The Post-Mauryan India – Detailed Summary | Samacheer Kalvi 6th Social Science | Term 3 History

The Post-Mauryan India – Detailed Summary

Book: Samacheer Kalvi 6th Social Science

Term: Term 3

Subject: History

Unit: Unit 2

Lesson Name: The Post-Mauryan India

About the Lesson

“The Post-Mauryan India” is an important History lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi 6th Social Science book. This lesson explains the political, social, economic, and cultural developments that happened in India after the decline of the Mauryan Empire.

After the Mauryan Empire broke up, many new dynasties and foreign groups became powerful in different parts of India. The lesson mainly focuses on the Sungas, Kanvas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, Kushanas, Kanishka, Gandhara Art, and important developments in trade, literature, art, and religion.

Learning Objectives

To understand the political changes after the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
To learn about the Sungas and Kanvas in North India.
To know about the Satavahanas in South India.
To understand the role of Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, and Kushanas.
To learn about important rulers like Pushyamitra Sunga, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Menander, Rudradaman, and Kanishka.
To understand the contribution of post-Mauryan rulers to art, literature, religion, trade, and coinage.
To learn about Gandhara, Mathura, Amaravati, Sanchi, and Bharhut as important centres of art.

Detailed Summary of the Lesson

1. Introduction to Post-Mauryan India

The period after the decline of the Mauryan Empire is called the Post-Mauryan period. During this time, India was no longer ruled by one large empire. Many regional kingdoms and foreign groups became powerful in different parts of the country.

In North India, the Sungas and Kanvas ruled after the Mauryas. In South India, the Satavahanas became powerful. In the north-western region, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, and Kushanas entered India and established their rule.

2. Decline of the Mauryan Empire

After Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire became weak. The rulers who came after him were not strong enough to control such a large empire.

The last Mauryan emperor was Brihadratha. He was killed by his own general Pushyamitra Sunga. After this, Pushyamitra Sunga established the Sunga dynasty in Magadha.

3. Magadha After the Mauryas

Even after the fall of the Mauryan Empire, Magadha continued to be an important centre. It was no longer the strongest political power, but it remained an important centre of Buddhist culture.

The decline of Mauryan control gave opportunity for many kingdoms and foreign groups to rise in different regions.

4. Sources for the Post-Mauryan Period

We learn about the Post-Mauryan period from inscriptions, coins, literary sources, archaeological remains, and foreign accounts.

Important sources include the Junagadh inscription, Nasik Prasasti, coins of Satavahanas, coins of Kushanas, Roman coins, Puranas, Mahabhasya of Patanjali, Buddhacharita of Asvaghosha, and accounts of travellers.

5. The Sungas

The Sunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga. He killed the last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha and established his rule in Magadha.

Pushyamitra made Pataliputra his capital. He was a follower of Vedic religion and performed two Asvamedha Yagnas to show his imperial authority.

6. Pushyamitra Sunga

Pushyamitra Sunga was an important ruler of the Sunga dynasty. He defended the Gangetic Valley from foreign invasions and extended his kingdom towards Ujjain and Vidisha.

He successfully repulsed the invasion of the Bactrian king Menander. He also conquered Vidarbha. His rule marked the revival of Vedic practices in North India.

7. Importance of the Sunga Period

The Sunga period was important for politics, religion, language, and art. Sanskrit gradually became more important and gained the position of court language.

During this period, Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi were renovated and improved. The railings and gateways of Buddhist stupas were developed during the Sunga period.

8. Agnimitra

Pushyamitra was succeeded by his son Agnimitra. Agnimitra is said to be the hero of Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitra.

This drama also refers to the victory of Vasumitra, son of Agnimitra, over the Greeks on the banks of the Sindhu river.

9. Last Sunga Ruler

The last ruler of the Sunga dynasty was Devabhuti. He was killed by his minister Vasudeva Kanva.

After this, Vasudeva Kanva established the Kanva dynasty in Magadha.

