(PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
 (PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR  SECOND URBANIZATION

 Ancient history  6th CBC to 9th CAD near ganga river
a) 4th CBC to 6th CAD  Heterodox movements occurred (Nastik
b) Mauryan Age 321 BC-18BC Movements like Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivika,
c) Age of commerce (2nd CBC -3rd Charvaka etc
CAD)  Trade , economy, commerce always in up when
d) Sangam age 3rd CBC to 3rd CAD there is urbanization
e) Gupta age 3rd CAD to 6th CAD
 IN EVERY CHAPTER SUB TOPIC WILL
BE STUDIED LIKE
1. Political history
2. Personalities
3. Bureaucracy
4. Economy
5. Society
6. Coinage
7. Literature (Source)
8. Architecture (symbol of time,technology)
9. TERMINOLOGY
 HISTORY- 4 PHASES- URBANIZATION
1. FIRST URBANIZATION
 Indus valley civlization2600BC-1900BC
 First urbanization occurred on bank of Indus
river
2. SECOND URBANIZATION
 6th CBC to 9th CAD near ganga river
 Heterodox movements occurred (Nastik
Movements like Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivika,  6th BC= development of markets
Charvaka etc)  Plough share
3. THIRD URBANIZATION  Wet paddy
 10th CAD to 18th CAD  Manure= organic waste
 in Rajputana region then Delhi Sultanate and  Two great highways were present and effects of
Mughal took it to peak urbanization
 Bhagti & Sufi movements occurred (love and 1. Highway connecting China = Silk route
devotion for god) 2. In India the highway called Uttrapatha was
 Mughal period how to recognize there
 Capital= bad & pur is written as suffix  Sher sha suri called it Sadak-e-Azam
(tuglaqbad, Shahpur)  Mughal called it badshahi Sadak
 City = ganj is written as at end written (like  British called it GT road
paharganj)  Greeks 3rd CBC Greeks
 Cant = Garh or kot is written as suffix
(chittorgarh, pathankot)
 Highway town = sarai is written as suffix
(like bebusarai)
 Pilgrimage center= sahib , Sharif is written
as suffix (harmandir sahib, Ajmer Sharif etc)
4. FOURTH URBANIZATION
 19th CAD
 Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj, either the problem
of women or the problem of lower cast , mass
movements occur
 Calcutta developed as urban center under British first
1. IN KING TYPE SYSTEM
King is powerful

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 1

 All power lies in hands of King a) Continued land grants for their legitimacy
 Fix law, rules, tax b) Economy went down
 Bureaucracy c) Tax, state revenue low
2. IN NOBLE TYPE SYSTEM d) Less officers as single officer doing multiple
 Nobles are powerful work
 All power lies in hands of Nobles (like e) So lack of checks and balances
zamidars) f) So land grants became source of salaries
only to top rank officers
 Laws , tax fix
g) After death the post of top officers shifted to
 Money belongs to them
son and land granted taken back , formed
3. DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALIZATION basis of hereditary of posts
 Therefore higher decentralization is needed  Rajputs
for welfare and better security a) Landlords were big problem for them rather
 GRAPH OF CENTRALIZATION than enemy
b) Fall in centralization of powers
 RIGVEDIC AGE c) More decentralization of powers happened
 Elected king
 King protects Gopa (cattle)
 No tax
 Only Bali= tribute was paid
 Decentralization of power was there in the
form of village assemblies (sabha, samiti)
 LATER VEDIC AGE
 Elected officers
 King is hereditary
 Regular taxation
 Village assemblies declined
 Centralization went up
 MAHAJANPADAS AGE
 High tax
 Bimbisara had standing army
 So strong kingdoms with standing armies=
further centralization
 Nand dynasty
 Mahapadmnanda, gave titles to themselves
 Sole authority of state = Ekrat
 Owner of all land of state= Akhilbhuvanpati
 King with aggressive army= Ugrasen READ HANDOUTS RS SHARMA BOOK CHAPTERS
 Mauryan Age UPLOADED ON PORTAL BEFORE READING FURTHER
 Selected bureaucracy
 Spy system is high shows high centralization
of power
 Checks and balances system
 No landlords like zamidars etc
 Kushan dynasty
a) Allowed defeated kings to rule: defeated
kings were called “Satrap”
 Sathvahana Dynasty (Andhra)
a) Tribal society
b) High egalitarianism
c) Informed northern Brahmins and performed
ashavmedha yagya
d) They started giving land grants and resulted
in decentralization of power
 Guptas

 310-305 CBC:-
 CH-01:- MAURYAN AGE  northwest expansion of mauryan empire where
 Topics covered it engulfed a lot of Ganasangha claiming they
a) Political history 326BC-185BC were saving them outer invasion
b) Indica of Megasthenese  305CBC:-
c) Coinage  War b/w Seleucus and Chandragupta,
Chandragupta won the war and gained
 MAURYANS & OTHERS LIKE GREEKS:- territories of Afghanistan region
1) ALEXANDER  He married daughter of Seleucus named
 326BC: Alexander (Greek) Found a kingdom rules “Helena”
by King named Omphius, Taxles, (Ambhi) (of  In return he gifted 500 war elephants to
same King 3 names). Seleucus
 Omphius became subordinate of Alexander  After war Seleucus sent an Ambassador named
 Both fought battle with porus :- battle of “Megasthenese” to mauryan court, where he
Hydrapese (River Jhelum= Vitasta in Vedas) authored a book named “Indica” (Court =(King
 Then Greeks stopped moving eastwards as there Sandrocottus = Chandragupta Maurya, capital
was Agrammes (Dhanananda or Ugrasen) who was Palibothra , today called Pataliputra or
had battle elephants Kosumpora”)
 So Alexander moved southwards where they  298CBC:-
defeated Many Ganasangha (republican  Head of jains community Bhadrabahu came to
oligarchies means no permanent king , rule of his court and asked permission to go south as
few elite families) there was a prediction of great famine
th
 Inspired by jain monk Bhadrabahu (6 Thera) ,
2) SELEUCUS NICATOR Chandragupta maurya renounced throne &
 Eastern empire of Alexander than taken by became a jain monk.
Seleucus Nicator  He moved to Karnataka region & at a place
 Army general of Alexander and successor of named “Shravana Belgola” , he committed ritual
eastern parts of its empire (Syria to Indus) suicide by starvation called “Sallekhana or
 Seleucus in Sanskrit is called Saluva Santhara”
 NOTE:-Uprooting of Nand dynasty By Chanakaya  Note:-
and Chandragupta Maurya is the central plot of a. In 10th CAD western Ganga Dynasty erected
8th CAD play named “Mudra rakshasa” by a giant statue of “bahuballi” (46ft height) at
Vishakhdatta. Shravana Belgola. Bahuballi was son of
Rishabdev (1st Jain Tirthankar)
b. every 10 years jains perform a ceremony on
this statue named “MahaMastakabhisheka”
c. Thera:- means elder, but in Jainism thera
means head of entire jain community after
last Tirthankar (Vardman Mahavir)
d. Basadi :- means jain temple (original
pronunciation is basti but written in Basadi)
4) BINDUSARA (298-272 BC)
 Other names
a) Greek name:- Amichocottus
b) Sikand Puran:- Amitraghatakam
 Follower of Ajivika Sect
FACTS OF AJIVIKA SECT
 founder :- Makkhali Ghosala contemporary
of 6thBC of Budha And Mahavir
 Basic Philosophy:- absolute predestination
(fatalism or niyativaad) means everything
which happens is pre-destined or pre-
3) CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA written
 320-310 CBC:- western expansion of Mauryan empire
 Criticism of Buddhism and Jainism
 Pushgupta (Minister of Chandragupta Maurya)
built sudarshan lake in Gujarat (junaghar region)
 Southern expansion of mauryan empire )till (class 1st ended & 2nd started)
southern Deccan) Under Bindusara  Result:-
 This southern of mauryan empire is mentioned  No end to sectarianism in Buddhism
in “sangam literature”  Compilation of Abhidhamma pitaka
 There are two terms used in it  Addition of a book / chapter named
a) Moriyar “Kathavatthu” (points of controversies in
b) Malloi Abhidhamma pitaka,) written by Moggaliputta
 Note:- Ashokan Inscriptions (Son of Bindusara) BACKGROUND TO KNOW RESULT OF 3RD COUNCIL
mentioned Sangam Kingdoms (Cholas, Pandaya,  CENTRAL BOOKS OF BUDDHISM
Keralputra(Chera), satyaputra (not identified  Tri pitakas = 3 main books
now by historians) 1) Sutta Pitaka=
 MAURYAN CIVIL WAR:-  teaching of Budha, divided into
 4years long war happened chapters or books called “Nikaya”.
 Ashoka killed all his brothers except one  Jatakas :- Stories of past life of Budha
Vishtashoka also part of Sutta Pitaka.
 Bindusara used to say him so ugly even not to 2) Vinay Pitaka:-
look at, so Ashoka took title “priyadarshi”  rules for Monks (Bhikkhu) & Nuns
(Bhikkuni) and the live on Bhikkh
5) ASHOKA 269-232 CBC  Note:- Ashoka was a upasaka ( a
 Ashoka conquered kalinga after 6 years of war
general follower) not a Bhikkhu
called as “Kalinga war”
 Ashoka invaded kalinga after a bloody invasion 3) Abhidhamma pitakas= Philosophy
 According Buddhist sources  Ritual = dhamma
a) after war he adopted Buddhism &  Pragyan = enlightenment
renounced violence and warfare
b) However, this fact is rejected as per Ashokan  FIRST BUDDHIST COUNCIL(483 BC)
inscriptions  Place:- Rajgriha
 According to Ashokan inscriptions  Patron:- Ajatashatru
 Ashoka changed his policies after kalinga  President head Monk:- MahaKashhhyapa
war  Aim:-
a) To preserve the teachings of Budha
 CHANGE OF POLICIES  Result:-
a) Chandashoka to Dhammashoka:- he gave
a) Compilation of Sutta Pitaka + Vinay Pitaka
himself a title from Chandashoka to
Dhammashoka  SECOND BUDDHIST COUNCIL(383 BC)
b) Berighosha to Dhammaghosha :- policy of  Place:- Vaishali (N-Bihar)
threatening neighbours by military power to  Patron:- Kalashoka
policy of persuading neighbors by conveying  President:- Sabakami
right actions to take  Aim:-
c) Dhammavijaya :- moral victory over a) To end disagreements over rules of vinay
neighbors by making them allies Pitaka
d) Appointments of Dhamma Mahamatra :-  Result:-
(officers to ensure people live moral and a) First split or Schism in Buddhism
duty full life)  Sthaviravadin:- One with rigid rules
e) Appointments of Dhamma Pracharak:-  Mahasanghika:- Majority With liberal
Ambassadors to spread Buddhism I rules
neighboring kingdoms. Ashoka sent his son
(Mahendra) and daughter (Sangamitra) to
 ASHOKA
 Ashoka donated a complex of 4 caves to monks
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as Dhamma Pracharak.
 Third Buddhist council ( ):- of Ajivika sect in Gaya (Western Bihar) , this
 Place:- Pataliputra
complex is known as “Barabar” caves
 Patron:- Ashoka  Dasharatha maurya (232-224BC)
 Head monk President:- Mogalipotta Tissa  Grandson of Ashoka
 Aim  He donated a complex of 3 caves to monks of
a) To end sectarian divide in Buddhism Ajivika sect in Gaya, these caves are known as
b) To compile Buddhist philosophy (agreed by “Nagarjuni “ caves (near Barabar caves)
all)
rd
 Under dasharatha Mauryan lost a territories of  3 =overseers , implement the policy= junior
Deccan Govt employees
 After Dasharatha  2nd = councilors = top officers
st
 Samprati maurya (224-215BC)  1 =either sophists/ philosophers= most
 Also Grandson of Ashoka respectable = men of knowledge =people go to
 Follower of Jainism them to know about future
 Under him, mauryan regained territories of
2. COINAGE IN MAURYAN AGE
Deccan
1) Mauryan Coins name
 However after him mauryan slipped into a
a. Pana= silver =1
continuous decline
b. Ardhapana= silver =1/2
 Brihadratha (192-189BC) (Last king) c. Pada= copper= ¼
 Assassinated by his military general named d. Ardhapada= Ashtabhagika= copper= 1/8
“Pushyamitra Shunga”, who founded the shunga e. Massaka= copper= 1/16
dynasty (185-72BC)
 SOME BACKGROUND
TOPIC:- MAURYAN AGE 1. Rig vedic coin=
 TOPICS TO BE READ  Nishka = gold coin = (for either worship
1) Indica of 9) Import/ export or jewelry)
Megasthenese 10) Revenue system  Traders were called= Pani
2) Coinage 11) Theories of art state  Note:- Then the trader term “Pani”
3) Paintings craft became panik vanik banik baniya
4) Administration a) Saptang theory in longer times
5) Central b) Rajamandala
 Method of coin making in rig vedic till
bureaucracy theory
6) Judicial system 12) Ashokan inscription &
Indo Greeks:-
7) Spy system Dhamma Ashoka  Irregular shaped coins,
8) Municipal and 13) Literature  but are punch marked coined
military system 14) Architectur because a shape is hammered on it
1. INDICA OF MEGASTHENESE (INDIA) 2. Later vedic coins’s name=
 He wrote about India the following things in a. Krishanala= silver coin
Indica b. Shatamana = silver
 Rituals  Palibothra = 3. Mahajanpadas coins’ Name
 Huge population a. a large & planned a. Copper coin
 Rich country= city =  Pana,
Agriculture b. stone, bricks, wood  Karshapara (cash word came from it)
 Vibrant society = materials  Massa= a small copper coined
not rigid architecture  Kakani
 No slavery (Note:- c. unit of length used b. Silver coin
in Arthashastra is stadia,
 Pruna
kautilya told d. unit of weight used
about slavery = ) is talent
 Rupya (because of roop=shape)
 Many animals  socio division = 7 fold c. Gold coin
 strong armies = division of Indian society  Suvarna
war elephant 4. Mauryan Coins name
a) Pana= silver =1
 Socio division = 7 fold division of Indian society b) Ardhapana= silver =1/2
 Descending order from top to bottom c) Pada= copper= ¼
 7th Division= Herdsmen= outside society= d) Ardhapada= Ashtabhagika= copper= 1/8
wonder with their cattle = buy something here e) Massaka= copper= 1/16
and sell elsewhere= trade involvement= Paid tax 5. Indus valley to 1957
 6th = Farmers = majority of our population =  Almost same with some variations
main source of revenue= everyone protect them  1Rs= 64 paisa
even enemy  Old= 1/64 paisa
 5th= shopkeepers = artisans= majority of urban  New= 1/100
population 3. PAINTINGS IN MAURYAN AGE
 4th = among the commoners they are most
 No paintings of mauryan age is found so far
influential = soldiers as they always carry their
weapon =
 First specimen of historical paintings available to 5. MAURYAN CENTRAL BUREAUCRACY
us is Ajanta paintings (2nd century BC), which are  Descending order from top to bottom
stylistically very developed.  King  Mantri Parishad Mantri  tirtha 
 Therefore, there must be some tradition of Amatya Adhyaksha
painting in mauryan age, Either on some 1. Pataliputra = headed by King
perishable material like cloth, leather, wood etc 2. Mantri parishad= king + Senani, Purohita,
or are yet to be discovered Top Mantri , Top Amatya (officers)
4. ADMINISTRATION (MAURYAN) 3. Mantri
 Descending order from top to bottom 4. Tirtha ==mahamatya= Mahamatra (in
 Empire divided into provinces  Provinces into districts Ashokan inscriptions)= top officers =elected
called Ahar  Ahar into Janapada Janapada into Gram by exams
1) EMPIRE= (King top head of bureaucracy) 5. Amatya: officers of 30departments run
 King, Smrat, Rajana under mauryan
 Piyadassi= (Ashoka)
6. Adhyaksha (head of department)
 devanampiya = Ashoka
a. Head of iron department= Laoh
2) PROVISIONS
 Kumar (means son of king)
adhyaksha
 Aryaputara b. Suvarna adhyaksha
3) AHAR c. Account :- Akshapatala adhyaksha
 Pradeshika (head) d. Head of treasury = Kosha adhyaksha
 Rajjuka = revenue collection officer, judicial  Apart from king nothing is hereditary in mauryan
decision powers period (note it)
 Yukta = officer of revenue assessment
4) JANAPADA 6. MAURYAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM
 Sthanika= head= revenue collector  Descending order from top to bottom
 Gopo= land management (patwari today)  King  Maha Danda Nayak  Danda Nayak 
5) GRAM Gramini  Vridha
 Gramika (low head in bureaucracy ) 1) Top officer= King
 Gramini 2) Chief Justice= Maha Danda Nayak
 Grampardhan 3) Dandanayak
 Elected by people of village , accepted by state
4) Gramini / Gramika (has jury of village elders
(note)
in odd number called Gram Vridha –
 PROVINCES OF MAURYAN EMPIRE conventional number is 5)
 Taxila (PushKala Vati , Purushpur under Hindus, today
called Peshawar all are names of Taxila )  SOME BACKGROUND
1. Magadha  Dandanayak
2. Avanti  Dandapati
3. Uttrapatha  Dandaadhyaksha
4. Kalinga  All are officers of judiciary
5. Dakshinapatha
 SOURCES OF LAW
 Descending order from top to bottom
1) Rajashasana:- decrees of state= top
2) Vyavahara (tradition and practicality)
3) Charit (individuals involved)
4) Dharma (law books)
7. MAURYAN SPY SYSTEM
 Everywhere , everything
1) Senior/ stationary = Samstha
2) Field/ junior = sanchari
 Sanchari pass information to Samstha and
Samstha to King
 Some Types of sanchari
 Kapatika chhatra = students
 Grihapati = householders
 Udasthita = beggars,
 Vaidehaka= traders
 Women like vishkanya for assassination

