Post Maurya Period - I

IAS Notes October 22, 2022

Post Maurya Period


After the demise of Mauryas, many new dynasties emerged in different parts of Indian sub-continent. They can be categorised in two different groups.

Outsiders 

  • Indo-Greeks
  • Shakas
  • Parthians
  • Kushanas
Indigenous 
  • Shunga
  • Kanva
  • Satavahana

Indo-Greeks
  • Started arriving - by 165 BC
  • Capital - Shakala (Sialkot)
  • Most important ruler - Menander (whose historical conversation with Buddhist monk, Nagasena is composed in a book 'Milindapannho')
  • They were the first who issued Gold coins.
indo-greeks


  • They started arriving in Indian sub-continent by 165 BC. 
  • Indo-Greeks were the 1st people who issued gold coins.
  • Their most important ruler was Menander who established his capital at Shakala (Sialkot). He was persuaded by a Buddhist monk, Nagasena. As such, Menander asked many questions to Nagasena and Nagasena gave satisfactory reply to each of his questions. As such, Menander accepted Buddhism and also took a new name Milinda. The historical conversation between Menander and Nagasena is mentioned in Milindapannho.
  • Indo-Greeks introduced curtains in India.
  • Other contributions - Gold coin tradition & curtain tradition


Shakas
  • Started arriving - by 90 BC (arrived in many branches)
  • Important branch - North-West
  • Important ruler - Rudradaman
  • Source - Junagarh inscription (1st inscription written in Chaste Sanskrit)
  • They were also referred as 'Scythians'.
shakas


  • Shakas or Scythians started to arrive in India by 90 BC. They arrived in many branches but the most important branch was the western branch of Shaka.
  • The most important ruler of this branch was Rudradaman.
  • Rudradaman is known for his Junagarh inscription which was the 1st inscription writted in pure or chaste Sanskrit. 
  • In this he mentioned Sudarshan lake of Kathiawar which was constructed by one of the governor of Chandra Gupta Maurya, Pushyagupta Maurya. He further mentioned that he himself repaired the Sudarshan lake.
  • In the next part of the inscription, Rudradaman mentioned that twice he defeated Satavahan ruler, Vasisthiputra Satkarni but every time he spared the life of Satkarni just to respect the matrimonial alliance between two kingdoms.

Parthians
  • Parthians started arriving by 25 AD.
  • The most important Parthian ruler was Gondophernus.
  • During his tenure, a Christian missionary Saint Thomas came to India from Israel to propagate Christanity.
  • Saint Thomas died in Mylapore, Chennai. After his death, a Church (1st church in India) was created in the memory of Saint Thomas.
parthians


Kushanas
  • Kushanas were Central Asian tribe (Yucchi tribe)
  • Arrived in two branches (65 AD - Kadphis branch & 78 AD - Kanishka branch)
kushana


Kushanas belonged to Yucchi tribe of Central Asia. They arrived in two branches, i.e., Kadphise branch and kanishka branch in 65 AD and 78 AD respectively.

Kadphise Branch 
  • Important rulers - Kujul Kadphise & Wima Kadphise
  • They were the devotees of Shiva.
Kujul Kadphise was the initial ruler followed by Wima Kadphise. Kadphise rulers released their coins in India. On the obverse side of the coin, image of the king was created and on the reverse side, image of a free standing person holding a trident along with a bull was depicted. It indicates that Kushanas were the devotee of Shiva.

Kanishka Branch 
  • Arrived in 78 AD
  • 1st arrived in the area of Jammu & Kashmir
  • defeated Northern branch of Shakas and to commensurate his victory he started a new calendar - Shaka era (78AD)
  • Capital - Purushapura (Peshawar) - 1st capital & Mathura - 2nd capital
Kanishka branch arrived in India by 78 AD. He defeated the Northern branch of Shakas. To commensurate his victory, he started Shaka era from 78 AD.

Other Calendars
  • Vikram Samvat - followed by Hindus
  • Hizri calendar - followed by Muslims
  • Gregorian calendar - modern calendar

With the arrival of Kanishka, there was a new wave of urbanisation in India. Kanishka founded two new cities - Kanishkapur (Jammu & Kashmir) and Purushpur (Peshawar). He also further urbanised Mathura. 

His tenure is also known for very high level of monetisation. He released large number of gold coins which were purest of the pure quality.

He utilised the silk route for establishing trade with China and Western world.

In 78 AD, Kanishka convened 4th Buddhist council at Kundalvana in Kashmir. Under the influence of Ashwagosh, he accepted Mahayan Buddhism. 

He also Patronised Gandhara and Mathura style of sculpture.

Kushana introduced long over-coat, boots and kurta-pajama outfit in Indian sub-continent.

Courtiers of Kanishka - Ashwagosh (who wrote Buddhacharita), Vasumitra (who presided 4th Buddhist council), Nagarjuna, Charak and Matharo.

Previous Article - Maurya Dynasty
Next Article - Gupta Empire

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Optional Notes
Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

Hope! It will help you to achieve your dream of getting selected in Civil Services Examination 👍 

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