10. The Kanvas

The Kanva dynasty ruled Magadha after the Sungas. The Kanva rule was short and lasted only for about 45 years.

The important Kanva rulers were Vasudeva, Bhumi Mitra, Narayana, and Susarman. The last Kanva ruler was Susarman.

11. End of the Kanvas

The last Kanva ruler Susarman was killed by Simuka, a powerful chief from Andhra.

Simuka laid the foundation of the Satavahana dynasty. After the fall of the Kanvas, Magadha lost its earlier political importance until the rise of the Gupta dynasty.

12. Satavahanas in the South

The Satavahanas became powerful in the Deccan and South India after the Mauryan period. They are also known as the Andhras.

The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuka. His successor was his brother Krishna. The Satavahanas ruled for a long period and played an important role in South Indian history.

13. Satakarni

Satakarni was an important Satavahana ruler. He expanded the Satavahana kingdom and performed two Asvamedha Yagnas.

These horse sacrifices showed his imperial power and political authority.

14. Gautamiputra Satakarni

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty. He is praised in the Nasik Prasasti written by his mother Gautami Balasri.

He was described as the destroyer of Sakas, Yavanas, and Pahlavas. His empire included regions such as Maharashtra, North Konkan, Berar, Gujarat, Kathiawar, and Malwa.

15. Satavahana Coins

Satavahana coins are important sources of history. Some coins show ships, which suggest the naval power and seafaring skill of the Satavahanas.

These coins also show that the Satavahanas were involved in trade and had contact with other regions.

16. Contributions of Satavahanas

The Satavahanas contributed to literature, art, architecture, trade, and religion. They supported Sanskrit and Prakrit literature.

The Satavahana king Hala was a great scholar. He is famous as the author of Sattasai or Saptasati, a work containing 700 stanzas in Prakrit.

17. Satavahana Art and Architecture

The Satavahanas were great builders. They began the construction of Buddhist stupas at Amaravati.

Amaravati became an important centre of Buddhist art. Buddhist monuments and sculptures developed during this period.

18. Indo-Greeks

After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the Greek rulers of Bactria entered north-western India. They are known as Indo-Greeks.

Indo-Greek rulers established their colonies in north-western India and mixed with the local population. They contributed to coinage, sculpture, and cultural exchange.

19. Menander

Menander was one of the best-known Indo-Greek kings. He ruled a large kingdom in north-western India.

Menander is identified with Milinda in the Buddhist text Milinda Panha. This text records a conversation between King Milinda and the Buddhist scholar Nagasena.

20. Contribution of Indo-Greeks

Indo-Greek rulers introduced the die system of coinage. They produced properly shaped coins with inscriptions, symbols, and engraved figures.

The Gandhara School of Art was influenced by Greek art. The Greeks also influenced cave architecture and sculpture.

21. Sakas

The Indo-Greek rule in India was ended by the Sakas. The Sakas were Scythians, a group of nomadic people from Central Asia.

The Sakas spread over northern and western India. Their rule was first established in the Gandhara region.

22. Saka Capital

The Saka ruler Maos or Mogain founded Saka rule in the Gandhara region. His capital was Sirkap.

His name is mentioned in the Mora inscription. Some of his coins had images of Buddha and Siva.

23. Rudradaman

Rudradaman was the most important and famous ruler of the Sakas. His Junagadh or Girnar inscription is very important.

The Junagadh inscription is considered one of the earliest important inscriptions written in Sanskrit. Rudradaman is also remembered for repairing the Sudarshana lake.

24. Indo-Parthians

The Indo-Parthians, also called Pahlavas, were another group that entered India after the decline of the Mauryan Empire.

They established their rule in the north-western regions. Their settlements gradually mixed with the local people.

25. Gondophares

Gondophares was an important Indo-Parthian ruler. According to tradition, St. Thomas is associated with the period of Gondophares.

This period shows contacts between India and regions outside India through trade, religion, and culture.

26. Kushanas

The Kushanas became powerful in north-western India after the Indo-Greeks, Sakas, and Indo-Parthians. They originally belonged to the Yueh-chi tribes.