 In Ashokan inscription spy/ reporter to king c. Gold and silver coming India as trade
1) Pativedaka surplus/wealth (in form of coins)
2) Polisani  1st Century AD
 Megasthenese mentioned in Indica  Greek author Pliny talked about drain
1) Episcopoi of wealth from Europe to India
 Roman emperor Vespasian banned
8. MUNICIPAL & MILITARY SYSTEM trade with India
1) MUNICIPAL  18th Century AD= many European
 City head = mayor= Nagarika countries banned an Indian textile
 Nagarika run city with help of 6 committees of 5 named “Calicose”
members each  EXPORTS
 4 are economic purposes and 2 are in human a. Textiles:- Cotton in Vedic, then Silk, wool
activities b. Food & spices
a) Census= 1st committee= Birth & death c. Jewelry :-Gold, Silver, Diamond (Panna
b) Foreigners =committee =for record diamond), Shells, Ivory, pearls, perfume
c) industry=committee (kannuj, generally capitals produced)
d) excise= committee  Note:- textile under british became our
e) Sales = committee import from export and raw cotton
f) custom=committee became export
2) MILITARY
 Head= Senani (Arthashastra )= commander 10.MAURYAN REVENUE SYSTEM
(Indica)  Main source= agriculture
 6 committees × 5 members  Landlords = absent
1) Elephant committee= manages elephants  Two central officers of revenue collection
2) Horse committee a. Samaharta /Samahartri = revenue collector
3) Infantry committee b. Sannidhata /Sannidhatri = revenue treasury
4) Chariot committee  Agronomai = according to Megasthenese
5) Navy committee= boats  LAND IS OF TWO TYPES
6) Supplies and armory committee 1) Privately owned by farmers:-
 According to Arthashastra some military  State earn by tax on it called “Bhaga” =
officers land revenue tax= 1/6 rate is prevalent
 Elephant officer= Hasth adhyaksha that is why it is also called Shisht
 Cavalry = Ashwa adhyaksha (Bhaga)
 Infantry= patya adhyaksha 2) Crown land/ state owned land= Sita
 Chariot =ratha adhyaksha land
 Navy = Nau adhyaksha  State earns by Profits by
 Supplies= gau adhyaksha a. hired labor +
 Armory (weapons)= ayodh adhyaksha b. Dasa +
Veshthi /vetthi (tax via manual labor
9. MAURYAN IMPORT+EXPORT
 LIST OF TAXES
 IMPORT a. Bhaga
a. Glassware b. Shisht
b. Linen cloth c. Pindikara = tax on village
c. Gold, silver d. Senabhaktam
d. Horse e. Pranaya = tax on any emergency of state
 EXPORTS f. Bali = tax during famine, note the region
a. Spices and food (black pepper is called where famine is not from there the tax was
Yavanapriya (Europeans and greeks) taken and sent to famine areas
b. Textiles g. Shulka = toll tax /Chungi
c. Iron implements from mines near Magadha h. Hiranya= tax in cash
 SOME BACKGROUND i. Veshti / vetthi= tax via manual labor
 From later vedic to early 19th century  Note:- in Medieval time crown land was called
(charter act 1813 “Khalisa”
 IMPORT
a. Luxury goods
b. Horses
subjects. He advised them to treat subjects
11. THEORIES OF STATE CRAFT like father treating his sun
A. SAPTANG THEORY c) Inscribed on pillars therefore are called
 State is a body with sever(7) body parts (limbs) “pillar edicts” both descriptive and non-
 These 7 body parts of state are descriptive
1) Head = king d) Placed at pilgrimage centers of Buddhism
2) Brain= army like at sarnath , Vaishali, sankissa (UP),
3) Eyes= Mantri/ Amatya Rampurva, Laoriya Nandangarh
4) Face= treasury  MAIN CONTENTS OF ASHOKAN EDICTS
5) Hands= forts  Language and script of edicts (messages)
6) Feet= territory LANGUAGE SCRIPT
7) Soul= allied states or allied people
Prakrit Brahmi
B. RAJAMANDALA THEORY Kharoshti (from right to left)
 Theory to understand allies and alliance system
 Allies can be of two types natural and transitional
Sanskrit Brahmi
 Raja = state
Kharoshti (from right to left)
 Mandala= space
Aramaic Aramaic same script
Greek Greek same script
 14 major edicts (7 minor ,7 pillar )

