the nature of the stone forms. -
UPSC – Indian History – Fall of Mauryas
GAUTAM SINGH UPSC STUDY MATERIAL – INDIAN HISTORY 0 7830294949 UNIT 131 – UPSC - Indian History - Fall of Mauryas India History - Fall of Mauryas Fall of Mauryas Emperor Ashoka ruled for 37 years. He died in 232 BC. During his reign he gave up war and preached peace in the kingdom. Seven kings (some say 10) followed Ashoka within a period of 50 years. The Mauryan empire was breaking up. There are different opinions about the fall of the kingdom. Some say that since the later part of Ashoka's reign was devoid of wars, the military were inactive and this weakened them. Others say after Ashoka there were no strong kings to rule such a vast empire. Life of People in Mauryan Empire Extract from "A History of India for Children" by Roshan Dalal: Many people were agriculturists. They grew rice, wheat, barley, pulses, cotton and vegetables. Others were artisans. They specialised in different crafts, as in the earlier period. Textiles, wooden, and ivory objects, perfumes, jewellery from semi-precious stones, items of iron and copper and the shining black pottery described earlier, were among the things they made. Traders and merchants carried goods to far-off places by land and sea. Soldiers defended the kingdom. Ministers and officials helped the king. Philosophers and religious people wandered through the kingdom in search of the truth about life and death, and why life existed. Sungas Dynasty The last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty was Brithadratha. He was killed by his own commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BC. With the fall of Mauryas, India lost its political unity. -
Earliest Sanskrit Inscriptions in South India Found in A.P
Earliest Sanskrit Inscriptions in South India Found in A.P. drishtiias.com/printpdf/earliest-sanskrit-inscriptions-in-south-india-found-in-a-p Why in News The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered the earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India which is also an earliest epigraphic evidence (Epigraphy is the study of ancient inscriptions) for the Saptamatrika cult. Saptamatrikas are a group of seven female deities worshipped in Hinduism as personifying the energy of their respective consorts. Another inscription in Prakrit language and of Brahmi characters belonging to the 1st century A.D. was also found. Key Points Inscriptions related to Saptamatrika: The found inscription records the construction of a Prasada (temple), a mandapa and consecration of images by a person named Kartika at the temple of Goddess Saptamatrika at Tambrape. Location: Tambrape is the ancient name of Chebrolou, Andhra Pradesh. Earlier References to Saptamatrika: Earlier references to Saptamatrika worship have been found in the early Kadamba copper plates and the early Chalukyas and Eastern Chalukya copper plates dated around 600 A.D. Language and Characters: All the available records proved that the found inscription (also known as Chebrolu inscription) is in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters. Issued by: Satavahana king Vijaya in 207 A.D. So far the Nagarjunakonda inscription of Ikshavaku king Ehavala Chantamula issued in the 4th century A.D. was considered the earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India. Satavahanas In the Deccan, the Satavahanas established their independent rule after the decline of the Mauryas. Their rule lasted for about 450 years. 1/2 They were also known as the Andhras. -
Post Mauryan Developments and Political History of North India – Shungas, Bactrians, Shakas and Parthians- Flexiprep
9/22/2021 Post Mauryan Developments and Political History of North India – Shungas, Bactrians, Shakas and Parthians- FlexiPrep FlexiPrep Post Mauryan Developments and Political History of North India – Shungas, Bactrians, Shakas and Parthians (For CBSE, ICSE, IAS, NET, NRA 2022) Get unlimited access to the best preparation resource for CTET/Paper-1 : get questions, notes, tests, video lectures and more- for all subjects of CTET/Paper-1. Post Mauryan Developments After the decline of Mauryas in 187 BC, the Indian subcontinent witnessed a series of political and cultural developments. These include the emergence of Guptas and other regional kingdoms, the evolution of new forms of art and architectures, cultural and maritime contacts with Roman and Central Asian foreigners, and the development of literature. This chapter, therefore, seeks to analyse the changes and progresses mentioned above. Political History of North India The disintegration of Mauryas eventually led to the emergence of several regional kingdoms. There were several foreign invasions from Central Asia and western China and established their kingdoms in Indian subcontinent. These include Indo-Greeks, the Scythians or Shakas, the Parthians or Pahlavas and the Kushanas. 