The Post Mauryan Period

Topics Included
• Introduction
• Sangam Age
• The Cholas
• The Cheras
• The Pandyas
• The Kushanas
• Kanishka
• The Satavahanas
• Trade
• The Silk Route
• Religion
• Spread of Buddhism

1. Class 6 | Social Studies The Post Mauryan Period

2. Post Mauryan Period After the death of Asoka, his successors were not able to keep the vast Mauryan Empire intact. The provinces started declaring their independence. The northwest India slipped out of the control of the Mauryas and a series of foreign invasions affected this region. Kalinga declared its independence and in the further south the Satavahanas established their independent rule. As a result, the Mauryan rule was confined to the Gangetic valley and it was soon replaced by the Sunga dynasty.

3. Sangam Age Tamilakam or the Tamil region, known today as South India, lies south of the Krishna river. It was ruled by the Cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas . The Sangam literature, is our main source of information about these dynasties. This period in the history of ' Tamilakam ' is thus known as the Sangam Age.

4. The Cholas The Cholas ruled in the Kaveri delta. Their capital was Uraiyur . The most powerful Chola king was Karikala . He fought against the Cheras and the Pandyas , He even attacked Sri Lanka and occupied a part of it. He constructed many roads and encouraged trade with other regions. Puhar or Kaveripattanam was an important port-city during this period.

5. The Cheras The Cheras were also known as Keralaputras. They ruled over present-day Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu. Vanji was their capital. The most famous Chera king was Neduncheraladan. He fought against the Cholas and the Pandyas. He even captured a Roman fleet. The Chera rulers encouraged trade. They traded with Rome and Egypt.

6. The Pandayas The Pandyas The Pandyas controlled the region around Madurai. According to Megasthenes, the kingdom was ruled by a woman who had a large army. Nedunchezhyan was a powerful ruler of the Pandya Dynasty. He is said to have defeated both the Cholas and the Cheras. He was also a patron of arts and literature. The third sangam at Madurai was probably held when he was the king. The kingdom was famous for pearls. It exported pearls to Rome.

7. The Kushanas The Kushanas established a powerful empire in North India. They defeated the Indo-Greeks, the Pahlavas and the Shakas and established themselves in the region around Taxila ( Takshashila ) and Peshawar. Later, they occupied Kashmir, Punjab and parts of present day Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

8. Kanishka The greatest Kushana ruler was Kanishka. He became king in 78 CE. He established a vast empire which included parts of Central Asia. Purushapura (modern Peshawar) was the capital of his empire. Mathura was another important city in his empire.

9. Satavanhanas The Satavahanas , also known as Andhras , ruled the Deccan for nearly 300 years. Pratisthana (modern Paithan in Maharashtra) was their capital. Some powerful rulers were Sri Satakarni , Vasishthiputra Pulumayi , Yajnasri Satakarni and Gautamiputra Sri Satakarni , the most powerful of them all. He fought against the other kingdoms and enlarged his empire. The Satavahanas established a powerful empire. Continuous military conflicts, especially against the Shakas , however, gradually weakened them. Eventually, the empire broke up into many smaller kingdoms.

10. Trade Trade flourished during this period. The Indo-Greeks, Kushanas and the Satavahanas issued a large number of gold, silver and copper coins. Ports such as Broach, Kalyan and Sopara were the main centres of trade with other countries. The development of new crafts also promoted trade. Taxila, Ujjayini and Mathura became prosperous due to trade.

11. Buddhism and Hinduism were the most widely followed religions. Buddhism was divided into two sects-Hinayana and Mahayana. Hinayana was the earlier and the simpler form of Buddhism. Mahayana was the new form, with many rituals and ceremonies. Menander, the Indo-Greek ruler and Kanishka were Buddhists. They gifted land to Buddhist monks. Religion