 13th major edict talked about change of his
policies after kalinga victory, this edict is missing
in his inscriptions found in kalinga region (he
defeated kalinga so did no want to humiliate the
people so he made it missing)
 CONTENT OF INSCRIPTIONS
 Odd numbered are mutually natural allies and 1) Description of his administrative ideology
evened numbered are mutually natural allies 2) Focus on social and moral code instead of
 This theory of geopolitics i.e. geography decides religion
the alliances 3) Buddhism is mentioned however as philosophy
12.THE ASHOKAN INSCRIPTIONS instead of religion
A. MINOR ROCK EDICTS 4) Emphasis on social welfare & even animal
a) Inscribed in early years of his reign welfare
b) Main focus= devotion and association with 5) He calls his people to develop virtues like
Buddhism a. No negative traits
c) Inscribed on large stones therefore are b. Social harmony
called rock edicts c. Religious tolerance
d) Non-descriptive in nature, therefore , are d. Equal treatment to all sex
called minor edicts e. Respect for elders
e) Placed on Highways f. Rituals are ignorance
g. Non-sacrifice of animals
B. MAJOR ROCK EDICTS h. Moral and spiritual development of subjects
a) Inscribed in middle years of his reign i. Religion is not ritual imposition but way of
b) Main focus = his message to his people to life
live moral and duty full life (life in 6) He mentioned the appointments of Dhamma
accordance with Dhamma) Mahamatra who ensures that people follow
c) Inscribed on large stones therefore called above principles
rock Edicts 7) He asked his people to live life in accordance
d) Descriptive in nature therefore are called with dhamma. According to him following are
major edicts the constituents of Dhamma
e) Placed on highways (sides) a. Shochaya= purity
C. PILLAR EDICTS b. Sacha= truthful
a) Inscribed in last years of his reign c. dane=charity
b) Main focus is his message to later kings (his d. sadhave=good
descendants) on how to rule state and e. madhave=gentle
f. apasinave =no evil A. CAVE ARCHITECTURE
g. daya
 First specimen of cave architecture available in
h. eusabia = compassion
India belongs to mauryan age /
 RELEVANCE OF DHAMMA OF ASHOKA a) Barabar caves (four caves)
 He wanted his people to develop the universal
b) Nagarjuni caves (3 caves)
virtues which were devoid of time and place, if
 Barabar caves (four caves)
followed by us they could end majority of
Individuals problems & social Conflicts
…….2nd class ended, 3rd started……
13.MAURYAN LITERATURE
a) Indica (Greek)= Megasthenese
b) Books by Chanakaya
1) Arthashastra (Sanskrit)= Kautilya and it is
divided into 15 and chapters called
Adhikaran further divided into Prakarana
2) Neetishastra/chanakayaneeti (Sanskrit) =
Chanakaya / Kautilya. Content is human
conduct
3) Chanakaya Shatak (Sanskrit)= Kautilya, 100
poems of ethical poetry
4) Panchatantra (Panchakhyana) (Sanskrit) =
Vishnu Sharma (Kautilya / Chanakaya). Five
chapters called tantra. book on diplomacy
5) Medical treatise = Shanaqa / Vishnu Sharma
/ Kautilya / Chanakaya
c) Books of Buddhism:-
1) Compilation of Abhidhamapitaka:-
2) Kathavatthu :- a book/chapter added in
Abhidhamma , author is Moggaliputta Tissa
in Pali language
 FIRST JAIN COUNCIL (300BC-280BC)
 Pataliputra = place
 Aim:- to recompile /preserve jain canons
(something which show direction)  Nagarjuni caves (3 caves)
 Chairmanship:- Sthulabhadra.
 Result:- recompilation of 11 Angas (12th lost)
 Central books in Jainism are 12 Angas
 46 Agam = 12 Angas + 34 books
 Angas will prevail always so also called 12
Angas Agam
d) Jain Literature
1) Recompilation of 11 Angas (12th lost) (Language
Prakrit)
2) Kalpasutra (Prakrit):- Bhadrabahu (founder of
Digambara) (it is biography of Tirthankara
3) Bhadrabahu Samhita (Prakrit):- Bhadrabahu
(work of jain astrology)
14.MAURYAN ARCHITECTURE
a) Caves
b) Stupa
c) Vihar
d) Chaitya
e) Dhamma Stambha
f) Yaksha Yakshini
g) Mauryan Polish
 The cave architecture of mauryan age is b) Dhamek Stupa (Gupta Age)= At Sarnath (eastern
relatively simple (comparing post mauryan) UP), shape is Cylindrical
 The inside walls of cave are polished to make
them smoother, whereas, the gateway / opening
of cave is cut in the shape of door.
 Lomas Rishi cave:- it is a Chaitya cave in
Barabar cave complex belongs to Ajivika sect.
famous for its rock cut façade arch
c) Chaukhandi stupa= 16th C= at sarnath shape is

octagonal indo-Islamic
d) In SE Asia Domes are generally Bell shapes or

Pagoda shape
 Latest buddhist architecture has incorporated

this arch on the outside of Chaitya caves of
Buddhism, therefore it became the signature
feature of Chaitya architecture
 Today this arch is known as Chaitya arch
B. STUPA
 Any architecture built atop relic of Buddha
 Later stupas were built atop the relics of
buddhist monks
 Inspiration:-
 Megalithic burials
 Death = like bubble (or stupa means life can
burst anytime like bubble)
 Shape of Stupa
a) Kesariya Stupa = Vaishali (East Champaran )
shape is pyramid bell= tallest /highest stupa in
India
e) Sanchi Stupa (Ashoka)= Vidisha but now Raisen ,

shape is hemisphere
 Upper railing, lower railing and gateways were
added later in Shunga Period
 Parts of sanchi stupa are as following
 Made of yellow white sand stone
 Anda= made of stone bricks representing death
 Harmika = stone railing representing life

 Yasti = stone road connecting this life to other
life
D. CHAITYA
 Chhatra= total three in number representing tri-  Is any place for monks to meditate
ratna of Buddhism  Meditation is called Chit
st
a. 1 = Buddha himself  In buddhist architecture Chaitya has a symbolic
b. 2nd= his teaching Stupa built inside it
rd
c. 3 = his followers
This is not the mauryan age but of later age ,

picture is just for understanding what Chaitya is.
Stupa is at the end of the cave where monks sit
around it and pray
 It is not important that every stupa has 3 chhatra
, some have 1 (Amravati stupa )or 2 also
 Note:- Upper railing, lower railing and
gateways were added latter in Shunga
period
E. DHAMMA STAMBHA (Ashokan Pillar)

 Inspired by Persian pillars of darius 5th BC like
C. VIHAR
 In Shramanik religions (Buddhism , Jainism ,
Ajivika etc) monks are required to wonder across
the year except 4 months of monsoon called
vasa in Buddhism and Chaumas in Jainism
 The place where they stay in this time is called
Vihar
 If they lived in state , state becomes Vihar, (How
Bihar name comes), if the lives in caves , caves
becomes Vihar, if the lives in cities , cities
becomes Vihar
 So Vihar has no architecture

 Persian pillar of darius are monolithic with  Upper body no clothes were worn only
inscriptions and a bell or inverted lotus, ornaments
animals attached from back side(double
headed animals joined from back ) have
shinny polish. These are features which
inspired mauryan pillars
 ASHOKAN PILLAR
 Have dharma chakra (Samay chakra) at the top
having 24 spokes
 Women bodies don’t wear clothes on the upper

half instead they wear heavy jewelry
 Didarganj Yakshini discovered in 1917:-
 fat body and heavy body features
 smiling and happy face
 no cloth in upper half body
 wearing heavy necklace
 holding Chauri in Right hand made up of
F. YAKSHA YAKSHINI feather
 Are god and goddesses of local wealth like pond  left hand is found broken
,lake , orchard , pasture land etc  wearing head gear (a prominent jewel on
 King of Yaksha Yakshini= Kuber (God of wealth) forehead)
 Mauryan YAKSHA YAKSHINI architecture  shiny polish on surface known as mauryan
 Fat body and heavy body features polish
 Happy and smiling face
 A shiny polish Known as mauryan polish

Sanskrit grammar written near 2nd BC and
Patanjali says this book work of his is based
on Vrithkakara whose author was
Katyayana (4th BC), Katyayana says his book
is also based on book written n 5th BC called
Ashtadhyayi written Panini) {Vyakarana Trai
= all three books are called collectively}
1. PUSHYAMITRA SHUNGA (185-151BC)
 was a Brahmin and patron of Brahminism
(Hinduism)
 Mauryan were patrons of Shramanik religions
{monks are called Shramana}
 He patronized Sanskrit as language of
administration and court whereas, mauryans
patronized Prakrit (whose type is Pali)
 He introduced rigid brahminic law codes in
justice & society
 Perhaps it was under him the first compilations
of “Manusmriti” were written according to
“Mickael Witzel”
 this sculpture of mauryan age then inspired  He transferred his capital from Pataliputra to
Mathura school of sculpture Ayodhya {Saketa another name of Ayodhya}
 He is mentioned in Dhanadeva Ayodhya
 CHAPTER:- AGE OF COMMERCE Prashasti
 WHAT TO READ IN TODAY LECTURE Prashasti:- is an eulogic (praiseful) about a king
 Shunga dynasty (or others)
Charit :- is an eulogic book or biography of King,
 185BC-72BC
saint, god etc
 Political History
 Buddhacharit by Asvaghosh
 Bharhut School of art
 Harshacharit by Banabhatta
 Sanchi School of Art
 Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas
 Kanva Dynasty  Mazzinicharit by Veer Savarkar
 72BC-27BC
 PUSHYAMITRA AS PERSECUTOR
 Mahameghavahana dynasty
 2nd BC-1CBC OF BUDDHISM
 Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves 1) In support of persecution
 Hathigumpha Inscription a) A buddhist text named Divyavadana (1st CAD)
 Sathvahana/Andhra Dynasty describes the events of persecution of Buddhism
 3rd BC-3rd AD by him
 Background b) Shunga dynasty was a rival of Indo-Greeks
 Political history {Patrons of Buddhism}. This would have given
 Administration political motivation to persecution of Buddhism
c) He patronized Brahminism which was out of
 Coinage
royal favor for past few centuries. This
 Literature
competition would have inspired him for
 Architecture
persecution
 SHUNGA DYNASTY(185-73BCE) d) Buddhism saw a relative decline in the region of
 Indian ruling house founded Magadha in post mauryan period. His
by Pushyamitra about 185 BCE, which replaced persecutions could be a reason for this decline
the Mauryan dynasty. 2) Points against theory of persecution
 He was a military general of mauryan and he
st
a) Divyavadana (1 CAD) is a buddhist text and it is
assassinated last mauryan king Brihadratha. obvious to present the patron of rival sect as a villain
st
 He was coroneted by Rishi Patanjali b) Divyavadana (1 CAD) narrates Pushyamitra as last
mauryan King , therefore, the accounts of him are not
 Note:- beyond doubt
 Patanjali author of Mahabhashya a book of
c) Under Him Bharhut developed as center of Buddhist 9) Lean bodies (comparison of Yaksha Yakshini
art , whereas under later shunga dynasty “Sanchi “ & Mathura sculpture)
developed as a Buddhist art center 10) Crowded panels
 For exam write he did this persecution
 Bharhut is famous for the ruins of a
2. AGNIMITRA SHUNGA (150-140BC) Buddhist stupa (shrine) discovered there
 Agnimitra (Sanskrit: अग्निग्नित्रः) (r. 149 – 141 BCE) by Major General Alexander Cunningham
was the second king of the Shunga dynasty of in 1873. The stupa's sculptural remains are
northern India. He succeeded his now mainly preserved in the Indian
father, Pushyamitra Shunga, in 149 BCE. Museum, Kolkata, and in the Municipal
The Vayu Purana and the Brahmanda Museum of Allahabad. The stupa was
Purana have assigned 8 years as the length of his probably begun in the time of Ashoka (c.
reign 250 bce).
 Kalidasa wrote a Sanskrit work named “  No remains left at Bharhut , only found in
Malvikagnimitram (love story of agnimitra and Calcutta museum
his made servant malvika)
3. BHAGABHADRA (120-100BC)
 During his reign an Indo-Greek Ambassador
named “Heliadorus” came to regional capital
“Vidisha”. Here Heliadorus constructed a pillar in
devotion of God Vasudeva
 Pillar is now called Heliadorus pillar (113BC-
110BC)
 The capital on this pillar is “Garuda” ( a bird
which is vehicle of Vishnu), therefore pillar is
also called Garuda pillar
 This pillar is locally called “Khamba baba”
4. DEVABHUTI (80s-72BC)
 Last Shunga king assassinated by his minister See shallow in nature and colour
Vasudeva Kanva (founder of Kanva dynasty)
 KANVA DYNASTY (72BC-27BC)
 First king Vasudeva kanva
 Last king Susharman (27BC)
 Dynasty was ended either by Sathvahanas or by
local dynasty named “Mitra “dynasty of
Kaushambi (a present district was carved out )of
Allahabad district on 4th April 1997
 BHARHUT SCHOOL OF ART OR /
SCULPTURE
 Bharhut is a village located in the Satna district
of Madhya Pradesh, central India. It is known for
its famous relics from a Buddhist stupa.
 Patron= Shunga dynasty
 Features found are
1) Dark red stones art forms
2) Art forms is narrative (not symbolic, so it is
beginning of narrative art form)
3) No human form of Buddha was made or we
can say no Anthropomorphic Buddha)
4) Shallow carvings
5) Awkward bend in hands and feet
6) Themes = on Buddhism
7) Head knots
8) Captions describing scenes