The Kushanas ruled over a large empire and helped in the spread of trade, art, Buddhism, and cultural contacts between India, Central Asia, China, and Rome.

27. Kadphises I

Kadphises I was the first famous military and political leader of the Kushanas. He overthrew the Indo-Greek and Indo-Parthian rulers.

He established himself as a powerful ruler of Bactria and extended his power up to Kabul, Gandhara, and the Indus region.

28. Kadphises II

Kadphises II maintained friendly relations with China and Rome. He encouraged foreign trade and commerce.

Some of his coins contained images of Lord Siva. His coins also had imperial titles written in Kharosthi script.

29. Kanishka

Kanishka was the greatest of all Kushana emperors. He was a powerful conqueror and a great patron of Buddhism, art, and literature.

His empire extended from Kashmir to Benaras and from Central Asian regions like Kashgar and Yarkand towards the borders of Persia and Parthia.

30. Kanishka’s Conquests

Kanishka conquered Kashmir and Gandhara. He also fought successfully against Magadha and Parthia.

After conquering Kashmir and Gandhara, he turned his attention towards China and defeated the Chinese general Pan-Chiang.

31. Kanishka and Buddhism

Kanishka was an ardent follower of Buddhism. He supported Mahayana Buddhism and built many stupas and monasteries.

He sent Buddhist missionaries to Central Asia, Tibet, and China. This helped Buddhism spread beyond India.

32. Fourth Buddhist Council

Kanishka organized the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana near Srinagar.

This council was important because Buddhism later developed into two major sects: Hinayana and Mahayana.

33. Kanishka’s Court

Kanishka was a great patron of scholars and artists. His court had famous Buddhist saints and scholars such as Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, and Nagarjuna.

Asvaghosha wrote Buddhacharita, an important Sanskrit work on the life of Buddha.

34. Kanishka’s Capital

Kanishka’s later capital was Purushapura, which is modern Peshawar.

He also founded the town of Kanishkapura in Kashmir.

35. Gandhara Art

Gandhara Art developed during the Kushana period. It was influenced by Greek and Indian artistic traditions.

The favourite subject of Gandhara artists was the carving of Buddha sculptures. Gandhara art played an important role in the development of Buddhist sculpture.

36. Mathura School of Art

The Mathura School of Art also flourished during this period. It produced images and life-size statues of Buddhist, Brahmanical, and Jain deities.

Mathura became an important centre of sculpture and religious art.

37. Amaravati School of Art

Amaravati was an important centre of Buddhist art under the Satavahanas. Buddhist stupas and sculptures developed in this region.

The Amaravati style later influenced art in other regions of Asia.

38. Trade in the Post-Mauryan Period

Trade expanded during the post-Mauryan period. Indian merchants traded with Rome, Central Asia, China, and Southeast Asia.

Roman coins found in India show strong trade contacts. Indian goods like spices, textiles, beads, precious stones, and other products were exported.

39. Coinage

Coins are important sources for the study of the post-Mauryan period. Indo-Greeks, Satavahanas, Sakas, and Kushanas issued different types of coins.

Indo-Greek coins showed proper shape, inscriptions, symbols, and engraved figures. Satavahana ship coins suggest naval power. Kushana coins show religious and political symbols.

40. Importance of the Post-Mauryan Period

The Post-Mauryan period is important because many regional kingdoms and foreign rulers contributed to Indian history. This period saw growth in trade, coinage, sculpture, Buddhism, Sanskrit, Prakrit literature, and cultural contacts.

It acted as a bridge between the Mauryan Empire and the later Gupta period.

Central Idea of the Lesson

The central idea of the lesson is to explain the political and cultural changes that took place in India after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. The lesson shows how the Sungas, Kanvas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, and Kushanas contributed to Indian politics, trade, art, literature, religion, and culture.

