ANCIENT NPSC CC.pptx

ANCIENT INDIA NPSC 2024 ACHIEVERS ACADEMY  Sources for Ancient Evidences Information about Ancient History of India History of India Almost every aspect of lifestyle like, use of pottery Radio-Carbo...

ANCIENT INDIA NPSC 2024 ACHIEVERS ACADEMY  Sources for Ancient Evidences Information about Ancient History of India History of India Almost every aspect of lifestyle like, use of pottery Radio-Carbon Dating is type, house construction design, agriculture MATERIAL a method for (grains produced), REMAINS: determining the age of an object. animals domesticated, type of tools, weapons etc. and burial practices of the time and geography. Names of the Kings or issuer (guilds/merchants), Gods or dates are mentioned in the coins from later periods. The study of coins is Local and cross-border transactions tell us about COINS: called Numismatics. various ruling dynasties and extent of their rule. Only a few coins belonging to post-Gupta times indicate the decline of trade & commerce in that period.  Epigraphy is the study of Inscriptions; Paleography: Study of old Pictographic Harappan Inscriptions are yet to be writings on inscriptions and deciphered. other records. Ashokan Inscriptions: Scripts used – Brahmi, INSCRIPTION Inscriptions carved on seals, Kharoshti Greek & Arabic. S stone pillars, rocks, copper plates, temple walls and Donations, land grants, and the achievements of bricks or images. Kings and Conquerors (Samudragupta and Pulkeshin 2nd etc.). Earliest in Prakrit (300 BC), later in Sanskrit and further late in regional languages. The four Vedas, In India oldest manuscripts were written on birch Ramayana and Mahabharata bark & palm leaves. LITERARY SOURCES: Jain & Buddhist texts, Kautilya’s ‘ARTHASHASTRA’ gives exhaustive coverage of affairs that concern a King and his, poetry, Sangam Literature, economy, polity, administration and society at large. plays etc.  Alexander’s invasion is solely reconstructed based on Greek sources. “INDICA” of Megasthenes provides information Accounts of Greeks, about the Mauryan period. Romans or Chinese either Trade imbalance between India and the Roman FOREIGNER as official historians, ACCOUNTS empire is accounted for in Pliny’s “NATURALIS diplomats, pilgrims or even HISTORIA”. navigators/explorers. These travelers were welcomed by Kings of the time and wrote about almost everything that they witnessed be it architecture, social divisions, religious and cultural practices  INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION: IMPORTANT DATES, SITES & DECLINE OF IVC Harappan was first excavated in 1921 by Dayaram Sahni. Indus Valley Civilization was larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia civilizations. Northernmost site Manda/ MANDU(Jammu-Kashmir), Southernmost site Daimabad (Maharashtra), Easternmost site Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh), Western- most site Sutkagendor (Pakistan-Iran border) Systematic town-planning on the lines of ‘grid system. What is Harappan Civilization? Use of burnt bricks in construction. IMPORTANT FEATURES of Indus Valley Underground drainage system. Civilization: Own characteristic pottery, seals and script. Fortified citadel (except Chanhudaro).  PHASES OF INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION: Early Harappan Phase From 3300 to 2600 BCE Mature Harappan Phase From 2600 to 1900 BCE Late Harappan Phase From 1900 to 1300 BCE  Important Sites of IVC Site Excavated by Location Important Findings Harappa Daya Ram Sahini in bank of river Ravi Sandstone statues 1921 in Montgomery Granaries district of Punjab Bullock carts (Pakistan). Mohenjodaro (Mound R.D Banerjee in 1922 Bank of river Indus Great bath of in Larkana district Granary Dead) of Punjab Bronze dancing girl (Pakistan). Seal of Pasupathi Mahadeva Steatite statue of beard man A piece of woven cotton Sutkagendor Maj Edward In southwestern A trade point And Balochistan province, between Harappa and Stein in 1929 Pakistan on Dast river Babylon  Amri N.G Majumdar in 1935 bank of Indus river Antelope evidence Fire altar Kalibangan Ghose in 1953 Rajasthan on the Camel bones bank of Ghaggar Wooden plough river Lothal R.Rao in 1953 Gujarat First manmade port Bhogavo river Dockyard Rice husk Fire altars Surkotada J.P Joshi in 1964 Gujarat Bones of horses Oval grave, Pot burials Beads  Bead makers shop Chanhudaro N.G Majumdar in Sindh on the Indus Footprint of a dog 1931 river Lipstick inkpot Banawali R.S Bisht in 1974 Hissar district of Beads Haryana Barley Terracotta plough Water harnessing Dholavira R.S Bisht in 1985 Gujarat in Rann of system Kachchh Water reservoir  Overview of the Indus Valley Key Characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization Civilization The towns were in a rectangular grid pattern with roads at right angles. Used burnt mud bricks joined with gypsum mortar (contemporary Egypt dried bricks were used). TOWN PLANNING The city was divided in two parts, the city on raised platform, AND STRUCTURES Known as Upper citadel & the lower town known as lower towns (working class quarters) Most buildings have private wells and properly ventilated bathrooms. Advanced drainage system.  