Post Mauryan Dynasties

Chapters for Module V

•R. S. Sharma
20. Central Asian Contact and Mutual Impact
21. The Satavahana Phase
22. The Dawn of History in the Deep South (Ignore Megaliths)
Post Mauryan Dynasties
North India

Shungas (184 BCE–

75 BCE)

Indo-Bactrians/Indo-
Greeks (165 BCE-
100 BCE)

Sakas (150 BCE–

400 CE)

Kushanas (30 CE–

375 CE)
 South India

Satvahanas
Sangam
(100 BCE–2nd
Polities
c. CE)
The Shungas (BCE 184-75)
Pushyami
tra
Sunga

Agnimitr
a

Vasumitr
a

Bhagabh
adra

Devabhut
i
 The Shungas (BCE 184-75)
•According to the Harshacharita, Pushyamitra, commander-in-chief of the Maurya
army, killed the Maurya king Brihadratha while the latter was inspecting his troops.
This coup brought an end to Maurya rule in 187 BCE.

•Pushyamitra’s empire extended over only part of the erstwhile Maurya empire. It
included Pataliputra (which was still the capital), Ayodhya, and Vidisha.

•Another important development during the Sunga reign was the emergence of
various mixed castes and the integration of foreigners into Indian society.

•The language of Sanskrit gained more prominence during this time. Even some
Buddhist works of this time were composed in Sanskrit. He patronised Patanjali who
wrote the Mahabhashya (a Sanskrit book on grammar), which is itself a
commentary on the Ashtadhyayi written by Panini.
Indo-Greeks/Indo-Bactrians

• Bactria is the ancient name of the area lying to the

south of the Oxus river and north-west of the
Hindu Kush mountains, and corresponds to the
northern part of modern Afghanistan.

• In about the mid-3rd century BCE, Diodotus I

revolted against the Seleucids and established an
independent Bactrian Greek kingdom.

• The Bactrians extended their control into other

areas as well. By the early 2nd century BCE, they
had moved into the area south of the Hindu Kush.

• The Bactrian Greeks who ruled over parts of

north-west India between the 2nd century BCE
and the early 1st century CE are known as the
Indo-Greeks or Indo-Bactrians.
•One of the most important Indo-Greek rulers was Menander, who can be identified
with king Milinda who poses a number of questions to monk Nagasena in the
Buddhist text, the Milindapanha.

•Menander’s rule extended both over parts of Bactria and northwestern India.

•Agathokleia (one of the queens of Menander) ruled jointly with her son Strato.

•They replaced the earlier punch-marked coins with the double die struck coins.

•They also introduced die struck coins in India with inscriptions in Prakrit language
and Kharoshti script.
• The coins of the Graeco-Bactrians which circulated
to the north of the Hindu Kush were made of gold,
silver, copper, and nickel.

• They followed the Greek weight standard and had

Greek legends. The coins have royal portraits on
the obverse, while the reverse generally depicts
Greek deities (such as Zeus, Apollo, and Athena)
along with the name and title ofthe king.

• The Indo-Greek coins, which circulated to the

south of the Hindu Kush, were made of silver and
copper, and were often square in shape.

• They had bilingual inscriptions in Greek and

Kharoshthi (more rarely, Brahmi).
 Vikram Era

• A n u m be r o f an c i e n t a n d m e d i e v a l
inscriptions used the Vikram Samvat.

• Although it was named after the

l e g e n d a r y k i n g Vi k r a m a d i t y a ,
Samvatsara in short ‘Samvat’ is a
Sanskrit term for ‘year’.

• King Vikramaditya of Ujjain started

Vi k r a m S a m v a t i n 5 7 B C E a n d i t i s
believed that this calendar follows his
victory over the Saka in 56 BCE.

• Kalakacharya
 Shakas
• In the 6th century BCE, the Shakas, who
belonged to Scythian ethnic stock, lived in
the plains of the Syr Darya (Jaxartes).

• In the 3rd century BCE, the consolidation

of the Chinese empire by the emperor Qin
Shi Huang led to a series of tribal
movements in central Asia

• In the course of the 2nd century BCE, the

Great Yueh Chi tribe displaced the Shakas,
who moved southwards into Afghanistan
and thence into north-western India.
 Shaka Era
• The beginning of the Shaka era is now widely equated to the ascension of king
Chashtana in 78 CE.

• His inscriptions, dated to the years 11 and 52, have been found at Andhau in
Kutch region.

• These years are interpreted as Shaka years 11 (89 CE) and 52 (130 CE).

• A previously more common view was that the beginning of the Shaka era
corresponds to the ascension of Kanishka I in 78 CE.

