Central Asian Contact

UPSC Prelims Course Key Details

• A free, 3-month crash course for UPSC Prelims 2021 started on March 17th and ran until June 20th.
• The course offered comprehensive syllabus coverage and five full-length mock tests.
• Experienced faculty who had cleared Prelims and Mains multiple times taught the course.
• It covered static and dynamic (current affairs) portions relevant to the IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims exam.
• Study material and notes were available on a Telegram channel.
• Doubt-clearing sessions were held every Sunday.
• CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) was included in the course.

Faculty Details

• Sourabh Jain: History faculty with UPSC interview experience in 2018 and 2019; achieved the highest score in prelims with 120 marks.
• Mohit Agarwal: Economics faculty with UPSC interview experience in 2018 and 2019; also gave Mains in 2020.
• Sumant Kumar: Geography and Environment faculty with UPSC Mains experience in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
• Siddhartha Kumar: Polity faculty with UPSC interview in 2019 and Mains in 2014, 2016, and 2017; scored over 130 marks twice in Prelims.
• Rajni Jha: Science and Technology faculty with 5 years of experience teaching GS for UPSC.
• Himanshu Gajendra: CSAT faculty with 5 years of experience teaching CSAT.

Post-Mauryan Era (200 BC onwards)

• The Mauryan Empire collapsed, leading to political fragmentation and cultural integration.
• This period saw increased contact between Central Asia and India.
• The Mauryas were succeeded by various dynasties.
• The Sungas rose to power in Eastern India.
• The Kanvas gained control in Central India.
• The Satavahanas established their rule in the Deccan.
• Numerous ruling dynasties from Central Asia emerged in the North West.

Timeline of Dynasties

• Mauryan Dynasty: 324 – 185 BC, with Brihadratha ruling from 232-185 BC.
• Shunga Dynasty: 185 - 73 BC.
• Kanva Dynasty: 75 - 30 BC.
• Satavahana Dynasty: 35 BC – 225 AD.
• Indo-Greeks: From 200 BC.
• Shakas: 90 BC – 400 AD.
• Parthians.
• Kushans: 30 AD – 350 AD.

Central Asian Contact (200 BC - 300 AD)

• The Indo-Greeks initiated a series of invasions from 200 BC onwards.
• The first invaders were Greeks who ruled Bactria (North Afghanistan).
• Multiple invasions occurred due to the weakening of the Selucid Empire, which was established in Bactria and the Area of Iran (Parthia).
• Pressure from the Scythians Tribe, who were turned away from the Wall of China, pushed the Greeks and Parthians to invade India.
• The successors of Ashoka were weak, contributing to the invasions.
• The Indo-Greeks, also known as Bactrian Greeks, were the first to invade India.

Indo-Greeks

• They occupied a large area in NW India.
• They advanced towards Ayodhya and Patliputra.
• They failed to establish a unified rule in India.
• Two parallel Greek Dynasties ruled in NW India.
• Demetrius, the King of Bactria, invaded India around 190 BCE and likely clashed with Pushyamitra Sunga.
• Demetrius conquered a significant portion of north-western India and extended Bactrian rule south of the Hindukush.
• Menander, also known as Milinda, ruled from 165-145 BC.
• Milinda's Capital: Sakala (Modern Sialkot)
• Menander invaded the Ganga Yamuna Doab
• Menander converted to Buddhism through Nagasena, also known as Nagarjuna.
• The book "Milinda Panho" contains the questions of Milinda.
• The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins definitively attributed to kings.
• Thirty-four out of forty-two Indo-Greek kings are known solely through their coins.
• First to issue Gold coins in India
• Introduction of Hellenistic Art Features in NW: Gandhara School of Art.

Sakas/Scythians

• They controlled a larger area than the Greeks.
• There were five branches of Sakas.
• Afghanistan.
• Punjab: Their capital. - Taxila
• Mathura: Ruled for two centuries
• Western India: Ruled until the 4th century AD due to a flourishing economy based on sea-borne trade in Gujarat; issued many silver coins
• Famous Shaka ruler: Rudradaman 1,.
• Upper Deccan
• In 58 BC, the King of Ujjain fought with the Sakas.
• Vikramaditya: Defeated the Sakas which resulted in VIKRAMA SAMVAT in 58 BC .
• Power was held for a long time in Western India, around four centuries.
• Rudradaman I: Ruled from 130-150 AD.
• Marital relationships with Satavahanas: Vashishtiputra Satakarni was Rudradaman's Son in Law
• Converted to Hinduism.
• Makakshatrapa was their title.
• They repaired Sudarshana Lake leading to Kathiawar, Junagarh Inscription
• Great lover of Sanskrit: Issued the first Chaste Inscription in Sanskrit.
• Earlier inscriptions were in Prakrit.

