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Post Mauryan India – History Study Material & Notes

India after Mauryas was a not a very remarkable period for political solidarity but it saw
development of Indian culture to a great extent. There were invasions from various foreign tribes
but the Indian society absorbed these infiltrators and continued its development by making
alterations and additions in itself. This period proved the strength of Indian culture and society to
withstand invasions.

After the successors of Ashoka failed to keep the empire intact, various small kingdoms emerged
in the face of Indian subcontinent. The Mauryan Dynasty was soon replaced by the Sunga
dynasty.

The Sunga Dynasty:

The founder of Sunga dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga(187-151 BC). He had assasinated the last
Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha to capture the throne. By this time much of the Mauryan empire was
disintegrated.

● The sourthen parts were under the Satvahans.

● The North-western areas were facing Bactrian Greek invasions.
● Pushyamitra Sunga struggled to keep the area under his control.
● He kept the Greek invasions in check, this has been considered his major achievement.
● Pushyamitra was asupporter of Brahmanical traditions. He revived the practise of
‘Ashwamedha yajna’.
● He also contributed in construction of the Buddhist stupa at Barhut.

After the death of Pushyamitra, his son Agnimitra became ruler. He conquered the Vidarbha area.

The last ruler of Sunga dynasty was their 9th ruler, Devabhuti. He was murdered by his minister
Vasudeva Kanva.

Importance of Sunga Rule: The Sunga defended the Gangetic valley from foreign invasions.
They revived the Brahmanical traditions (Ashwamedha). They also promoted other religions and
Sanskrit language.

Kanva Dynasty:
It was founded by Vasudeva Kanva. This dynasty was Brahmin in caste, believed to be
descendents of Rishi Kanva. The kingdom at the time of Vasudeva Kanva was much reduced in its
extent. Not much is known about the rulers of this dynasty. The last king of Kanvas was
Susarman.

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The Satvahana Dynasty:
After the decline of Mauryan Empire in Deccan, the Satavahanas became politically prominent in
the middle of the 1st century BC. They were the most important native successors of Mauryas.

Gautamiputra Satakarni (1st century A.D.) was the greatest of the Satavahana rulers. He
extended the Satavahana rule by defeating the Shaka ruler Nahapana of Western India. The
kingdom of Gautamiputra Satkarni extended from river Krishna in south to the river Godavari in
north. The Satavahana capital was situated at Pratishthana (modern day Paithan near
Aurangabad in Maharashtra).

The Chedis/Chetas of Kalinga:

In the middle of 1st century B.C. , Kalinga rose to power under the king Kharavela. He was a Jain
as mentioned in his inscriptions. He made various conquests which are recorded as his
achievements on an inscription, known a
Hathigumpha inscription, located in the Udayagiri hills near Bhuvaneshvar, Orissa. This inscription
is named such because the image of an elephant is carved out of stone next to the boulder
carrying the inscription. Not much is known about this dynasty other than the Hathigumpha
inscription.

The Bactrian Indo-Greeks:

After death of Alexander in 323 BC, various Greeks settled on the north-western boarder of India
in the present day north of Afghanistan. It should be noted that the rulers of Bactria are called the
Bactrian-Greeks, because they were Hellenistic (Greek) in their ancestry.
During the time of Pushyamitra Sunga the invaders were ruled by Demetrius. However, the most
revered Indo-Greek ruler was King Menander. His empire included the southern Afghanisthan and
Gandhara region( to the west of Indus). He has been referred to as king Milinda who finds mention
in the famous Buddhist text ‘Milindapanho’ -in which philosophical questions asked by Milinda
to Nagasena (the Buddhist author of the text) are described in detail.The capital of his kingdom
was Sakala (Sialcot). He later embraced Buddhism. Also, a Greek ambassador Heliodorus
adopted Vaishnavite religion and erected the Garuda Pillar at Besnagar. The Greek influence in
India then lasted for more than a century after the death of King Menander.

The Sakas Dynasty:

The Sakas also known as the Scythians captured Bactria from the Greek rulers and followed the
footsteps of the Greeks to extend their rule over the northwestern parts of India. There were two
distict groups of Sakas – Northern Satraps who ruled from Taxila ; and the Western satraps who
ruled over Maharashtra. The founder the Saka rule in India in the 1st century B.C. was Maues.
And his successor Azes I, is considered to be the founder of the ‘Vikrama era’.
The most famous of the Shaka rulers was Rudradaman I who ruled in the middle of 2nd century
AD. He is known to have undertook the repairs of the Sudarshana Lake, which was originally built
during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. This has been mentioned on an inscription which he got
engraved at Girnar/Junagarh in Gujarat. This inscription is the first royal inscription of India which
is composed in chaste Sanskrit. Saka rulers of Taxila were overthrown by the Parthians.