See people are going in front of him (Buddha in
no human form), two chakra on feet indicating
him, women have no upper clothes, hands are
bent awkward
See the birth representation of Buddha, a

Chaitya arch , dancers are dancing , script is Awkwardly bent hands and head knot
written on Chaitya arch
Dream of maya devi when arrival of Buddha

represented as elephant(mother of Buddha This is a monkey miracle at Vaishali (monkey
herself not wearing upper clothes) brought honey for Buddha and he is not shown
in human form), seat of Buddha is empty

Bhagwan Buddha gave first sermon (Buddha

himself absent ) Villagers welcoming Buddha, female has
brought water and is covered here , Chaitya
arch = head knots
Elephant and monkey miracle both at Rajgriha ,

where was a wild elephant who used to desecrate
the villagers, and Buddha came and by looking
everything settled down and monkeys here brought
honey. Carvings relatively shallower
SANCHI SCHOOL OF ART

Saṅkāsya (also Sankissa, Sankassa) is one of the ‘Eight  Features
Great Places’ of the Buddhist pilgrimage. It was here that 1) Time= 1st century BCE
the Buddha performed the miracle of the ‘Descent from 2) Place = Sanchi (Vidisha present day Raisen)
the Heavens, accompanied by Indra and Brahma’. 3) Color= yellow white sandstone
Here when mother of Buddha died, she went to 4) Art form= narrative art form
heaven and she was crying as no god can even 5) No human form Buddha (no
console her, as Buddha is above gods in buddhism so anthropomorphic form Buddha)
they prayed Buddha to come to heaven and console 6) Deeper carvings (compared with Bharhut )
her, he went to heaven (depicted by ladder in 7) Themes= on Buddhism
picture two chakras ) and gave sermon at heaven to 8) Head knots
his mother and consoled her. See crowdedness of 9) Lean bodies
the panel not seen mauryan, Gandhara and Mathura 10) Crowded panels

 Shunga age elaborations in sanchi stupas answer it as torana (most sculptures , not
During Mauryan age Ashoka built sanchi stupa Anda etc)
 It has sculpture of Shailbhanjika Yakshini
{shail means tree, Yakshini of fertility , tree
gives flowers, fruits by only her touch}
 Note:- Upper railing, lower railing and gateways

were added latter in Shunga period
 These added features by Shunga were
 4 gateways called Torana on four sides
 A stone lower railing called vedika
 A upper railing called upper pradakshina path
 Sanchi stupa is called Maha stupa
 There are total 3 stupas in number at sanchi
…..3rd class ended,4th started…………

 MAHAMEGHAVAHANA DYNASTY:
 This dynasty ruled in the region of Kalinga in
post mauryan age
 Kharavela (1st CBC):- most famous king
 This dynasty commissioned a lot of caves in
Udaygiri and Khandagiri hills. total 117 caves
were built out of which only 33 could be
discovered so far
 Some famous caves
a) Rani Gumpha (cave)
b) Ganesh gumpha
c) Hay Vijay gumpha
 Torana:- d) Patalpuri gumpha
 It is gateway to stupas e) Swarg puri and manka puri gumpha ( a
 It is heavily sculptured double storey cave, singe cave by beams
made double storey cave)
 Maximum numbers of sculptures are carved
f) Hathi gumpha :- most famous cave
on torana of stupas  Note :- leni word is used for cave in ancient
 If question comes like where most of sanchi times
and Bharhut sculptures are found then

 THE ANDHRA OR SATHVAHANA
(3RD BC-3RD AD):-
These were this dynasty rulers  Sathvahana began as sub-ordinates of mauryans

 HATHI GUMPHA INSCRIPTION:- and declared sovereignty upon decline of
 This inscription was commissioned by Kharvela mauryans
who described his victories in this  Therefore many officers of Sathvahana
 Example:- Victory in southern India, over administration are named on mauryan
Sathvahana etc bureaucracy (like Amatya )
 His most famous claim is that he has defeated  Sathvahanas had a tribal background which was
Magadha and have taken revenge of a past egalitarian in nature
defeat of Kalinga (Nanda is written on inscription  To raise their status , they invited Brahmins from
not Ashoka) north , who by rituals rose the status of dynasty
 He further claimed that he has brought back the to near dignity
ideals of “Jina” (Jain Tirthankara ), which  Under Sathvahanas Brahminism (Hinduism )
maghda had taken in that past war arrived in Deccan’
 He further described his welfare measures,  Soon Shramanik sects (Jain, Buddhism) followed
efforts for social harmony, respect for all sects and arrived in Deccan
 So that People must think it must be inspired by  Via Deccan these religions further percolated
Ashokan inscription into peninsular India (deep south), during
 First five lines of inscription are devoted to Sathvahana rule
Jainism & dynasty followed Jainism  Arrival of northern religions resulted in spread of
education in Deccan region. Educational institutions
were called “Ghatika”

 During Sathvahana rule, features of northern  THE SATHVAHANAS EMPIRE WAS
urbanization reached Deccan for example
a) Metallic currency (coins) DIVIDED INTO TWO ZONES:-
b) Panned towns 1) Western zone
c) Baked bricks  Black soil region with cotton as main crop
d) Soak pits (waste displacement systems) whereas textile , coconut , spices and perfumes
e) Terracotta ring wells
as main exports
 Although Sathvahanas created a modern state ,
however, majority off Deccan population remained
 Capital is Pratishthan
tribal , this brought conflicts b/w expanding state and  Architecture = rock cut cave architecture (black
tribals .Therefore , majority of Sathvahanas basalt rock)
administration was a military administration 2) Eastern zone
 Sathvahanas had a recent tribal matrilineal past,  Delta region of Godavari , Krishna river with rice
therefore many of their kings took the titles named as main crop
on their mothers.
 Whereas , rice , textile, forest goods (teak wood,
 Tribal simply means :- land is not primary thing,
sandal wood) and shell , pearls, diamond, ivory
family is more important
 Rural :- mostly agriculturalists
etc were as main exports
 Urban:- Center of trade , industry, Services  Capital Amravati
 To settle Brahmins and shramana (monks),  Architecture:- free standing stupa architecture
Sathvahanas donated land to them; this was the (white marvel). Known as “Amravati school of
beginning of land grants and arrival of feudalism in art”
India.  SATHVAHANAS POLITICAL HISTORY:-
1) Simuka :-
 founder of dynasty claimed sovereign upon
decline of mauryans around 3rd CBC or start of
2nd CBC
2) Sri Satakarni (1st BC):-
 Mentioned in Hathi Gumpha inscription. He
expanded Sathvahanas empire
3) Gautami putra satakarni (1st CAD 60s-90s AD)
 He is mentioned in Nasik Prasasti
 He was the Rival of western satraps king named
“Nahapana”
 He defeated Nahapana , annexed the western
territories and counter stuck the Nahapana coins
 After defeating a northern king , he started a
new era (flash calendar) known as “Shalivahana
samvat )(78AD)
 Over time this samvat was renamed as Shaka
samvat (one of the many theories of the start of
shaka samvat)
 After one of his victories , he celebrated the
victory as start of new age (Yugadi), later this
became the celebration of new year in Deccan
called “Ugadi”
 Gautami putra had three son’s
1) Vasishthiputra pulumayi (90s-120sAD)
2) Vashisthiputra satakarni (120s-150sAD):-
 he was son-in-law of western satraps king
“rudaradaman”. Rudradaman defeated him
and annexed the western territories (he was
left alive because of his daughter married to
him)
3) Sri yajna satakarni (150s-180s):-
 he was a strong king and defeated western
satraps and re-conquered western
territories , he donated a hill to buddhist
monk /philosopher named “Nagarjuna” and  Kataka or Skandhavara:- Across entire empire
the hill is therefore called “Nagarjuna there were many military camps at regular
Konda”, later a dam was built on Krishna times. These military camps or cantonments
river surrounding this hill , dam is named were built known as Kataka or Skandhavara
Nagarjuni sagar dam. He was the last strong (skand means branch , so showing branch of
Sathvahanas king and after him dynasty military)
slipped into decline Note:- in ancient history Kataka or katntaka
 by 3rd CAD Sathvahanas empire was fragmented means military
and was succeeded by 5 kingdoms
a) Abhiraka kingdom
 SATHVAHANAS COINS:-
 Followed the coinage style of Indo-Greeks that is
b) Satavahana kingdom
castdye stuck coins with portrait style
c) Chutu kingdom
 Coins carry inscriptions with name of king in
d) Pallavas kingdom
Prakrit on one side and local language on
e) Ikshvaku kingdom
another side
 They minted coins in almost all prevalent metals
, however,, majority of their coins were minted
in “Lead (Pb)” metal
 Elephant is commonly found on coins and king
can be recognised by huge earrings
 SATHVAHANAS LITERATURE:-
1) Gatha sattasai also called Gaha sattasai: -
author is Hala a Sathvahanas king wrote in
Prakrit. It is 700 love poems describing the
imaginations and aspirations of young girls
2) Brihat katha (original name is Badd Kaha ):-
author is Gunadhya .bad kaha is written in
western prakrit named “Paishachika prakrit”. It
is story of Udayin (son of Ajatashatru) and
Vasavadatta. This work is now entirely lost,
 All of these 5 kingdoms would be absorbed in however, in 11th century AD a Sanskrit author
Gupta empire in 4th CAD (SamudraGupta and his named Somadeva re-wrote this as “Katha sarita
son Chandragupta vikramaditiya) sagar” ,sarita river). Story of king Vikram and
 ADMINISTRATION OF SATHVAHANAS baital known as “Betal Panchishavi (pacheesi) “
 Empire divided into Province/Vishay  is part of Katha sarita sagar.
divided into  District/ Ahar  divided into 3) Katantra Vyakarana:- author is sarvavarman ,
three  Nagar + Nigam + Gram Sanskrit grammar
1) Empire :- headed by = king / Rajan 4) Acharya Nagarjuna :- wrote in Sanskrit (3books)
2) Province / Vishay :- headed by Kumar a) Pragya Paramita :- a book on philosophy of
3) Ahar :- headed by Senapati/ Maharathi Shunyavada (emptiness)
a) Nagar :- headed by nagarsabha  In buddhist philosophy
b) Nigam :- means market , not headed by a. Anatta means no soul,
anyone b. Anitya means no permanence
c) Gram :- c. Shunya means everything is
 headed by Gramika or Gramini , elected by empty)
people and accepted by state b) madhyamakarika :- philosophy of middle
 Gaulamika: - head of army contingent, sent path (
by sena pati. Certain it is military c) Sutra samucchya :- philosophical
administration interpretations madhyamapratipada)of
 Amatya :- Officers were called “Amatya “ buddhist stories /anthologies
 Uparakshita:- Officer of cave management or  SATHVAHANAS ARCHITECTURE:-
cave construction
1) WESTERN CAVE ARCHITECTURE
 Mahatalavara:- Across the empire there was a
 Black basalt rock
network of watchmen at every level . he is head nd th
 From 2 century BC to 6 century AD a lot of caves
of this network were built on Dakshin Patha (Pune , Aurangabad
region of today) as Chaitya and Vihar caves
 Various successive dynasties patronized these caves
and Sathvahanas were one of them
 Example of caves
a. Ajanta
b. Kanheri
c. Bhaja
d. Pandavaleni
e. Krishna
f. Karle
 Some caves are decorated by sculpture (Bharhut
sanchi style) whereas some caves are decorated with
wall paintings (like Ajanta frescos )
Fresco :- painting on wall, first we plaster the
wall, here with limestone plaster
 Features of Ajanta Frescos
a. Red outline , outline merged with body
colour
b. Lean bodies , almond eyes (elongated eyes ),
c. long head gear ,
d. different colors for different body
(representing diverse ethnicity)
e. natural flow in the bodies
 WATERN MANAGEMENT / WATER HARVESTING See the tanks for water storage and cuts
OF WESTERN CAVES
 First water management was seen during Indus
valley system at Dholavira, the check dams were
built near the rivers
 The outer walls of the caves are cut and

