Post Mauryan India Flashcards
which all provinces began to declare independence after Asoka’s demise
Kalinga
Satavahannas
who ruled after the mauryans
sungas
who overthrew mauryans
pushyamitra sunga
who was pushymitra sunga
the commander in chief of the mauryans
biggest challenge faced by Sunga
to protect north india from bactrian greeks from the NW
Till where did greeks enter India
upto pataliputra for at least some time
religion of pushyamitra sunga
brahmanism
he performed asvamedha twice
how do buddhist sources speak of pushyamitra sunga
called him a ‘‘persecutor of buddhism’’
however, he did patronise buddhist art
pushyamitra Sunga’s son was
Agnimitra
last sunga ruler and why was he the last
Devabhuti, murdered by Vasudeva Kanva, the founder of Kanva dynasty
why was sunga rule important
- Defended the gangetic valley from foreign invasions
- Revived Brahmanism and horse sacrifice
- Promoted the growth of Vaishnavism and Sanskrit
who were the Satavahannas
started ruling independently after the decline of mauryans.
what are Satavahannas also known as
Andhra
which book mentions the Satavahanas
Puranas
which inscriptions talk of Satavahanas
Nasik and Nanghad talk about the reign of Gautamiputra Satakarni
founder of Satavahana dynasty, his successors
Simuka, succeeded by Krishna, then Sri Satakarni
religion of satavahanas
Hindu religion and the Brahmanical caste.
Generosity towards other castes and religions. Many Buddhist monasteries were constructed during their rule.
who is hala and why is he famous
a later SAT king
famous for his book Gathasaptasati, aka Sattasai.
Contained 700 verses in prakrit
greatest Satavahana ruler is, inscription he is talked of in
Gautamiputra Satakarni
He is talked about in the Nasik inscription
Gautamiputra Satakarni was succeeded by
His son, Vashishtaoutra Pulamayi
coins with image of what were issued in SATA
Ships, showcasing their naval prowess
last great ruler of Satavahanas
Yajna Sri Satakarni
economic conditions during SAT
Progress in trade and industry
merchants organised themselves in guilds, later even craftsmen
silver coins called Karshapanas were used for trade
High overseas commercial activity, hence many ports in deccan
what are the silver coins under SATS known as
Karshnapalas
what does Ptolemy mention vis a vis SATS
Many ports of Deccan
Name the ports under SATS
Kalyani
Gandakasela
Ganjam
Cultural contributions of SATS
SATS patronised Buddhism and Brahmanism
Built chaityas and viharas
gave land to buddhist monks
Revived asvamedha and rajasuya sacrifices
also patronised prakrit language- Hala’s Sattasai
which stupa did Vashishtputra Pulmayi repair
Amravathi stupa
what were the foreign invasions that took place post mauryans
Bactrians
Parthians
Sakas
Kushanas
first bactrian ruler to invade indian territory
Demetrius [greek]
commanders appointed by Demetrius
Appolodotus- marched upto Ujjain
Menander-rule extended upto Mathura and attempted to capture Patliputra
who stopped Menander from capturing Pataliputra
Vasumitra Sunga
Capital of menanders kingdom
Sakala [Sialkot]
what is Milindapanho, in which lang, author
'’Questions of Milinda/Menander’’ in Pali, by Buddhist monk Nagasena
religion of menander/ milinda
Embraced buddhism
who was Heliodorus
greek embassador became a Vaishnavite
pillar erected by Heliodorus
Garuda pillar at Besnagar
Who were Sakas
aka Scythians
they attacked bactria and parthia and captured them from greek rulers
divisions in sakas
Northern Satraps- ruling from Taxila
Western Satraps- ruling over Maharashtra
founder of Saka rule in India and his successor
Maues, succeeded by Azes I
who founded the Vikram era
Azes I
who were Kushanas, were originally from
branch of Yuchi tribe whose original home was central asia
kushanas ruled majorly over
Gandhara region [NK Pak] till Mathura
founder of kushanas
Kujula Kadphises or Kadphises I
religion of Kadphises II
devotee of lord shiva
who was the founder of the Saka era
Kanishka
Saka era starts from when
78 AD
Kanishka conquered till where
afghanistan, gandhara, kashmir, sindh, punjab and as far as patliputra
Gandhara in W to Benaras in E
Kashmir in N to malwa in S
which source mentions that kanishka invaded kashmir
Kalhana
which book has Kalhana written
Rajatarangini on kings of kashmir
which king fought against the chinese
Kanishka
describe kanishk’s conquest with chinese
firstly was defeated by chinese general Pancho
in 2nd expedition, scored a victory over Panyang [Pancho’s son]
capital of kanishka
Purushapura/ peshawar
religion of kanishka
embraced buddhism
coins of kanishka exhibit
images of buddha along with greek gods and hindu gods
reflects kanishka’s tolerance towards other religion
type of buddhism during kanishka’s time
Mahayana Buddhism was in vogue
buddha was worshipped with garments, perfumes, lamps and flowers
kanishka’s contribution to buddhism
sent missionaries to central asia and china for propagation of buddhism
he patronised scholars like Vasumitra, Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna
convened the fourth buddhist council at Kundalavana monastry near srinagar, the council prepared commentary on tripitakas and mahayana doctrine was given final shape
who had patronised Charaka
kanishka
who was Charaka
famous physician of ancient india
where did Gandhadhara school of art originate
around peshawar in NW India
Gandhara art was its peak when
2nd century AD
How and when did Gandhara art originate
originated during the reign of Indo- greek ruler but the real patrons were the sakas and kushanas
what is gandhara school of art about
blend of indian and graeco- roman elements
made scupltures of the buddha in various sizes, postures and shapes. They depict his birth, renunciation and preaching.
what are the features of gandhara art
- Mould human body in a realistic manner with minute attention to detail like muscles, moustaches and hair
- Thick drapery with large and bold fold lines
- Elaborate ornamentation and symbolic expressions
- Main theme was Mahayana Buddhism
stupas of this time had a graeco roman architectural influence as height of the stupa was raised and ornamentation was added
when did mathura school of art flourish
1st century AD
FEATURES OF MATHURA ART
Buddha images exhibit the spiritual feeling, this was largely absent in gandhara school
Mathura school also carved out imgs of siva and vishnu along with their consorts parvathi and lakshmi
also carved yakshinis and apsaras beautifully
who succeeded kanishka
his son huvishka
last important kushana ruler
Vasudeva, though the kushana empire was very much reduced in his rule
whom did vasudeva worship
siva
who authored Buddhacharita
Asvagosha
capital during Azes I was
Taxila
