Ancient India - Study Material

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PREHISTORICPERIOD:

ThePrehistoryisdividedinto4periodsorages.
PaleolithicPeriod(or)OldstoneAge
Mesolithicage(or)Latestoneage
Neolithicage(or)thenewstoneage

Chalcolithicage

Shallwelookintothisoneaftertheother?Let
usmoveahead.
PALEOLITHICPERIOD:
ThisisalsocalledOldStoneAge.
The word Paleolithic was coined by an
archeologist John Lubbock (England) in the
year1865.
PalaiosmeansOldandLithosmeansStone.
TheearliesttracesofhumanexistenceinIndia
gobackto4,00,000and2,00,000BC.
Thisisfoundbythelargenumberofstonetools
present inSOAN valley (Pakistan) and
insouthIndia(aroundChennai).

The most commonly used tool wasFLINT.

(FlintisamineralfromQuartz).
The Flint was split into flakes or blades for
betterusage.
Thesetoolsservedfor
Skinningtheanimals.
Cuttingtheflesh.
Splittingbones.
The people during this period werefood
gatherers.(Completedependenceonnaturefor
thefood).
Laterpeopleofthisagelearnttocontrolfire.
Whataboutclothing?
Animalskin
Bigleaves
Barksofthetreesareusedascloths.
Towards the end of Paleolithic period the
modern human being(Or)Homo sapiens
appeared.
TheHomosapiensfirstappearedaround36,000
BC.

HOMOSAPIENS:
Theearliestformofman.
Thefirstgreatape.
TheLatinmeaningisWisemanorKnowingman.

MESOLITHICAGE:
ThisageisalsocalledthelateStoneAge.
ThisageisalsoMiddleStoneAge.
ThisistheintermediateageintheStoneAge
culture.
The term Mesolithic was first used by John
Lubbockintheyear1865.

Mesos means middle and lithos means

stone.
Thisagebeganaround8000BC.
Thisagecontinuedupto4000BC.
The tools that were used during this period
were called Microliths. (Pointed or Crescent
blades).
The Mesolithic sites found in Chotanagpur
plateauinthecentralIndia.
Bhimbetka rock shelter in Raisen district of
Madhya Pradesh is considered to be the
Mesolithicsite.
The sites also found along the river Krishna
basininSouth.
Plant cultivation began during the Mesolithic
age.
Duringthisagethefoodcollectionhasstarted.
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NEOLITHICAGE:
ThisageisalsocalledNewStoneAge.

Thisagebeganaround4000BC.
The term Neolithic was first used by John
Lubbockintheyear1865.
NeomeansNewandlithosmeansStone.
TheNeolithicsiteswerelocatedintheNorth
WestregionandDeccanregion.
The people of this age domesticated animals
likedog,goatandsheep.
Dog,GoatandSheeparethefirstanimalstobe
domesticated.
Theearliest(first)cerealsgrownwereWheat
andBarley.
The people of this age started sedentary
(settled)life.
Thisagewitnessedthebeginningofformation
ofvillagesandcommunities.
Digging stick was used as tool for digging
purpose.
Asickleusedforharvesting.
Anaxeusedforcuttingtrees.
AquernandMortaruseforgrindinggrains.

The people of this age used ochrecolored

pottery.
Pottery was used to store food grains and
storingliquids.
Wheelwasthemostimportantdiscoveryofthis
age.
TowardstheendofNeolithicperioduseofthe
metalsbegan.
CHALCOLITHICPERIOD:
Theperiodofthisageis1800to1000BC.
Chalco means Copper and lithos means
Stone.
ThisisaperiodbetweenNeolithicandBronze
age.
Thepeopleleadasettledlife.
ThepeopleusedCopper,bronzeandstonetools
duringthisperiod.
Brahmagiri near Mysore (Karnataka) and
Navada Toli (On the Narmada River) are
chalcolithicsites.

Mehgarh in Baluchistan of Pakistan is an

importantsiteofNeolithicage.
MehgarhislocatednearBolanPass(InWest
Pakistan120kmawayfromPakistanborder)to
thewestofIndusRiver.
ANCIENTURBANCIVILIZATIONS:
Therewerefourimportanturbancivilizations.
Egypt
Mesopotamia
SouthAsia(IndusValleyCivilization)
China.
OutofthesethelargestwasIndusValleyCivilization.

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INDUSVALLEYCIVILIZATION:
ThisisalsocalledHarappancivilization.
The Indus Valley civilization period is
consideredtobebetween27001700BC.
The civilization spread over the whole Sind,
Baluchistan, whole of Punjab, Northern
Rajasthan,KathiawarandGujarat.
Harappawasthefirstcitytobeexcavatedin
1920s.
MarshallandRDBannerjiwerebehindthese
excavations.
Intheyear1968SirMoreTimeWheelersaid
that the Indus valley Civilization was fully
developed.
The idea of civilization probably came from
Mesopotamia(ThisismostlyIraqareaandparts
ofIran,SyriaandTurkey).
The most important cities of Indus Valley
Civilizationare

Harappa
MohenjoDaro.
The other important cities of Indus Valley
Civilizationare
RoparChandigarh
LothalAhmadabad
KalibanganRajasthan
KotDojiSind
ChanhudaroSind
DholaviraKutch(Gujarat)
Banwali Hissar
(Haryana)
SurkatodaGujarat
Sutkagendor Makran
coast(PakistanandIranborder)
HarappaKalibanganMohenjadaro represented
theheartofHarappancivilization.
ThemostremarkablefeatureoftheHarappan
civilizationwasitsurbanization.

Eachcitywasdividedintoacitadel(fortress)
arewheretheessentialinstitutionswerelocated.
Thepeoplelivedinthelowerareas.
The evidence of agriculture in Indus Valley
CivilizationcamefromaplacecalledMehrgarh
nearBolanPass.
The people in this area were growing Wheat
andBarley.
Varietiesofpaintedpotterywerefound.
The people of Indus valley Civilization also
usedSealsandCopperobjects.
The evidence of well developed culture was
seen at Amri (Located in Sindh province of
Pakistan).
Housesofstoneormudbrickwerealsoseen.
Thesepeoplealsoconstructedgranaries.
Thin pottery was identified, on which animal
motifssuchashumpedBullwereseen.
Brickmakingwasalargescaleindustry.
Thetownplanningwasrectangularinshape.
Thetownplanningistheuniquefeatureofthe
Civilization.

Thedrainagesystemisoneoftheimpressive
achievements.
AkindofMunicipalorganizationwasexisting.
The houses were constructed with kuccha
bricksandnotwithstones.
ThebathroomsanddrainagebuiltwithPukka
bricksandmadewaterproofbyaddingGypsum.
ThepeopleofHarappancivilizationcultivated
Wheat,Barley,PeasandDates.
TheyalsocultivatedSesameandMustardfor
oil.
The Harappans were earliest people to grow
cotton.
Therewasnopracticeofcanalirrigation.
The Harappans use toothed harrow for
ploughing.
Sheep, Goat, Humped Cattle, Buffalo and
Elephantweredomesticated.
Camelwasalsoreared.
HorsewasnotknowntotheHarappans.
Deerwasusedasagame.(Hunting,probably
forfood).

InAmri(SindprovinceofPakistan)instanceof
IndianRhinoceroswasreported.
TherewereprovesofTerracottaboats.
Therewasnoevidenceofcoins.
Thesystemofweightsandmeasurementswas
existed.
Cubes of agate (Micro crystalline variety of
Silica)wereemployedforweighingpurpose.
Forlengthmeasurementstripsofshellthatare
unshrinkableinhotandcoldwereused.
Sealswereusedforstampinggoods.(Thiswas
seeninMesopotamia).
The Mesopotamian literature mentioned the
merchantsofUr(AplaceinIraq)carriedtrade
withforeignmerchants.
TilmunIslandofBahrain
MaganOman
Meluhha India (Indus region of
Saurashtra)
The Harappans were aware of mining metal
working.