channels are carved out to take water into tanks. 2) EASTERN FREE STANDING STUPA
 Some channels take water inside the caves ARCHITECTURE
 Analyse the cuts and channels and tanks in  White marvel is used
photographs  Amravati stupa

 Amravati school of Art
st rd
 Time:- 1 to 3 CAD
 Place :- Amravati (Guntur)
 Patron:- Sathvahanas
 Stone:- white marvel
 Type:- Narrative
 Buddha:- human form Buddha / anthropomorphic
Buddha
 Theme:- Buddhism
 Monks:- head knots
 Body:- thin body
 Panel:- crowded panel
 Sense of movement in sculpture
 SANGAM AGE 3RD BC-3RD AD

 From 3rd CBC onwards a sudden rise in literary
activity could be seen in peninsular India
 Poets of these work, claimed that they have
written their work in assemblies of poets known
as “Sangam” (where people meet). Therefore
this literature is called sangam literature and the
kingdoms described are called sangam kingdoms
 The time period of this literature is called
“Sangam age”
 The period roughly between the 3rd century

B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India (the area
Now see the full movement of sculpture form lying to the south of river Krishna and
Tungabhadra) is known as Sangam Period.

 It has been named after the Sangam academies Tulsidas, Ramcharita Manas etc
held during that period that flourished under the  DIDACTIC LITERATURE
royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai  In this , teaching and messages is the main
 Language :- Tamil in old style (only in Tamil) emphasis of the work
 Message is given directly, without any
support of story
 Kabir Doha can be example
 SANGAM LITERATURE DIVISIONS

A. ON THE BASIS OF STYLE/THEME:-
1) AGAM THEMES
 In this style, main emphasis is on description
of feelings , emotions , dilemma etc of
character
 Subjective emotion is the main theme
 largely about love (Agam is pronounced as
akam)
 they are the work of love stories
2) PURAM THEMES
 In this style , main emphasis is on
description on outer actions of characters
like bravery , charity, warfare etc
 Total three Snagams took place  Objective emphasis is the main theme
 largely about war (puram)
 THE THREE SNAGAMS :-  war stories
1) FIRST SANGAM (Ten (old) MADURAI) B. ON THE BASIS OF THINAI/FLOWERS:-
 They wrote almost 8000 years (between 9600  Sangam literature mentions 5 geographical
BCE to 5200 BCE) features
 All the works are lost , no surviving work 1) Mountain associated with emotion of
2) SECOND SANGAM ( AT KAPATAPURAM.) “Union”
 This Sangam lasted for thousands of year (3700 2) Agricultural land:- associated with emotion
years) and had 59 members, with 1700 poets of “Quarrel”
participating. There were 59 Pandiya kings 3) Desert:- associated with emotion of
starting from Vendercceliyan to Mudattirumaran “Separation”
were decedents and rulers of that period. 4) Forest:- associated with emotion of
 One work survived of this sangam “waiting”
 Name of work:- Tolkappiyam (Tolkappiyar 5) Coastal region:- associated with emotion of
(epithet), the author of “Tolkappiyam”, which is “Pain”
the oldest extant Tamil grammar, is believed by  Each geographical feature is associated with an
various traditions to be one of the twelve emotion and named on Thinai (flower) found in
disciples of Agattiyar. Tolkappiyar is believed to that region
have lived during the Second Sangam and to be  Read table and remember for exam:-
the author of the Tolkappiyam that has survived. G-FEATURE ASSOCIATION FLOWER
3) THIRD SANGAM (AT MADURAI) Mountain Union Kurinji
 All surviving Sangam literature comes from this Agricultural Land Quarrel Marutham
particular Sangam. Desert Separation Paalai
Forest Waiting Mullai
 THE DIVISION OF LITERATURE Coastal region Pain Neithal
ON THE BASIS OF CONTENT:- ………….4th class ended, 5th started…………
 NARRATIVE LITERATURE
 In this story is the main emphasis of work. If a  DRISTI IAS SANGAM NOTES
message or teaching has to be given , it is  Introduction
given via story
 Period roughly between the 3 rd century B.C. and 3 rd
 So no direct messaging century A.D. in South India (the area lying to the
 Example for understanding :- chopai of south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra) is known as

Sangam Period. West and South India.
 It has been named after the Sangam academies held b) The Ashokan inscriptions mentioned about
during that period that flourished under the royal the Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers to the
patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai. south of Mauryan empire.
 At the sangams eminent scholars assembled and c) Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela of
functioned as the board of censors and the choicest
Kalinga also has mention of Tamil kingdoms.
literature was rendered in the nature of anthologies.
 These literary works were the earliest specimens of  Political History of Sangam Period
Dravidian literature.
 According to the Tamil legends, there were three
Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the
ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam.
a) The First Sangam, is believed to be held at
Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages.
No literary work of this Sangam is available.
b) The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram,
only Tolkappiyam survives from this.
c) The Third Sangam was also held at Madurai. A
few of these Tamil literary works have survived
and are a useful sources to reconstruct the
history of the Sangam period.
 Sangam Literature: Major source
giving details of Sangam Age
 The Sangam literature includes
 South India, during the Sangam Age, was ruled by
a) Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, three dynasties-the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. The
Pathinenkilkanakku, and two epics named – main source of information about these kingdoms is
Silappathikaram and Manimegalai . Tolkappiyam traced from the literary references of Sangam Period.
was authored by Tolkappiyar and is considered  Cheras
the earliest of Tamil literary work. Though it is a a) The Cheras controlled the central and northern parts
work on Tamil grammar but it also provides of Kerala and the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu.
insights on the political and socioeconomic b) Vanji was their capital and the ports of the west
conditions of the time. coast, Musiri and Tondi, were under their control.
b) Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies) consist of eight c) The emblem of Cheras was “bow and arrow”.
works – Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, d) The Pugalur inscription of the 1st century AD has
Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal reference to three generations of Chera rulers.
and Padirruppatu. e) The Cheras owed its importance to trade with the
Romans. They also built a temple of Augustus there.
c) The Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls) consists of ten
f) The greatest ruler of Cheras was Senguttuvan, the
works – Thirumurugarruppadai,
Red Chera or the Good Chera, who belonged to the
Porunararruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, 2nd century A.D.
Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, 1) His military achievements have been chronicled
Nedunalvadai, Maduraikkanji, in epic Silapathikaram, with details about his
Kurinjippatttu,Pattinappalai and expedition to the Himalayas where he defeated
Malaipadukadam. many north Indian rulers.
d) Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works 2) Senguttuvan introduced the Pattini cult or the
about ethics and morals. The most important worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife in Tamil
among these works is Tirukkural authored by Nadu.
Thiruvalluvar, the tamil great poet and 3) He was the first to send an embassy to China
from South India.
philosopher.
e) The two epics Silappathikaram is written by  Cholas
 The Cholas controlled the central and northern parts
Elango Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai
of Tamil Nadu.
Sattanar. They also provide valuable details
 Their core area of rule was the Kaveri delta, later
about the Sangam society and polity. known as Cholamandalam.
 Other Sources that give details about the  Their capital was Uraiyur (near Tiruchirapalli town)
Sangam Period are – and Puhar or Kaviripattinam was an alternative royal
a) The Greek authors like Megasthenes, Strabo, residence and chief port town.
Pliny and Ptolemy mentioning about  Tiger was their emblem.
commercial trade contacts between the  The Cholas also maintained an efficient navy.
 King Karikala was a famous king of the Sangam
Cholas. Nagas and Vedars lived in this period.
a) Pattinappalai portrays his life and military
 Position of Women during Sangam
conquests.
b) Many Sangam poems mention the Battle of Age
Venni where he defeated the confederacy of  A lot of information is available in the Sangam
Cheras, Pandyas and eleven minor chieftains. literature to understand the position of women
c) Karikala’s military achievements made him the during the Sangam age.
overlord of the whole Tamil region of that time.  Women had respect and were allowed
d) Trade and commerce flourished during his reign.
intellectual pursuits.There were women poets
e) He founded the port city of Puhar (identical with
Kaveripattinam) and constructed 160 km of
like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and
embankment along the Kaveri River. Kakkaipadiniyar who flourished and contributed
to Tamil literature.
 Pandyas
 Women were allowed to choose their life
 The Pandyas ruled from Madurai.
partners. But life of widows was miserable.
 Korkai was their main port, located near the
confluence of Thampraparani with the Bay of Bengal.  There is also a mention about the practice of Sati
 It was famous for pearl fishery and chank diving. being prevalent in the higher strata of society.
 Their emblem was the “Fish”.  Religion
 They patronized the Tamil Sangams and facilitated  The primary deity of the Sangam period was
the compilation of the Sangam poems. Rulers kept a Murugan, who is hailed as Tamil God.
regular army.  The worship of Murugan was having an ancient
 Trade was prosperous and their pearls were famous. origin and the festivals relating to God Murugan
Sati, caste, idol worship were common.
was mentioned in the Sangam literature.
 Widows were treated badly. They adopted the Vedic
religion of sacrifice and patronized Brahmin priests.
 Murugan was honoured with six abodes known
 Their power declined with the invasion of a tribe as Arupadai Veedu.
called the Kalabhras. After the Sangam Age, this  Other gods worshipped during the Sangam
dynasty lost its significance for more than a century, period were Mayon (Vishnu), Vendan (Indiran),
only to rise once again at the end of the 6th century. Varunan and Korravai.
 Sangam Polity and Administration  The Hero Stone or Nadu Kal worship was
 During the Sangam period hereditary monarchy was significant in the Sangam period and was erected
the form of government. in memory of the bravery shown by the warriors
 Each of the dynasties of Sangam age had a royal in the battle.
emblem – tiger for the Cholas, carp/Fish for the  Economy of the Sangam Age
Pandyas, and bow for the Cheras.  Agriculture was the chief occupation where rice
 The king was assisted by a wide body of officials who was the most common crop.
were categorised into five councils.
 The handicraft included weaving, metal works
 They were ministers (amaichar), priests (anthanar),
and carpentry, ship building and making of
envoys (thuthar), military commanders (senapathi),
and spies (orrar). ornaments using beads, stones and ivory.
 The military administration was efficiently organized  These were in great demand in the internal and
and a regular army was associated with each ruler. external trade that was at its peak during the
 The chief source of state’s income was land revenue Sangam period.
while a custom duty was also imposed on foreign  A high expertise was attained in spinning and
trade. weaving of cotton and silk clothes. These were in
 Major source of fulfilling the royal treasury was the great demand in the western world especially
booty captured in wars. for the cotton clothes woven at Uraiyur.
 The roads and highways were maintained and  The port city of Puhar became an important
guarded to prevent robbery and smuggling. place of foreign trade, as big ships entered this
 Sangam Society port containing precious goods.
 Tolkappiyam refers to the Five-fold division of  Other significant ports of commercial activity
lands – Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral), were Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and
Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal) and Marakkanam.
Palai (desert).  Many gold and silver coins that were issued by
 Tolkappiyam also refers to four castes namely the Roman Emperors like Augustus, Tiberius and
arasar(Ruling Class), anthanar, vanigar(carried Nero have been found in all parts of Tamil Nadu
on trade and commerce) and indicating flourishing trade.
vellalar(Agriculturists).  Major exports of the Sangam age were cotton
 Ancient primitive tribes like Thodas, Irulas, fabrics and spices like pepper, ginger,