Main crops: Two types of Wheat and Barley. Evidence of cultivation of rice in Lothal and Rangpur (Gujarat) only. Other crops: Dates, mustard, sesame, cotton, rai, peas etc. First to produce cotton in the world so Greeks called them Sindon. AGRICULTURE Used animal drawn wooden plough, and stone sickles. Gabarbands or nalas enclosed by dams found but channel or canal irrigation was probably not practiced Produced sufficient food grains and cereals were received as taxes from peasants and stored in granaries for wages and emergencies same as Mesopotamia  Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and pigs, dogs, cats, asses and camels were domesticated. DOMESTICATION OF Humped bulls were favored by the Harappans. ANIMALS Not horse centered. Elephants and Rhinoceros were well known. This is known as the first urbanization in India. Bronze Age TECHNOLOGY AND CRAFT Iron was not known to the people. They were aware of the use of the wheel.  Engages in inter-regional as well as foreign trade. Sumerian texts refer trade relation with Meluha i.e. ancient name given to Indus). Used boats and bullock-carts for transportation. TRADE AND COMMERCE Carried exchanges through a barter system. IMPORT: Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Jade, Steatite EXPORTS: Agricultural products, cotton goods, terracotta figurines, beads from Chanhudaro, conch-shell from Lothal, ivory products, copper.  Merchants and priests were important class of this period. Harappans were fashion conscious. SOCIAL Different hairstyles and wearing a beard were popular. ORGANIZATION Necklaces, filets, armlets and finger rings were worn by both men and women Fishing, hunting and bull fighting were pastimes. No clear idea of an organized force or standing army. POLITY Priests did not rule in Harappa , but were possibly ruled by a class of merchants.  Pashupati Mahadeva (proto-siva)-three-horned heads, and is represented in the sitting posture of a yogi, with one leg placed above the other surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros, and below his throne there is a buffalo, and at his feet two deer. Prevalence of the Phallus (lingam) and Yoni worship. RELIGIOUS Chief female deity was mother Goddess. PRACTICES They also worshiped fire. The people of the Indus region also worshipped trees (ex: pipal) and animals (unicorn, humped bull etc). Harappans believed in ghosts and evil forces and, therefore, they used amulets against them. Oldest script in Indian subcontinent. Pictographic script (yet to be deciphered). SCRIPT Writing was boustrophedon -writing in right to left in one line & then left to right in the next line.  Red and Black Pottery. Trees, birds, animal figures and geometrical patterns were the recurring POTTERY themes of the paintings. Most of the pottery is wheel-made. Most of the seals are square plaque (2×2 square inches) made mostly from Steatite. SEALS AND SEALINGS Seals were primarily used for commercial purposes, as amulets, as form of identification, for educational purposes as well. Types – Square OR Rectangular.  After 2000 BC Indus Valley Civilization declined & gradually faded away. Possible reasons – declined soil fertility, depression in land, DECLINE Aryans invasion, decline of trade, Floods, Earthquake etc. Most acceptable reason is ecological imbalance.  THE VEDIC PERIOD (RIG VEDIC & LATER VEDIC PERIOD) Aryans originally lived in the Steppes central asia / Russia region. (origin not clear) Later they moved to central Asia and then came to the Punjab region of India around 1500 BC. With the advent of Aryans begins the history of Vedic Period (1500 BC-600 BC). Vedic period is divided into Early Vedic Period or Rig vedic (1500 BC-1000 BC) & Later Vedic Period (1000 BC- 600 BC). Aryans names appear in Hittite inscription (Anatolia), Kassitte inscription (Iraq) & Mittani inscription (Syria). An Iranian text, Zend Avesta, talks about names of Aryan Gods like Indra, Varuna.  