TheHarappansdidnotleaveanyinscriptions
describingtheirsystemofgovernment.
At places like Sukkur the axes, knives;
spearheadswereproducedinlargescale.
Temples were not found in the Indus Valley
Civilization.
Mothergoddesswasmadeupofclay.
Mothergoddesswasworshipedforfertility.
A seated figure of male god was found.
(ProbablyPashupatiMahadeva).
Symbols of Phallus (Male sex organ) and
female sex organs made in stone were
worshipped.
Pipaltreewastreatedassacred.
TheBullwasworshipped.
SomeInduspeopleburiedtheirdeadingraves.
AlargecemeterywasseeninHarappaandin
otherareaspeoplepracticedurnburial.
The graves contained house hold pottery,
ornamentsandmirrors.
During burial the head was pointed towards
North.

Letusknowmoreabouteachoftheimportant
citiesintheIndusValleyCivilization.
HARAPPA:
ThisisthefirstsitetobeexcavatedintheIndus
ValleyCivilization.
The city of Harappa located on the banks of
riverRavi.
Thisisthepremiercityofcivilization.
TheCitadelwassurroundedbyabrickwall.
AnumberofGranarieswerefoundinHarappa
(strikingfeature).
A large cemetery (burial place) was seen in
Harappa.
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MOHENJODARO:
This is the largest city of Indus valley
civilization.
ThisislocatedonthebanksoftheriverIndus.

ThelocalnameofMohenjoDarowasMound
ofDead.
Thepeopleherebuildandrebuildhousesatthe
samelocation.
The Citadel was surrounded by a brick wall.
(LikeHarappa).
IncitadelareaGreatBathisthemoststriking
structure.(Placeforimportantrituals).
TothewestofGreatbathgranarieswerealso
found.
TotheothersideofGreatbathalongbuilding
waslocated.Thiswasusedasresidenceforhigh
officials.
Assemblyhallwasanothersignificantbuilding
inMohenjoDaro.
A figure of dancing girl was recovered from
MohenjoDaro.
ThedancinggirlfigurewasmadeupofBronze.
ABeardedHeadinstonewasrecoveredfrom
MohenjoDaro.
MohenjoDarohadapublicbathworkedbyan
indigenoushydraulicsystem.(Thisisasystem

offorceapplyingatonepointistransmittedto
anotherpointusinganincompressiblefluid).
Sealsrepresentingmarksofauthorityoftraders
werefoundinMohenjoDaro.
KALIBANGAN:
Kalibanganwasexcavatedintheyear1960.
This is located on the southern banks of the
riverGhaggar.
Boththecitadelandlowercityweresurrounded
byawall.(UnlikeHarappaandMohenjoDaro).
Fire altars were discovered in Kalibangan.
(AlsoinLothal).
(FirealtarisasacrificialfireofferedtoGodin
almostallreligiousplaces).Thisistheworship
ofGodAgni.
There were indications of usage of wooden
plough.
Kalibangan shows the writing was
boustrophedon.(Thisisabidirectionaltext,i.e.
fromrighttoleftandlefttoright).
LOTHAL:

ThisislocatedonthecoastofGulfofCambay.
A vast brick built dockyard was discovered
here.
Thisisanimportantseaportfortradewiththe
WestAsia.
FirealtarswerediscoveredinLothal.(Alsoin
Kalibangan).
RicewasfirstcultivatedinLothalin1800BC.
SUTKAGENDOR:
ThisislocatedneartotheMakrancoast.
Thetownhasacitadelsurroundedbyastone
wallbuiltfordefense.
HOW INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
DECLINED?
There are various theories regarding the
decline.
The decline suddenly occurred between 1800
and1700BC.

OnetheorysaysthatthepeopleofIndusValley
Civilizationweredestroyedbyinvasionbarbaric
tribes.
Other theory says that the Aryans the next
settlersdestroyedtheIndusValleyCivilization.
Floodsandearthquakesmaybeareasonfor
thedecline.
Changeofcourseofrivers.MohenjoDarowas
destroyed by the course of river Indus away
fromit.
Ecologicalfactorsaretheotherreasonsforthe
declineofIndusValleyCivilization.
IRONAGE:(**********)
InIndiatheIronAgebeganduring1000BC.
THEVEDICAGEANDARYANS:

DoyouknowtherearefourVedas?
RigVeda
SamaVeda
YajurVeda
AtharvaVeda

TheseVedasarebelievedtobelongtotheperiodof150

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TheseVedasarethoughttohavebeen
composedbytheAryans.
TheAyranshavemigratedtoIndian
subcontinentfromWestAsia.(Itisabelief).
TheAryanshadacommonhome.(Todays
Iran)
Thescholarshavecometoaconclusion
becausetherearesimilaritiesinthelanguage
usedinRigvedaandAvesta.
Avesta:
ThisistheoldestIranianText.
ThisisoldertotheRigveda.

ThecommonracialidentityoftheAryanshas
nowbeenprovedfalse.

TheHistoriansbelievethecommonlinguistic
identity.
TheVedicperiodcanbedividedinto
EarlyVedicperiod
And
LaterVedicperiod.
Theyear1000BCisconsideredtobetheyear
ofdemarcation.
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THEEARLYVEDICPERIOD:
RigVedaorRigVedaSamhithabelongstothis
period.
ThisistheoldestbookofVedicage.
RigVedacomprisesof10Mandals(books).
ThebooksfromIItoVIIaretheoldest.
ThebooksI,VIII,IXandXaretheconsidered
tobethelateadditions.

ThegeographicalareasthatmentionedinRig
Veda are those drained by the Western
tributariesofIndus.
The eastern limit was formed by the rivers
YamunaandGanges.
In this area the rivers Saraswati, Drasavati,
Indusandthe5tributariesofIndushaveformed
thecorearea.
TheearlyVedicsocietyappearstohavebeen
pastoral.
Iron and copper technology was not used
duringearlyVedicperiod.
Usage of Stone tools was mentioned in Rig
Veda.
Shifting cultivation was practiced during this
period.
Individuallandownershipwasabsent.
Itwascommunityorgroupland.
There was no reference to slaves (hired
laborers).
Weaving was a domestic activity under the
controlofwomen.

Bartersystemwaspresent.
Cattlewereusedasameansofexchange.
Thebattleof10kingswasmentionedinRig
Veda.
The Bharatas, the Purus, the Vadus, the
Druhyus,theAnus,theTurvasusweresomeof
thetribesthattookpartintheBattleof10kings.
TheBharatatribewasledbySudasa.
The reason for the Battle of kings was the
divisionofwateroftheriverRavi.
ThefourfoldVarnasystemwasabsent.
VeyylessnumberofreferencestoBrahmans,
KshatriyaandonlyonereferencetoSudra.
Child marriage was unknown during early
Vedicperiod.
The priest acted as the mediator between the
clansmenandtheGod.
Purusasuktahymnismentionedinthe10thbook
ofRigVeda.
InPurusasuktaitismentionedthatBrahmana,
Kshatriya or Rajanya, Vaisya and Sudra took

birthfromMouth,Arms,Thighsandfeetofthe
Purushasva(Cosmicman).
BrahmanaMouth
KshtriyaArms
VaisyaLegs
SudraFeet
Thesenamessignifiedthefourcastes.
Therearesomanytermsthatarementionedin
theHymns(PrayerorReligiousSong)ofRig
Veda.
*Letustrytolearnsomeofthem.
PasuGoats,Sheep,
Horses
Gomat Wealthy
person
Gaviti Battle (for
cattle)

GopatiRajaorChief
(Protectorofcattle)
(Cattle is the main reason for disputes
between various groups, the chief or Raja is
expectedtoprotectthecattleandnotland).
RajanyaRajaorChief
PurohitPriest
DuhitriDaughter
GodhuliMeasurement
oftime
GavyutiDistance
GanaAssembly
SabhaAssembly
SamitiAssembly
ParishadAssembly
Dana

Gifts
(Speciallygiventopriests)
DakshinaGifts
VisPeople
Yava Barley(This
istheonlygrainthatismentionedinRigVeda).
LangalaPlough

SiraPlough
PhalaPloughshare
KhanitraHoe
DatraSickle
ParasueAxe
Samudra Mouth of
IndusRiver
BaliTax
KulaFamily
PurusasukhaCosmicMan
DasaSlaves
DasyusRich
YagnaSacrifice
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A number of gods were worshipped during

earlyVedicperiod.
MostoftheGodsweremasculine(maleGods).
VeryfewfemaleGodswerealsoworshipped.
As there were so many Gods, there was
Polytheism(WorshippingmanyGods).