1 of 4 9/22/2021 Post Mauryan Developments and Political History of North India – Shungas, Bactrians, Shakas and Parthians- FlexiPrep ©FlexiPrep. Report ©violations @https://tips.fbi.gov/ The Shungas The commander in Chief of last Mauryan ruler, Pushyamitra Shunga, established the Shunga dynasty. He killed Brihatgradha Maurya and established his sway over the Mauryan Empire. Agnimitra Shunga succeeded him. Shungas had political scuffle between the Indo-Greek rulers of Bactria, the Satavahanas, Panchalas and Mitras of Mathura. -
Social Science Assignment Class VI Chapter 13: the Mauryan Dynasty
Social Science Assignment Class VI Chapter 13: The Mauryan Dynasty Q1. Fill in the blanks with correct answer: a) In 326 BCE, _________, the son of King Philip of Macedonia, invaded India and defeated King Poras (Puru). b) Magadha was ruled by a very unpopular Nanda ruler _________. c) Chanakya wrote____________, a famous book on political administration. d) Chandragupta established his capital at__________. e) The ________________proved to be a great turning point in Ashoka’s life. f) Ashoka got his teachings are known as his ________were engraved on rocks and stone pillars in local languages. g) Ashoka advised his sons and grandsons to go in for __________i.e. winning the hearts of the people. h) Forests, wild animals, mines and natural resources were considered as ______________and protected by the state laws. i) __________ was killed by his Commander-in-Chief, Pushya Mitra Sunga Q2. State true or false: a) Alexender successfully captured Magadha. FALSE b) Bindusar was a brave king and protected the empire and developed good relations with the Greeks.TRUE c) Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers in the world history who conquered the state of Kalinga to complete his rule over almost the whole of India. TRUE d) Ashoka adopted Buddhism before the Kalinga War.FALSE e) Ashoka advised his sons and grandsons to conquer new countries. FALSE f) Kashi, Kalinga and Madurai were the main centres for textiles.TRUE g) Cotton, wool, silk and jute products were the main items of internal and foreign trade during Maurya era. TRUE h) Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty.TRUE i) Agni Mitra founded a new dynasty called Sungas dynasty. -
Aryan and Vedic Age (1500 Bc – 1000Bc)
ARYAN AND VEDIC AGE (1500 BC – 1000BC) Vedic Age is the period of the Aryans in India. The word ARYAN literally means of high birth. During the early part of the Vedic period, the Indo-Aryans settled on the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The word ‗Veda‘ is derived from ‗Vid‘ which means mantra, slokas and also knowledge. Vedic Age is divided into the Early Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period. Early Vedic Period (1500 BC – 1000 BC) The People of the early Vedic period lived in Sapta Sindva which means land of seven rivers. The seven rivers are Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab, Beas and Sutlej along with the Indus and Saraswati. Economy Aryans followed a mixed economy consisting of both plough based agriculture and pastoralism. The Cow was the standard unit of exchange. Gold coins like Nishka, Krishna and Satmana also were used. Polity Some of the political terms used by Vedic people were: Samiti: National Assembly of the people. Sabha: Assembly of Elders. Purohita: Religious advisor of the King. Bali: Voluntary offerings to the chief by the people. Weapons: Made of stone, wood, bone and metal were used. Society Jana: People who gave their faithfulness to the tribe (Vis). Categories of Vis: Grama and Sangrama. Kula: It means family in Rig Veda. Varna: Caste of the People based on occupation. The four varnas were: Brahmins: Teachers and Priests Kshatriyas: Rulers and Administrators Vaishyas: Merchants and Bankers Sudras: Artisans and Labourers. Religion Nature was worshipped by Vedic Aryans - earth, fire, wind, rain and thunder. No temples and no idol worship during this period.