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The Parthians:
The Parthians were Iranians in origin and had strong cultural connection with the Shakas,. Thats
why these both groups are referred to as ‘Shaka-Pahlava’. The inscription that indicates the
Parthian rule in the northwestern area of Pakistan is the ‘Takht-i-Bahi’ inscription at Mardan near
Peshawar. It is dated in 45 AD, and refers to Gondophernes /Gondophares as a Parthian ruler. He
is believed to have taken up Chritianity by association with St. Thomas.

The Kushanas:
The Parthians were followed by the Kushanas alos known as Yuehis or Tocharians. They were
one of the five clans in the Yuechi tribe. And there were two successive dynasties in the
Kushanas.

The first dynasty was founded by Kadphises, who ruled for 28 years from A.D. 50. This had two
Kings, Kadphises I and II or Vima Kadphises. Kanishka was the greatest Kushana king who
spread his kingdom beyond the western Himalayas also. He popularized Buddhism in Tibet,
China, and Central Asia.

Post Mauryan Developments in Culture & Society – History Study Material & Notes

Art and culture in the post Mauryan period was primarily with religious undertone. The two most
important features that characterise art and architecture of this period are the construction of
Stupas, and the development of regional schools of Sculpture. These topics remain a favorite of
various examiners also. Therefore this article will serve as good revision tool.
The idols of Buddha were carved out for the first time in this period of Ancient Indian history. Due
to contact with the foreigners coming from northwest, a specific distinct school of art known as the
‘Gandhara School of Art’ also developed in this period. This school of sculpture was influenced by
the Greek and Roman styles/art forms.

The Stupas:
Basically, A stupa is a large hemispherical dome having a central chamber in which the relics of
Buddha or some prominent Buddhist monk were kept inside a small casket.
The base of stupa was surrounded by a path meant for clockwise circumambulation/pradakshina.
It was enclosed by a wooden railing, which later developed to be made in stone.
Three prominent stupas belonging to this period are located at Bharhut and Sanchi, both fall in
Madhya Pradesh, were originally built by Ashoka but were subjected to enlargement later.
The Bharhut Stupa in its present form and structure was from middle of 2nd century B.C. It has
important sculptures and its railings are made of red stone.
At Sanchi, three big stupas were constructed in this period. The biggest was built originally by
Ashoka, and later enlarged to double its size.
Other Stupa are located at Amravati and Nagarjunkonda, both in Andhra Pradesh.
The Amravati Stupa, attained its final shape in the 2nd century A.D.
It should be noted that the sculptures on the stupas are based on themes of Jataka and other
Buddhist stories.

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Rock Cut Architecture:
The post Mauryan period marks a progress in the rock cut architecture apart from stupas. A
large number of temples and halls as well as places of residence for monks were made in this
period. These structures were cut out of the solid rocks near Pune and Nasik in Maharashtra, this
was under the Satavahanas. The places of worship generally had a shrine cell with a large stupa
that are placed in the centre. These places was known as Chaitya and the rock cut structure that
are used as the residence for monks were called a Vihara.

Schools of Sculptural Art:

The 1st century had witnessed the division of Buddhism in two different sects of Hinayana
and Mahayana. The Mahayana Buddhism then encouraged Buddha’s worship like a god in
human form. Thus as a result, a large number of Buddha images were constructed in different
regions across India. There were three major schools for sculptural art and culture, which
developed in this period. These schools are – the Mathura school of art, the Gandhara School of
art and the Amravati school of art.

The Mathura School of Art:

This prominent school of art developed at Mathura in UP. The Mathura school’s major contribution
to the contemporary art was the type of images of Buddha which were created as the precedent
of the art form. The Mathura artists were using local red stone which had black spots to create the
Buddha images.
The Mathura school yielded a large numbers of sculptures of Jaina deities as well besides
the ayagapatas(stone slabs) to place objects of worship on them.
There was Brahmanical influence on the art of Mathura school, which is evident in the sculptures.
Also, during the Kushana period a number of sculptures of brahmanical deities were also carved,
like Kartikeya, Vishnu and Kubera. These show that Brahmanical influence.

