Sunga and Satavahana Dynasties

• These notes cover the Sungas and Satavahanas dynasties of ancient India, including their rulers, administration, art, and society.

Sunga Dynasty

• The founder of the Sunga Dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga, a Brahmin army chief who assassinated Brihadratha.
• The capital was Pataliputra.
• Menander and Demetrius led attacks during this period.
• Stupas at Sanchi and Barhut, originally built by Ashoka, were renovated.
• Barhut is known for its Jataka tales, railings, and depictions of Yaksha and Yagni.
• Stone gates, or toranas, were added to Sanchi by the Satavahanas.
• Sanchi also features Vesantara Jataka stories.
• Shalbanjika, a Buddhist art element, depicts a woman or Yakshi often holding a tree, referencing Maya's birth of Buddha.
• Buddhist art during this time did not depict Buddha as a human figure.
• Buddhist sites included reliefs on stupas, featuring stylized females by trees, grasping or breaking branches like Buddha's mother Maya.
• Patanjali and his Mahabhasya were patronized.
• It is linked to ancient tree deities and fertility.
• Agnimitra, Pushyamitra's son, features as a hero in Kalidasa's poem "Malavikagnimitraim."
• Devabhuti was the last ruler, killed by minister Vasudev Kanva.

Chedi Dynasty

• The Chedi Dynasty existed around the 1st century BCE.
• It is also known as the Cheta or Mahameghavahana dynasty.
• Hathigumpha inscription provides information about this dynasty.
• King Kharavela engraved the Hathigumpha inscription and followed Jainism.
• Kharavela defeated Satakarni and was a Kalinga king.
• The Udayagiri caves, including the Ranigumpha cave, are a residence of Jain works.
• Jain Namokar Mantra and King Kharavela's military campaigns are associated with Udayagiri caves and the Hathigumpha inscription.
• Ranigumpha cave is double-storied and located in Udayagiri.

Satavahanas

• Simukha was the founder of the Satavahanas.
• The Satavahanas succeeded the Mauryas in the Deccan and central India.
• They are identified with the Andhras mentioned in Matsya and Vayu Purana.
• Early Satavahana territories included Maharashtra, later extending to Karnataka and Andhra.
• The Sakas were their greatest competitors.
• The title of the Satavahana rulers was Dakshinapata Pati.
• Gautami Putra Satakarni and Vasisthaputra Pulumayi were notable rulers.
• Rudra Daman I, a Shaka ruler of Saurashtra, defeated the Satavahanas twice but did not destroy them due to matrimonial alliances.
• Yajna Sri Satakarni was a lover of trade and navigation.
• Images of ships on coins reflect their engagement in trade.
• The Satavahanas were the first native Indian kings to issue coins with rulers' portraits, a practice started by Gautami Putra Satakarni.
• Their art and architecture are a fusion of local elements with northern ingredients.
• Ancient goldwork was sourced from Kolar fields.
• Coins were issued in lead, potin, bronze, and copper.
• They were known for cotton cultivation.
• The first rulers to grant land to Brahmans.
• Social organization included Gandhikas (perfumers, later shopkeepers) with the modern title of Gandhi.
• The Satavahana society was matrilineal, but the throne passed to male members.
• Districts were called Ahara.

Administration

• Officials included Amatyas and Mahamatras.
• Senapati served as provincial governors.
• Gaulmika was the head of rural administration.
• Kataka and Skandavaras were military camps and settlements.
• There were Buddhist monks and Brahmanas.
• The king or Raja had the right to strike coins.
• The administration included 3 grades of feudatories like Mahabhoja and Senapati.

Religion

• Brahmanas worshipped many Vaishnava gods.
• Buddhism, particularly Mahayana, flourished during their rule.
• Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati were important seats of Buddhist culture.

Architecture

• Featured rock-cut architecture.
• Chaitya halls and Viharas (monasteries).
• Large temples with columns were built.
• Viharas served as residences for monks during the rainy season and were built in the Mauryan period.
• Examples include Karle Chaitya and Ellora caves.

Script & Language

• Prakrit was the official language.
• Brahmi script was used.
• There was a script & language.

Literature

• Gathasaptasati is attributed to Hala.
• Gunadhya composed Brihatkatha.