Animal sacrifice was existing to invoke gods

forboons.
The God Indra was the most important God
duringearlyVedicperiod.
During early Vedic period the Indra was
consideredastheGodofstrength.
Indrawasinvokedtodestroytheenemies.
Indrawasthegodofrainandthunder.
AgniwastheGodofFire.
Agniwastheintermediarybetweentheheaven
andtheearth.
AgniwasalsointermediarybetweenGodand
man.
The purifying nature of fire is symbolized
Agni.
VarunawastheGodofwater.
YamawastheGodofDeath.
TheAshwinswerethetwinGodsofheaven.
TheDyauswastheskyGod.
TheMitrawastheGodofLight.
ThePrajanyawastheGodofrain.
ThePrithviwastheGoddessearth.

TheAditiwasthemotherGoddess.
THELATERVEDICPERIOD:
Thisperiodisroughlybetween1000BCand
600BC.
TheXmandala/bookofRigVedawasassigned
tothisperiod.
The Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the
AtharvaVedawereassignedtothisperiod.
The Sama Veda is a book of prayers and
chants.ThesearefromRigVeda.
TheYajurVedaelaboratestherituals.
TheAtharvaVedacontainsthefolktraditions
andrepresentsthepopularreligion.
TheseSamhitasarefollowedbyBrahmanas.
TheBrahmanasexplainedsocialandreligious
aspectsoftherituals.
LaterappearedAranyakasandUpanishads.
DuringlaterVedicperiodforclearinglandsthe
usage of socketed iron axe found in Noh.

(DuringearlyVedicperiodpeoplepracticedthe
shiftingcultivation).
Importanceofagriculturewasincreased.
The ploughs were driven by Oxen
(Agriculture).
IronploughsharewasfoundatJakhera(Nagaur
districtofRajasthan).
The manufacturing of glass was also known
duringthisperiod.
Yava(Barley)continuedtobeimportant.
Vrihi (Rice) assumed importance as a staple
diet.
Godhuma(Wheat)wasrelativelyinsignificant.
Somepulseswerementionedintheliterature.
MudgaMoong
MassUrad
SyamakaMillet
TilaSesame
ThetermGrihawasusedforhousehold.
Vaisyawastheproducingclassinthesociety.

Bali(tax)becamelessvoluntaryandobtained
throughforce.
Yajnas(Sacrifices)suchasRajasuya,Vajapeya
andAshvamedhabecamesignificant.
Vidhis (Rules) for performing each sacrifice
wereformulated.
The rules differed according to the needs of
Yajamana(Patron).
The word Nishka was used for Gold
ornaments.
ThewordSatamanawasusedforaweightof
Gold/Silver.
ThewordNagarwasusedforTowns.
Varnasystemgainedimportance.
TheBrahmanaswhowereoneofthe17kinds
of priests gained importance and became
synonymouswiththepriesthood.
TheBrahmans,theKshatriyasandtheVysyas
performedthesacrifices.
Sudrasweredeniedofperformingsacrifices.
Newdeities(Gods)gainedimportance.
TheGodRudrabecameimportant.

Duringthisperioduntouchabilitywasabsent.
Butwomenwereincreasinglysubordinated.
TheinstitutionofGotraappearedduringthe
lateVedicperiod.
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WhatisGotra?

Thissignifiesthedescent(origin)fromacommonance

Thesystemistoavoidthemarriagebetweenthecoupl
samegotra.
Initially the tribal endogamy was practiced.
Thisisasystemofmarriagewithinthetribe,in
ordertomaintainthepurityofthetribe.
Laterfullfledgedgotraexogamywasstarted.
Thisisasystemofmarriageoutsidethegotra.
TheAshrama
Brahmacharya(studentship,5to24years)

Grihasta(households,(25to49years)
Vanaprastha (partial retirement, 50 to 74
years)
Sanyasa (complete retirement, 75 to 100
years).
Upanayan was the prerogative of the upper
classes.
Therewastheemergenceofjanapadas.
ThetermJanapadausedfortheareaoftribal
settlements.
TheRajanyasofRigVedabecameKshatriyas
(Thosewhoholdpoweroverdominions).
BaliandBhagaassumedtheformsofregular
tributesandtaxes.
In North Bihar a republican form of
governmentwasevolvedbytheShakyasandthe
lichchhavis.
The Gods Indra and Agni lost significance
duringlaterVedicperiod.
Prajapatiwasconsideredtothecreatorgained
significance.

Rudra(inRigVedaRudrawasaminorDeity
(God))becameimportant.
The God Vishnu was considered as the
preserverandprotectorofthepeople.
Pushan (the diety who protected the cattle in
theearlyVedicperiod)becametheGodofthe
Shudras.
Pushanwasinvokedtobringharmonyandsafe
deliveriesofbabies.
TheAshwinswereentrustedwiththeprotection
ofagricultureandkillingofrats.
TheSavitriwassummoned(invokedorprayed)
tofixaplaceforanewhouse.
TheSuryawasinvokedtoremovedemons.
Idolatry was noticed during the later Vedic
period.
IDOLATRYmeansworshipofIdol.
Thismaybeintheformofphysicalobjectorimage.

The doctrines (Believes, Teachings or

Principles)
Karma
Maya
Transmigration
Identity of Individual soul with the
Universalsoul
Mukti
ThesewerefirstfoundinUpanishads.
ThesewereacceptedasHindutenets.(Tenetis
aprincipleonwhichbeliefortheoryisbased).
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WhatisSrutiandSmriti?
Thesetwoareconsideredtobethetextsthatare
usedtoestablishtheruleoflaw.
Srutimeanshearingorlistening.
Smritimeansthatwhichisremembered.
SrutiisadirectrevelationofCosmicsoundof
truthheardbyancientRishies.

HenceSrutiisadivineorigin.
Smriti is a writings of remembering what is
heard.
Sruti is considered to the first source of
authorityfordharma.
Smritiisconsideredtobethesecondsourceof
authorityfordharma.
SMRITILITERATURE:
The word Smriti means That which is
remembered.
ThisisentirelyapartofpostVedicSanskrit
literature.
TheSmritiliteraturewascomposedafterVedas
around500BC.

TheSmritiliteratureincludes
Vedanga
ShadDarsana
Itihasa
Purana
Upaveda
Tantra
Agama
Upanga
VEDANGA:
These are six auxiliary disciplines associated
withthestudyandunderstandingoftheVedas.
TheVedangasareagaindividedinto
KalpaTheritualaction
vTheKaipaincludestheDharmaShastras/Legal
Codes.

JyotishaorAstronomy
SikshaorPhonetics
ChandaorMeter
NiruktaorEtymology
VyakaranaorGrammar
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SHADDARSHANA:
ThesedenotethesixorthodoxschoolsofHindu
Philosophy.
Nyaya
Vaisheshika
Sankhya
Yoga
Mimamsa
Vedanta

ITIHASA:
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are
consideredtobetheItihasas.
Thesearethelegendaryworks.
Ramayana
Mahabharata

PURANAS:
These are considered to be the extensions of
Itihasas.
These are the late compilations of legendary
ancientlegenda.
UPAVEDAS:
These are the auxiliary Vedas that deal with
Medicine, Music, Architecture, Eroticism,
Archeryetc.