The Gandhara School of Art

The Gandhara School of art deveolped around the area surrounding Peshawar. This school of art
was at its peak during the 1st and 2nd century A.D.
This region had seen successive rule of the Greeks, the Mauryas, the Sungas, the Shakas, and
the Kushanas for many centuries. This gave a distinct character to the Gandhara school of art.
Since it began around the Christian era, it has also been known as Graeco-Roman, Indo Greek,
Graeco-Buddhist art form because it has all the influences coming from the Roman, Greek and
Indian styles.
The theme of sculptures in Gandhara school is predominently Buddhist ,but the style is Greek.
The chief patrons of the Gandhara school of art were the Shakas and the Kushanas. The stones
used for making the idols of Buddha and Bodhisattava was primarily blue-grey schist.
The chief characteristics of the Gandhara school of art is its beautiful portrayal of human figures
complete with distinguished muscles of the body.

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In the sculptures, Buddha is depicted with a distinct type of garment draped in Graeco-Roman
fashion, with very curly hair. These beautiful images are considered the best pieces of sculptures
of Buddha.

The Amravati School of Art:

The Amravati school of art had flourished in Andhra Pradesh region located between the lower
valley of river Krishna and Godavari. Major patrons of Amravati art form were the Satavahans of
Deccan, but it continued even later.
This art flourished between 150 BC and 350 AD. The sculptures of Amravati school of art are
mainly found located on the railings, the plinths and other such parts of the stupas.
The representations on the sculptures include the themes of stories from the life of Buddha. That
is why an important characteristic of the Amravati school is its ‘narrative art’.
There are medal- lions carved in a particular manner that they depict an event in a very natural
way. For instance, one of the medallion depicts a whole story about taming of an elephant by
Buddha.
Another significant feature of the Amravati art is- use of white marble for carving the figures of
humans. The specific emphasis on human figures over the nature is also a distinct feature of the
Amravati art school.

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The decline of the Mauryan Empire led to the rise of various regional kingdoms. Which among the following was not
one of these kingdoms?

a) Satavahanas

b) Kushanas

c) Guptas

d) Cholas

Solution: d) Cholas

The Sunga dynasty emerged as a ruling power after the fall of the Mauryan Empire. Their capital city was:

a) Pataliputra

b) Ujjain

c) Mathura

d) Vidisha

Solution: b) Ujjain

The Kushana Empire, which played a significant role in the Silk Road trade, was ruled by:

a) Kanishka

b) Ashoka

c) Harsha

d) Chandragupta I

Solution: a) Kanishka

The Satavahana dynasty, also known as the Andhras, ruled over a large part of South India. Their capital city was:

a) Pratishthana

b) Amaravati

c) Pataliputra

d) Ujjain

Solution: a) Pratishthana

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The rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora are associated with which dynasty?

a) Sungas

b) Satavahanas

c) Kushanas

d) Guptas

Solution: b) Satavahanas

The Gupta Empire is often regarded as the "Golden Age" of ancient India. Its most famous ruler was:

a) Chandragupta Maurya

b) Ashoka

c) Harsha

d) Chandragupta I

Solution: d) Chandragupta I

The Gupta Empire witnessed significant advancements in which field?

a) Architecture

b) Mathematics

c) Literature

d) All of the above

Solution: d) All of the above

The Gupta period is known for its significant contributions to mathematics. One of the most notable achievements
was the concept of:

a) Zero

b) Decimal system

c) Pi

d) Algebra

Solution: b) Decimal system

The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of which Gupta ruler?

a) Chandragupta I

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b) Samudragupta

c) Chandragupta II

d) Kumaragupta I

Solution: c) Chandragupta II

The famous iron pillar located in Delhi, known for its corrosion resistance, was erected during the reign of:

a) Chandragupta Maurya

b) Ashoka

c) Samudragupta

d) Chandragupta II

Solution: d) Chandragupta II

The Ajanta Caves, renowned for their Buddhist paintings, are located in which present-day state of India?

a) Maharashtra

b) Madhya Pradesh

c) Uttar Pradesh

d) Bihar

Solution: a) Maharashtra

The Huna invasions in North India were successfully repelled by which Gupta ruler?

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Chandragupta II

d) Kumaragupta I

Solution: c) Chandragupta II

The Harsha Empire, also known as the Vardhana dynasty, flourished in which part of India?

a) North India

b) South India

c) East India

d) West India

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Solution: a) North India

Harsha is famous for his play "Nagananda," which was written in which language?

a) Sanskrit

b) Prakrit

c) Tamil

d) Pali

Solution: a) Sanskrit

The famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited India during the reign of which ruler?