The Parthians

• The Sakas were followed by the Parthians.
• They ruled in the NW on Parallel Lines.
• Indian Sanskrit Texts refer to them as Saka - Pahlavas.
• The Parthians came from Iran and occupied a small area in NW.
• Gondophares was the most Famous King who supported St Thomas.
• Parthians/Sakas became an integral part of Indian Society and Polity.

The Kushans

• The Parthians were followed by Kushans, also known as Yuechis/Tocharians.
• Nomadic people from the Steppes of Central Asia, living near China.
• Their empire extended from OXUS to Ganga. - From Khorasan in Central Asia to Varanasi
• Territory included: USSR/Afghanistan/Iran/Pakistan/North India – under One Rule.
• Promoted the mixing of people and cultures-New Culture.
• Had two Dynasties.
• The first dynasty was the House of Chiefs(Kadphises)
• Ruled for 28 years from 50 AD
• Kadphises I: minted copper coins south of Hindkhush
• Coins were imitations of Roman Coins
• Coins show his association with Buddhism.
• Adopted the epithet ‘Dharmathida’ and ‘Sachadharmathida’.
• • Kadphises II: minted Large number of Gold Money
  • firm devotee of Lord Shiva and proclaimed himself 'Mahishvara' on his coins.
• The second dynasty was the house of chiefs Kadphises, succeeded by Kanishka
• issued numerous Gold coins with a high gold content, found mainly west of Indus.
• authority of inscriptions was found in the Greater Basin.
• First Capital: Purushapura/Peshawar
  • Second Capital: Mathura
• Most Famous King: Kanishka
• Started Saka Era in 78 AD- Used by GOI. -Main religion: Patronage to Buddhism.
• 4th Buddhist Council, Kashmir: Mahayana Buddhism
• Great patron of Sanskrit Literature
• successor of Kanishka until 230 AD, Vasudeva ruled north-west India.
• Toprak Kala and Khorezm contains Kushan Palace with inscriptions and documents 3/4 Century AD -The famous Rabatak inscription (Afghanistan) provides the valuable information about Kanishka.
  • Adopted the title of 'Devputra’ (son of god). Wore peak helmet on some coins

The Kushans Religious Influence

• Kanishka patronized Buddhist scholars:
• : Vasumitra (authored Mahavibhasa), Ashvagosha (wrote the hagiographic Buddhacharita), Charaka (The father of Ayurveda), Nagarjuna
• His coins represent images of Buddha, Greek and Hindu Gods.
• Kanishka shows religious tolerance

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Structures and Pottery

• Saka Kushan Period: building improvement
• Use of Burnt Bricks/Tiles/ Surkhi
• Construction of Brick wells
• Red ware pottery: Plain and Polished
• sprinklers and spouted channels pots are the distinctive pottery

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Trade and Technology

• Enriched Indian Culture
• Integrated into the Society
• Better Cavalry and Riding Horses
• Use of saddles
• Used toe stirrups made of Rope
• Kushans and Sakas are known as excellent horsemen
• Introduced: Turban/ Tunic/ Trousers/ Heavy Long Coat - shervani
• Warriors wear caps, helmets and boots for a clean sweep of opponents.

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Trade and Technology

• Increased contact between Central Asia and India
• India received Gold from Central Asia
• Kushans had Silk Route Source of Great Income
• Silk Route involved levied tolls on traders
• Kushan rulers first in India to issue Gold Coins on a wide scale
• Increased maritime trade between Rome and India

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Politics

• Development of Feudatory Organisation for Judicial/Administration If the king is weak, the judicial system suffers
• Kushans: King of Kings had Supremacy over numerous small princes
• Strengthened the Idea of Divine Origin of Kingship
• Emperors were Sons of Gods
• Empire was Divided into satrapies -> Placed under Satrap
• Introduced Satrap System of Government
• Lead to Less Centralization.
• Hereditary Dual Rule: / Two kings rule same kingdom