cardamom, cinnamon and turmeric along with  In chola age land revenue tax was called
ivory products, pearls and precious stones. “Kadami”
 Major imports for the traders were horses, gold,  Term Kudi/kuti = means clan
and sweet wine. 2) MANIMEGHALAI:- Maṇimēkalai also spelled
 End of Sangam Age Manimekhalai or Manimekalai, is a Tamil-
 The Sangam period slowly witnessed its decline Buddhist epic composed by Kulavāṇikaṉ
towards the end of the 3rd century A.D. Seethalai Sataṉar probably around the 6th
 The Kalabhras occupied the Tamil country post- century. It is a story of Manimeghalai (daughter
sangam period between 300 AD to 600 AD, of Kovalan & Madhavi not kangai), her search in
whose period was called an interregnum or 'dark the meaning of life, her love with prince Udaya.
age' by earlier historian At the end she became the Buddhist Nun
………….4th class ended, 5th started…………  GREAT 5-EPICS OF TAMIL LITERATURE
 Aimperukappiyam {in tamil aim=5, peru=big,
SANGAM LITERATURE:- 
kappiyam=epic}
In Sanskrit it is mentioned as Panchmahakavya
 2NDSANGAM:- {ONLY 1 BOOK LEFT} {panch=5,maha=big, kavya=epic}
 book:- Tolkappiyam by Tolkappiyar (writer)  The first mention of the Aimperumkappiyam (lit. Five
{Tamil grammar book :- only this one book large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of
survived from 2nd sangam} Nannūl
RD  THESE FIVE ARE AS FOLLOWING:-
3 SANGAM (18-18-BOOKS) 1) SHILPADDIGARAM (Silapathikaram) by Elango
A. PATINEN MEL KANAKKU Adigal. = sangam age
 18 combined called :- Patinen mel Kanakku= 2) MANIMEGHALAI:- by Kulavāṇikaṉ Seethalai
and all 18 are narrative works (means a story Sataṉar = sangam age
type) 3) JIVAKACHINTAMANI (or civakachintamani):- early
 Patinen = 18 10th century by Tiruttakkatvar, The Chintamani book
 Mel = means major is about Civaka / Jivaka (name of a King, a jain prince
 Kanakku = means work story). It is a story of jain prince Jivaka, his exile and
 18 are further divided his reclamation of his father’s throne.
a) ETTUTOGAI= 8-books :- all narratives but 4) KUNDALAKESI (Kuntalakeciviruttam), is a Tamil
belong to Agam themes. They are the works Buddhist epic written by Nathakuthanaar, likely
of love stories sometime in 10thCE. It is the story of Kundalakesi
b) PATTUPATTU :- 10-Books:- works on puram (daughter of rich merchant & her criminal husband
Kalan). The epic is a story about love, marriage,
themes {war stories}
getting tired with the married partner, murder and
B. PATINEN KIL KANAKKU then discovering religion. Kundalakesi first fallen in
love with kalan after marriage due to fight , she killed
 18 minor (kil) works and all of them are Didactic
kalan.
works {designed to teach people something,
5) VALAYAPATHI :- work is now entirely lost.
especially a moral lesson} th
However, in 19 century Vayapuri pillai compiled the
 Thirukkural :- written by Thiruvalluvar, it also surviving fragments . It is a story of a father who has
has didactic messages. {important book} two wives, abandons one who gives birth to their son,
and the son grows up and seeks his real father. The
C. TWO EPICS /KAPPIYAM /KAVYA dominant emotion of this epic is love, and its
 Kavya :- great poetic work (means large stories predominant object is the inculcation of Jain
written in poetic works) principles and doctrines
1) SHILPADDIGARAM (Silapathikaram  Note:- All these five epics of tamil literature are
) by Elango Adigal. It is a Story of named on Jewelry. The Five Great Epics of Tamil
Kovalan-Kannagi & Madhavi Literature are five large narrative Tamil epics
 IN HISTORY IF YOU FIND TERMS LIKE according to later Tamil literary tradition. They
 Pattam, pattinam, puhar :- all means a are Cilappatikāram, Manimekalai, Cīvaka
coastal town, harbour, coastal market Cintāmaṇi, Valayapathi and Kuṇṭalakēci.
 In tamil “Lar” ending words means related to  Sangam literature follows all the standards and
land norms of literature of its time, which is not

 Ending “Dar” means holding some important possible in the earliest experimentation of
things like zamidar, sardar, . so it is a post of writing. Therefore, there must be some
power
literature preceding the surviving sangam pre-historic man
literature, which is indeed lost. Megalith:- burial stones , they have nothing to
do with tools
A. IN EARLY SANGAM AGE
 “varna system” did not exist. (varna are 4,  State in sangam age was strong for its time and
pancham varna are those who are outside the controlled majority of political & economic
varna) and society was divided into classes Land activities.
owners & tillers (landless laborers)  Sangam polity was essentially a warring polity
with prevalent warfare. Apart from agriculture &
B. IN MIDDLE SANGAM AGE trade , war tribute was an important source of
 society began dividing on the basis of hereditary
revenue for state.
professions (proto-varna system = early stage of
 The main reasons of warfare were
varna system)
 Cattle
 Arashar= Warriors/rulers
 Land
 Vanigar =traders
 Revenge (of father killing) (means no war is
 Vellalar =farmers
final war)
 Pariyar =Artisans
 Sangam kingdoms were important centers of
 Brahmins = Brahmins
export in “Indian Ocean Trade Network”.
 Agriculture was core of the economy and most
 Sangam kingdoms traded (sent their export)
prevalent profession
with China, SE-Asia, W-Asia, NE-Africa (Egypt
 Various terms were used for different region) & Europe
type of the farmers:-  The main export goods of sangam traders were
a) On basis of irrigation facilities Spices, textile, forest goods (sandalwood,
 Vellalar = Wetland farmers , have irrigation teakwood), jewelry (gold,silver,pearl, shells,
 Karlar = Dryland farmers , no irrigation ivory etc)
b) On the basis of land ownership  Majority of roman coins discovered in India ,
 Kotikalar = landed farmers are discovered in the region of Sangam

 Kaniyalar = landed farmers Kingdoms.
 Velakudi ulavar=Landless labor  Sangam kingdoms had wealthy economy & brisk
 Kadaisiyar = landless labor trade

 In southern India in general farmers are called  Sangam states were wealthy state
Vellalar  Poets of sangam literature repeatedly praised
 Sangam age , They are called Idylls (these are a kings indicative of good economy. (regular royal
type of rural stories on small aspirations of the patronage to poets)
villages), it shows agricultural society in southern  POSITION OF WOMEN,
India.
a) Almost every activity women did ,
 SANGAM SOCIETY WAS IN THE CONTACT b) Was relatively good and they were involved
OF “MEGALITHIC CULTURES” in almost every social and economic activity.
1) Tribal pastoral cultures in southern India c) Women were not denied education &
started using iron & agriculture since early majority of marriages were love marriages.
first millennium BC (1000BC) & started living d) Prostitutes paid taxes and lived in cities
sedentary life (settled life). They were in the (representing high status of women)
contact of sangam society & provided goods e) However polygamy was present, life of
like forest goods (sandalwood, Ivory), widow was poor & the instances of widows
mineral ores, teakwood etc. traders of committing suicides are found (example:-
sangam kingdom exported these goods Kangai committed suicide)
further.
2) The most signature feature of megalithic  DECLINE OF SANGAM AGE
culture is large stones, they keep upon  By 4th century AD , Sangam kingdoms
graves of their dead (large stones called declined . the decline began in early 3rd
megaliths) century and coincided with the decline of
th
3) Megalith cultures continued till 4 AD. Indian ocean trade network
Note-  Therefore, falling trade and exports is
Microliths are small stone tools from 1cm-4cm considered as one of the main reasons
used by pre-historic man since Mesolithic age behind the decline of the sangam kingdoms.
Macrolith :- stone tools of larger size used by

