Lesson 7
POST-MAURYAN INDIA
❖ Decline of the Mauryan Empire
➢ After Asoka's death, successors failed to maintain the vast empire
➢ Provinces began declaring independence
❖ Fragmentation of the Empire
➢ Northwest India slipped from Mauryan control
➢ Foreign invasions affected the northwestern region
➢ Kalinga declared independence
➢ Satavahanas established independent rule in the south
➢ Mauryan rule confined to the Gangetic valley
❖ Rise of the Sunga Dynasty
➢ Founded by Pushyamitra Sunga, former Mauryan commander-in-chief
➢ Assassinated the last Mauryan ruler and usurped the throne
❖ Challenges to Sunga Rule
➢ Protecting north India from Bactrian Greek invasions
➢ Greeks briefly occupied Pataliputra
➢ Pushyamitra regained lost territory
➢ Fought against Kharavela of Kalinga
❖ Pushyamitra's Religious Policies
➢ Staunch follower of Brahmanism
➢ Performed two asvamedha sacrifices
➢ Accused of persecuting Buddhism by Buddhist sources
➢ Evidence shows patronage of Buddhist art
➢ Renovated and improved Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi
❖ Sunga Succession
➢ Agnimitra succeeded Pushyamitra
➢ Last Sunga ruler was Devabhuti
➢ Devabhuti murdered by minister Vasudeva Kanva
❖ Kanva Dynasty
➢ Founded by Vasudeva Kanva
➢ Ruled for 45 years
❖ Historical Gap
➢ History of Magadha unclear between Kanva and Gupta dynasties
❖ Significance of Sunga Rule
➢ Defended Gangetic valley from foreign invasions
➢ Revived Brahmanism and horse sacrifice
➢ Promoted Vaishnavism and Sanskrit language
➢ Considered a precursor to the golden age of the Guptas
❖ Establishment and Duration
➢ Established independent rule in the Deccan after Mauryan decline
➢ Ruled for about 450 years
➢ Also known as the Andhras
❖ Historical Sources
➢ Puranas and inscriptions (especially Nasik and Nanaghad)
➢ Coins issued by Satavahanas
❖ Founding and Early Rulers
➢ Founded by Simuka
➢ Succeeded by Krishna, who expanded to Nasik
➢ Third king Sri Satakarni conquered western Malwa and Berar
➢ Sri Satakarni performed asvamedha sacrifices
❖ King Hala
➢ 17th Satavahana king
➢ Reigned for 5 years
➢ Famous for his book Gathasaptasati (or Sattasai)
➢ Gathasaptasati contains 700 verses in Prakrit
❖ Gautamiputra Satakarni
➢ Greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty
➢ Ruled for 24 years (106-130 A.D.)
➢ Achievements recorded in Nasik inscription by his mother
➢ Captured the whole of Deccan and expanded the empire
➢ Notable victory over Nagapana, ruler of Malwa
➢ Patronized Brahmanism but also donated to Buddhists
❖ Vashishtaputra Pulamayi
➢ Son and successor of Gautamiputra Satakarni
➢ Extended Satavahana power to the mouth of the Krishna river
➢ Issued coins with ship images, indicating naval power and maritime
trade
❖ Later Rule
➢ Last great ruler was Yajna Sri Satakarni
❖ Significance
➢ Long-lasting dynasty in the Deccan
➢ Expanded and consolidated power in central and southern India
➢ Contributed to cultural and economic development of the region
Economic Condition:
❖ Trade and Industry
➢ Remarkable progress during Satavahana rule
➢ Merchants organized guilds to increase activities
❖ Craft Guilds
➢ Organized by various craftsmen
➢ Included potters, weavers, and oil pressers
❖ Currency
➢ Silver coins called Karshapanas used for trade
❖ Overseas Commerce
➢ Significant commercial activity
➢ Ptolemy mentions many ports in the Deccan
❖ Important Ports
➢ Kalyani: greatest port on the west Deccan
➢ Gandakasela and Ganjam: important seaports on the east coast
Cultural Contributions:
❖ Religious Patronage
➢ Supported both Buddhism and Brahmanism
❖ Buddhist Contributions
➢ Built chaityas and viharas
➢ Granted villages and lands to Buddhist monks
➢ Vashishtaputra Pulamayi repaired the old Amaravathi stupa
➢ Notable architecture in Nagarjunakonda
❖ Brahmanical Revival
➢ Revived Brahmanism
➢ Performed asvamedha and rajasuya sacrifices
❖ Language and Literature
➢ Patronized Prakrit language and literature
➢ Hala's Sattasai: excellent piece of Prakrit literature
Foreign Invasions of Northwest India
Bactrians:
❖ Independence
➢ Bactria and Parthia became independent from Syrian empire in mid-
3rd century B.C.