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Chandragupta II

d) Harsha

Solution: d) Harsha

The Pala dynasty, known for its patronage of Buddhism, ruled over which region of India?

a) Bengal

b) Gujarat

c) Karnataka

d) Punjab

Solution: a) Bengal

The Nalanda University, one of the oldest universities in the world, was founded during the reign of which dynasty?

a) Sungas

b) Satavahanas

c) Guptas

d) Palas

Solution: d) Palas

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The Chalukya dynasty, known for its architectural marvels like the temples at Pattadakal and Aihole, ruled over which
region of India?

a) Deccan

b) Bengal

c) Kashmir

d) Rajasthan

Solution: a) Deccan

The Rashtrakuta dynasty, known for its military conquests and patronage of art and literature, ruled over which
region of India?

a) Deccan

b) Bengal

c) Kashmir

d) Rajasthan

Solution: a) Deccan

The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, which had its capital at Kannauj, ruled over which region of India?

a) North India

b) South India

c) East India

d) West India

Solution: a) North India

The Chola dynasty, known for its maritime trade and temple architecture, flourished in which part of India?

a) South India

b) North India

c) East India

d) West India

Solution: a) South India

The Western Chalukya dynasty, also known as the Kalyani Chalukyas, ruled over which region of India?

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a) Deccan

b) Bengal

c) Kashmir

d) Rajasthan

Solution: a) Deccan

The Delhi Sultanate was established by which dynasty?

a) Khilji dynasty

b) Tughlaq dynasty

c) Slave dynasty

d) Lodi dynasty

Solution: c) Slave dynasty

The Vijayanagara Empire, known for its grand architecture and patronage of the arts, was founded by:

a) Krishnadevaraya

b) Bukka Raya I

c) Harihara I

d) Devaraya II

Solution: c) Harihara I

The Mughal Empire in India was founded by:

a) Akbar

b) Aurangzeb

c) Shah Jahan

d) Babur

Solution: d) Babur

The Maratha Empire, which challenged Mughal authority in India, reached its zenith under the rule of:

a) Chhatrapati Shivaji

b) Bajirao I

c) Balaji Baji Rao

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d) Peshwa Madhavrao I

Solution: c) Balaji Baji Rao

The Anglo-Maratha Wars took place between the Maratha Empire and which colonial power?

a) British

b) French

c) Dutch

d) Portuguese

Solution: a) British

The British East India Company defeated the last independent Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, in the Battle of:

a) Plassey

b) Buxar

c) Panipat

d) Waterloo

Solution: a) Plassey

The British introduced the "Doctrine of Lapse" policy during the rule of which Governor-General of India?

a) Lord Cornwallis

b) Lord Dalhousie

c) Lord Canning

d) Lord Curzon

Solution: b) Lord Dalhousie

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, began in which city?

a) Meerut

b) Delhi

c) Lucknow

d) Jhansi

Solution: a) Meerut

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The Shunga dynasty, which succeeded the Mauryan Empire, patronized which form of art?

a) Painting

b) Sculpture

c) Literature

d) Dance

Solution: b) Sculpture

The famous stupa at Sanchi, known for its elaborate carvings and architectural beauty, was commissioned by:

a) Ashoka

b) Kanishka

c) Harsha

d) Chandragupta I

Solution: a) Ashoka

The Satavahanas, who ruled in South India, were patrons of which art form?

a) Painting

b) Sculpture

c) Literature

d) Music

Solution: c) Literature

The Andhra Ikshvaku dynasty, a successor of the Satavahanas, was known for its patronage of:

a) Architecture

b) Music

c) Drama

d) Sculpture

Solution: c) Drama

The Mathura School of Art, known for its sculptures depicting Hindu gods and goddesses, flourished during the reign
of which dynasty?

a) Sungas

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b) Kushanas

c) Guptas

d) Pallavas

Solution: b) Kushanas

The Gupta period is often referred to as the "Golden Age" of Indian art and literature. Which ruler was particularly
known for his patronage of the arts?