It was distinguished by the practice of Vedic religion and the composition of the Vedas, a collection of sacred texts that serve as the foundation of Hinduism. The word Veda is derived from the root vid, which means ‘to know’. There are four Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. These four Vedas are also referred to as 'Samhitas' as they represent the oral tradition of the time. Brahmanas – The Detailed commentaries/ explanations on the Vedas. Aranyakas (forest books)- Explains metaphysics & symbolism of sacrifice. Upanishads or books on philosophy or deeper knowledge about ‘aatma’, ‘brahma’ etc. They are anti-ritualistic.  Political Life of the Early Political Life of Later Vedic Features Vedic Period Period - The concept of janapada emerged. - The Aryans' chief social unit Social Unit - In the Later Vedic texts, the was known as Jana. word Rashtra was also used for the first time. - Jana was headed by Rajan, whose main - the role of protector of the Chief/King function was to protect the territory where his tribesmen Jana and cattle from the had settled. enemies. - Not Hereditary and tribal assemblies were involved in Post of Chief BECAME HERIDATRY the selection of the raja from amongst the clansmen.  - Rajan was helped by the tribal assemblies - called sabha, samiti, which are mentioned in the - During this time, the Administration Rigveda. sabha overtook the samiti in relevance. - Sabha: council of select clan members Samiti comprised the whole clan. - The people gave the chief what is - Bali, gradually known as Bali. assumed the form of Taxes - It was simply a voluntary regular tributes and contribution made on special taxes. occasions by ordinary tribesmen.  - The Sena, or army, was a - A rudimentary army temporary fighting force emerged, and all these lived Army made up of able-bodied on the taxes offered by the tribesmen who were people. mobilised during wartime. - The clans held - The status of large yajnas or sacrifices, the officiating which were performed priests became at par Status of Brahmins by Purohita. with the gods in the later period. - They received a large portion of the rajas' gifts.  The Early Vedic Period social structure, which was largely egalitarian, became much more complex in the later Vedic period. The early Vedic society was not divided on the basis of caste, while later, Vedic society was divided on the basis of the Varna system.  - Despite the patriarchal nature of society, women played an important role in They were it. considered subordinate to men and were not involved in They had been educated Status of Women any major decision-making. and were entitled to the assemblies. Child marriages were becoming more common. They were free to choose their partners and could marry whenever they wanted. The 4 stages of life: Brahmacharya (student life) - No such system was prevalent Grihastha (householder life), Varna-Ashrama SYSTEM during the early Vedic period. and Vanaprastha (hermitage). sanyasa, the fourth stage, was added.  Early Vedic Later Vedic Period Period - Indra, Agni, Varuna, - Vishnu and Rudra, who Mitra, Dyaus, Pushana, were minor deities in the Yama, Soma, etc are all Rigveda, rose to male gods. prominence. Rigvedic Gods - The most frequently - Pushan, who used to mentioned god in the protect cattle, became the Rigveda is Indra. Shudra god  Economic Life of the Vedic Period The Rigveda hymns provide vast evidence of the significance of cattle in Vedic society. The word "gau," which means "cow," is the root of many other words. Cattle were the primary measure of wealth, and a wealthy man who owned many cattle was referred to as a "gomat.“ Conflicts and battles were referred to as gavishti, and other terms during this time period. The raja, or chief, is known as the 'gopati,' or one who protects cows. A daughter is referred to as a duhitri, or one who milks the cows. Kinship units are labelled as gotra.  DEITY WORSHIPED AS Indra God of Lightning Vayu God of Air Agni God of Fire Rudra God of Destruction Aditi Mother of Gods Usha Goddess of Dawn Varun God of Water and Morals Vishnu An aspect of Surya Prithvi Goddess of Fertility Prajapati/Adipurush Supreme God Pushan God of the Shudras  RISE OF 16 MAHAJANAPADAS Mahajanapadas were ancient Indian kingdoms or republics that emerged around the 6th century BCE Located mostly across the Indo-Gangetic plains and northern Deccan region. these Janapadas evolved into 16 major states such as Magadha, Kosala, Kuru, Panchala, etc. The Mahajanapadas established large territories with fortified capital cities, developed administrative structures and standing armies supported by flourishing agriculture and commerce. Mahajanapadas period saw development in new religious thought, urbanization, and the spread of iron technology that laid the foundations for the rise of mighty empires and centralized polity. 