From the Mauryas to the Guptas May 2009 Chetan Vaity.
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Transcript of From the Mauryas to the Guptas May 2009 Chetan Vaity.
From the Mauryas to the Guptas
May 2009Chetan Vaity
Ashoka's empire
After Ashoka ...
Ashoka died in 232 BC For another 50 years,
Mauryan kings rule from Magadha
In 183 BC, Pushyamitra Shunga, a senapati of Brhadratha – the last Mauryan king – grabs power through a palace revolution
Maurya on timeline
Shunga
Centered around Vidisha
Vassal states – more or less independent
Issued their own coins Little known about
Magadha
Other kings: Agnimitra, Vasumitra, Bhagabhadra
Greeks from Bactria
Demetrius – in early 2nd century BC – occupied Indus Valley and Punjab
Raids till Pataliputra
Divided into several petty kingdoms
One of the Greek kings, Menander, (ruler of Sakala - Sialkot) is well remembered in Buddhist sources
"The Questions of Milinda" - his dialogue with monk Nagasena
Shunga on timeline
Kushana
In first half of 1st century, the Kushana tribe of the Yeuh-Chi gained control of NW India
Kanishka
Kanishka ruled till Varanasi - remembered as a great patron of Buddhism
Kanishka's coronation - AD 78 (?)
4th Buddhist council in Kashmir
Soon, this empire too reduced and NW India came under control of the Persians
Kushana on timeline
Kharavela of Kalinga
Latter half of 1st century BC
Short lived empire
Satvahanas of the Deccan
Centered around Pratishthan (Paithan)
Long lived empire – almost 300 years
Influence reached beyond Narmada
The Saka threat
For a short time, Sakas under Nahapana gained control of NW Deccan
Gautamiputra Satkarni (Shalivahan)
In AD 125, Gautamiputra Satkarni recovered these lands and expanded his empire - from coast to coast
Timeline
Stupas - Sanchi
Commissioned by Ashoka May have been destroyed by Pushyamitra Sunga
Rebuilt by Agnimitra Sunga Gateways added by Satvahanas
Stupas - Amravati
Amravati Originally started by
Ashoka Completed in 200 AD
Ajanta
Trade with Rome
Roman trade Ports:
Barbaricum (Karachi) Barygaza (Bharuch) Calliena (Kalyan) – via
Naneghat Suppala (Sopara)
“India, China and the Arabian peninsula take one hundred million sesterces from our empire per annum at a conservative estimate: that is what our
luxuries and women cost us.” - Pliny (50 AD)