Major Dynasties and Rulers

Dynasty / Group	Important Ruler	Importance
Sungas	Pushyamitra Sunga	Founded Sunga dynasty after killing Brihadratha.
Kanvas	Vasudeva Kanva	Established Kanva dynasty after the Sungas.
Satavahanas	Gautamiputra Satakarni	Greatest Satavahana ruler.
Indo-Greeks	Menander	Associated with Milinda Panha.
Sakas	Rudradaman	Known for Junagadh inscription.
Kushanas	Kanishka	Greatest Kushana ruler and patron of Buddhism.

Sungas and Kanvas

Topic	Important Point
Last Mauryan Emperor	Brihadratha.
Founder of Sunga Dynasty	Pushyamitra Sunga.
Sunga Capital	Pataliputra.
Pushyamitra’s Religion	Follower of Vedic religion.
Last Sunga Ruler	Devabhuti.
Founder of Kanva Dynasty	Vasudeva Kanva.
Kanva Rulers	Vasudeva, Bhumi Mitra, Narayana, Susarman.
Last Kanva Ruler	Susarman.

Satavahanas – Important Points

Topic	Important Point
Founder	Simuka.
Another Name	Andhras.
Successor of Simuka	Krishna.
Greatest Ruler	Gautamiputra Satakarni.
Important Inscription	Nasik Prasasti.
Famous Scholar King	Hala.
Literary Work	Sattasai or Saptasati.
Important Art Centre	Amaravati.
Ship Coins	Show seafaring skill and naval power.

Foreign Rulers in North-West India

Group	Important Point
Indo-Greeks	Introduced die system and properly shaped coins.
Menander	Identified with Milinda in Milinda Panha.
Sakas	Ended Indo-Greek rule in India.
Maos / Mogain	Saka ruler whose capital was Sirkap.
Rudradaman	Most famous Saka ruler.
Indo-Parthians	Also called Pahlavas.
Kushanas	Powerful rulers who promoted trade, Buddhism, and art.

Kushanas and Kanishka

Topic	Important Point
Kadphises I	First famous military and political leader of Kushanas.
Kadphises II	Maintained friendly relations with China and Rome.
Greatest Kushana Emperor	Kanishka.
Kanishka’s Later Capital	Peshawar or Purushapura.
Fourth Buddhist Council	Held at Kundalavana near Srinagar.
Buddhist Scholars in Court	Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, and Nagarjuna.
Buddhacharita	Written by Asvaghosha.
Art During Kanishka	Gandhara School of Art flourished.

Art and Architecture

Centre / School	Importance
Sanchi	Buddhist stupa improved during the Sunga period.
Bharhut	Buddhist monument developed during Sunga period.
Amaravati	Important Buddhist art centre under Satavahanas.
Gandhara	Art influenced by Greek and Indian styles; famous for Buddha sculptures.
Mathura	Produced images of Buddhist, Brahmanical, and Jain deities.
Bodh Gaya	Important Buddhist sacred centre.

Important Exam Points from the Lesson

Topic	Important Point
Last Mauryan Emperor	Brihadratha.
Brihadratha was killed by	Pushyamitra Sunga.
Founder of Sunga Dynasty	Pushyamitra Sunga.
Last Sunga Ruler	Devabhuti.
Founder of Kanva Dynasty	Vasudeva Kanva.
Last Kanva Ruler	Susarman.
Founder of Satavahana Dynasty	Simuka.
Greatest Satavahana Ruler	Gautamiputra Satakarni.
Hala	Author of Sattasai or Saptasati.
Kantara School of Sanskrit	Flourished in the Deccan.
Menander	Best-known Indo-Greek king.
Milinda Panha	Buddhist text connected with Menander and Nagasena.
Sakas	Ended Indo-Greek rule in India.
Saka Capital	Sirkap.
Most Famous Saka Ruler	Rudradaman.
Junagadh / Girnar Inscription	Associated with Rudradaman.
Greatest Kushana Emperor	Kanishka.
Kushana Later Capital	Peshawar or Purushapura.
Fourth Buddhist Council	Organized by Kanishka at Kundalavana near Srinagar.
Gandhara Artists	Favourite subject was carving sculptures of Buddha.
Buddhacharita	Written by Asvaghosha.