16 Mahajanapadas: Mahajanapadas, which means "great kingdoms" or "great states“. Geographical location: There were 16 Mahajanapadas in total that stretched across the Indo-Gangetic plains from modern-day Afghanistan to Bihar and the mountainous regions of the Himalayas to the Godavari River in the South. They were contemporary to the rise of Buddhism in India. Type of Mahajanpadas: There were two types of Mahajanapadas - monarchy (Rajyas) and republic (Ganas or Sanghas).  MAGADHA, THE MOST POWERFUL MAHAJANAPADA Rolе of Magadha: Magadha was one of the most prominent Mahajanapadas during this period. It gained significance due to its stratеgic location and its ability to consolidatе power through military strength and political alliancеs. Natural boundaries: Magadha was naturally еncirclеd by thе Ganga, Son, and Champa rivеrs to its north, wеst, and еast, respectively. This geographical layout provided natural barriers that enhanced dеfеnsе.  Stratеgic Capitals: Rajagriha or Girivraja, its first capital, was protected by five hills which made the city impregnable. Rajgriha is also the earliest example of a fortified capital city in ancient India. Pataliputra, the later capital of Magadha, was situated at the confluence of the Ganga, Son and Gandak rivers provided security to the capital and a monopoly over the riverine trade  Bimbisara (FOUNDER) used every possible means to the conquest of other janapadas. He used both matrimonial alliances and direct conquests. Ajatshatru, Bimbisara’s son, was even more ambitious. Mahapadm Nanda was also very ambitious in extending the territory of Magadha. The rulers of Magadha maintained strong standing militaries.  Jainism and Buddhism Philosophies of Jainism and Buddhism, ancient spiritual traditions that emerged during the later Vedic period [around 5 circa B.C] in India Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, seeks Nirvana through the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, while Jainism, established by Mahavira, pursues Moksha through non-violence and asceticism. \  He is also known as Siddharta, Sakyamuni & Tathagata Belong to Sakya Clan Father: Siddhodana Mother: Mayadevi GAUTAMA BUDDHA (563 Birth Place: Lumbini, capital of Sakya republic BC-483 BC) Enlightenment: At age of 33 under Peepal tree at Uruvella (Bodhgaya) on banks of river Niranjana (Falgu). First Sermon: Sarnath (Deer park) on Dharma Chakra Parivarthana. Mahakasyapa (first disciple) Mahaparinirvana: At Kushinagar at age of 80.  TRIPITAKA/ Three baskets of Buddhist scripture – SUTTAPITAKA [sutra related to Buddha and companion] VINAYPITAKA [monastic rules] and ABHIDHAMPITAKA [Doctrine and philosophy of LITERARY SOURCES: Buddhism] JATAKA FOLKLORE [stories related to birth of Buddha] MILINDAPANHA [Questions of Milinda that is greek king Meander and answers of Buddhist monk nagasena] 3 JEWELS OF BUDDHISM Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha. (TRIRATNA)  GREAT EVENTS OF BUDDHA’S LIFE SYMBOLS Jati (birth) Lotus and Bull (Great Renunciation) Horse Nirvana/ Sambodhi (enlightenment) Bodhi tree Dharmachakra Parivarthana (first Sermon) Wheel Mahapari nirvana (Death) Stupa  World is full of misery Desire is a root cause of sorrow 4 NOBLE TRUTHS: ‘ARYA SATYAS’ Desire can be conquered Desire can be conquered by following Astangika marga. Right view + Right intention + Right speech + Right action + Right livelihood + Right EIGHT-FOLD PATHS mindfulness + Right effort + Right (ASTANGIKA MARGA) concentration  The term literally means “Great Vehicle”. It originated in northern India and Kashmir and then spread east into MAHAYANA BUDDHISM Worship Buddha in idol form. Language- Sanskrit. Buddhist schools embedded in China, Korea, Tibet and Japan belong to the Mahayana tradition. Considered Lesser vehicle. It believes in the original teaching of Buddha or Doctrine of elders. Followed the original teachings of Buddha. HINAYANA Sought individual salvation through self-discipline & meditation. BUDDHISM: Did not believe in Idol worship. Language- Pali language Buddha was an intellectual, not a god.  JAINISM: History, Teachings, and Impact on Indian Culture Jainism came into prominence in 6th century B.C., when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion. The word ‘Jain’ is derived from jina or jaina which means the ‘Conqueror’. There were 24 Tirthankaras (teachers) & the first Tirthankara was Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev. The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi. The last – 24th Tirthkara was Vardhaman Mahavira. The doctrine of Jaina is older than the Buddhist doctrine.  