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)