Vocabulary to Remember

Post-Mauryan – period after the decline of the Mauryan Empire
Dynasty – line of rulers from the same family
Invasion – entering another region by force
Asvamedha Yagna – horse sacrifice performed to show imperial power
Inscription – writing engraved on stone, metal, or other hard material
Prasasti – inscription praising a king or ruler
Coinage – system of making and using coins
Die System – method used to make properly shaped coins
Yavanas – Greeks
Pahlavas – Indo-Parthians
Sakas – Scythian people who ruled parts of India
Kushanas – rulers from Yueh-chi tribes who ruled north-western India
Satrap – provincial governor
Gandhara Art – art influenced by Greek and Indian styles
Mahayana – a major sect of Buddhism
Stupa – Buddhist sacred monument
Monastery – residence of monks
Ardent – very enthusiastic or passionate
Renovated – restored or improved
Assimilate – to mix and become part of a group or culture

TET / Exam Focus Areas

Very Important Focus: These are the most expected textbook-based areas from this lesson.

Who was the last Mauryan emperor?
Who killed Brihadratha?
Who founded the Sunga dynasty?
What was Pushyamitra Sunga’s capital?
Who was the last Sunga ruler?
Who established the Kanva dynasty?
Name the rulers of the Kanva dynasty.
Who founded the Satavahana dynasty?
Who was the greatest Satavahana ruler?
What is Nasik Prasasti?
Who wrote Sattasai?
What was Menander known for?
What is Milinda Panha?
What was the contribution of Indo-Greeks to coinage?
Who ended Indo-Greek rule in India?
Who was the most famous Saka ruler?
What is the importance of Junagadh inscription?
Who was the greatest Kushana ruler?
Where was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?
Name the scholars in Kanishka’s court.
What was the favourite subject of Gandhara artists?

Short Answer Questions and Answers

1. What happened to the last Mauryan emperor?

The last Mauryan emperor was Brihadratha. He was assassinated by his own general Pushyamitra Sunga.

2. Who founded the Sunga dynasty?

Pushyamitra Sunga founded the Sunga dynasty in Magadha.

3. What was the capital of Pushyamitra Sunga?

Pataliputra was the capital of Pushyamitra Sunga.

4. Who was the last Sunga ruler?

Devabhuti was the last Sunga ruler.

5. Who established the Kanva dynasty?

Vasudeva Kanva established the Kanva dynasty in Magadha.

6. Name the rulers of the Kanva dynasty.

The rulers of the Kanva dynasty were Vasudeva, Bhumi Mitra, Narayana, and Susarman.

7. Who founded the Satavahana dynasty?

Simuka founded the Satavahana dynasty.

8. Who was the greatest ruler of the Satavahanas?

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty.

9. What is the importance of Hala?

Hala was a Satavahana king and scholar. He is famous as the author of Sattasai or Saptasati, a work of 700 stanzas in Prakrit.

10. Who was Menander?

Menander was one of the best-known Indo-Greek kings. He is identified with Milinda in the Buddhist text Milinda Panha.

11. What was the contribution of Indo-Greeks to coinage?

Indo-Greek rulers introduced the die system and produced properly shaped coins with inscriptions, symbols, and engraved figures.

12. Who ended Indo-Greek rule in India?

The Sakas ended Indo-Greek rule in India.

13. Who was the most famous Saka ruler?

Rudradaman was the most important and famous ruler of the Sakas.

14. What was the capital of the Saka ruler Maos or Mogain?

The capital of Maos or Mogain was Sirkap.

15. Who was the greatest Kushana emperor?

Kanishka was the greatest of all Kushana emperors.

16. Where was Kanishka’s later capital?

Kanishka’s later capital was Peshawar, also known as Purushapura.

17. Where did Kanishka organize the Fourth Buddhist Council?

Kanishka organized the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana near Srinagar.