TheseareassociatedwiththeVedas.
vAyurveda Atharva
Veda
vArthaveda Atharva
Veda
vDhanurvedaYajurveda
vGandharvaVeda(songs)Samaveda
TANTRA:
ThesecontainthewritingsofsakaandShaivite
sects.
AGAMA:
Thesecontainthescripturesof
Vaishnavites
Shaivites
Saktas.
UPANGAS:
This is the name given for a collection of
treatise.
These are associated with the philosophical
systemsof
vNyaya
vMimamsa

vDharmaSutras
vPuranas
vTantras
EPICS:
TherearetwogreatepicsinIndia.
Mahabharata
Ramayana
MAHABHARATA:
ThisisthelongestofalltheWorldepics.
ThiswaswrittenbysageVyasa.
ThesageVyasacomposedtheMahabharatain
24,000verses.
ThisisoriginallywritteninPrakrit.
LateritwaselaboratedintoSanskrit.
Thisconsistsof8000(EightThousand)Slokas.
TheMahabharataconsistsof18parvas.
TheMahabharataeditedintothepresentform
during184BCto320AD.
RAMAYANA:

ThisisoriginallywritteninPrakrit.
ThiswasrewritteninSasnskritduring1 stand
2ndcenturies.
ThiswaswrittenbythesageValmiki.

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MAHAJANAPADAS: (the large territorial
states)
The Janapadas and Mahajanapadas were
referredinBrahmanasandUpanishadsthatwere
composedsince800BC.
The janapaadas and Mahajanapadas mention
thesettlementsofagriculturalcommunities.
ThisisalsomentionedinBuddhisttextslike
VinayaPitaka(rulesoftheorder)
SuttaPitaka(CollectionofBuddhasceremons)

AbhidhammaPitaka(atreatiseonMetaphysical
tellusaboutthepreachers,rich,poor,townsand
villagesofthatperiod.

**TheJatakas(storiesofBuddhaspreviousbirth)arep
VariousgeographicalareaslikeAhichchhatra,
Hastinapur, Kosambi, Ujjaini, Sravasthi,
Vaishaliarementionedinvarioustexts.(Proved
byarcheologicalevidences).
A deluxe pottery called NBPW (Northern
Black Polished Ware) of 6BC was also
revealed.
Some of the Janapadas of the Vedic period
developedintoMahajanapadasbythe6thcentury
BC.
AsaresultofdiffusionofIrontechnology,the
agriculturalcommunitiesexpanded.
DuringVedicperiodtheagriculturelandwas
ownedbythetribe.
BY 6thCentury BC Gahapahi emerged. (This
signifiesthedisintegrationofjointownershipof

landandtheemergenceofbigindividualland
owners).
GAHAPATI:An individual household which
ownedtheland.
During this time a Brahman is said to have
moreland.(Used500ploughstocultivatethe
land).
TheGahapatilandwascultivatedby
Dasa(Slaves)
Karmakaras(Hiredlabourers)
Shudras ( people captured during the war
weremadeslaves)
By the end of 6thcentury BC trade and
merchandisebecameanindependentsphereof
economicactivity.
The Mahajanapadas (large territorial states)
came into existence by incorporating the
Janapadaswhichwerepreviouslyautonomous.
KashiandSakyawhichwerejanapadasmerged
toformintoKosalaMahajanapada.
Thisincludesthousandsofvillagesandsome
cities.

AnguttaraNikaya(Buddhisttext)thatisapart
ofSuttaPitakagivesalistof16Mahajanapadas.
TheAng,Magadh,Vajji,Malla,Kashi,Kosala
and Vatsa (total 7) are located in the middle
gangeticvalley.
Note: Of all these the Magadh was the most
powerfulkingdom.

Middlegangeticisthericegrowingarea.
Uppergangeticisthewheatgrowingarea.
Theproductionofriceexceededtheproduction
ofWheat.
Thericeproducingareaisadenselypopulated
area.
The Mahajanapadas like Magadh have easy
accesstotheresourceslikeIronore.
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MAGADHA:
TheCapitalofMagadhwasPataliputra.
ThePataliputraissituatedontheconfluenceof
manyriverslikeGanges,Gandak,SonandPun
Pun.
TheMagadhislocatedinthevicinityoflarge
Alluvialsoil.
The Magadh kingdom was victorious in the
battlebetweenfourkingdoms
Kosala
Vajji
Avanthi
Magadh
TheironrichareasarelocatedneartoMagadh
and Avanti enabled them to produce good
weaponsforwarfare.
Avanti was the most serious competitor of
Magadh.(Avantiwasalsolocatedneartothe
ironrichareas.
BIMBISARA:

Under the rule of Bimbisara the Magadh

emergedasthecontrollerofthemiddlegangetic
plains.
(Note: Bimbisara belongs toHaryanka
dynasty.HewasthecontemporaryofBuddha).
Bimbisara acquired Anga and it was kept
under the viceroyalty of Ajatashatru.
(AjatashatruwasthesonofBimbisara).
Bimbisarasfirstwifewasthedaughterofthe
KingKosalaandthesisterofPrasenjit.
Through this marriage Bimbisara got Kashi
villageintheformofdowry.
BimbisarassecondwifeChellana(Lichchhavi
Princes)fromVaishali.
Bimbisarasthirdwifewasthedaughterofthe
chiefoftheMadraclanofPunjab.
Bimbisara was starved to death by his son
Ajatashatruaround492BC.
AJATASHATRU:
AjatashatruwasthesuccessorofBimbisaraand
cametothrone.

AjatashatruruledMagadhfrom492BCto460
BC.
AjatashatrugainedcompletecontroloverKasi
andbroketherelationswithhismaternaluncle
Prasenjit,thekingofkosala.
AjatashatrudefeatedVajjiconfederationaftera
longperiodof16yearsofwar.
During the rule of the Ajatashatru KAshi,
Vaishali, capital of Vajji confedararion were
addedtoMagadh.
The plan of annexing Avanti did not
materialize.
UDAYIN:
AjatasatruwassuccededbyUdayin.
DuringhisruletheMagadhkingdomextended
uptoHimalayanrangeintheNorthandChhota
NagpurhillsintheSouth.
Hebuiltafortontheconfluenceofgangaand
son.
AfterUdayinhisfourprovedtobeineffective
andwerethrownoutbythepeopleofMagadh.

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SHISHUNAGA:
Afterallthe4sonshavebeenreplacedbythe
people of Magadh, the viceroy of Benaras
Shishunagahascometothecrown.
His biggest achievement of Shishunaga was
thatthedestructionofAvantiwithitscapitalat
Ujjain.
ThisistheendoftherivalrybetweenMagadh
andtheAvanti.
Avanti became the part of the Magadhan
empireandremainedwiththeMagadhtillthe
endofMouryanrule.
Thisrulewasofshortdurationandgavewayto
Nandarule.

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NANDAS:
Nandas inherited large kingdoms of the
Magadh.
These are considered as the first empire
builders.
DuringNandaperiodonlyAlexanderinvaded
India.(326BC).
Nandas had contact with Deccan and South
India.
Nandas controlled some parts in Kalinga
(Odisha). It was indicated in Hatigumpha
inscriptionofKingKharavelawhoruledOrissa
(Odisha)fromthemiddleofthe1stcenturyBC.
NineNandakingshaveruled.
TheNandaEmpirehadaveryvastarmy.(This
isdescribedinGreekclassicalwritings).

Itcametoanendby321.BC.

