TLDR;
This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the Mauryan Empire's decline and the subsequent rise of various dynasties in India. It covers the key rulers, their contributions, and the socio-political landscape of the time. The lecture also discusses the various invasions from Central Asia and their impact on Indian society.
- The Mauryan Empire was succeeded by the Shunga, Kanva, and Satavahana dynasties.
- Central Asian invasions by Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, and Kushans significantly influenced Indian culture and politics.
- Key figures like Kanishka and Gautamiputra Satakarni played crucial roles in shaping the era.
Introduction: Overview of the Lecture [0:00]
The lecture will cover the end of the Mauryan Empire and the subsequent period, including the rise of new dynasties and foreign invasions. It builds upon the previous lecture, which discussed the Mahajanapadas and the dynasties that ruled Magadha. The lecture aims to provide a clear understanding of the events and their significance.
Background: Recap of Previous Lecture [0:05]
The previous lecture covered the 16 Mahajanapadas mentioned in Anguttara Nikaya and Bhagwati Sutra. Magadha emerged as the most powerful, with dynasties like Haryanka, Shishunaga, and Nanda ruling it. The Nanda dynasty's last ruler, Dhanananda, was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya, who established the Mauryan Empire. Alexander the Great's invasion during Dhanananda's time was also discussed.
Mauryan Dynasty: Foundation and Sources [2:04]
Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Kautilya (also known as Vishnugupta or Chanakya), defeated Dhanananda in 322 BC, establishing the Mauryan Empire. Key sources of information about this period include Kautilya's Arthashastra, divided into 17 parts, and Megasthenes' Indica, written by a Greek traveler during Chandragupta Maurya's reign. Other sources include Jataka tales, Deepavamsa, Mahavamsa, and Divyavadana. Chandragupta Maurya also defeated Seleucus Nicator and married his daughter, Helena.
Mauryan Rulers: Bindusara and Ashoka [4:49]
Bindusara, Chandragupta Maurya's son, was known to the Greeks as Amitrochates and patronized the Ajivika sect founded by Makkhali Gosala. Ashoka, Bindusara's son, is a significant ruler who expanded the Mauryan Empire. Eight years after his coronation, in 261 BC, he fought the Kalinga War, which led him to adopt Buddhism. He replaced Bherighosha with Dhammaghosha, embracing a path of peace and righteousness.
Ashoka's Edicts: Rock and Pillar Edicts [7:30]
Ashoka propagated his principles through various edicts on rocks and pillars. There are 14 major rock edicts, with the 13th rock edict mentioning the Kalinga War. James Prinsep deciphered these edicts in 1837 AD. The edicts were written in Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic languages, using Brahmi, Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic scripts. Ashoka's name, Devanampiya Piyadasi, is found in minor rock edicts at Maski, Gujjara, Brahmagiri, and Nittur.
Pillar Edicts and Caves [11:49]
The pillar edicts, totaling seven, are structured with a shaft, inverted lotus, abacus, and capital. The seventh edict is exclusively found on the Delhi-Topra pillar. Important pillar capitals include the bull at Rampurva (now in the President's House) and the lion at Lauriya Araraj and Lauriya Nandangarh. The Sarnath pillar edict features four lions and a Dharma Chakra, adopted as India's national emblem on January 24, 1950. Ashoka also built caves for Buddhists, such as the Lomas Rishi Cave in Bihar, while his grandson Dasharatha built the Nagarjuni Caves.
Mauryan Administration: Key Elements and Society [15:55]
Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Mauryan Empire, assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga dynasty. Kautilya's Saptanga theory outlines the seven essential elements of governance: Raja (king), Amatya (secretary), Janapada (territory), Durga (fort), Kosha (treasury), Sena (army), and Mitra (friend). The Mauryan Empire had civil courts (Dharmasthiya) governed by Vyavaharika and criminal courts (Kantaka Shodhana) governed by state officials. Society was divided into four varnas, although Megasthenes incorrectly noted seven.
Mauryan Economy: Taxation and Ports [18:06]
The Mauryan economy relied on various taxes, including land revenue (1/4 to 1/6 of produce), water tax (Udakabhaga), and taxes on army supplies (Senabhaktam). Bali, a voluntary offering in the Early Vedic Age, became mandatory in the Later Vedic Age, then voluntary again during the Mauryan period. Key ports included Bharuch and Sopara on the western side and Tamralipta on the eastern side.
