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Abhyudaya Kelkar

This part is part 5 dealing with the period between the Mauryas and the Guptas, i.e. roughly between 200 BC and 300 AD, a span of approximately 500 years. The course will cover the following: The Sangam Period, Indo-Greeks and Kharavela, The Shungas and Magadh, The Shakas, The Indo-Parthians, The Satvahanas, The Kushanas, Religion in the post-Mauryan Period, Art, culture and Coinage during the post-Mauryan Period, Economy during the post-Mauryan Period, The arrival of Judaism and Christianity in India, This part will be followed by part 6, The Gupta Period.

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Ancient History: The Post Mauryan Period

Indian History

Northern-Western and Northern India 

Ancient History

History

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.This course will cover the following lessons:
1.	The Sangam Period (Part – I)
2.	The Sangam Period (Part – II)
3.	The Sangam Period (Part – III)
4.	The Indo-Greeks and Kharavela
5.	The Shungas and Magadh
6.	The Shakas
7.	The Kshatraps and Indo-Parthians
8.	The Satvahanas
9.	The Former Kushanas
10.	The Later Kushanas
11.	Religion in the post-Mauryan Period
12.	Economy during the post-Mauryan Period
13.	Art and Architecture during the post-Mauryan Period
14.	Culture and Coinage during the post-Mauryan Period
15.	The arrival of Judaism and Christianity in India

Overview: The Post-Mauryan Period

Many Tamil people believe that their culture is entirely different. To some extent, they are correct. The courses of development of history are different in both north and south India. In other words, the northern and the southern India entered the historical phase from pre-history in different periods and in different manner. Southern India, especially the Tamil country, which was known as ‘Tamilakam’ passed through this Sangam Period, through which it entered from the pre-history to history. The Sangam Period is a considerably huge chapter. So, only the most notable aspects can be touched and that too in three successive parts.

In this first part, we will have an overview of the Sangam Era and some basic information about this period, its importance in the history of Tamilakam. It will enable us to understand the rest two parts on this topic quite comfortably.

The Sangam Era: Part 1

In this part, we will be discussing about the Sangam Age polity, the dynasties, notable kings and important events.

This lesson is important because it will bring out the historical aspects of the Sangam Era. The first lesson was dominated by the legendary aspects of the Sangam Period. While in this lesson we will focus on the probable events and evidences.
There were three Tamil kingdoms in Tamilakam in that age :
The Cholas of Uraiyur and Poohar
The Cheras of Vanji and Karur
The Pandyas of Madura (Madurai)

These are not the same as the Medieval kingdoms and empires of the same name.

The Sangam Era: Part 2

This third part will cover the residual topics of the Sangam Period. In the first two we have discussed the ahistorical and historical aspects, and whatever is left out of it, is being included in this final part of this subject.

We will talk about ‘Tinai’, the physiographic divisions of the Tamilakam, according to the Sangam Literature. These 5 divisions are seldom talked about while studying. 
Two other important topics related to this Period have also been covered – The economy of the southern India between 300 BC and 300 AD and the socio-cultural aspects of the era.

Although its association with the pre-historic and Megalithic cultures is quite difficult to establish, through this lesson, we will get an insight about the transformation of Tamilakam from prehistory to history.

The Sangam Era: Part 3

The Greeks left in Central Asia by Alexander and his successors were known as ‘Bactrian Greeks’, who went on to secede from the Seleucids in 256 BC, to establish their own kingdom, the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom.

As long as Ashoka was alive, there was no question to invade or encroach upon his territory. But as he died, the Mauryan Empire was weakened instantly. This has been already talked about in the previous part, ‘The Mauryan Period’.

As a result, the Bactrian Greeks got an opportunity to invade the Mauryan domains and they did so c. 180 BC. These Bactrian Greek settlers in the Cis-Hindukush India, became independent of the Bactrian Greek kingdom and therefore they came to be known as Indo-Greeks.

The most memorable feature of these kings was their coins which were remarkably different from those of the Mauryans. Not much is mentionable about these kings, barring Demetrius and Menander. 

Apart from this, there was also a king from Kalinga’s Mahameghavahana Dynasty, called Kharavela. He is known for his conquests and Hathigumpha Inscriptions.
The rest is described in the lesson.

The Indo-Greeks and Kharavela

How the Mauryan Empire got fragmented was already covered in Part-V. Now in this lesson, there will be a discussion about the successors to the Mauryans in Magadh and Central India. 