BytheendtheNandakingshavebecomevery
unpopular and the advantage was taken by
Mouryankings.
The advantage was taken by Chandra Gupta
Maurya.
ThearchitectureoftheMagadhanEmpireisthe
firstofanycontemporaryperiod.
ThepalacesofPataliputrawerebuiltbytimber
andbrick.(ThiswasadmiredbyMegasthenese).
MAURYAS:
ThearchitectureofMagadhanempirewasthe
first of which we have any contemporary
records.
TheCyclopeanwallsofRajgrihaandthetimber
and brick palaces of Pataliputra, won the
admirationofMegashanese(Greekscholar).
Itwasalsomentionedinthebuddhistworks.
Evidenceofburntbrickisalsoseen.
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PERSIANINVASION:
In 519 BC, the Persian or Achaemenian
(ModernIran)emperorDariusannexedPunjab.
ALEXANDER:
ThekingofMacedonia.
Crossed Hindukush mountains after subduing
theAchemenianandconsolidatinghisgainsin
thePersianempire.
CrossedIndusintheriver326BC.
Heencounterd2powerfulkingsAmbi(Taxila
nearmodernRawalpindi))andporus.
AmbisentamissiontoAlexanderofferinghim
tohelpifhisownkingdomwasspared.
Porus decided to oppose him. The battle of
HydespeswasfoughtontheriverJhelum.
Porus was defeated after a long fight but
appointedastherepresentativeofAlexander.
Alexanderdecidedtogobackafterhisadmiral
NEARCHUStookthefleethome.

Alexanderdiedin323BCinBabylonia.
PIETHON was the last king to return from
IndiafromGangdharain316BC.
ButSelucusNicatorreturnedin305BC.
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JAINISM:
Rishaba was the first Jain Thirthankara.
Rishabameansbull.
Parshvawasthe23rdJainThirthankara.
Mahavirawasthe24thone.
VardhamanaMahavirawasbornin540BC,in
avillagenearVaishaliinNorthBihar.
Hisfatherwastheheadofafamouskshayatriya
clanandhismotherwasaLichchhaviprincess.
At30,hebecameascetic.
42, he attained a state called Nirvana
(Cessation) or Kaivalya (Omniscience). Ie a
realizationofonesself.
He was acclaimed as Thirthankara (forth
finder), Kailvalin (supreme omniscient), Jina
(Conqueror)andArhant(Blessedone).

HewascalledMahavira(Greathero).
Diedattheageof72in468BC.Atpavapuri
nearrajgir.
Mahavirarecognisedtheteachingsofearly23
Tirthankarasaboytwhichpracticallynothingis
known.
OnlyParshavawashistoricalpersonage.
Mahavira was recognized as the historical
founderofJainism.
Mahaviratoldthattheyshouldfollow3rights.
(3jewelsor3ratnas)
Right Knowledge is the knowledge of Jain
creed.
Rightfaithisthebeliefinwhatheknows.
Rightactionisthepracticeof5vows.Non
injury to living organisms, truth, nonstealing,
nottoownpropertyandtopracticechastity.
First 4 given by parshava and 5thadded by
mahavira.
AccordingtojainsVedasarenotrealiableand
shouldbedisregarded.

RealityinJainismischaracterizedbyanekatva
orpluralityormultistudinessandisbeyondthe
scopeoffinitemindstoknowallaspectsofa
thing.
JainsbelievedinthedualisticprincipleofJiva
(eternal soul) and ajiva ( eternal element)
everywhere.
Accordingtothemevenstoneshavesouls.
Plantsandtreeshave2jivas.Animalshave3or
morejives.
Jains are permitted to eat things with 2 jivas
only.
Eatingathingwith3jivasleadstothebreach
ofbasiclawofnoninjury.
Mahavira preached in Magadhi, the language
spokenbycommonpeople.
The teachings of Jainism were recorded at a
councilconductedatpataliputrain5AD.
Atthetimeofthecounciljainsdividedinto2
sects.SvethambarasandDigambaras.

***MahaviraandBuddhabothareimportantfor
theexaminationpointofview.Readcarefully.*

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BUDDHISM:
BuddhawasthecontemporaryofMahavira.
Bornin563BC.Inashakyakshatriyafamilyin
kapilavastuinNepal.
He attained knowledge or enlightenment at
BodhGayaunderapipaltree.
DeliveredfirstsermonatsaranathinBenaras.
Passed away in 483 BC at a place called
kushinagarainDeoriadistrictinUP.
Buddhadiscardedvedicreligioninitstotality.
ARYASATYA ( 4 truths) enunciated by
BuddhaformedthebasisforBuddhism.
TheyareSuffering(Dukha)existswhereverlife
isthere.

Nextisthedesireisthecauseofsuffering.It
leadstobirthandrebirth.
Releasingfromthepaincanbeachievedonly
byabandoningthedesire.
Thewayoutofthiscircleiemiddlepath.
The guiding principle for this path are
embodied in a series of precepts called the
eightfoldpath(Astangamarga).
They are Right views, right aspirations, right
speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right
effort,rightmindfulnessandrightmeditation.
Thetruefolloweroftheastangamargaattains
salvationornirvana.
AttainmentofNirvanawasthechiefobjective
oftheBuddhism.
BothBuddhismandJainismarenontheisticin
nature.
AfterdeathofBuddhafourcouncilswereheld.
1statRajagrihain483BC,inwhichdiscourse
of Buddha was collected compiled and
embodied in pali. The literature is known as
Tripitaka.(Vinayadealingwiththerulesof

the order), sutta collection of buddhas

cermons, Abhidhamma pitaka about
preachers,princes,rich,poor.)
The jatakas deal with the stories of previous
birthofBuddhaweredealtinSuttapitaka.
2ndcouncilatVaisaliin383BC.
3rdinpataliputra(250BC).
4thduring 1stAD in Kashmir. Here it was
dividedintoHinayana(followersofthelesser
vehicle) and Mahayana ( Followers of the
graeatervehicle).
According to Buddhism Sanskrit was the
religiouslanguage.
Bodisatva means previous incarnations of
Buddha.
BuddhismdisappearedfromIndiain12AD.
Ambedkar on October 14, 1956 embraced
Buddhism.
THEMAURYAS(312185BC)
vArthasastrawrittenbyKautilyaorchanakya.

vKautilya was the Prime Minister M of

ChandraguptaMaurya.
vTheothersourcewasIndicawritteninGreek
byMegastanese.
vMegastanese was the ambassador of Selucus
Nicator.
ImportantKings:
ChandraGuptaMaurya
Bindusara
Ashoka
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CHANDRAGUPTAMAURYA
(SANDROCATTUS):
Chandra Gupta Maurya was also called
Sandrocattus.
ChandraGuptaMauryawasthefounderofthe
Mauryadynasty.

UndertheruleofChandraGuptaMauryathe
wholenorthernIndiawasunited.
Chanakya was the minister of Nandas, who
conspired with Chandra Gupta Maurya to
overthrow the last of the Nanda kings and
occupiedpataliputra.
ChanakyawasaprofessorattheUniversityof
Takshila(locatedinpresentdayPakistan)and
was an expert in commerce, warfare,
economics,etc.
Chanakyas famous works include Chanakya
Neeti,ArthashastraandNeetishastra.
Chanakya is also known by the name of
Kautilya.
ChanakyawasalsocalledVishnugupta.
WhenChanakyawasbornhehadafullsetof
teeth,whichisasignthathewouldbecomea
kingoranemperor.Butsincehewasbornina
Brahmin family, it was considered
inappropriate.Thus,histeethwerebrokenandit
was predicted that he would make another
personakingandrulethroughhim.

ChanakyawasthrownoutofthecourtofKing
Nanda as he was a blunt man and spoke his
mindclearly.
Chanakyasworethathewouldtakerevenge.
Chanakya comes across with Chandra Gupta
Mauryaandusedhimtotaketherevenge.
Forthisheusedtoaddlittlepoisoninthefood
ofChandraGuptaMauryatomakehimimmune
ofpoison.
WithoutknowingthisonedayChandraGupta
Mauryagavesomefoodtohiswifewhowas
ninthmonthpregnant.
Butthebabywastakenoutbychanakya.He
wasBindusara.
Bindusara had a minister SUBANDHU, who
toldBindusaraaboutthedeathofhismother.He
sentchanakyaaway.Andafterknowingthefact
he called back chankya through subandu. But
subandukilledchanakya.
ChandraGuptaMauryanegotiatedwithSelucus
Nicator, the Greek viceroy of Alexander who
ruledovertheareawestofIndus.