Mauryan Officers and Municipal Administration [20:12]
Important officers included the Chief Treasury Officer (Sannidhata), Collector General of Revenue (Samaharta), Accountant General (Akshapatalika), and officers in charge of agriculture (Sitadhyaksha) and markets (Sansthadhyaksha). Megasthenes noted that municipal administration was divided into six committees, each with five members. Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka (Tamraparni) to propagate Buddhism.
Post-Mauryan Dynasties: Shunga Dynasty [23:12]
Pushyamitra Shunga, a staunch follower of Hinduism, assassinated Brihadratha and established the Shunga dynasty. Their capital was Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh). They followed Hinduism but also patronized Buddhism, as seen in the Bharhut Stupa. Agnimitra was Pushyamitra's son, and Patanjali, who wrote Mahabhashya, was his contemporary. The love story of Agnimitra and Malavika is featured in Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitram.
Kanva Dynasty and Satavahana Dynasty [24:26]
Devabhuti was the last ruler of the Shunga dynasty, killed by Vasudeva, who established the Kanva dynasty. The Kanva dynasty was limited to a smaller region. The Satavahana dynasty, based in the Maharashtra region, was founded by Simuka. Their capital was Paithan or Pratishthan. Gautamiputra Satakarni was one of their greatest rulers, defeating the Saka ruler Nahapana.
Satavahana Dynasty: Contributions and Society [25:32]
The Satavahanas started making lead coins and followed the Brahmin religion while also patronizing Buddhism by building Chaityas and Viharas. They had a matrilineal society, using their mother's names. They started the practice of donating land to Brahmins and Buddhists and contributed to the construction of Ajanta and Ellora caves. Stupas at Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda were also built during their rule.
Central Asian Invasions: Indo-Greeks [27:26]
Following the decline of the Mauryan Empire, Central Asian invasions began. The Indo-Greeks were the first to invade India, with Menander (Milinda) being a notable ruler. Nagasena converted Milinda to Buddhism, documented in the Milinda Panha. The Indo-Greeks introduced gold coins and coins featuring king's portraits. They also contributed to Hellenistic art, influencing Gandhara art in the North-Western part of India.
Other Dynasties: Chedi Dynasty [28:55]
During the same period as the Satavahanas and Kanvas, the Chedi dynasty ruled in Kalinga. Kharavela was their most important ruler, known for the Hathigumpha inscription and the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, which are associated with Jainism.
Shakas and Kushans: Expansion and Impact [30:31]
The Shakas (Scythians) had five branches and introduced the Kshatrapa system (military governorship). A ruler named Vikramaditya defeated the Shakas, starting the Vikram Samvat calendar in 57 BC. Rudradaman was a famous Saka ruler, known for repairing the Sudarshan Lake, which was initially built during Chandragupta Maurya's time. The Kushans, also known as Yuezhi, shifted their capital from Peshawar to Mathura and controlled the ancient Silk Route.
Kushan Dynasty: Rulers and Contributions [34:07]
Kanishka, known as the second Ashoka, was a powerful Kushan ruler who patronized the Fourth Buddhist Council, leading to the emergence of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. The Kushans introduced the purest form of gold coins and controlled the Silk Route. They were integrated into Indian society and did not force their religion.
Kushan Society and Cultural Impact [36:10]
The Central Asian invaders, including Greeks, Scythians, and Kushans, integrated into Indian society. They introduced horse riding techniques, turbans, and sherwanis. The Kushans also followed the Kshatrapa system. Art and literature flourished during their time, with Ashvaghosha writing Buddhacharita, and texts like Kama Sutra, Charaka Samhita (by Charaka), and Sushruta Samhita (by Sushruta) being produced. Charaka is known as the Father of Medicine, and Sushruta as the Father of Surgery.
Summary and Conclusion [37:44]
The lecture recaps the key points, including the succession of dynasties after the Mauryans (Shunga, Kanva, Satavahana) and the Central Asian invasions (Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, Kushans). Key figures like Pushyamitra Shunga, Vasudeva, Simuka, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Menander, and Kanishka are highlighted. The lecture concludes by noting the cultural and political impacts of these dynasties and invasions on ancient India.