Birth – Kundagrama near Vaishali. Belongs to Gnatrika Clan. Buddha and Mahavira were contemporaries. Parents – Siddhartha and Trisala (Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka). He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter VARDHAMAN Priyadarsana. MAHAVIRA (539-467 BC) He attained Kaivalya-highest spiritual knowledge, at the age of 42 under Sal tree. Thus, he is called Mahavir, Jina Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses), Nigrantha (free from all bonds). First sermon – At Pava Died at Pava near Rajagriha at the age of 72. Mahavira’s symbol was a lion.  Rejected authority of the Vedas & Vedic rituals. Did not believe in the existance of God. TEACHINGS OF MAHAVIRA Believed in Karma & Transmission of Soul. Emphasised the equality but did not condemn the varna system. Advocated a life of austerity and non-violence. Belief in God: Jainism recognised the existence of god but placed them lower than Jina (Mahavira). TENETS OF JAINISM Thus, Jainism believes in the “transmigration of the soul” and the “theory of Karma.”  AHIMSA: Non-injury to a living being SATYA: Do not speak a lie : Do not steal FIVE DOCTRINES OF JAINISM : Do not acquire property BRAHMACHARYA: Observe continence – added by mahavir. It can be attained through three principles called Three Jewels or Triratna i.e. THREE JEWELS/ 1. Right Faith TRIRATNA 2. Right Knowledge 3. Right Action  Monks of this sect believe in complete nudity. Male monks do not wear clothes while female monks wear unstitched plain white sarees. DIGAMBARA Believe women cannot achieve liberation. Bhadrabahu was an exponent of this sect. Monks wear white clothes. Follow only 4 vows (except brahmacharya). SHVETAMBARA Believe women can achieve liberation. Sthulabhadra was an exponent of this sect.  ALEXANDER INVASION 356 BC-323 BC Son of Philip of Macedonia / Greece. Invaded INDIA 326 BC Battle of HYDASPAS – banks of JHELUM 326 BC Defeated King PORUS Alexander captured Porus and, like the other local rulers he had defeated, allowed him to continue to govern his territory. Alexander remained in India for 19 months (326-325 B.C.), which were full of fighting in July 325 BC Alexander and his army returned westward for home.  MAURYAN EMPIRE (322-185 BCE) Chandragupta Maurya (321–297 BCE) is considered to be the founder of the Mauryan Empire. Inspired by Alexander, Chandragupta built up an army and overthrew the Nanda power in Magadha, establishing the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta’s chief minister, Kautilya, sometimes advised Chandragupta and contributed to the empire’s legacy. The Mauryan empire marks a watershed juncture in Indian history. SOURCES FOR THE MAURYAN PERIOD : Kautilya’s Arthashastra Ashokan inscriptions The most important literary source is Megasthenes’ Indica.  IN 305 BC, Chandragupta defeated Seleucas Nikator, the Greek general of Alexander. Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, was sent by Seleucus in the Chandragupta Maurya court. According to Jaina sources, Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life and abdicated the throne in favour of his son. Accompanied by Bhadrabahu, a Jaina saint, he went to Shravanabelagola (Karnataka), where he died by slow starvation (Salekhan). Period: 321 BCE- 185 BCE Capital: Patliputra  Refers to Chandragupta’s successor as Amitraghata (a slayer of enemies). He is also referred to as "Amitrochates" in Greek sources. - Conquest: He brought sixteen states under the Mauryan Empire and thus conquered almost all of the Indian peninsula. Bindusara (297 BCE-273 BCE) He conquered ‘the land between the two seas’, i.e., the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. GREEK ambassador Deimachus was the ambassador at Bindusara's court.  -During his father’s reign, he was appointed as the Viceroy of Taxila and Ujjain. - Names of Ashoka: Buddhashakya and Ashoka (in the Maski Edict), Dharmasoka (Sarnath inscription), Devanampiya (meaning beloved of the gods), and Piyadassi (given in the Sri Lankan Buddhist chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa). - Kalinga War: Fought between Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. After witnessing so much loss of life during the war, Ashoka ASHOKA (272 abandoned violence and established peace and harmony in his BCE –232 BCE) kingdom. - Religion: Proponent of Buddhism; Organised 3rd Buddhist Council at Pataliputra. - Dhamma: The word ‘Dhamma’ is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word ‘Dharma’. The Ashokan edicts were written primarily to explain to the people throughout the empire the principles of Dhamma.  