Post Mauryan Period (200 BC – 300 AD) – Clashes, Cultures, and Kingdoms in Ancient India

• This Post Mauryan Period witnessed the clash, the rise and fall of a number of smaller kingdoms.
• The native dynasties like Shungas, Satavahanas, and the Kanvas ruled in eastern India, central India and the Deccan region.
• Foreigners like Indo-Greeks or Bactrians, Sakas, the Parthians and the Kushanas ruled in north-western India.

• Corroborated by inscriptions and coins bearing the names of rulers, following literary texts act as sources of information about this Post Mauryan Period:
• Puranas.
• Dharmashastra; Manusmriti also known as ‘Manavdharmashastra’ is composed by Sage Manu and is the first detailed lawbook available.
• Gargi Samhita and the Mahabhashya of Patanjali (which is commentary on Panini’s Ashtadhyayi).
• The Buddhist Jatakas, Divyavadana, Mahavastu and the Milindpanho (Sanskrit, Milindaprashna)
• Malavikagnimitra of Kalidasa and the Harshacharita of Banabhatta.
• Periplus of the Erythraean Sea written by an anonymous Greek seafarer (pattern of trade between India and the Western world).
• Also, the epigraphic records in Kharoshthi found in large numbers in Gandhara and Central Asia refer to different facets of India’s regular contacts with these regions.

(73 BC – 28 BC)

• Vasudeva Kanva killed his king Devabhuti of Shunga and founded Kanva rule with Vidisha and Patliputra as their capital.
• Next came Bhumimitra, Vasudeva’s son and Narayan son of Bhumimitra, together they ruled for 26 years.
• The last Kanva king Susarman was killed by the Satavahana (Andhra) king and the Kanva dynasty of Brahmins ended with him.

• Around the 1st century BC, the Kingdom of Chedis or Chetis was founded in Kalinga.
• The politics of this Post Mauryan Period is known for the 3rd Chedi king of Kalinga known as Kharvela.
• Hathgumpha inscriptions of Udaigiri hills of Orissa describe him as a great conqueror of the Magadh, Satvahanas and Pandyas of Madurai.
• Kharvela was a Jaina follower who donated caves to Jaina Monks in Udaigiri Hills.
• Chedis are also referred to as Cheta or Chetavamsa, and Mahameghavahana.

• Satavahana are referred as Andhras in the Puranas. Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty.
• The Satavahanas are reported from the north- western region of the Deccan in the first century BC, with their primary capital at Pratishthana (modern Paithan in Maharashtra) on Godavari river & second Capital was Amravati.
• Information about the history of Satavahanas are obtained from Aitreya Brahmana, Puranas, epics, Brihat Katha of Gunadya, Kamasutra of Vatasayana.
• Nanaghat inscription, Nasik Inscription, Hatigumpa inscription of Kharavela, Erragudi inscription of Ashoka provide important information about Shungas.
• The Satavahana graves are reported to be encircled by big pieces of stone and therefore they are known also as megalithic people.
• Gujrata and Malawa were conquered as per the Nasik inscription of Nainikat, his wife.
• Next important king was Gautamiputra Satkarni whose achievements are recorded in the Nasik inscription of Gautami Balashri, his mother.
• Gautamiputra Satkarni (also known as Ekabrahmana) defeated Sakas, Greeks, Parthians and Nahapana (king of western Satrapa)
• Around 150 CE, Rudradaman took advantage of weak successors of Gautamiputra Satkarni and defeated them.
• At the end of 2nd CE, another important ruler Yajnasut Alakrni came to the throne who conquered back the areas of Gujrat, Malawa and Andhra.
• After Alakarni, Satavahana power declined and they were replaced by Vakataka Dynasty in the same regions; they too were Brahmins.

• ‘Amatyas’ and ‘Mahamatras’ were district officers during Satavahana rule which was called ‘Ahara’.
• Kings donated land in favour of Brahmins and administrative officers who over time became very powerful and led to the rise of feudalism.
• Gaulmika administered the rural areas; Katakas and Skandhvaras military camps.
• King during Satvbahanas’ reign was supposed to be the upholder of the Dharma.
• Dharmshastras not only set ideals for the people but also for the King.