The last Mauryan emperor was assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga Dynasty. Apart from Pushyamitra, there were some rulers in this dynasty who require mention. This dynasty ruled somewhere up to the early first century BC. It was succeeded by the Kanvas. Kanvas had nothing mentionable to their credit, not even proper evidences. 

This genealogy has been mentioned in many Puranas. The Puranas also mention about certain ‘Andhras’ succeeding the Kanvas. Whether or not these Andhras were the same as the Satavahanas, is a matter of debate. If not, there is no evidence of these so-called ‘Andhras’. If yes, they have been separately discussed in Lesson-8.

The Shungas and Magadh

The Scythians find frequent mention in the western literature. The Greek and Roman historians have variously described them as ‘blood-thirsty horse riders’.  Probably, the Persians were the first to call them ‘Shakas’. These Scythians were nomadic horse riders and warriors who invaded many parts of the then known-world, including India. So the Indian branch came to be known as ‘Indo-Scythians’. 

Therefore, whenever we refer to the Shakas, we actually talk about the ‘Indo-Scythina’, in global context. These Shakas were pushed into the plains of India due to pressure from the other tribes of Central Asia.

A new term has been coined by me – ‘The Circular Displacement’, to clearly explain the phenomena.

There is wide usage of maps to explain the effect and migration of Shakas into India. The rest has been detailed in the lesson.

The Shakas

The Shakas never remained as a unified political entity in the previous part of their history. They split up into two different branches – the Northern Kshatraps, ruling around Mathura and Takshashila and the Western Kshatraps ruling in the region of Sindh, southern Rajasthan, Gujarat and Malwa.

These Western Kshatraps developed an organized state and constantly warred with the rising Satavahanas. 

The Western Kshatraps had two different dynasties – The Kshaharta Dynasty and the Kardamaka Dynasty. 

The northern branch, i.e. the Northern Kshatraps were replaced by the poorly known Indo-Parthians. The only source of information about the Indo-Parthians is their coins. The rest is explained in the lesson.

Indo-Parthians and the Kshatraps

One of the two great Indian political powers and organized states during this Post-Mauryan Period was the Satavahana Empire. The Satavahanas had a mysterious origin. They were alternatively known as ‘the Andhras’. Further, the Puranas mention some ‘Andhras’ succeeding the Kanvas in Magadh. 

Why or why shouldn’t these Andhras be considered as the Imperial Satavahanas, has been explained in the lesson. The important facts related to the various Satavahana emperors, including Gautamiputra Satakarni, have been mentioned.

The maps will enable you to properly understand the extent of their rule. 

These Satavahanas had remarkable effect upon the politics, society, culture and economy of both northern and southern India. They acted as a bridge between the north and the south.
This particular lesson is focused upon the noteworthy rulers of the Satavahana Empire.

The Satavahanas

The Former Kushans

In this lesson we will discuss about the Kushans after Kanishka and the seldom discussed subject by the history teachers and students, the Kushanshahs or Indo-Sassanians.

Some noteworthy Kushan Emperors reigned after Kanishka. Huvishka his immediate successor made some fatal mistakes like economic ‘reforms’. The successor of Huvishka, Vasudev I had to undo those ‘reforms’.

After Vasudev I, no Kushan emperor could ever rise to the greatness of their predecessors.

Indo-Sassanians had two separate periods in the Indian history separated by the Huna interruption.

The Later Kushans and Kushanshahs

The five centuries of the Post-Mauryan Period were enough to bring sea-changes in the religion existing in India. Many existing deities were circumscribed by separate cults, while many new cults came to India, brought in by the invaders, Indo-Greek, Shakas, Indo-Parthians, Kushans, etc.

These newly introduced deities and cults were localized and became part of Indian religion, which went on to become Hinduism. Vaishnavism, Bhagwatism, Shakt and Shaiva cults evolved during this period only.

There were also some huge changes in both, Jainism and Buddhism during this period.

The introduction of Judaism and Christianity to India is separately discussed in Lesson-15.

Religion in the Post-Mauryan Period

The economy during the post-Mauryan Period is one of its most striking features. The economy prospered throughout the period of five centuries and remained more or less stable despite of the numerous invasions from central Asia.

The economy of the period can be bifurcated into two different sections – The Northern Zone and the Southern Zone.

The northern zone was dominated by the ‘Silk Road’ a broad network of trade routes and a spinal trade route running between the then China and the West.
The southern zone was dominated by the oceanic trade between the Orient and the west via Peninsular India.