• However, the latest research by Henry Falk indicates that Kanishka ascended the
throne in 127 CE. Moreover, Kanishka was not a Shaka, but a Kushana ruler.
 Kingdom Capital Founder Importance
U j j a i n - Ujjain (MP) Chastana Ruled over Malwa & Gujarat regions:
Kardamaka
dynasty Rudradaman I (CE 130-150)
or He issued the Junagarh/Girnar inscription
We s t e r n which is the earliest Sanskrit inscription in
Kshatrapas India.
dynasty
It provides the history of the Sudarsana lake
located in Junagarh (Gujarat).

The lake was built in the reign of Chandra

Gupta Maurya and repaired during Ashoka’s
reign, it was rebuilt under Rudradaman
himself when it was destroyed by floods.
It also reveals Rudradaman’s victories and
matrimonial alliances.
i) Gupta ruler Chandragupta II killed the last
Kardamaka king Rudrasimha III and took
the title ‘Sakari’ (destroyer of Sakas)
Chashtana (78 – 130 CE)

• He was a Saka ruler of the Western Kshatrapas (Satraps) dynasty who ruled over Ujjain.
• Ptolemy mentions him as “Tiasthenes” or “Testenes”.
• He was the founder of one of the two major Saka Kshatrapa dynasties in northwest India,
the Bhadramukhas. The other dynasty was called Kshaharatas and included the king
Nahapana (who was defeated by Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni).

Rudradaman I (130 – 150 CE)

• He was the grandson of Chastana.

• His kingdom included Konkan, Narmada valley, Kathiawar, other parts of Gujarat and
Malwa.
• He conducted the repair work of the Sudarshana Lake at Kathiawar.
• He married a Hindu woman and had converted to Hinduism.
• He maintained marital relationships with the Satavahanas. Vashishtiputra Satakarni was
his son-in-law. But he also fought numerous wars with them.
 Kingdom Capital Founder Importance
S a k a Mandasore Bhumaka Nahapana- Greek records call him
kingdom of Mambaras.
Deccan-
Kshaharata Gautamiputra Satakarni of the
dynasty Satavahanas killed Nahapana and
captured his kingdom as evidenced
from Gautamiputra Satakarni in his
Nasik inscription is called
‘Kshaharata-vamsa NirvasheSakara’
ie, the terminator of Kshaharata
dynasty.
 Trade
• There was an extraordinary maritime trade and commerce with China, Iran, South-East Asia and the
Roman Empire.

Trade with China:

• Ptolemy’s ‘Geography’ written in 200 A.D, gives information about the trading routes connecting India
and China.
• Silk fabrics and porcelain utensils were imported from China.
• Chinese coins belonging to the 2nd century B.C. were found in Mysore.

Trade with Africa:

• According to literary evidence, Indians exported several goods including steel cutlery to Egypt and
Abyssinia.

Trade with South-East Asia :

• Ancient Indian literature refers to SE Asia as Suvarnabhumi or Suvarnadvipa (Golden Islands)
• India exported sandalwood, textiles and spices to the Roman Empire.
Indo-Roman Trade:
•There was unprecedented trade between India and the Roman Empire in the
early centuries of the Christian era.

•Pliny's Natural History (1st century CE) gives details of Indian exports to the
Roman Empire- It included muslin and calicoes (from Chola and Satavahana
kingdoms), spices (from Chera kingdom) and pearls (from Pandyan
kingdom).

•Pliny says there was a drain of bullion (gold and silver coins) from Europe
to India to the tune of 550 million sesterces.

•Roman coins in great numbers have been discovered at several places in

India.
Periplus of Erythraean Sea written by an
anonymous sailor of Alexandria (Egypt),
gives the list of Indian seaports such as-
• Barygaza (Broach - Gujarat)
• Calliena (Kalyan - Maharashtra)
• Suppara (Sopara - Maharashtra)
• Tyndis (Calicut - Kerala)
• Muzuris (Cranganore near Cochin,
Kerala)- A settlement of Roman traders
has been discovered here.
• Poduka (Arikamedu - Pondicherry) - A
Roman settlement has been discovered
here.
• Masula (Machilipatnam - Andhra Pradesh)
• Gang (Tamralipti - Bengal)
Kushana Dynasty
 Polity

•Kushans belonged to the Yue-chi or Tocharian

tribe of Central Asia.
•T h e K u s h a n s e s t a b l i s h e d a n e x t e n s i v e
kingdom that spread from river Oxus in
Central Asia to river Ganges in India.

•First Capital: Purushapura (Modern Peshawar,

Pakistan)

•Second Capital: Mathura (on the bank of

river Yamuna)
•Kujula Kadphises •Vasudeva I •Vāsishka
•(c. 30 – c. 80) •(c. 190 – c. 230) •(c. 247 – c. 267)

•Vima Taktu or
•Huvishka
Sadashkana
•(c. 150 – c. 180)
•(c. 80 – c. 95)

•Vima Kadphises •Kanishka I

•(c. 95 – c. 127) •(c. 127 – c. 150)
Kujula Kadphisis
Founder
Titles: Dharmasthitha, Sacha
Dharmasthitha and Maharajadhiraja.

