30 Questions
Which dynasty was founded by Pushmitra Shunga?
Shunga
Which Indo-Greek king attacked the Shunga dynasty?
Menander
Who succeeded Agnimitra as king?
Vasumitra
Which famous poet wrote a poem about Agnimitra?
Kalidasa
What was the name of the Yajna performed by Pushyamitra?
Ashvamedha
Which region did the Satavahana dynasty rule?
Maharashtra and A.P.
What was the name of the provincial governor in the given text?
Senapati
What was the primary source of economy for the rulers mentioned in the text?
Agriculture
Which of the following was NOT a feature of the coins mentioned in the text?
Electroplated
What was the primary language used in the given text, along with the Brahmi script?
Prakrit
What was the name of the village headman who was also the head of a military regiment?
Gaulmika
What was the location of the paddy transplantation mentioned in the text?
Mouth of the Krishna and Godavari rivers
What was the core area of the Chola dynasty?
Central and northern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kaveri delta
What was the state emblem of the Chola dynasty?
Tiger
Who was the most famous king of the Chola dynasty?
Karikalan
What was the name of the port city founded by Karikalan?
Puhar
What is the name of the epic that portrays the life and military conquests of Karikalan?
Pattinappalai
What was the period between 300A.D-600A.D known as?
Dark Age
What was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty?
Pratishthana
What was the title given to Vashishthiputra Pulumayi in the Nasik inscription?
Ekabrahmana
Who was the first Satavahana ruler to expand his empire through military conquests?
Vashishthiputra Pulumayi
In which language was the Brihatkatha, a literary work, composed?
Paiscachi
What was the name of the queen who wrote the Naneghat inscription, which describes Vashishthiputra Pulumayi as Dakshinapathapati?
Nayankia
Which Satavahana ruler was referred to as the 'only Brahmana who defeated the Shakas and destroyed many Kshatriya rulers'?
Vashishthiputra Pulumayi
What was the Pandyan state's emblem?
Fish
What was the primary source of income for the Pandyan state's treasury?
Booty captured in wars
Who was responsible for the administration of the Pandyan state's military?
Military commanders (senapathi)
What was a characteristic of the Pandyan state's society during the Sangam Age?
Presence of Sati, caste, and idol worship
What was the Pandyan state's port city located near?
The confluence of Thampraparani with the Bay of Bengal
What led to the decline of the Pandyan state's power after the Sangam Age?
Invasion of the Kalabhras
Study Notes
Post Mauryan Period (185 B.C.-275 A.D.)
Region and Dynasties
- Northern: Shunga, Kanva, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, Indo-Parthian, Kushana
- Maharashtra and Central India: Satavahana
- Tamilnadu: Chola, Pandyan, Chera
Shunga Dynasty (185 B.C.-73 B.C.)
- Founder: Pushyamitra Shunga
- Rulers:
- Pushyamitra Shunga (185 B.C.-151 B.C.)
- Agnimitra (149 B.C.-141 B.C.)
- Important Developments:
- Followed Brahminism
- Persecuted Buddhists (no authoritative evidence)
- Countered Greek kings' attacks
- Conquered Vidarbha and renovated Stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut
- Sculptured stone gateway (Torana) at Sanchi
- Performed Ashvamedha Yajna
- Patronized Sanskrit grammarian Patanjali
- Capital: Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati
Satavahana Dynasty (235 B.C.-225 A.D.)
- Founder: Simuka
- Rulers:
- Simuka
- Hala
- Gautamiputra Satakarni (106-130 A.D.)
- Vashishthiputra Pulumayi (130-154 A.D.)
- Important Developments:
- Expanded empire through military conquests
- Conquered Kalinga after Kharavela's death
- Pushed back the Sungas in Pataliputra and ruled over MP
- Performed Ashvamedha and revived Vedic Brahmanism in Deccan
- Interest in Arts and compiled Gatha Saptashati
- Minister Gunadhya composed Brihatkatha in Paiscachi language
- Destroyed Kshaharata lineage and Western Satrapas
- Titles: Ekabrahmana, Rajaraja, and Maharaja
Economy
- Agriculture was the backbone
- Relied on trade and production
- Maritime trade (ship motifs on coins)
- Acquainted with iron and agriculture (produced cotton)
- Paddy transplantation in Krishna and Godavari rivers
- Exploited Deccan's mineral resources (iron ores, gold)
- Coins: Die-struck and cast-coins, punch-marked coins
- Material: Silver, copper, lead, and Potin (silver, lead, copper)
- First native rulers to start portrait coins
Language and Script
- Prakrit with Brahmi script
- Rare use of Sanskrit
Material and Architecture
- Regular use of fire-baked bricks and flat, perforated roof tiles
- Drains were covered and underground
Society
- 4-fold varna system
- Important Buddhist sites: Nagarjunakonda, Amravati, Nasik, and Junar
- Good status: Artisans, Merchants, and Gandhikas (perfumers)
- Work espouses Buddhism over other religions
Political History of Sangam Dynasties
Chola Dynasty
- Core area: Central and northern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kaveri delta
- Early capital: Uraiyur
- Later capital: Puhar (Poompuhar or Kaviripattinam - Chief port town)
- State emblem: Tiger
- Maintained an efficient navy
- Most famous king: Karikalan
- Battle of Venni: Defeated the confederacy of Cheras, Pandyas, and eleven minor chieftains
- Trade and commerce flourished during his reign
- Founded the port city of Puhar and constructed 160km embankment along the Kaveri River
Chera Dynasty
- Core area: Central and northern parts of Kerala and Kongu region of TN
- Capital: Vanji
- Ports: West coast, Muziris, and Tondi
- State emblem: Bow and Arrow
- Greatest ruler: Senguttuvan (Red Chera/Good Chera)
- Military achievements discussed in epic Silapathikaram
- Introduced the Pattini cult (i.e., worship of Kannagi as ideal wife)
- First to send an embassy to China from South India
Pandyan Dynasty
- Area: Madurai
- State emblem: Fish
- Port: Korkai; near the confluence of Thampraparani with Bay of Bengal
- Rulers kept a regular army
- Trade was prosperous
- Society: Presence of Sati, caste, idol worship, and widows were treated badly
- Religion: Vedic religion of sacrifice, patronized Brahmin priests
- Power declined with the invasion of the Kalabhras
Sangam Administration
- Form of government: Hereditary monarchy
- King was advised by 5 councils
- Military administration: Efficiently organized with regular army of each ruler
- Chief source of state's income: Land Revenue + Custom duty on foreign trade
- Major source of Income for Royal Treasury: Booty captured in wars
Test your knowledge on the Post Mauryan Period, from 185 B.C. to 275 A.D., covering various regions, dynasties, and founders. This quiz is perfect for history enthusiasts and students looking to revise their understanding of this era.
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