18. Name the Buddhist scholars in Kanishka’s court.

Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, and Nagarjuna were famous Buddhist scholars in Kanishka’s court.

19. Who wrote Buddhacharita?

Buddhacharita was written by Asvaghosha.

20. What was the favourite subject of Gandhara artists?

The favourite subject of Gandhara artists was the carving of sculptures of Buddha.

How to Write This in Exam

For a short answer, write that this lesson explains the dynasties and kingdoms that arose after the decline of the Mauryan Empire.

For a long answer, include the decline of the Mauryas, Sungas, Kanvas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, Kushanas, Kanishka, Gandhara Art, coinage, trade, literature, and Buddhist art centres.

Sample Exam Answer

“The Post-Mauryan India” is an important History lesson in 6th Social Science. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, India was divided into many regional kingdoms. The last Mauryan emperor was Brihadratha. He was killed by his own general Pushyamitra Sunga. Pushyamitra founded the Sunga dynasty in Magadha with Pataliputra as his capital.

After the Sungas, the Kanvas ruled Magadha. Vasudeva Kanva founded the Kanva dynasty. The important Kanva rulers were Vasudeva, Bhumi Mitra, Narayana, and Susarman. The last Kanva ruler Susarman was killed by Simuka, who founded the Satavahana dynasty. The Satavahanas became powerful in the Deccan and South India. Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest Satavahana ruler. Hala, another Satavahana king, wrote Sattasai or Saptasati.

In north-western India, foreign groups such as Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, and Kushanas became powerful. Menander was a famous Indo-Greek king and is connected with the Buddhist text Milinda Panha. The Sakas ended Indo-Greek rule in India. Rudradaman was the most famous Saka ruler. His Junagadh inscription is important.

Kanishka was the greatest Kushana ruler. He supported Buddhism and organized the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana near Srinagar. His court had scholars like Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, and Nagarjuna. Gandhara Art flourished during the Kushana period, and Buddha sculptures became its favourite subject. The Post-Mauryan period is important for the growth of trade, coinage, Buddhism, Sanskrit and Prakrit literature, and art centres such as Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati, Gandhara, and Mathura.

One Mark Important Points

Last Mauryan Emperor – Brihadratha
Brihadratha was killed by – Pushyamitra Sunga
Founder of Sunga Dynasty – Pushyamitra Sunga
Sunga Capital – Pataliputra
Last Sunga Ruler – Devabhuti
Founder of Kanva Dynasty – Vasudeva Kanva
Kanva Rulers – Vasudeva, Bhumi Mitra, Narayana, Susarman
Last Kanva Ruler – Susarman
Founder of Satavahana Dynasty – Simuka
Greatest Satavahana Ruler – Gautamiputra Satakarni
Hala – Author of Sattasai / Saptasati
Kantara School of Sanskrit – Flourished in the Deccan
Menander – Famous Indo-Greek king
Milinda Panha – Buddhist text connected with Menander
Indo-Greeks – Introduced die system of coinage
Sakas – Ended Indo-Greek rule in India
Saka Capital – Sirkap
Most Famous Saka Ruler – Rudradaman
Junagadh / Girnar Inscription – Associated with Rudradaman
Greatest Kushana Emperor – Kanishka
Kanishka’s Later Capital – Peshawar / Purushapura
Fourth Buddhist Council – Kundalavana near Srinagar
Kanishka’s Court Scholars – Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, Nagarjuna
Buddhacharita – Written by Asvaghosha
Gandhara Art – Famous for Buddha sculptures

Short Conclusion

“The Post-Mauryan India” teaches us about the political and cultural developments that took place after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. It explains the rise of Sungas, Kanvas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Indo-Parthians, and Kushanas. This lesson is important for exams because many direct questions can be asked from Pushyamitra Sunga, Vasudeva Kanva, Simuka, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Menander, Rudradaman, Kanishka, Fourth Buddhist Council, Gandhara Art, and post-Mauryan coinage and trade.