SelucusforcedtoconcedeeasternAfghanistan,
BaluchistanandtheareawettoIndus.
SelucussentMeganistanesetoChandraGupta
Mauryawholivedthereforquitelongperiod.
Chandra Gupta Maurya left only present
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and some parts in North
India.
Subjugation of Saurastra or kathiawad in the
west is mentioned in the Junagadh rock
inscriptionofRudradamanof1stcenturyAD.
ChandraGuptaMauryasviceroypushyagupta
(vaishya) constructed famous sudarshan lake
(Gujarat).
Chandra Gupta Maurya was a follower of
Jainism.
BINDUSARA:
SonofChandraGuptaMaurya.
HeisreferredtoasAmitrochates.
He had contacts with Seleucid king of Syria
AntiochusI.

HisreligiouslearningsweretowardsAjivakas
while that of Chandra Gupta Maurya was
Jainism.
Afterhisdeaththerewasstruggleamongthe
sonsforkingdom,andultimatelyAshokacame
tothepower.
ASHOKA:
Ashoka credited for conquering Kalinga
(Orissa).
AshokarockedictXIIIdescribeshisconquest
ofkalingawhichissaidtohavetakenplace8
yearsaftercoronation.i.e260BC.
LaterheturnedtowardsBuddhismandadopted
hispolicyDhammaVijaya.
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TitlesofAshoka:

Samrat.
DevanampriyaPriyadarsi
Dhammarakhit
Dharmarajika

Chakravartin
Magadhrajshrethaetc.
HissuccessorwasDasarathaMaurya.
SanchiStupawasbuiltbyEmperorAshoka.
WhatAshokaleftbehindwasthefirstwritten
language in India since the ancient city of
Harappa.Thelanguageusedforinscriptionwas
thethencurrentspokenformcalledPrakrit.
The last Maurya ruler was Brihadrata, was
brutallymurderedbythecommanderinchiefof
theMauryanarmedforces,PusyamitraSunga.
PusyamitraSungafoundedtheSungadynasty
(185 BC78 BC) and ruled just a fragmented
partoftheMauryanEmpire
ThethirdBuddhistcouncilatpataliputra was
conductedbythemonkMoggaliputtaTissawho
was the spiritual teacher of the Mauryan
EmperorAshoka.
Tamraparni (Sri Lanka) and now it is called
Tamirabarani)andSuvarnabhumi(Burma).The
SuvarnadweepawasusedforSoutheastasia.

Ancient name for the Indian subcontinent is

Jambudvipa
MISCELLNEOUS(MOURYANEMPIRE)
Irrigation cess was imposed to 1/5thof the
produced.Itwasleviedonlyonirrigatedsoil.
LandtaxwascalledBhaga,themainitemof
revenue levied at the rate of 1/6thof the
produced.
Sharecroppingwasexisting.
Statecollectedfromhere.
Pindakaraisataxpaidbythosewhopracticed
animalhusbandry.
Hiranyawasanothertax.Theexactnaturewas
notknown.
Hiranyameansgold.
Pranaya is a tax it means a gift of affection.
(This was first mentioned by Panini but
elaborated in Arthasastra). This is equal to
1/4thoftheproduced.
Sri of Arthasastra was identified as Sri
Lakshmi.

The most important than Jainism was the

AjivakasectfoundedbyMakkaliGosala.
Mouryan has the biggest ever army for any
empire.
Arthasastra referred to Mantri PARISHAD
meanscouncilofministers.
Mantris is a small group of ministers for
urgentissues.
SalestaxwascalledSulka.
LandrevenuewascalledBhaga
The last Maurya rulerwas Brihadratha. (181
BC).
The aftermath of mauryans was indicated in
MahabhashyaofPatanjali,Malavikagnimitraof
KalidasaandHarshacharitaofHarsha.
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BuddhisminAncienthistoryofIndia

ThefounderofBuddhismisGautam
Buddha,wasbornasSiddhartha.
Siddharthawasbornin566BCat
Lumbini(nowfallsinaterritoryofNepal).
HebelongstoSakyaclanofkshatriya.
SiddharthawasgiventhetitleofBuddha.
Buddhameansonewhohaswokenuptoreality
i.eenlightened.

HisfatherwasSiddhodhana.
MotherofSiddharthawasMahamayawhodied
aftergivingbirthtohim.Sohewasbroughtup
by'PrajapatiGautami'.Henceheisalsocalled
by'Gautambuddha'.
SiddharthawasmarriedtoYashodaraandhe
alsohadasonnamedRahula.
Buddha'steacherswereAlaraandUdarak.
Attheageof29,hethenleftthehomeinsearch
oftruthandendofsorrows.Thiseventin
Buddh'slifeiscalled
asMahabhinishkramana.
Aftersevenyears,attheageof35years,
SiddharthagotenlightenmentatUruvelawhile
meditatingonbankofriverNiranjanaunder

peepaltree.Thisplaceisknownasbodhitree.
ThisplaceisknownasBodhGayaNirvana
(enlightment)
BuddhaattainedknowledgeonPoornimaof
Vaishakamonth.
Hefirstgavehissermon(speech)atSarnath.
Thiseventinbuddha'slifeis
calledDhammachakraParivaran.
Buddhapassedawayin486BCunderasaltree
inKushinagarMahaparinirvana.
Someofthenotablerulersduringthattimeare
Prasenjit,Bimbisara,Ajatsatru.

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EventsinlifeofBuddha

Symbolisedby

Buddha'sBirth

lotus,Bull

Mahabhinishkramana

Horse

Nirvana(enlightment)

Bodhitree

DhammaChakra
Parivaran(FirstSermon)

wheel

Mahaparinirvana(Death)

Stupa

NOBLETHOUGHTSOFBUDDHISM:

ThefournoblethoughtsofBuddhismisalso
calledAryaSatya

1.Theworldisfullofsorrow(Dukha).
2.Desireisthecauseofsorrow(Dukha
Samudya).
3.Ifallthedesireisconqueredallsorrowis
wonover(DukhaNirodha).
4.Desireisconqueredbyfollowingeightfold
path(AshtangirikaMarg).

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Toconquerthedesiretheeightfoldpathtobe
followedis:
1.RightUnderstanding

2.Rightthought
3.RightSpeech
4.Rightlivelihood
5.RightAction
6.RightEffort
7.Rightconcentration
8.RightMindfulness

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BUDDHISTMONUMENTS:

Stupa:buddhistmonksorsemidomical
structure.
Vihara/Arama:residence
Chaitya:prayerhalls

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TRIRATNASINBUDDHISM:
Thereare3basicpilarsknownastriratnasin
buddhism.Theyare:
1.Buddha:highestspiritualpotentialinhuman
beings
2.Dhamma:teachingsofBuddha

3.Sangha:organisationofmonksfor
practicingBuddhism.

BUDDHISTLITERARYWORKS:

TheliterarysourcesofBuddhismarethethree
TripitakawritteninPali
1.Vinayapitaka:containstherulesof
communallifeofmonks
2.Suttapitaka:collectionofseremonsof
Buddha

3.Abhidhammapitaka:containsinterpretaion
andanalysisofBhuddismconcepts

DhammapadisknownasgitaofBuddhism.

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BUDDHISTCOUNCILS:
TherewerefourcouncilsofBuddhism
organised.Theyare:

PLACE

KING

PRESIDED REMARK

BY

Compilatio
ofvinayak
First

pitakaand
Council Rajgriha Ajatshatru Mahakashya
suttapitak
pa
were

accomplish
(400BC
d
)

divisionin
Sanghatoo
place.
Theravedin
SeconD

Council Vaishali Kalashoka Sarvakamini and

Mahasang
(383
kasplitup
BC)

Compilatio
of
Third
Ashoka Moggaliputt
Abhidham
council Pataliputr
aTissa
apitaka
a
(250
BC)

Fourth
Council

Vasumitra
(1st
Kashmir Kanishka
centuar

yAD)

Buddhism
wasdivide
intotwo
sects
namely,
Hinayana
and
Mahayana

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JAINISM
Lineageof24Tirthankaras.Tirthankarameans
foremaker.
MahavirawasthelastTirthankara.