❖ Demetrius's Invasion
➢ Greek ruler of Bactria
➢ Invaded and occupied Afghanistan and Punjab
➢ Sent commanders Appolodotus and Menander for further conquests
❖ Appolodotus
➢ Conquered Sindh
➢ Marched up to Ujjain
❖ Menander (Milinda)
➢ Extended rule up to Mathura
➢ Attempted to capture Pataliputra but stopped by Vasumitra
➢ Capital was Sakala (Sialcot)
➢ Interested in Buddhism
➢ Dialogues with monk Nagasena compiled in Milindapanho
➢ Embraced Buddhism
❖ Greek Influence
➢ Lasted for over a century after Menander's death
➢ Greek ambassador Heliodorus became a Vaishnavite
➢ Heliodorus erected the Garuda Pillar at Besnagar
Sakas (Scythians):
❖ Conquest
➢ Attacked and captured Bactria and Parthia from Greek rulers
➢ Gradually extended rule over northwestern India
❖ Two Groups
➢ Northern Satraps ruling from Taxila
➢ Western Satraps ruling over Maharashtra
❖ Notable Rulers
➢ Maues: Founder of Saka rule in India (1st century B.C.)
➢ Azes I: Son of Maues, considered founder of Vikrama era
❖ Decline
➢ Sakas rulers of Taxila overthrown by the Parthians
The Kushana Dynasty: From Rise to Decline
1. Introduction
The Kushana dynasty was one of the most significant ruling powers in
ancient India, with its peak under the rule of Kanishka.
2. Kanishka (78 - 120 A.D.)
2.1 Significance
• Most important ruler of the Kushana dynasty
• Founder of the Saka era (starting 78 A.D.)
• Known for military conquests, religious patronage, and promotion of art
2.2 Empire and Conquests
• Initial empire: Afghanistan, Gandhara, Sind, Punjab
• Further conquests: Magadha, Kashmir, Gangetic plain, parts of China
• Empire extent: From Gandhara (west) to Benares (east), Kashmir (north)
to Malwa (south)
• Key cities: Purushapura (capital, modern Peshawar), Mathura
2.3 Religious Policy
• Embraced Buddhism early in reign
• Exhibited religious tolerance (images of Greek and Hindu Gods in coins)
• Promoted Mahayana Buddhism
• Convened Fourth Buddhist Council at Srinagar in Kashmir headed by
Vasumitra
2.4 Patronage of Scholars
• Vasumitra (Buddhist scholar)
• Asvagosha (philosopher, poet, dramatist; author of Buddhacharita)
• Nagarjuna (philosopher from South India)
• Charaka (famous physician)
2.5 Contributions to Art
a. Gandhara School of Art
• Blend of Indian and Graeco-Roman elements
• Realistic human forms, detailed features, thick drapery
• Main theme: Mahayanism and Buddha images
b. Mathura School of Art
• Developed on indigenous lines
• Buddha images with spiritual expressions
• Carved images of Hindu deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Parvathi and Lakshmi)
3. Successors of Kanishka
3.1 Huvishka
• Son of Kanishka
• Maintained the empire's integrity
• Elevated importance of Mathura
• Continued patronage of Buddhism
3.2 Vasudeva
• Last significant Kushana ruler
• Ruled over a reduced empire
• Most inscriptions found around Mathura
• Devotee of Siva
4. Decline of the Kushana Empire
• Successors of Kanishaka ruled for approximately 150 years.
• Gradual decline began with Vasudeva
• Shift in religious patronage from Buddhism to Hinduism under Vasudeva
• Final phase: Petty Kushan princes ruled in northwestern India
5. Legacy of the Kushana Dynasty
• Vast empire through military conquests
• Religious tolerance and promotion of Buddhism
• Advancement of art and architecture
• Patronage of scholars and learning
• Development of trade and cultural exchange
