Sample Material of Our IAS Mains History Study Kit
Subject: History (Optional)
Topic: Post-Mauryan
One major change in this period was the transition from the proto-historical to the historical over a large part of India. For example, in the south the early megalithic culture representing a tribal stage was succeeded by the early historical which accommodated elements of culture from north India. The provincial governors soon asserted their independence and numerous independent principalities came into existence. There were numerous dynasties established in very short span of time,We can say that this period saw instability.
Sungas (184 – 75 BC)
The Mauryas were succeeded by the Sungas and they ruled for l12 years from 187 B.C. to 75 B.C. The first event of Pushyamitra Sunga’s reign was his war with Vidarbha which was ruled by Yajnasena, a relative of a minister in the Mauryan Court. Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra defeated Yajnasena and brought Vidarbha back to the fold of empire.Pushyamitra had to face invasion of the Yavanas also. Pushyamitra Sunga performed Ashvamedha after this war. Malvikagnimitram refers to the defeat of Yavanas on the bank of river Sindhu in the hands of Vasumitra. According to Divyavadana, Pushyamitra persecuted Buddhists.But in the light of the fact that stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut were enlarged and provided with gates etc. during the reign of Pushyamitra, this allegation does not seem to be true. The Buddhists’ anger may have been due to the killing of the king by Pushyamitra.
Pushyamitra was succeeded by Agnimitra in about 148 B.C., after a reign of 36 years. Agnimitra had gained experience in statecraft as the governor of Vidisa under his father.
No events of his reign are known, nor are any coin or inscriptions of his reign extant. Agnimitra was succeeded by Jethamitra and after him came on the throne Vasumitra, son of Agnimitra.One of the rulers among the later king was Bhagabhadra in whose court Heliodorus, the ambassador of Antialkidas, stayed.The last, king was Devabhuti.
Kanvas(75 – 28 BC)
Sunga dynasty was replaced by another Brahmin dynasty. Vasudev, the minister of the last Sunga ruler murdered his king and founded the Kanva dynasty. Patliputra was the capital of this dynasty. The last Kanva king Susarman was killed by the Satavahan ruler Pulamayi I. So, Kanvas dynasty declined due to expansion of Satavahanas in the Deccan, while in north India foreign invaders were the cause of decline of the Kanvas.
Ganasanghas
We know about these Gansanghas (republics) through their coins on which their names are found. Some of these were Arjunayanas, Malavas, Audumbaras, Kunindas, Yaudheyas etc. Most of these later on became tributaries of the Guptas and vanished altogether after the fourth century A.D.
Satavahanas of Deccan (2nd cent. BC – 2nd cent. AD)
The Satavahanas appeared in the Deccan as the successors of the Mauryas and ruled in unbroken continuity for 460 years. They are mentioned in the Puranas as Andhras. Satavahana is a Prakrit form of saptavahana which means the solar origin of the dynasty. Satakarni is the surname borne by them. The Andhras are an ancient people and are mentioned in the Ailareva Brahmana also. Before the emergence of the Satavahanas in Maharashtra and Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in southern India, the region was settled by megalithic people. The Greek writer Pilny mentions that the Andhras were powerful people who possessed a large number of villages and thirty towns, an army of one lakh infantry, two thousand cavalry and one thousand elephants.
The founder of this dynasty is known as Simuka and he ruled from 235 B.C. to 213 B.C. He was succeeded by his brother Krishna. The third king Sri Satakarni I was Simuka’s son. He conquered large areas and performed some Vedic sacrifices including two asvamedhayajna and rajasuya. His reign is well known from the Nanaghat inscription of his wife Naganika.It appears that he conquered western Malwa, Vidarbha and Anupa (Narmada Valley). He is also referred to as the lord of Dakshinapatha.His name also occurs on one of the gateways of Sanchi stupa. It is well known that substantial donations were made by the Satavahanas for the renovation and decoration of Sanchi stupas and monasteries.
The next important king was Gautamiputa Satakani. Three kings ruled in beaween of whom Satakarni II ruled for about 56 years. He wrested Malwa from the Sungas. After Satakarni II, the expansion of Satavahana Empire received a set back and Nahapana seems to have conquered part of Satavahana territory.A large number of coins of Nahapana has been found in Nasik area. The Satavahanas became powerful again during the reign of Gautamiputa Satakani. His achievements are recorded in glowing terms in the Nasik inscription of Queen-mother, Gautami Balasri.