1. After death of Asoka -> successors not able to keep empire intact. NW India slipped out of control and series of foreign invasions affected the region (Bactrian Greek). Kalinga declared independence (Kharavela) and Satavahanas established independent rule -> Mauryas confined to Gangetic valley -> eventually replaced by Sunga dynasty.
2. Sunga dynasty –
a. found by Pushyamitra Sunga, commander in chief under Mauryas, assassinator and usurper. Imp challenge - protect against Bactrian Greeks - who advanced till Pataliputra. Staunch follower of Brahmanishm, persecutor of Buddhism (as per Buddhist texts) however patronized Buddhist art - monuments Bharhut and Sanchi renovated and improved. Patanjali Priest of Pushyamitra Shunga wrote Mahabhasya. Commentary on book Astadhyayi written by Panini 5th BC. Acc. To book Divyavadana pushyamitra shunga destroyed 84000 stupas
b. Taxila university: Jivaka (6th BC), Panini (5th BC), Kautilya (4th BC), Charaka (1st AD),
c. Successor son Agnimitra. Last ruler Devabhuti, murdered by Vasudeva Kanva, dynasty ruled for 45 years. Significance of Sunga - defended Gangetic valley from foreign invasions, revived Brahmanism and asvmedha, promoted growth of Vaishanvism and Sanskrit language. Sunga rule precursor to golden age under Guptas. Fifth king was Bhagabhadra, to whose court Heliodoros, the Greek ambassador visited. Sunga king, Agnimitra was the hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram. Devabhuti Last king.
3. Kanva Dynasty (73BC to 28BC):
a. No absolute info. Susharma Last king and Vasudev kanva First king, Assainated by Satvahana
4. Satavahanas (2 BCE to 2 AD) - ruled the Deccan after decline of Mauryas. Long rule - 450 years. Also known as Andhras in Puranas
a. Founder - Simuka. Coins Polin and Lead, Coins found at Kotilingala and Karimnagar
b. Shatkarni I: Nanaghat inscription near nashik issued by his wife Naganika, describes victories of king, Dakshinpajapati, perfomed rajusayagya and ashvemedha, Land grants were given.
c. Kuntala Shatkarni (11th King): Gundaya in his court wrote: Brihat Katha and Sharva Varma wrote: Katantra Vyakarana.
d. Hala (17th king) wrote Gaha Sattasai - book with 700 verses in Prakrit. Title Kavi raja.
e. Nashik (by mother Gautami Balasri) throw light on reign of Gautamiputra Satakarni. Captured whole of Deccan and expanded empire. Defeated Shakas, Patronized Brahmanism, donations to Buddhism. The empire was known for naval power and maritime trade. Title: Eka Brahma, Raja raja, Dvijakula Vadhana, Trisamudra toyapiya vahana. (Horse who drinks from three seas).
f. Yagnasri Shatakarni: (29th King): Coins of polin with ship image indicated foreign trade, Acharya Nagarjuna lived in his court, Indian Einstein and Madhyamika school of philosophy. Wrote 24 books, Madhyamika karika, Shunya saptathi, Suhrullekha, Parjna pramita.
g. Pulomavi last king.
h. Economy - remarkable progress in fields of trade and industry. Silver coins called Karshapanas for trading, merchants organized guilds to increase activities. Ptolemy mentions Deccan ports - greatest port of empire was Kalyani on West Deccan. East Deccan port - Gandakasela & Ganjam. Culture - patronized Buddhism and Brahmanism, built Chaityas and Viharas.
5. Mahameghvarma Dynasty: (Chedi Dynasty):
a. Hatigumpha inscription. Kharvela kings,
b. Capital Kalinga Nagari, info about his victories, defeated satvahanas, conquered Magadha, Promoted Jainism.
c. Udyagiri and Khandagiri caves during his reign.
6. Foreign invasions of NW
a. Indo - Bactrians - Demetrius, Greek ruler of Bactria invaded Afghanistan and Punjab and occupied them (post independence from Syrian empire in 3rd century BC). Commanders Apollodotus (went till Ujjain) and Menander (went till Mathura). He embraced Buddhism, his dialogs with monk Nagasena compiled in Milindapanho. Greek ambassador Heliodorus became Vaishanvite and erected Garuda Pillar at Besnagar, Vidisha (unrelated to Menander). Gold Coins: Indo greeks were first to issue gold coins, , Double die struck coins, Titles: Deva vrata, Sudeva vrata.
b. Scythians (or Sakas, defeated Greek rulers in India 1st century BC) took Bactria and Parthia from Greek rulers, ruled over NW India. 2 groups of Sakas - Northern Satraps ruling from Taxila and Western satraps ruling over Maharashtra. Founder of Saka rule in India in 1st century BC - Maues. Son and successor - Azes I - founder of Vikrama era (contested). Taxila rulers overthrown by Parthia. Rudradaman I: King of Ujjain, who issued inscription in chaste Sanskrit in Junagad, Sudarshana, Historical lake built by Mauryans, he repaired that lake.
c. Parthians: Ruled paralled to Shakas for some time, Gondophernes (19-45 AD).
d. Kushanas - branch of Yuchi tribe (home - Central Asia). First in Bactria by displacing the Sakas. Eventually seized Gandhara region. Founder of dynasty - Kadphises I. Kadphises II - conquered whole of NW as far as Mathura - issued coins with title 'Lord of the Whole World', devotee of Lord Siva.
e. Kanishka (78-120 AD) - most imp ruler of Kushana dynasty. Founder of Saka era (78 AD Gov of India), great conqueror, patron of religion and art. Extended power as far as Pataliputra and Bodh Gaya. Coins found in Gangetic plain - hence assumption. Fought against Chinese as well. Capital Purushapura. Embraced Buddhism early, coins exhibit Buddha, Greek and Hindu gods -> reflects tolerance. Mahayana came in vogue under his rule (different from what was taught by Buddha). Buddha was now worshipped with flowers, garments, perfumes and lamps - idol worship and rituals under Mahayana Buddhism. Patronized scholars – Vasumitra (MahaVibhasha Shastra), Asvagosha (work – Buddhacharita, Sundarnandana), Nagarjuna, Charaka (physician). Convened 4th Buddhist Council, held in Kundalavana in Kashmir, under Vasumitra. Mahayana doctrine given final shape and gave authoritative commentary on tripitakas. Diving king status - achieved thru coins and sculpture. Also took title Sakyo Buddha (Human form of Buddha)
f. Kushanas controlled the silk route from their major power center - Peshawar and Mathura. Hence a branch of silk road came to Indus. Kushanas issued gold coins - one of the earliest rulers to do so.
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