Download the post-mauryan period - Joy Senior Secondary School

THE POST-MAURYAN PERIOD
Introduction
At the time when northern parts of India were ruled by Mauryas and Kushanas.
South India was ruled by several royal dynasties-Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.
Our main source of information about these kingdoms is the Sangam literature.
Source Of Revenue
The kingdoms of south were rich in their natural resources and foreign trade.
The spices especially pepper, gold, precious stones, pearls, fine muslin and silk cloth
were exported to Europe, West Asia, South East Asia and China.
In North
After the decline of Mauryan empire ,around 200 BC, many foreign groups from central
Asia entered India
They were the Shakas, Indo-Greeks, Parthians and Kushanas
Kushanas
Kushanas ruled over Central Asia and North-West India.
They defeated the other Northern kingdoms and established themselves in region
around Taxila, Peshawar.
They occupied whole of Kashmir and Punjab and parts of Rajasthan and U.P.
They also controlled a part of silk route.
Kanishka
Kanishka was the most famous Kushanas ruler.
Peshawar was the capital of Kushanas.
Kanishka was known for two reasons:
He started an era in 78AD now known as SHAKA ERA.
Secondly he extended his whole hearted patronage to Buddhism
Satavahanas
The Satavahanas or Andhra Empire ruled a large and powerful empire that withstood
the onslaughts from Central Asia.
The rulers worshiped Vishnu, Shiva and goddesses such as Durga.
Continuous military conflict especially with Shakas weakened them and the empire
broke into many small kingdoms.
Religion
Buddhism and Hinduism were the two popular religion.
Many Buddhist followers like Menander and Kanishka gifted land to Buddhist
monastries.
Most of the Satvahanas rulers were Hindus.
The teachings of Bhagavad Gita also became popular during this period.
Spread Of Buddhism
Missionaries activities of emperor Ashoka led to the spread of Buddhism in central Asia.
He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism.
King Kanishka introduced Mahayana Buddhism.
Pilgrims and missionaries travelled to China and central Asia through Silk route.
QUESTION AND ANSWERS
What were Cheras also known as? Write what you know about Neduncheraladan?
The cheras were also known as Keralaputra.
Neduncheraladan was the most famous Chera king.
He fought against Cholas and Pandyas.
Who was Nedunchezhyan? Write what you know about him?
Nedunchezhyam was the most powerful ruler of the Pandya dynasty.
He defeated both Cheras and the Cholas.
He was also a patron of arts and literature.
Why was the silk route called so? How did the rulers try to control the silk route?
Silk route was called so because silk was the main item traded.
Many rulers tried to control the silk route They protected the traders from attacks by
robbers and in return, the traders gave them a part of their profits.
What major changes did Hinduism undergo during this period?
Hinduism had undergone many changes:
Rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices became less important.
The emphasis now was on loving devotion to God or Bhakti.
The teachings of Bhagavad Gita also became popular.
How did Kanishka patronize Buddhism?
Kanishka was deeply influenced by Buddhism
He patronized Buddhist monks & donated money to build Monasteries
The fourth Buddhist Council was held during his reign.
How did Buddhism spread to other lands? Give your answer with special reference to the
work of the missionaries, pilgrims and travellers?
Missionaries activities of emperor Ashoka led to the spread of Buddhism in central Asia.
He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism.
King Kanishka introduced Mahayana Buddhism.
Pilgrims and missionaries travelled to China and central Asia through Silk route.
Write a short note on –Kingdoms of south, The silk route.
Cholas
Cholas ruled in Kaveri delta and had there capital Uraiyur.
Karikala was the most important Chola king.
He fought against cheras and pandyas.
The founder of Chola Kingdom was Vijayalaya
It was a great centre for trade and commerce.
Puhar was an important port city.
Cheras
The cheras were also known as Keralaputras.
Vanji was their capital.
Neduncheraladan was the most famous Chera king.
He fought against Cholas and Pandyas.
The Cheras also traded with The Romans.
The Pandyas
The capital of Pandyas was Madurai on the banks of the Vaigai River.
Nedunchezhyam was the most powerful ruler.
He defeated both Cheras and the Cholas.
The kingdom was famous for pearls.
Silk Route
The Silk Road or Silk Route refers to a historical network that interlinks trade route
across the Afro-Eurasian landmass.
Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the civilizations
of China, India, Persia, Europe and Arabia.
It was through this route that India exported pearls, textiles, ivory, silk and precious
stones.
CHAPTER 11
THE GUPTA AND THE POST –GUPTA PERIOD
Summary
By the end of the third century AD, the powerful empires had come to an end.
The Guptas emerged to dominate the history of India for the next two centuries
The most important archaeological cource is in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
The main literary sources include the works of Kalidasa and the accounts of Fa Hien and
It-sing.
Chandragupta I and Samudragupta was a powerful ruler. The Allahabad Pillar inscription
lists his conquests.
Chandragupta II was equally powerful. The navratnas lived at his court.
Harshavardhana ruled over northern India from Kanauj. We learn about his reign from
Harshacharita and Hiuen Tsang.
The administration was decentralized; some administrative posts became hereditary;
officers were paid through land grants.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What are the sources that tell us about the Gupta period?
The most important archaeological and literary source is the Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
The main literary sources include the works of Kalidasa and the accounts of Fa Hien and
It-sing.
List the military campaigns of Harsha
The military campaigns of Harsha
Harsha conquered Punjab, eastern Rajasthen and the whole of the Ganga valley, up to
Assam.
He attacked the Chalukyan King, Pulakeshin II, but was defeated.
What were the main sources of revenue? How was this money spent?
Agriculture was the main occupation of the people.
The money so collected was used to ensure good administration, give grants and donations
and maintain army.
List the conquest of Samudragupta as mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription?
In north He defeated four powerful kings and numerous smaller kings.
He defeated 12 rulers of deccan and far south.
He defeated many kingdoms of the east such as Nepal, Assam and Bengal.
He defeated the forest tribes of Vindhya region.
CULTURE AND SCIENCE IN THE ANCIENT PERIOD
CHAPTER 12
CULTURE AND SCIENCE IN THE ANCIENT PERIOD
India has a rich and varied culture. Every dynasty that ruled India added some thing to
her heritage.
Ancient Indian religious literatures the four Vedas, the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the
Puranas and the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The secular literature includes the
Arthashastra, Indika, Harshacharita, work of Kalidasa, the accounts of foreign travels
and the Sangam literature.
The architecture of the period includes a large number of stupas. Chaityas, viharas and
temples.
All branches of science progressed. Charaka and Sushruta were experts in medicine.
Aryabhata and Varahamihira were famous mathematicians and astronomers. The iron
Pillar is a masterpiece.
Questions & Answers
What do you know about the Mahabharata?
The Mahabharata was composed by Sage VedVyasa. It is the story of two sets of cousins
the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The name comes from the Battle of Mahabharata,
Fought between the two.
What is special about the Iron Pillar?
The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, it is known as the rustles wonder because despite being
exposed to the sun and rain for all these centuries, it has not rusted.
What was common in the structures of the temples constructed during this period?
Some common structures of temples were:
Garbhagriha- it was the room where the image of the chief deity was kept.
Shikhara or Vimana – It was a tower on the top of the garbhagriha to mark it out
as a sacred place.
Mandapa – It was an assembly hall where people assembled and prayed.
Write a note on painting in the Gupta period?
During the Gupta period the walls of the cave monasteries at Ajanta were decorated
with beautiful paintings. These paintings, called murals, depict events from the life of
the Buddha. Colors made from natural materials were used in these paintings.