IMPORTANTPEOPLEINJAINISM:

FirstTirthankaraisRishabaNatha/Adinatha
Upto22Tirthankarathereisnohistorical
evidence.

PARSHVANANTHA
Hewasthe23rdTirthankara.
LivesinVaranasiaround800BC
NewSectwasfoundedby
him:Nigranthawhichmeansfreefrombonds.
FourDoctrines:NonLying,Non
Accumulationofwealth,Noninjury,Non
steeling

VARDHAMANAMAHAVEERA

FifthprincipleBrahmacharyawasaddedby
Mahaveera.

RealFounderofJainism.
Hewasbornin540BCatKundagramanear
VaishaliinBihar.
Attheageof42,hebecomeJINA(conqueror
overallsenses)
Hedeniedtheexistenceofgodtotally.Hesaid
onlythematterandsoularethetwoelementsin
theworld.Hebelievedinkarmaandrebirth.

Hepreachedfor30yearsanddiedin468BCby
observingSallekhana(extremefasttodeath)
methodinPava.
Hepreachedinparkritlanguage.

SALLEKHANA:givemaximumpainto
senseswithouttakingwaterandfood

Jainismisdividedintotwosects.
1.Swetambaraswereinwhiteclothfoundedby
stulabhadra,followersofParshvanantha.
2.DigambarasfoundedbyBhadraBahu
followersofMahaveera.Theyarenakedmonks.

HugestatueinSravanabelgalaofjainmonkis
calledasGomateswara/Bahubalistatue.
Statuewasabout56feetheight.Itasbuiltby
ministerofMysorestate,Chamundaraya.

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MAURYANEMPIRE
Mouryanempirewasoneofthelargest
empiretoruleIndia.
Itwasestablishedin321BCbyChandragupta
Maurya.HeisalsocalledSandrocottusby
Greekscholars.
Chankyawastheprimeministerof
Chandragupta.AlsoknownasKautilya,
Vishnugupta.
Chankyawastheauthor
ofArthasastraandNitishastra.


Arthasastra:dealswithinternational
relaionships,monetarypoliciesand
warfare.
Nitishastra:dealswithidealwayoflife
andphilosophy.

Heestablishedtheempirebyoverthrowingthe
NandadynastyofMagadhaunderDhana
Nanda.
StartingfromMagadha,heexpandedwestward
bydefeatingGreeksatrspiesestablishedby
AlexandertheGreat.

ChandraguptadefeatedSeleucusNicator,the
successorofAlexander.Aspartofanagreement
ChandraguptamarriedthedaughterofSeleucus.
SeleucussentanambassadortoChandragupta's
courtcalledMegasthenes.Helefthis
observationsintheformofabook
calledIndica.
Chandraguptaembracedjainismandmigrated
southwithBadrabahutoSravanabelgolain
Karnataka.

Theempirecomprisealmostallofundivided
IndiamuchofAfghanisthanandpartsofAsia.
ThecapitalofMauryanempireisPataliputhra.

Theempirewasdividedinto4provinces:

1.Tosaliineast
2.Ujjaininwest
3.TaxilainNorth
4.SuvarnagiriinSouth
InternationaltradewithGreekproincesthrough
Kybherpasswasextensive.Exportsinclude
silk,textiles,exoticfoods,spicesetc.

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IMPORTANTPERSONSOFMAURYAN
EMPIRE:

BINDUSARA:

1.bornin320BC,diedin272BC.
2.HewasthesuccessorofChandraguptaand
fatherofAshoka.
3.HewasalsoknownasAmitraghataor
Ajathasetru
4.Heexpandedtheempiresouthbeyondthe
Deccan.

ASHOKATHEGREAT

1.Bornin304BCanddiedin232BC.
2.HewasthesuccessorofBindusara.

3.HeconqueredKalingaandaddedto
MauryanEmpire.
4.HewasinitiallyAjivakabutlatterembraced
BuddhismaftertheconquestofKalinga.
5.Ashokaorganisedthirdbuddhistcouncilat
Patliputrain250BC.
6.HeisknownforAshokaChakra,Ashoka
pillarsandlioncapitalofSarnath.
7.TheedictsofAshokaareacollectionof33
inscriptions.

8.TheseinscriptionsarefoundinRockedicts,
pillaredicts,inscriptionsonrockwalls.These
inscriptionsarefoundthroughoutIndian
Subcontinent.

DECLINEOFMAURYAEMPIRE:

Themauryanempiredissolvedin185BCwith
theassassinationoflastrulerBhrihadrata.
CausesofDecline:
1.WeaksuccessorofAshoka.
2.FinancialCrisis.
3.Centralizedgovernment.

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POSTMAURYANPERIOD

AfterthesuccessorsofAshokafailedtokeepthe
empireintact,varioussmallkingdomsemerged
inthefaceofIndiansubcontinent.
TheMauryanDynastywassoonreplacedbythe
Sungadynasty.

INDOGREEKS
TheIndoGreekswereknownasYavanasin
Indianliterature.
TheIndoGreekkingdomwasestablishedby
theGrecoBactriankingDemetrius.

ThegreatestrulerwasMenander(155130
BC).
InIndianliteratureMenanderwasknown
asMilinda.
MenanderwasafollowerofBuddhism.
GreatBuddhistmonkNagasenaBikshulived
inthecourtofMenander.
Milindapanhaisabuddhisttextthatrecords
aconversationbetweenMenanderandhis
sageNagasena.Thistextcontainsthe
philosphicaldiscussionsintheformof
questionandanswersbetweenmonkanda
king.
Indogreekswerethefirstpeoplewho
introducedgoldcoinsinIndia.

DoubleDieStruckCoins:
Thecoinscontainsomeinformationonboth
sides.
Titlesoncoins:DevaVrata
SudevaVrata
Kingsinformationispresentinoneside.
Religiousinformationonotherside.

CapitalwasSakala.PresentitisinPakistan.

SCYTHIANS:

InIndianLiteraturetheScythiansarealsocalled
asSakas.
TheycamefromCentralAsia.
Around220BCShihHungTiwhobuiltthe
greatwallofChinatoprotecttheChinafrom
attacksofSakasandYuehies.So,Sakascameto
India.
ThefounderofSakaRueinIndiawasMaues.
Thefamousrulerduringthisperiod
isRudradaman.
Rudradamanfirstinscriptionwasfound
atJunagarhinscriptionaround150AD.Itis
thefirstsanskritinscriptioninIndia.

Thisinscriptionactuallycontainthecontentto
repairofSudharshanalakethatwasbuiltby
ChandraguptaMaurya.
TheBimaranCasket,oneoftheearliest
representationsoftheBuddha,isattributedto
Scythian.
TheMathuraLionCapitalisalsoattributedto
theIndoScythians.
CapitalwasUjjain.

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PAHALAVAS

TheyarealsocalledParthians.
TheyarrivedfromnorthernprovinceofIran.
ThegreatestrulerwasGondopharnis.Heruled
from1945AD.
DuringhistimethedirectdiscipleofJesus,St.
Thomasvisitedhiscourt.
TheirmainreligionwasZoroastrianism

YUEHIS
TheybelongtoYuechitribe.
InIndianliteraturetheyareknown
asKushanas.

ThefamousrulerwasKanishka.
Heconductedthe4thbuddhistcouncilwhich
dividesthebuddhismintotwosectsHinayana
andMahayana.
KanishkasupportedMahayanasector.

CoupleofBuddhistscholarsinKanishka'scourt
:
1.Vasumitra:HewroteanbookcalledMaha
VibhashaSastra.
2.Ashvagosha:firstdramaswerewrittenby
him
HewroteSundaranandana,
BuddhaCharitha,VajraSuchi.

DinarsgoldcoinsofKushanas

Twocapitals:Purushapura,Mathura.

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ShungaDynasty:

TheSungaDynastywasestablishedafterthe
fallofMauryas.

