Lesson 8: Kingdoms and Dynasties in Ancient India and Maharashtra

Key idea 1 : The Shunga and Kanva dynasties — In the political instability after Ashoka, Pushyamitra Shunga, the Mauryan commander-in-chief, became king. He followed the Vedic religion and performed the Ashwamedha sacrifice; his kingdom extended up to Jalandhar and Sialkot (Shakala) in Punjab. Devabhuti was the last Shunga king; then Vasudeva Kanva founded the Kanva dynasty, which did not last long. Kanva kings encouraged arts, culture and education.

Key idea 2 : Indo-Greek (Yavana) rulers — Many of Alexander’s Greek officers settled in north-western India and set up independent kingdoms; they are called ‘Indo-Greeks’ or ‘Yavanas’. The word ‘Yavana’ came from Greek ‘Ionian’; later all foreigners were called Yavanas. Their rule was in Afghanistan, Punjab and Gandhara. On their coins one side had the king’s face and helmet, the other an image of a deity, and inscriptions were in two scripts — Greek and Brahmi/Kharoshthi.

Key idea 3 : Menander and Gandhara art — Among Indo-Greek kings Menander (Indian name ‘Milinda’) was the most famous. The text ‘Milindapanha’ has his question-answers with the Buddhist monk Nagasena on Buddhist philosophy. Gandhara art, with Greek influence, is regarded as one of India’s finest art traditions; human figures in it are highly realistic and there are many images of Gautama Buddha. In these kings’ time sea and land trade with West Asia grew.

• Easy : Who founded the Shunga dynasty? — Pushyamitra Shunga.
• Medium : Which scripts on Indo-Greek coins? — Greek and Brahmi/Kharoshthi.
• Exam-type : What was Menander’s Indian name? — Milinda.

In the figure: After the Mauryas: Shunga, Kanva and in the north-west the Yavana (Indo-Greek) kings.

Spot the difference

Key idea 1 : Shaka rulers and Rudradaman — The Shakas are also called ‘Scythians’; ‘Shakastan’ (parts of today’s Iran and Afghanistan) was their original land. They settled in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Malwa. Rudradaman I was the most famous and powerful Shaka king; trade flourished in his time. His Junagadh inscription is famous; it tells of his valour, administration and welfare works. Shaka coins were mainly of silver with Brahmi inscriptions and bore the Shaka Samvat.

Key idea 2 : Shaka Samvat — The Shaka Samvat is an important Indian almanac system and continues in our Panchang today. It started in 78 CE. Subtract 78 from the current year to get the Shaka year; e.g. 2026 − 78 = 1948. Each Samvatsara has a specific name. The date by Shaka Samvat appears in the preface of our textbook too.

Key idea 3 : The Satavahan dynasty — In the post-Maurya period the country was unstable, trade had slowed and foreign invasions were increasing. At such a time King Simuka founded the Satavahan dynasty. Their kingdom spread over Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most powerful; he defeated the Shakas and Yavanas and built a stable empire. An inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri in the Trirashmi Caves at Nashik tells of his valour and calls him ‘Tri-samudra-toya-peet-vahan’ — one whose horses drank the water of three seas.

Key idea 4 : Satavahan trade and caves — The Silk Route and the sea trade route passed through the Satavahan kingdom; Indian merchants traded with distant lands like Rome and Greece. The coin of King Pulumavi bears a ship, showing sea trade. Their coins have Brahmi script and Prakrit language. Buddhism gained importance and many caves were excavated; Nashik, Karle, Kanheri, Bhaje and Pitalkhora are famous.

• Easy : What is the Shaka year in 2026? — 2026 − 78 = 1948.
• Medium : Who founded the Satavahan dynasty? — Simuka.
• Exam-type : Where is Gautamiputra Satakarni’s inscription? — In the Trirashmi Caves at Nashik.

In the figure: Satavahans: founder Simuka, powerful Gautamiputra, caves and foreign trade.

Spot the difference

Key idea 1 : Kushana rulers and Kanishka — The Kushanas were originally from Central Asia; they came to north India via Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Kanishka’s time the kingdom spread from Mathura to Punjab, Afghanistan and Kashmir; capital Purushapura (Peshawar). Buddhism spread under his patronage. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalavana (Kashmir); two sects ‘Hinayana’ and ‘Mahayana’ became distinct there. Mahayana accepted image worship; Buddha images were made in Mathura and Gandhara styles.

Key idea 2 : Kushana trade and coins — The Silk Route linking India, China, Central Asia and Rome was under the Kushanas. Spices, textiles, metals, silk and jewellery were traded in large quantities. The Kushanas issued excellent gold and silver coins; they bear images of gods like the Greek Heracles, Iranian Ardoksho and Indian Shiva, showing influence of many cultures.

Key idea 3 : The Gupta dynasty — Shrigupta was the founder of the Gupta dynasty; the empire began to grow in the time of Chandragupta I. Samudragupta is praised in the eulogy composed by Harishena; it is inscribed on the Ashokan pillar at Prayagraj below Ashoka’s edict. Samudragupta’s empire spread from Kashmir in the north to the Narmada and in the south up to Kanchi. The empire reached its peak under Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya); victory over the Shakas was his major achievement. In his time the Chinese traveller Fa Hien came and praised the peace and prosperity. Scholars like Kalidasa, Dhanvantari and Varahamihira belong to this period. Skandagupta was the last powerful Gupta king.

• Easy : What was Kanishka’s capital? — Purushapura (Peshawar).
• Medium : Who founded the Gupta dynasty? — Shrigupta.
• Exam-type : Whose eulogy did Harishena write? — Samudragupta’s.

In the figure: Marks of the Gupta age: Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Fa Hien and scholars like Kalidasa.

Spot the difference

Key idea 1 : Prabhakarvardhana and Harshavardhana — After the decline of the Gupta Empire north India again saw instability and local rulers fought each other. Prabhakarvardhana was ruling at Thanesar near Delhi; the Vardhana dynasty became influential in his time. But the dynasty gained true historical importance because of his son Harshavardhana. He united all north India and founded his capital at Kannauj; the kingdom spread over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal.

Key idea 2 : Harsha’s charity and welfare works — Harshavardhana is known as pious, kind, caring for his subjects and charitable. Seeing a poor family in Kannauj short of food and water he himself came out of the palace; as food alone was not enough he ordered schools and hospitals in every village and food and shelter for monks. He said in his court that the true prosperity of a kingdom lies in the happiness of its people, says the textbook.

Key idea 3 : Conflict with Pulakeshin of the Chalukyas — Harshavardhana came into conflict with the Chalukya Empire of South India. The Chalukya king Pulakeshin II did not let him come down into the south; so Harsha’s empire remained limited to the Ganga valley. After Harsha’s death the Vardhana Empire declined. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Xuanzang) wrote about Harsha’s generosity.

• Easy : What was Harshavardhana’s capital? — Kannauj.
• Medium : Who stopped Harsha in the south? — Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.
• Exam-type : After how many years did Harsha hold the charity festival at Prayag? — Five years.

In the figure: Vardhana dynasty: Prabhakarvardhana, Harshavardhana (Kannauj), Prayag charity fair and conflict with Pulakeshin.

Spot the difference