 Even roman empire in west and HAN empire st
 Parthians/pahalava (1 BC-1 AD)
st
rd st rd
in China also began their decline in 3  Kushanas (1 AD-3 AD)
century AD.  After alexander his eastern territories were
 Satavahanas in Deccan , Kushans in North succeeded ((diadochus) )by Seleucus Nicator (His
declined in the same period. general /Diadochi) , Chandragupta maurya defeated
him and expelled greeks from Indus region after
 RELIGION OF SANGAM AGE which north-Afghanistan became the “eastern
A. PROMINENT GOD territory” of Seleucid empire
rd
 The primary/ prominent/ mentioned deity of the  In 3 mid-century BC (250s when Ashoka was ruling),
Sangam period was Murugan/Kartikeya / greeks of North Afghanistan and Parthians of Iran
revolted against Seleucid empire
Subhramaniyam, who is hailed as Tamil God. {in rd
 By the end of 3 century BC (206BC), greeks of North
south younger and in north elder son of Shiva) Afghanistan made themselves independent. They are
 The worship of Murugan was having an ancient now known as “Indo-greeks/ Indo Bactrian’s”
origin and the festivals relating to God Murugan  In Sanskrit greeks are called Yavana, Indo-greeks are
was mentioned in the Sangam literature. called yavana also.
 Murugan was honoured with six abodes known  Few years later they invaded northwestern India
as Arupadai Veedu. (Khyber pass to Bolan pass or Indus was natural
B. WORSHIP OF PIOUS WOMEN boundary of India). First king to led them in India is
 (pious women are those who commit suicide Demertrius (200BC-184BC)
 After him various clans and generals entered into N-
after widow or sought of “Sati” worship in north
Western India and ruled from various capitals like
India, like in sati mandirs) (in south Pathini/ Kapisa (Kabul), Taxila (Peshawar), Sagala (Sialkot)
Kannagi worship)
C. WARRIOR /HERO STONE WORSHIP:-
 Whenever someone dies in warfare with various
ways (suicide, killed)
 Called “Veerakal worship” also called “Nadukul”
worship
 Nadu means one who dies for community
 The Hero Stone or Nadu Kal worship was
significant in the Sangam period and was erected
in memory of the bravery shown by the warriors
in the battle.
D. RITUAL SUICIDES FOLLOWING ETHICS OR
CODES OF WARRIORS
 Avibali = name of these ritual suicides, some
important are as following
a) Navakandam:- cutting body in 9 pieces, means
suicide by 9 cuts before the war
b) Arikandam:- suicide by single blow, generally
done upon failing of mission
c) Thoonguthalai:- generally performed at the end
of the life of the warrior. Suicide by head tied to
bamboo stick and with a blow head is chopped
 Other gods worshipped during the Sangam period  MENANDER/MILINDA (160s-130sBC)
were Mayon (Vishnu), Vendan (Indiran), Varunan and  An Indo-greek king , who ruled from his capital
Korravai.
Sagala (Sialkot) and conquered till the region of
INDO GREEKS /YAVANA:- 
Mathura {Yamuna as boundary}
He conducted regular raids and invasions in
 2nd BC -1st AD middle ganga regions till Pataliputra
 Political history  He was a patron of “Buddhism” & his dialogues
 Legacies with buddhist monks “Nagasena” are recorded
st
 Schythians/shaka (1 BC-) in a book named “Milindapanho” in prakrit.
1) Northern satraps  Nagasen was disciple of an Indo-greek buddhist
2) Western satraps monk named “Dharamarakshita”
 Kshaharata branch  Dharamarakshita was further disciple of
 Kardamaka branch “Moggaliputta Tissa” {president of 3rd buddhist
 Architecture council author Kathavatthu}
 THREE PRINCIPLES OF BUDDHISM
a. Anatta:- no soul
b. Anitya :- No permanence , everything will change
c. Shunya:- everything is empty
 STORY OF NAGASENA AND CHARIOT =
 buddhist philosophy of Shunyavada
 STORY OF SEVEN BLIND MEN
 Jain philosophy of Anekantavada
Shape is perfectly round because it is casted
 STORY OF 10TH MAN All features of king is visible, elephant indicates he
 Philosophy of advaitavada /Vedanata killed elephant and conquered India. And in greeks
 ANTIALCIDAS (120s-100sBC) god don’t wear clothes and on other side it is god
 He sent his ambassador heliodorus to Vidisha Hercules
(regional capital of shunga) where he
constructed heliodorus pillar or garuda pillar
 The Heliodorus pillar is a stone column that was
erected around 113 BCE in central India
in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh). The
pillar was called the Garuda-standard by
Heliodorus, referring to the deity Garuda
 STRATO-III (__- 10AD DIED) 2. Portrait style coins
 Last Indo-Greek king to rule in India  Portrait of king on one side and god on other side
 Portrait styles were used to mimic the image of
 DECLINE OF INDO GREEKS previous emperors that they wanted people to
 Indo-Greeks started declining in first century BC. perceive a subliminal connection as well.
There western territories were invaded by
Schythians (shaka), whereas there eastern
3. Inscriptional coins
 Name of king and other information inscribed on
territories were conquered by various
coin
Garhsanga (republican oligarchies = rule of elite
families) of northern India 4. State-stuck gold coins
 Important garhsangas are  Indo-Greeks were first to mint state-stuck gold
a) In Punjab:- Adumbara coins
b) In N-RJ:- Arjunayana  Greek Gold ,Silver, Copper coins
c) In HR+ W-UP:- yaudheya  Indo greek gold coins = Dineri
 Silver & copper coins are Drachma
 Note in today
 Whereas Kushan and gupta gold coins were
dinar , still used in middle eastern countries
 Whereas dirham comes from drachma
B. ARCHITECTURE (GREEK SCULPTURE)
 Under indo greeks “greek sculpture” arrived in
India and became the basis of “Gandhara
school” of sculpture
 LEGACIES OF INDO-GREEKS
A. COINAGE
 Earlier indo greeks was panch-marked coins
1. New “cast die stuck coins” making
 But they started “cast die stuck coins”
 The types of coins were replaced at the fall of
the Maurya Empire by cast, die-struck coins.
Each individual coins was first cast by pouring a
molten metal, usually copper or silver, into a
cavity formed by two mold

Warriors in greeks used to wear the cape , and
tie the cape on their chest, that is why capes
have the lines and folds on it, have curly hairs
and attendant that is why in Gandhara school of
sculpture Bhagwan Buddha is warning a toga
(cape) with a lines in it & curly hairs & had
attendant “vajrapani” . so showing merging of
greek and Indian themes
………….5th class ended, 6th started…………
 Indo-greek brought greek-sculpture art to India.
This became the basis of Gandhara school of art
C. THE NEW GENRE OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCED:- DRAMA
 It goes dialogue wise
D. NEW ADDITION IN THEATERS
 Clown (in Sanskrit Vidushaka ,):- a comedian
 Curtain:- (in Sanskrit Yavanika )
 During Indo-Greeks exchange of knowledge of
astronomy/astrology took place b/w India and
Europe. Greek astrology in Sanskrit literature is
mentioned as “Horashastra (Horoscope)”
 In 2nd CBC they migrated southwards (Pushed by
E. SILK ROAD SPREAD OF BUDDHISM Kushans), and settled in the region of Shakastan
 Under Indo-greeks Buddhism started reaching Into
(Baluchistan and Iran) presently known as
the regions of Afghanistan and central Asia. This was
the beginning of Silk Road Spread Of Buddhism i.e
(Sistan) {in this process they pushed Indo-Greeks
Spread of Buddhism via Uttrapatha into Silk route to towards India}
China, C-Asia, Japan and So on. (but the Dynasty was  {Sakastan Sijistan Sistan Asbad in Sistan, Iran
Kushan , although main reason of this spread was Map of Sakastan in c. 100 BC. Sistān, known in
Kushan Dynasty , Source is the type of Buddhism we ancient times as Sakastān, is a historical and
found there on silk road is similar as followed by geographical region in present-day Eastern Iran
Kushans i.e Sarvāstivāda-Vaibhāṣika (Sanskrit: and Southern Afghanistan}
- ) Mahayana Buddhism)  In 1st CBC , Scythians’ began entering India and
F. BEGINNING OF AGE OF COMMERCE invading North-western India
 Under Indo-greeks India’s trade, especially  Maues (Indian Name is Moga) {90s-60s BC}:-
exports, Intensified with Europe. This was the The first king to led Scythians in India . he
beginning of Age of commerce conquered till the region of Mathura.
 After Maues Schythians moved to Ujjain region
ST TH
 SCYTHIANS /SHAKA {1 BC-5 CAD}  In 57 BC,
 They were natives of central Asia.  Scythians invaded Ujjain Region where they
were defeated and expelled by KING
VIKRAMADITYA {history is silent on this
vikramaditiya , as we have no idea who is this ,
Rightwing says you put gupta age at wrong place
this is the right place to put Chandragupta
Vikramaditya , but general history is silent on
this}, after this victory Vikramaditya started a
new era/calendar called “Vikram samvat”
 VIKRAM SAMVAT:-
 Start:- 57BC
 Gregorian Calendar current year= 2022AD
 Vikram samvat current year:- 2022+ 57= 2079
Vikram Samvat
 Independence year of India in Vikram samvat :-
2004 Vikram samvat

 First month of Vikram samvat:- Chaitra 2) WESTERN SATRAPS
Navaratri: the second most celebrated, named
 Capital:- Bhrigukachchha at the mouth of
after vasanta which means spring. It is observed
Narmada river (Bharuch and Ujjain)
the lunar month of Chaitra (post-winter, March–
 They had two main branches which ruled
April). In many regions the festival falls after
successively one after another. These two
spring harvest, and in others during harvest. It
branches were
also marks the first day of the Hindu calendar,
hence also known as the Hindu Lunar New A. KSHAHARATA (Khakharata) BRANCH:
 Founder :- Abhiraka
Year according to Vikram Samvat calendar
 Next King:- Nahapana (40s-70sAD) (Grandson of
 Vikram Samvat or Bikram Sambat B.S. and also
known as the Vikrami calendar, is a national Abhiraka)
 He was a great Patron of Chaitya and Bihar caves
calendar of Nepal historically used in the Indian
built on Dakshin Patha
subcontinent. Vikram Samvat is generally 57
 He constructed “Mahachaitya of Karley”, a
years ahead of Gregorian Calendar, except signature of Chaitya architecture and inscription
during January to April, when it is ahead by 56 for all later Chaitya
years  Under Nahapana , Naval trade of Arabian sea and
western coast further prospered {their naval
/ocean trade rivalry was with Sathvahanas
 According to Pliny & Periplus of Erythraean sea ,
under Nahapana:- Barygaza and Barbaricum
became famous emporium of their times
st
 Pliny:- a greek author of 1 CAD, his work “Natural
History”.
 The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, :- is a greek
travel log of an Unknown author written in Ist CAD
. it is now a source of economy, trade routes and
cities of this time. it is also known by its Latin
name as the Periplus Maris Erythraei, is a Greco-
Roman periplus written in Koine Greek that
describes navigation and trading opportunities
 Barygaza / Bhrigukachchha / Bharuch/
Broach:- it was a port on mouth of Narmada river.
meaning "deep-treasure”. Bharuch, formerly known
as Broach, is a city at the mouth of the river
Narmada in Gujarat in western India.
 Barbaricum/Thatta /Karachi :- ports on the mouth
of Indus river
 Emporium:- market or market town in greek
 By early 1st CAD:-
 Nahapana was contemporary and rival of
 Scythians conquered substantial part of Sathvahanas king Gautamiputra satakarni .
Northern and western India {Khyber pass is gautamiputra defeated him and ended
more mark as boundary of India that time, but if KSHAHARATA {Khakharata} BRANCH of western
option not comes and comes Indus then tick Satrap
Indus , otherwise Khyber pass was the Natural B. KARDAMAKA BRANCH
Border of India (and Indus river, next is Bolan
 CHASTANA (SHAHASTANA)
pass}
 Founder:- Chastana (Shahastana) (78AD-90sAD)
 However, they were defeated and subordinated
 He was a relative of Nahapana, who restarted
by Kushans in Mid-first century AD.
western satrap rule.
 After this Shaka ruled as “SATRAPS OF
 To mark is coronation he started a new
KUSHANS” {SATRAP:- means Governor or
era/calendar named as Shaka Samvat in 78AD
subordinate Kings. Sanskritised term for satrap
Shaka Samvat in 78AD
is Kshatrap} Start:- 78AD
 TWO MAIN SCHYTHIANS DYNASTIES In 1956:- Calendar Reform Committee adopted Shaka
RULED AS SATRAPS OF KUSHANS:- samvat as official calendar of Republic Of India . it
was adopted with various adjustments.
1) NORTHERN SATRAPS st
1 day and month in Shaka calendar= 1 chaitra (22
nd
 Capital:- Mathura march)