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Politics

• Military Governorship introduced
• Done by Greeks -> Appointed Governors,Strategos

Impact of Central Asian Contact: New Elements in Indian Society

• Greeks/Sakas/Parthians/Kushans Lost their Identities Greeks/Sakas/Parthians/Kushans Became completely Indianized
• Absorbed as Warriors, the Kshatriya
• The lawgiver Manu: Shakas and Parthians were Kshatriyas who fell from their status, thus became second-class Kshatriyas

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Religion

• Some converted to Vaishnavism
• Greek Ambassador Helpdorous' Pillar near Vidisha ( MP) in honor of Vishnu (Garuda)
• Religion Adopted Buddhism
• Worship: Kushans- Shiva and Buddha and Images appear on the coins
• Some: Kushans worshipped Vishnu ruler, Vasudeva

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Religion

• Foreigners- Mahayana
• The Kushans- Great Patron of Mahayana
• Council at Kashmir: inscribed Buddhist teachings on copper sheets which were deposited under the Stupa; stupa undiscovered
• Many Stupas built in memory of Buddha

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Gandhara Art

• Patronage of Kushans
• NW Frontier of India Indian craftsman: contact with Greeks/Romans Kushans
• Brough Masons and trained artisans lead to a rise of new kind of Art Buddha = Graeco Roman Style
• Between 50 BC to 500 AD art flourished
• First: Use of bluish-grey sandstone -Second: Mud and stucco use in sculptures
• Resembles of Apollo of Images of Buddha and Bhodisatteras
• Influence of Gandhara Art spread to Mathura

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Gandhara Art

• Buddha seated in spiritual and seated yogi
• Eyes half closed
• Wavy hair shown
• Displayed Protuberance

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Mathura Schools of Art

• Patronage of Kushans
• Center of Indigenous Art 2nd BC- 3rd AD
• Kanishka's Headless erect statue of Kanishka was discovered Buddism, Hinduism and Jainism religions
• Use of Stone Vardhaman Mahavira images
• Images were models of Yaksha in the Mauryan period.
• Strike use of symbolism on artifacts
• Hindu god representation using avayudhas
• Linga and Mukhalinga show Shiva
• Buddha head larger because higher in Gandhara School and are decorated with geometrical patterns
• surrounded by Buddhasattavas- Padmapani hold lotus and and Vaipani hold Thunder bolts
• Mathura, Sonkh, Kankalitila are famous for Jain Sculptors

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Mathura schools of art

• Buddha- delight and smiling face
• Muscular body
• Buddha has shaven head with tight dress
• Buddha is seated in padmasana with protuberance shown

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Amaravati School

• Banks of Krisna river
• Under Satvahana rulers
• Developed idigenously
• Emphasis on damanic images and narrative art -Focus shifted from from single to dynamic images
• Most artifacts were buddhist
• White Marble / limestone
• Tribhanga posture used,excessively

Impact of Central Asian Contact : Stupa

• Bharhut made with railings of red stone
• Sanchi Ashoka originally made the biggest stupa - enlarged to twice its size in the second-century

Impact of Central Asian Contact : Rock cut of caves

• Andriha- Great centers with Buddhist Panels
• Elliesh panel in BC -Gaga/sanchi/bharhut

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Literature and Learning

• Sanskrit literature
• • Earliest specimen style of Kavya with Rudradaman Inscriptions, kathiawar inscriptions and Junagarh Inscription
• Chaste Sanskrit inscriptions
• In inscriptions in Kavya style
• Before and by 4 AD all inscriptions were in Prakrit Asnogasha patronised Kushans,
• Buddacharits was Asnogasho's biography of Buddha and also had Saundarnanda sankrit Kavga

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Literature and Learning

• Mahayana Buddhism
• Composition os adandas
• Buddhas hybrid Sanksrit
• Imps book Mahavastar and didyadra
• Development in Indian Theatre
• Intro curtain borrowed to Greek Yavanika
• Yavanas is to designate foreigner
• Vast yaysna Kamasutra was composed with secular nature

Impact of Central Asian Contact: Science and Technology

• Advancements within Astronomy and Astrology occurred
• astrology from Greek
• Horosastura-Horoscope
• Medicine did not progress but Susruta charaka had much deals with them.
• Charaka sahitas plants andherbs
• Drugs to be prepared
• AUSHADHI
• Leahter making of shoes and coins