Sunga Dynasty, Barhut and Sanchi

Sunga Dynasty

• Pushyamitra Sunga was a Brahmin Army chief of Brihadratha.
• Pataliputra was the Sunga dynasty capital.
• Menander and Demetrius led attacks against the Sunga dynasty.
• Stupas at Sanchi and Barhut were renovated during this period.

Barhut

• Ashoka constructed Barhut.
• Barhut features railings with Jataka tales and images of Yaksha and Yagni.

Sanchi

• Sanchi includes stone gates or toranas made by Satavahanas.
• Vesantara Jataka stories are depicted at Sanchi.
• Buddha is never depicted in human form at Sanchi.

Shalbanjika

• Buddhist art features images of women or Yakshi, often holding a tree or referencing Maya near a Sala tree giving birth to Buddha.
• Buddhist sites on stupas include stylized female figures by a tree, typically grasping or breaking a branch, symbolizing Buddha's mother, Maya.
• This art is related to ancient tree deities and fertility.

Literature

• Patanjali, was patronized and wrote the Mahabhasya.

Agnimitra

• Agnimitra is the hero of Kalidasa's poem, Malavikagnimitraim.
• He was Pushyamitra's son.

Last Ruler

• Devabhuti was the last ruler and was killed by his minister, Vasudev Kanva.

Chedi Dynasty

• The Chedi dynasty existed around 1st BCE.
• The Hathigumpha inscription was engraved by King Kharavela.
• Kharavela followed Jainism.
• Kharavela was also known as Cheta or Mahameghavahana.
• Kharavela defeated So Sata Kani.

Satavahanas

• Simukha founded the Satavahana dynasty.
• They were important successors to the Mauryas in the Deccan and central India.
• They are considered identical to the Andhras, mentioned in Matsya and Vayu Purana.
• The early Satavahanas were in Maharastra, later extending to Karnataka and Andhra.
• The Sakas were the greatest competitors to the Satavahanas.

Title

• The Satavahana rulers held the title Dakshinapata Pati.

Gautami Putra Satakarni

• Gautami Putra Satakarni was known as the only Brahman.

Vasisthaputra Pulumayi

• Vasisthaputra Pulumayi's capital was Paithan/Pratisthan, near Aurangabad.

Rudra Daman I

• Rudra Daman I, a Shaka ruler of Saurashtra, defeated the Satavahana twice but did not destroy them due to matrimonial alliances.

Yajna Sri Satakarni

• Yajna Sri Satakarni was a lover of trade and navigation.
• Images of ships are found on his coins.

Art and Architecture

• The Satavahanas were the first native Indian kings to issue their own coins, which included portraits of the rulers, a practice started by Gautami Pura Satakarni.

Material Culture

• Their material culture fused local elements with northern ingredients.
• Ancient goldwork was found in the Kolar fields.
• They issued coins of lead, and also potin/bronze/copper coins.
• They were famous for cotton cultivation.

Social Organization

• Satavahanas were the first rulers to make land grants to Brahmans.
• Gandhikas were perfumers who later became known as shopkeepers, bearing the modern title Gandhi.
• They followed a Matrilineal system but the throne was passed to a male member, indicating a Patriarchal aspect.

Administration

• The district was called Ahara.
• Amatyas and Mahamatras were officials.
• Senapati was a provincial governor.
• Gaulmika was the head of rural administration.
• Kataka and Skandhavaras were military camps and settlements.

Society

• Buddhist monks and Brahmans lived in small independent islands.
• Three grades of feudatories existed: King (Raja) had the right to strike coins, Mahabhoja, and Senapati.

Religion

• Brahmans worshipped a large number of Vaishnava gods.
• Buddhism, especially Mahayana, flourished.
• Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati were important seats of Buddhist culture.

Architecture

• Rock-cut architecture was prominent.
• Chaitya refers to temples as large halls with columns, such as Karle Chaitya.
• Vihara refers to monasteries, residences for monks in the rainy season, built in the Mauryan period, such as Ellora caves.

Script and Language

• Prakrit was the official language.
• Brahmi script was used.
• Gathasaptasati is attributed to Hala.
• Gunadhya composed Brihatkatha.

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

• Kalinga king Kharavela resided here.
• These caves were residences of Jain works.
• Udayagiri caves feature the Hathigumpha inscription.
• The Jain Namokar Mantra is associated with King Kharavela's military campaigns.
• Ranigumpha cave is a double-storied structure located in Udayagiri.