• Satvahanas promoted development of architecture in hills of the Western Ghats where caves were cut in Ajanta, Nasik, Kaule, Bhaja, Kondain, Kanheri.
• These caves were cut in to make Chaityas (Buddhist cave-temple) and Viharas (Buddhist rest houses).
• Kaule Chaitya is the largest cave temple.
• Nagarjunkonda and Amravati were important centres of trade and art. Stupas were constructed here, use of white marble too is reported for the first time.
• Satvahanas also contributed to the development of Ajanta school of painting which is known for beautiful colour combinations, drawings, expression of emotions, and spirtuality.
• Buddha’s entire life is pictured – Saptashati.

• Satvahanas issued coins (Karshapanas) in a number of metals like Silver, Gold, Copper, Lead and Potin.
• They were the first native rulers to issue their own coins with the portraits of the rulers.
• Paddy transplantation, cotton production and exploitation of iron ores (Karimnagar and Warangal) was commonly practiced.

• Satvahana revived Brahmanism.
• Being matrilineal most of the kings are named after their mother- Gautamiputra Satakarni, Vasisthiputra Pulumayi, Yagnasri Satakarni.
• With the flourishing of Mahayan Buddhism worship of Krishna and Vasudeva was also common.

• Most of the inscriptions of the Satavahana rulers are in Prakrit Language as it was their official language.
• Satavahana ruler Hala, himself a great scholar, composed Gathasaptasati.

• At the end of 100 BC few kings with Iranian names like Pahlavas of Indo-Parthians, captured north-western India.
• In the reign of Gondophernes (the most significant of the Indo-Parthians) St. Thomas is said to have come to India for the propagation of Christianity.

(100 BC – 150 CE)

• Sakas who were also known as Scythians, were from Western China.
• The first Shaka king was Maues or Moga (approx 80 BC) who is known from inscriptions and a series of coins.
• Mathura, Ujjain and Girnar were centres of Saka rulers in north India.
• They ruled in the capacity of ‘Satrapas’ i.e., governors and Mahasatrapas.
• With control over western Ganga valley, parts of central India and Gujrat, Sakas were almost always at war with Satvahanas and put pressure over the Deccan region.
• Rudradaman (130 CE – 150 CE) of Ujjain centre of Sakas is of significance as he finds mention in Junagarh inscription.
• This inscription is in Sanskrit unlike previous Prakrit inscriptions.
• Rudradaman got the lake Sudarshan repaired for better irrigation (constructed during the time of Chandragupta Maurya).
• Bhumak and Nahapan of Girnar, centre of Sakas, had their coins spread over many places in western India.
• Huge numbers and a great variety of silver coins are reported from western India that are attributed to the Sakas.
• Patronising Indian art and culture many of the Saka rulers got themselves Indianized.
• Important centers of development of art were Sanchi, Mathura and Gandhar.
• The King of Ujjain defeated Sakas and assumed the title of ‘Vikramaditya’ and estd. the Vikram Samvat or era in 58 CE.

(50 CE – 230 CE)

• Kushanas (or Yueh-Chis) too were from China, they ruled in North-West India with Purushpur (Peshawar) as their capital.
• Kanishka, a Mahayan Buddhist, was the most important Kushana ruler.
• Wem Kadphises, Huviska and Vasiska were other important Kushana rulers in India.
• The 4th Buddhist council at Kundalvan Vihar (Kashmir) with Vasumitra as president was held during Kanishka’s reign.
• Ashwaghosh was vice-president of the Mahayan Buddhist council.
• “Buddha Charita” i.e., biography of Buddha, was composed by Ashwaghosh of Patliputra.
• Nagarjuna propounded the Madhyamika Philosophy of Mahayan Buddhism.
• Nagarjuna also discussed the idea of relativity and hence, is sometimes called as Einstein of India.
• In 78 CE, the Saka era was founded by Kanishka.
• Ruling over the regions of the Silk route, Kushanas greatly benefitted from it.
• They issued gold standard coins (22 or 23 carats).
• Processing of the imported Chinese raw silk at Bharoch in Gujrat helped it in becoming an important trading centre.
• Greater use of saddles in horse riding, armour, turbans, trousers, helmets, long coats and better cavalry are Kushana’s contributions.
• Introduced the Satrap system – the Empire was divided into Satrapies under the Satrap.