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Chandragupta II

d) Kumaragupta I

Solution: c) Chandragupta II

The Ajanta Caves, famous for their exquisite murals depicting Buddhist themes, are located in which present-day
state of India?

a) Maharashtra

b) Madhya Pradesh

c) Uttar Pradesh

d) Bihar

Solution: a) Maharashtra

The Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcase a unique blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art. They are
situated in which state of India?

a) Maharashtra

b) Madhya Pradesh

c) Karnataka

d) Rajasthan

Solution: a) Maharashtra

The Harsha Charita, a biography of Emperor Harsha, was written by:

a) Kalidasa

b) Bana Bhatta

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c) Ashvaghosha

d) Amara Simha

Solution: b) Bana Bhatta

The Pala dynasty, known for its patronage of Buddhist art and learning, ruled over which region of India?

a) Bengal

b) Gujarat

c) Karnataka

d) Punjab

Solution: a) Bengal

The Nalanda University, one of the oldest universities in the world, thrived during the reign of which dynasty?

a) Sungas

b) Satavahanas

c) Guptas

d) Palas

Solution: d) Palas

The Pala period witnessed the development of a unique style of temple architecture known as:

a) Dravidian style

b) Nagara style

c) Vesara style

d) Pala style

Solution: d) Pala style

The Chalukya dynasty, known for its architectural marvels like the temples at Pattadakal and Aihole, flourished in
which region of India?

a) Deccan

b) Bengal

c) Kashmir

d) Rajasthan

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Solution: a) Deccan

The Rashtrakuta dynasty, famous for its patronage of art and literature, developed a distinctive style of temple
architecture known as:

a) Dravidian style

b) Nagara style

c) Vesara style

d) Rashtrakuta style

Solution: c) Vesara style

The Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were carved out of:

a) Sandstone

b) Granite

c) Basalt

d) Marble

Solution: c) Basalt

The Hoysala dynasty, known for its intricate temple architecture, ruled over which region of India?

a) Deccan

b) Bengal

c) Kashmir

d) Rajasthan

Solution: a) Deccan

The Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotional love and worship, gained prominence during the Post Mauryan
period. It was influenced by which religion?

a) Buddhism

b) Jainism

c) Hinduism

d) Islam

Solution: c) Hinduism

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The Alvars and Nayanars were associated with which religious movement of the Post Mauryan period?

a) Bhakti movement

b) Sufi movement

c) Buddhist revival

d) Jain reform

Solution: a) Bhakti movement

The Bhakti movement had a profound impact on the development of regional languages. Which language became
the medium of expression for the Alvars in South India?

a) Tamil

b) Telugu

c) Kannada

d) Malayalam

Solution: a) Tamil

The Sufi movement, which emphasized mystical devotion, gained popularity during the Post Mauryan period. It was
influenced by which religion?

a) Buddhism

b) Jainism

c) Hinduism

d) Islam

Solution: d) Islam

The Chishti order of Sufism was founded by:

a) Moinuddin Chishti

b) Nizamuddin Auliya

c) Baba Farid

d) Rumi

Solution: a) Moinuddin Chishti

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The Bhakti and Sufi movements emphasized religious tolerance and harmony. One of the prominent exponents of
this syncretic tradition was:

a) Kabir

b) Guru Nanak

c) Ravidas

d) Basava

Solution: b) Guru Nanak

The Pahari school of painting, known for its vibrant colors and depiction of nature, emerged in which region of India?

a) Punjab

b) Gujarat

c) Rajasthan

d) Himachal Pradesh

Solution: d) Himachal Pradesh

The Mughal Empire in India was known for its patronage of which form of art?

a) Painting

b) Sculpture

c) Literature

d) Music

Solution: a) Painting

The Mughal ruler Akbar established the "Ibadat Khana" (House of Worship) to promote religious discussions among
scholars from different faiths. Where was it located?

a) Fatehpur Sikri

b) Agra

c) Delhi

d) Lahore

Solution: a) Fatehpur Sikri

The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the magnificent Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his beloved wife. In which city is
it located?

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a) Agra

b) Delhi

c) Jaipur

d) Lucknow

Solution: a) Agra

The Bhakti and Sufi movements had a significant impact on the development of Indian music. Which style of classical
music emerged during this period?

a) Hindustani classical music

b) Carnatic classical music

c) Rabindra Sangeet

d) Qawwali

Solution: a) Hindustani classical music

The development of Indian dance forms, such as Kathak and Odissi, was influenced by the Bhakti and Sufi traditions.
Which ruler was known for his patronage of dance and music?

a) Krishnadevaraya

b) Akbar

c) Ashoka

d) Harsha

Solution: b) Akbar

The Post Mauryan period witnessed the emergence of regional literature in various languages. Which literary work,
composed in Tamil, became a classic of Tamil literature?

a) Ramayana

b) Mahabharata

c) Silappadikaram

d) Manimekalai

Solution: c) Silappadikaram

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