st
 Founder:- Rajuvala Leap year first day:- 1 chaitra (21 march), leap day
is added at the start of Ist month in official shaka
samvat they started composing works in complex ornamental
st st
1 day in geog. Calendar= 1 January Sanskrit with predominance of compound words. This
Leap year first day in geo. calendar:- in feb new complex and tedious Sanskrit is known as
Classical Sanskrit (Laukik Sanskrit)
 The earlier simple Sanskrit is known as Vedic Sanskrit
(so vedic is simpler, older and has small words) and
has become Alien language
 Later even the commoners adopted Sanskrit in hope
of raising their social status . this process is now
identified as “SANSKRITIZATION”
 JUNAGADH PRASHTI of Rudradaman (2nd CAD) was
written in Chaste Sanskrit (Pure and ornamental). It
was the first inscription to use such Sanskrit .
therefore it marks the beginning of the phase of
sanskritization and ascendance of Sanskrit over
 RUDRADAMAN (120S-160sAD) prakrit.
 He is mentioned in Junagadh prashti  After Rudradaman, western satraps declined as Major
(Girnar inscription). He commissioned this Powers , however, they continued ruling Gujarat
prashti to describe his military victories, charities , region
th
donations etc.  5 CAD, They were defeated by Chandragupta
 He renovated sudarshan lake (in Gujarat) (Tagada :- Vikramaditya and were absorbed in Gupta Empire
pond/lake){originally built by Pushyagupta , minister  ARCHITECTURE OF WESTERN SATRAPS
of Chandragupta maurya)  Mahachaitya of Karley
 The Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman, also
known as the Girnar Rock inscription of Rudradaman,
is a Sanskrit prose inscribed on a rock by the Western
Satraps ruler Rudradaman I. It is located near Girnar
hill near Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The inscription is
dated to shortly after 150 CE
 In his court a greek astrologer named
YAVANESHVARA made greek astrology
Horashastra famous in western India
 He was contemporary , rival and father-in-law of
SATHVAHANAS KING Vashishtiputra Sātakarni ,
he defeated Vashishtiputra Sātakarni and
conquered western territories.
 JUNAGADH PRASHTI beginning of PHASE OF
SANSKRITIZATION AND ASCENDANCE OF
SANSKRIT OVER PRAKRIT
 Rudradaman is a symbol of this sanskritization
 In post mauryan age various foreigners entered and
assimilated in India as rulers and traders. They
adopted Indian culture and religions.
 However, they knowingly or unknowingly have
broken various social-norms & laws.
 Orthodox sections of Indian society resented over this
norms breaking and composed rigid law books to
stop this breaking this norms example earliest law
nd
book like “Manusmriti (since 2 CBC)”. This orthodox
section described these foreigners as Mlechchha
(unclean and impure) even when the foreigners were
assimilated many a times they were not given equal
status. Example:- Vratya Kshatriyas (Semi-pure
Kshtriyas)
 To raise their legitimacy and status in society these
foreigners adopted Sanskrit – a language of scholars
and academic elites.
 Foreign dynasties adopted Sanskrit in court and
administration and used Sanskrit in their inscriptions
 Even the poets and authors of Sanskrit competed
among themselves for royal patronage , therefore
B. VIMA KADPHISES (90s-120sAD)
 Ruled from capital takshila and conquered till
Mathura region
 He was follower of Iranier religion and Shaivism
 Vima Kadphises was the first ruler to issue gold coins
extensively, due to the favourable trade conditions
between Rome and the Indian subcontinent at the
time; influenced by the ancient Roman 'denarius'
coins, Kushana gold coins were called 'dinara'
C. KANISHKA (120s-150sAD)
 He adopted Buddhism ad his coins also depict
his association with iranier religion and Shaivism
 Expanded Kushan empire eastwards till
Pataliputra and northwards in central Asia.
 KUSHANS DYNASTY :-  During his reign , Kushans controlled almost
entire northern India , Afghanistan, and
substantial part of central Asia.
 Kushans controlled entire Uttrapatha and large
part of silk road unifying the markets from
central India to central Asia giving great boost to
trade ,especially exports towards roman empire
in west and Han empire in China.
 They acted as middle men of China Europe silk
trade
 Kushans ruled from three capitals
1) Kapisa (region near Kabul or Kabul)
2) Taxila /Pushkalavati (Peshawar)
3) Mathura
 Under them Taxila and Mathura prospered as
great centers of Buddhist Art – Gandhara school
of art and Mathura school of art respectively
 TRADE & COMMERCE OF KUSHANS
 Kushans controlled “Makran coast” {Baluchistan
area today} which gave them the control of
“Persian gulf sea trade, an important branch of
 Kushans were a part of YUECHI (YUEZHI) tribe “Indian Ocean Trade Network”
and natives of western China, pushed westwards  the control till Odisha region gave them a good
by Chinese Empire and they settled in central share in trade with SE-Asia
Asia in 2nd CBC, pushing Scythians southwards. In  Kushans created new trade routes and highways
central Asia they were known as “GUISHVANG” giving further boost to trade and exports , this
(which later became Kushans. Chinese sources even benefited later Gupta empire
describe the Guìshuāng (貴霜, Old Chinese:  Kushans minted huge volumes of coins in almost
*kuj-s *s+raŋ), i.e. the Kushans, as one of the five all prevalent metals and in all denominations
aristocratic tribes of the Yuezhi}  Under Kushans a highly monetized trade
 In Sanskrit literature they are mentioned as economy developed
“TUSHARA”  Even local markets used cash under Kushans {for
st Kushans main focus was trade not agriculture}
 In 1 CAD
 Kushans entered India & established themselves  Kushans exported goods like
on both the sides of Indus River.  textiles {Mathura textile was named
A. KUJULA KADPHISES (30S-60SAD):- “SHATAK”-
 First king to led them in India was Kujula  diamonds {Panna diamond of malwa region}
Kadphises. He was follower of iranier religion  oil seeds
and Shaivism  perfume
 ivory
 Salt (rock salt)

 Pottery word is Bhashya}
 Mineral ores  birth of vibhasika school in Buddhism (out of
 Jewelry (gold, silver, diamond, pearls etc) sarvastivada) :- this school accepts “Maha
 Spices (in huge amount) to Europe. vibhasha Shastra as its central literature.
 Buddhism was divided into two sects namely
 Kushans exported huge quantities of goods to
Europe and china via a land trade Mahayan and Hinayan .
 Western satraps ,Sathvahanas and sangam  THERAVADA BUDDHISM
kingdoms exported huge quantities of Goods via 1) They (Theravada or Hinayan) do not accept
sea trade (Indian Ocean trade Network) Kundalavana Council as a legitimate buddhist
 Therefore, this period of Indian History is Known council
as “Age Of Commerce” 2) According to them 4th buddhist council took place
in sri lanka.
th
 4 buddhist council of Theravada or
Hinayan:-
 Time:- 25BC
 Place :- Anuradhapura, Sri lanka
 Patronage:- King called Valagamba
 President:- _______
 Aim:- to preserve buddhist literature after a
long famine in Sri Lanka
 Result:- preservation of buddhist literature,
written down on palm leaf manuscripts
3) It is the most ancient branch of extant Buddhism
today.
4) It remains closest to the original teachings of the
Buddha.
5) Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and
subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia.
In gupta period gold was considered as a wealth 6) It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia,
Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
D. VASUDEVA (191-232)
 After Kanishka Kushans continued , however,
without much expansion , but still strongly
 Vasudeva was last strong Kushan emperor
 After him, dynasty slipped into decline
 Kushan kings after Vasudeva are known as Little
Kushans
 By 4th CAD, western regions of Kushans were
 THE FOURTH BUDDHIST COUNCIL {OF invaded by Sassanid empire and from east by
SARVASTIVADA OR THE MAHAYANA Gupta Empire.
 In Prayag Prashasti of Gupta emperor
BUDDHISM} Samudragupta (335-375AD) a Kushan king is
 Time :- reign of Kanishka (2nd CAD) mentioned ruling as subordinate of Gupta
 Place:- Kundalavana (perhaps at Harwan, near empire.
Srinagar, Kashmir)
 Patronage:- Kanishka ………….6th class ended, 7th started…………
 President:- Vasumitra
 Asvaghosa was his deputy under the patronage of King
 GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ART

Kanishka of Kushan Empire.

 Aim:- to compile elaborate commentaries on
buddhist philosophy (to simplify them for
foreigners as they don’t know karma , aatma etc )
 Result:-
 compilation of “Abhidhamma Mahavibhasha
Shastra { elaborate commentaries on buddhist
philosophy, vibhasha means commentary , root

(PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

(PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

(PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022

 (PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR  SECOND URBANIZATION

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 1

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 2

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 6

 14 major edicts (7 minor ,7 pillar )

c) Chaukhandi stupa= 16th C= at sarnath shape is

d) In SE Asia Domes are generally Bell shapes or

 Latest buddhist architecture has incorporated

e) Sanchi Stupa (Ashoka)= Vidisha but now Raisen ,

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 10

This is not the mauryan age but of later age ,

E. DHAMMA STAMBHA (Ashokan Pillar)

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 11

 Women bodies don’t wear clothes on the upper

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 12

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 14

See the birth representation of Buddha, a

Dream of maya devi when arrival of Buddha

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 15

Bhagwan Buddha gave first sermon (Buddha

Elephant and monkey miracle both at Rajgriha ,

SANCHI SCHOOL OF ART

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 16

 Note:- Upper railing, lower railing and gateways

…..3rd class ended,4th started…………

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 17

These were this dynasty rulers  Sathvahana began as sub-ordinates of mauryans

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 18

 The outer walls of the caves are cut and

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 21

 SANGAM AGE 3RD BC-3RD AD

 The period roughly between the 3rd century

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 22

 SANGAM LITERATURE DIVISIONS

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 23

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 25

land norms of literature of its time, which is not

 Kotikalar = landed farmers are discovered in the region of Sangam

 Kadaisiyar = landless labor trade

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 27

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 29

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 30

 Capital:- Mathura march)

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 33

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 35

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.