In this lesson the routes are explained through maps, in order to enable the students to have a much better understanding. Also, the various trading centres and ports are presented through tables for easy reference and memory.

Economy during the Post-Mauryan Period

The Art & Architecture is also extremely important. So instead of discussing it within those topics, the same has been bifurcated from the various lessons and accumulated in this lesson. So you will be able to understand it in much better way and also will be able to develop a holistic view of the art and architecture during that period.

There was a revolution in the field of art during the Mauryan Period. The trend continued unabated throughout the Post-Mauryan Period. In fact it appeared as if nothing was changing except the kings and incessant wars. The art and architecture kept on improving, particularly the Buddhist and cave architecture.

Indo-Greek, Parthian, Kushan, Satavahana, these art-forms evolved over the centuries and became part of Indian culture.

How these began and where these merged with the main-stream, are detailed in this lesson.

Art and Architecture during the Post-Mauryan Period

Coinage was the most striking feature of the Indo-Greek invasions. A new technology of making ‘cast-die-struck’ coins developed in Gandhara, which is also known as ‘Gandhara Coinage’. This coinage thoroughly replaced the erstwhile punch-marked coins.

There were tremendous developments in languages during this period. Many foreign languages like Parthian, Scythian, Bactrian (the official language of the Kushans), lost their existence and their speakers adopted the native languages or Prakrits. This is how these foreign tribes got ‘Indianized’.

Similarly, the script also developed from Ashokan Brahmi to various forms, including the Tamil Brahmi in southern India. 

Many books were written over the course of time, and three dramatic Prakrits came into prominence  - Sauraseni, Magadhi and Maharashtri.

The rest has been explained in the lesson.

Coinage and Culture during the Post-Mauryan Period

It may be quite surprising for you to find this lesson here in the share of Indian History. Yet it is impossible to conclude the past of India without mentioning its connections with the Abrahamic Religions. Also, it will enable the students to understand the Indian Culture, which is a part of the GS Syllabus.

There are many myths and legends surrounding  the Judeo-Christian history, as it is quite natural in case of every religion. There are also certain connections of those legends with India.

The relation of India and Christianity is much deeper than most of us believe. It begins right from the birth of Christ.

Judaism and Christianity in India

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Shubham Kumar

This course is all about the founders, culture, art, religion, science and technology during 'Post Mauryan Period'.

(Hindi) Ancient Indian History: Post Mauryan Period

(Hindi) Ancient History: The Post Mauryan Period

This part is Part –VII, dealing with the period between the Guptas and the end of the Ancient Period in India, i.e. roughly between 500 AD and 700 AD, a span of approximately 200 years. The course will cover the following: The Chalukyas, The Pallavas, The North Before Harsha, Harshavardhana, The North After Harsha, Post Gupta Economy, Art and Architecture, Post Gupta Religion and Society, The Birth of Islam and its arrival in India, The Expansion of the Caliphate , The South-east Asian Principalities, The Chinese Travellers, The End of the Ancient Period and conclusion. This part will be followed by the next course - The Medieval India.

Ancient History: Post Gupta Period

B.Tech(CSE)  2013-17  batch from JMIT Radaur. Teaching Since 2013 . Follow me just for knowledge.

Aman Bathla

In this course, Aman Bathla discusses the list of battles in Medieval India from 1000 to 1757 that changed the direction of the Indian Economy. The course will be beneficial for UPSC CSE aspirants.

Important Battles in India: UPSC CSE

I am in teaching formally since 2011, Prepared students for competitive examinations.
I also gave UPSC (CS-mains) in 2011 and in 2013.

Balwinder Singh

This lesson give the details about the Successors of mauryas and the Guptas period

Post Mauryan Period for SSC and UPSC

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Lokendra Mishra

This course will be discussing socio- cultural reforms done by Brahmo samaj, foundation of Brahmo samaj, efforts of Raja Rammohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore and Keshabchandra Sen. Significance of Brahmo Samaj is also discussed in this course.

Lessons

16 lessons • 3h 2m

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Overview: The Post-Mauryan Period

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The Sangam Era: Part 1

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The Sangam Era: Part 2

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The Sangam Era: Part 3

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The Indo-Greeks and Kharavela

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The Shungas and Magadh

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The Shakas

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Indo-Parthians and the Kshatraps

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The Satavahanas

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The Former Kushans

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