Vima Kadphisis:
He issued gold coins called ‘Dinars’.
They contain the images of Shiva,
Nandi, Trishul with his title
‘Maheswara’ inscribed on them.
 Kanishka
• The greatest Kushana kings.

• He minted gold and copper coins with figures of Greek and Indian deities engraved on them.

• He struck coins with the image of Buddha and Sakya Buddha engraved on it.

• He assumed the title of Kaiser and Devaputra by imitating the emperors of Rome and China. He built the
city of Kanishkapura in Kashmir.

• Kanishka embraced Mahayana Buddhism and held the fourth Buddhist council at Kashmir.

He patronized two Mahayana scholars.

• Vasumitra: He presided over the fourth Buddhist council; wrote a Sanskrit book called Mahavibhasha
Shastra.
• Asvagosha: He served as the vice-president of the fourth Buddhist council.
• Shauriputra Prakarana and Sundara Nandana written by him are the earliest dramas in India.

• He also authored kavyas (poems) named Buddha Charita, Vajra Suchi and Gandhistotra.

• Charaka (physician) and author of Charaka Samhita lived in his court. It is considered as the
'Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine’.

• Kanishka erected a Vihara at Purushapura and built a huge Stupa there which excited foreigners.

• The Kushans controlled the Silk Route.

• They were the first to issue gold coins on a large scale.

• First traces of large-scale irrigation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Central Asia belong to the
Kushan period.
 Administration

•From the Sarnath inscription we learn that Kaniska

divided his vast empire into several provinces and put
them under the charge of Kshatraps or governors.

•These officials were carefully selected and were not

allowed to revolt against the central authority.
South India and Sangam Polities
• The earliest Tamil literature is termed as ‘Sangam’ literature because it was standardized by an
Academy (Sangam) of scholars and poets maintained by the Pandya rulers at Madurai.

• The period roughly between the 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE in South India

• The main theme of the Sangam literature is war between the 3 dynasties-Cholas,Cheras & Pandyas.

Sangam literature is divided into 5 sections called:

• Early works
• 8 Anthologies (Ettutogai)
• 10 short poems or idylls (Pattu pattu)
• 18 minor works (Padinenkilkanakku)
• 5 epics
 Book Author Significance
Tolkappiyam Tolkappiyar Earliest text; deals with grammar

Maduraikkanji M a n g u d i Describes Kaveripattinam; most important

Marudan source on trade & commerce in the deep south

Murugarruppad Nakkirar A song in praise of Muruga-most powerful god

ai of the deep south.

Palamoli Munrurai Araiyar Deals with the day to day rituals of Brahmins.

Thirukkural Thiruvalluvar Most important work; is full of proverbs; theme

is ethics, morals & values; called Bible of
Sangam Literature.
Epic Author Significance

Silappadikaram Ilango Adigal Grandson of Karikala

(Jewelled Anklet) Chola (Kovalan,
Kannagi-Pattini cult)

Manimegalai Sattanar Villain- Prince

Udayakumaran;
Devotion of fine arts and
Buddhism in the deep
south.

Sivaga Sindamani Tiruttakadevar Popularity of Jainism in

the deep south.
 Pandya (Emblem-Fish)
•T h e P a n d y a s w e r e f i r s t m e n t i o n e d b y
Megasthenes who said that their kingdom was
famous for pearls.
• Their capital was Madurai (on the banks of
Vaigai river).

• The Pandyan king profited from trade with

Roman Empire and sent emissaries to Roman
emperors Augustus and Trojan.

• The Pandyas find mention in the Ramayana

and Mahabharata.

• Their greatest king was Nedunjelian who

performed an Ashwamedha. 
 Cholas (Emblem- Tiger)
•Ruled the South Eastern Coast with their first capital city at Uraiyur and the second
capital city at Kaveripattinam (Puhar).

•Uraiyur was famous for cotton trade.

•Kaveripattinam was their main port.

•King Elara was the first Indian to conquer Sri Lanka.

•Their greatest king was Karikala who founded Puhar and constructed a dam on the
Cauvery (Kallanai dam or Grand anicut at Srirangam).
 Cheras ( Emblem-Bow)
•They ruled Malabar coast (present Kerala)

•Capital was Vanjji.

•Main ports: Muzris (Cranganore) and Tondi.

•The Romans set up two regiments and also built a temple of Augustus at
Muzris.

•One of their early rulers, Udiyangeral is said to have fed both the armies of
the Kurukshetra war.