IMPORTANT OFFICIALS: Mantri – Chief Minister Mantriparishad Adhyaksha – Head of Council Of Minister Purohita – Chief priest Senapati – Commander-In-Chief Yuvaraj – Crown Prince Samaharta – Revenue Collector. -Briha dratha was the last Mauryan emperor. - According to some sources, he Briha dratha was assassinated by his (187 BCE - 185 BCE) Brahman commander-in- chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, who went on to establish the Shunga Empire.  POST - MAURYANS This Post Mauryan Period witnessed the clash, the rise and fall of a number of smaller kingdoms. The native dynasties like Shungas, Satavahanas, and the Kanvas ruled in BACKGROUND eastern India, central India and the Deccan region. Foreigners like Indo-Greeks or Bactrians, Sakas, the Parthians and the Kushanas ruled in north-western India Shunga Dynasty Period: 185 BC - 73 BC Capital: Pataliputra and Vidisha - It was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga by assassinating the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.  Vasudeva Kanva killed his king Devabhuti of Shunga and founded Kanva with Patliputra as their capital. KANVA DYNASTY (73 BC – 28 BC) The last Kanva king Susarman was killed by the Satavahana (Andhra) king. Chedi Dynasty (1ST CENTURY BCE) Capital: Suktimati-Puri - Founded by King Abhichandra in Kalinga around the 1st century BC, with Suktimati- Puri as its capital.  ORIGIN OF GUPTA EMPIRE The Gupta Rule witnessed all round progress i.e. in spheres of art, architecture Literature science and technology metallurgy and philosophy regarded as the Golden Age of Ancient India. Sri Gupta was the first ruler of the Gupta Dynasty followed by his son.  RULER OF GUPTA RELATED INFORMATION EMPIRE First important ruler of the Gupta Empire was Chandragupta-I (319 CE – 330/335 CE) who is considered the actual founder of the Gupta Dynasty. CHANDRAGUPTA-I He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraj’. (319 CE – 330/335 CE) Chandragupta-I married the Licchavi princess Kumardevi and increased his influence in the North Bihar region (Nepal) Gold Coins bearing the figures of Kumardevi and Chandragupta 1st known as Kumardevi Coins were issued.  The son of Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta, became the next ruler. Samudragupta’s court poet, a scholar and minister, Harishena. He issued Ashwamedh coins, Tiger-slayer coin, Battle-axe SAMUDRAGUPTA (335 CE coin and Veena-Coin in which he is displayed playing the – 375/380 CE) Veena. Samudragupta was not only a conqueror but also a great poet, musician and patron of learning. Samudragupta’s successful conquests has earned him the title of ‘Napoleon of India’.  Coming to the throne, Chandragupta-II defeated the Sakas in western region (Gujarat, Kathiawar and west Malwa) assumed the title of ‘Vikramaditya’ and ruled from Ujjain. Chandragupta-II was the first ruler of Gupta Empire to CHANDRAGUPTA-II issue silver coins bearing lion figures similar in pattern with (380 CE – 414 CE) Saka coins. Mehrauli iron pillar inscription (Delhi’s Qutub-minar complex) records of Chandragupta-II. Kalidasa and Amarsinha lived in his court. Chinese Buddhist monk Fa-hein visited his court.  Inscription refers to king Kumaragupta I as ruler of 4 oceans, ‘Maharajadhiraj’. KUMARGUPTA I (414 CE – 455 CE) Kumargupta I issued Karti keya type coins bearing the figure of peacock. During his reign Nalanda University was established.  Son of Kumargupta I, Skandgupta, during his lifetime bravely fought and defeated Hunas on the North-Western frontier. SKANDAGUPTA (455 CE – 467 CE) Got the Sudarshan Lake repaired (Junagadh inscription). Skandagupta’s death in 467 CE was followed by incompetent successors who could not keep the empire intact. Feudal lords (recipients of the land grants) started asserting themselves and started setting up their own dynasties. Decline of Gupta Empire Vishnugupta (540 CE- 550 CE) was the last recognized Gupta ruler.  Harshavardhana: Empire of Harsha. Empire of Harsha – King Harshavardhana’s Empire.. After the decline of Gupta empire, a number of Kingdoms appeared in the North India: Harshavardhana’s ancestors (Pushyabhutis) in western U.P., eastern Punjab with their capitals at Kannauj and Thaneswar (Panipat-Topara).  He assumed titles of Uttarapathapati (Lord of the North). Hieun Tsang, in his book, has appreciated Harshvardhan’s justice and (generosity). Harshavardhan a The able military commander and good administrator, died in 647 CE (606 CE – 647 without heir and is regarded as the last Hindu King to have ruled a CE) large part of North India Hence, He’s death also marks the end of Pushyabhuti dynasty and beginning of Muslim rule over North India.