•Their greatest king was Senguttuvan or Red Chera who founded the ‘Pattini
cult’ related to worship of goddess of chastity-Kannagi
 Administration
•The king was the center
of administration. He was
called Ko, Manna,
Ve n d a n , K o r r a v a n o r
Iraivan.

Officials
Amaichhar - Ministers
Purohitar - Purohit
Dutar – Envoys
Senapatiyar - Senapati
Orar - Spies
Satvahanas
 Polity
•I n t h e P o s t - M a u r y a n p e r i o d , t h e
Satavahanas united and ruled over present
day Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana
and Andhra Pradesh for more than 4
centuries.

• Matsya Purana: 30 kings of the dynasty

ruled for about 450 years from 225 BCE-
225 CE.

• Only Matrilineal Dynasty

• Capitals: Kotilingala, Pratishtanapura,

Srikakulam and Dhanyakataka
 Srimukha/
Simuka

Satakarni I (70-
60 BC)

Hala

Gautamiputra
Satakarni (106 –
130 AD or 86 –
110 AD)

Vashishthiputra
Pulumayi (c. 130
– 154 CE)

Yajna Sri
Satakarni (c. 165
– 194 CE)
Simuka
• Considered to be the founder of the Satavahana dynasty and was immediately active after
Ashoka’s death.
• Built Jain and Buddhist temples.

Satakarni I
• He was the 3rd king of the Satavahanas.
• Satakarni I was the first Satavahana king to expand his empire by military conquests.
• He conquered Kalinga after the death of Kharavela.
• He also pushed back the Sungas in Pataliputra.
• He also ruled over Madhya Pradesh.
• After annexing the Godavari Valley, he assumed the title of ‘Lord of Dakshinapatha’.
• His queen Nayanika wrote the Naneghat inscription which describes the king as
Dakshinapathapati.
• He performed Ashvamedha and revived Vedic Brahmanism in the Deccan.
Hala
• King Hala compiled the Gatha Saptashati. Called Gaha Sattasai in Prakrit, it is a collection
of poems with mostly love as the theme. Around forty of the poems are attributed to Hala
himself.
• Hala’s minister Gunadhya composed Brihatkatha.
Gautamiputra Satakarni (106 – 130 CE or 86 – 110 CE)
• He is considered the greatest king of the Satavahana dynasty.
• His kingdom ran from Krishna in the south to Malwa and Saurashtra in the north and from
Berar in the east to the Konkan in the west.
• In a Nasik inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri, he is described as the destroyer of
the Shakas, Pahlavas and the Yavanas (Greeks); as the uprooter of the Kshaharatas and
the restorer of the glory of the Satavahanas. He is also described as Ekabrahmana (a
peerless Brahmana) and Khatiya-dapa-manamada (destroyer of the pride of Kshatriyas).
• He was given the titles Rajaraja and Maharaja.
• He donated land to the Buddhist monks. The Karle inscription mentions the grant of
Karajika village, near Pune, Maharashtra.
Vashishthiputra Pulumayi (c. 130 – 154 CE)
•He was the immediate successor of Gautamiputra. The coins and inscriptions of
Vashishthiputra Pulumayi are found in Andhra.
•The Shaka-Kshatrapas of western India recovered some of their territories due to
his engagements in the east.

Yajna Sri Satakarni (c. 165 – 194 CE)

•One of the later kings of the Satavahana dynasty. He recovered north Kokan and
Malwa from the Shaka rulers.
•He was a lover of trade and navigation, as is evident from the motif of a ship on
his coins. His coins have been found in Andhra, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
and Gujarat.
 Satvahana Administration
• The Satavahana empire was divided into a number of large administrative divisions known
as aharas.

• We hear of different sorts of officials such as amatyas, mahamatras, mahasenapatis, and of

scribes and record keepers. Villages were governed by village headmen (gramikas).

• The Satavahanas started the practice of granting tax-free villages to brahmanas and
buddhist monks.

• The maharathis and mahabhojas— local rulers who had emerged in the pre-Satavahana
period— were encapsulated and integrated into the Satavahana polity, and continued to be
important even after the establishment of Satavahana rule.

• Land Grants in lieu of services.

Land Grants
 Economy
• The coins of the Satavahanas have been excavated from Deccan, western India, Vidarbha, Western and Eastern
Ghats, etc
• Most of the coins in the Satavahana dynasty were die-struck.
• Cast-coins too existed in the Satavahana empire and there were multiple combinations of techniques that were
used to cast coins.
• There were silver, copper, lead and potin coins in the Satavahana empire.
• Satavahana coins were of different shapes – round, square, rectangular, etc.
Many symbols have appeared on the Satavahana coins, the major ones of which are:
• Chaitya symbol
• Chakra symbol
• Conch Shell symbol
• Lotus symbol
• Nandipada symbol
• Ship symbol
• Swastik symbol
Animal motifs were found on the Satavahana coins.
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