TecapitalofSungaDynastywasshifted
fromPataliputratoVidisha.

ThefounderofSungaDynasty
wasPushyamitraSunga.

PerformedtwoAshwamedhaYajnas.
Duringhistime,thefamousscholar
wasPatanjali.Hewroteabookcalled
MahabhyasaandYogaSutras.
Astadhyayithesourceofgrammarwritten
byPanini.
Devabhuthiwasthelastkingandwas
assasinatedbyVasudevaKanva.

KanvaDynasty:
Susharmawasthelastking.
AccordingtothepuranasHewasKilledby
AndhraRulers.

Mahameghavarmadynasty:

ThisdynastymainlyruledOrissaregion.
ThisisalsocalledasChedisDynasty.
Kharavelawasthegreatest
ruler.Hathigumphainscriptionwasissuedby
thisruler.

Satavahnadynasty:
TheyruledmainlyunitedAndhraand
Maharashtraregion.
Therewerenearly30kings.
CapitalsarePratistanapuraand
Dhanyakata.
Theyruledfrom225BCto225AD.

ThefounderofSatavahnaDynastyisSrimuka.
ThecoinsarefoundatKotilingalain
Karimnagardistrict.

TherealfounderwasShatakarniI
ThevictoriesofShatakarniIwerementionedby
hiswifeNaganikainNanaghatinscription.

ShatakarniIhasatitlecalledDakshina
Padapathi.
Hewasthefirstkingtoissuelandgrantsto
Brahmins.

KuntalaShatakarniwasthe11thking.
SharvaVarmaauthorofKatantra
Vyakaranam

GunadyawroteabookcalledBruhat
Katha(paisachiformofPrkritlanguage)

Halawas19thking.GadaSaptasatiwas
wriitenbyhim

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GautamiputraShatakarni:
Metronymics:takingnameofmotherbeforehis
name.
NasikinscriptionbyhismotherGautami
Balasridescribeshersonvictories.
Titles:EkaBrahmana,RajaRaja,Dvija
KulaVadhana,TrisamudraToyapita
Vahana.

YagnasriShatakarni:
coinsmintedwithshipsymbol.
Accordingtothetradition,AcharyaNagarjuna
livedinhiscourt.

AcharyaNagarjuna:
secondTatangatha.
HeisalsocalledIndianEinstein.
Hewrotebooksnamely:MadhyamikaKarika,
ShunyaSapthati,Shrullekha,Prajnapramitha.

SouthernMostKingdoms:
Cholas:
region:NorthernTamilNadu
capital:Kaveripatnam
famousruler:KarikalaChola

Cheras:
region:Kerala
capital:Vanji
famousruler:Senguttavan

Pandyas:

region:SouthernTamilNadu
capital:Madhurai
famousruler:Negunjilyen

SangamLiterature:Earliestliteratureinthis
period.

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GUPTAEMPIRE

GuptaEmpirefrom500ADto750AD.
TheGuptaPeriodispopularlyknownasthe
GoldenAgeofIndiaduetoscientificand
artisticachievementsmadepossiblebythe
sustainedpeaceandprosperity.
TheywereinitiallysamantasofKushans.Later
theyemergedasaindependentkingdom.
TheGuptaempirewasfoundedbySriGupta
whohadatitleasMaharaja.
IMPORTANTGUPTAEMPERORS:
CHANDRAGUPTAI
TheGuptadynastyfirstrosetoeminenceunder
ChandraguptaI

Heruledfrom319ADto335AD.Thisperiod
isknownasGuptaEra.
HeattainedthetitleMaharajadiraja.
SAMUDRAGUPTA:
HewasthegreatestrulerofGuptaDynasty.
SamudraGuptaisknownastheNapoleonof
IndiabyV.A.SmithaBritishhistorianHeis
consideredtobetheoneofthegreatestmilitary
geniusesinIndianhistory.
TheAllahabadPillarinscriptionwasissued
byHarisenawhowassandivigrahaka(minister
ofexternlaffairs)ofSamudraGupta,contains
detailsofhismilitaryconquestinstages.
Samudraguptawascalledbydifferennames,
oneofthemwasKavirajabecauseofhis
abilitytocomposeverses.

CHANDRAGUPTAII
HedefeatedSakascapturedUjjainandattained
twotitlesnamelySakariandVikramaditya.
UjjainbecomeculturalcapitalofGuptans.
Inhisreign,theChinesepilgrimFahienvisited
India.
Accordingtothetraditiontherewere
NavaratnasinthecourtofChandraguptaII
ThemainscholarwasKalidasaispresentinhis
court.
Healsoissuedsilvercoins,firstGuptarulerto
doso.

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NAVARATNASINCOURTOFCHANDRA
GUPTAII
1.Kalidasa
Dramas:AbhignanaSakunthalam
Malavikgnamitram
VikramaUrvasi
Kavyas:Megadhutam
Raghuvamsa
KumaraSambhvam
RutuSamharaa
2.VishnuSharma:
wroteabookcalledPanchatantra.
3.AmaraSimha:
wroteadictionary
calledAmarakoshainsanskritlanguage
4.VaraRuchi:
HewroteabookcalledPrakrutha
Prakasha

5.Susruta:
Heisandoctor.
Hewroteabookonsurgery
calledSusrutaSamhitha.
6.Dhanavankri:
HeisaDoctor.
Hewroteamedicaldictionary
calledNighanthu
Oneoftheworldsfirstsurgeons
Discoveredantisepticpropertiesof
turmericandpreservativepropertiesofsalt
Pioneerofplasticsurgery
7.Aryabhatta:
Heisamathameticianandastronomerof
GuptaPeriod.
HewroteAryabhattiyaandSurya
Siddhantha.

Heexplainedeclipses,
rotation,revolution,shapeofearthamdgave
importantresultsinMathstoo.
Hisdiscoveriesinmathematicsinclude
1.ValueandirrationalityofPi
2.Areaofatriangle,conceptof
sine
3.Sumofseries
4.Intermediateequations
Hisdiscoveriesrelatingtoastronomy
include
1.planetsrevolvearoundtheSun
2.Calculatedsiderealrotation
(24hrs)andsiderealyear(365days)
3.Computedearths
circumference
4.Discoveredcauseofeclipses

Zerowasinventedbyunknown
IndianandwasusedbyAryabhattainhisbook
8.VarahaMihra:
HewroteBrihatSamhithawhichisan
encyclopediaofsciences.
9.BrahmaGupta:
HewasknownasIndianNewton.
HewroteabookcalledKhandana
KhandaKavya

KumaraGupta:
HelaidthefoundationofNalanda
Universitywhichlatergrewtobecomean
internationalcentreoflearning.
HepracticedMahayanaBuddhism

TheIronPillarnearQutabMinarwaserected
byKumarGuptainmemoryofChandraguptaII
ThelastGuptaRulerwasVishnuGupta.

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ADMINISTRATION
WhencomparedtoMauryanEmpire,
AdminitrationofGuptaEmpirewas
decentralized.
Theyissuedthelargestnumberofgoldcoinsin
AncientIndia,whichwerecalledDinars.Silver
coinswerecalledrupyakas.
SOCIALDEVELOPMENT

Thecasteswerefurtherdividedintosubcastes.
Vishti(forcedlabour)wasthere.
Positionofwomendeclinedfurther.First
instanceofSatitookplaceatEran,MP.
Thepracticeofuntouchabilityintensed.
(EspeciallyhatredforChandalas).Fahien
mentionsthattheChandalaslivedoutsidethe
villageandweredistancedbytheupperclass.

Hinduism:
Anewwayoflifewasdeveloped.

Thetempleactivitieshascomeintoexistence.
Imageworshipwasdeveloped.
Dasavtaras,tenincarnationsofVishnuhas
comeintoexistence.
Twoimportantsects:
1.Shaivism(worshipofGodShiva)
2.Vaishnavism.(worshipofgodVishnu)
Bhaktiandvedicritualswithoutanimalsacrifice
hasaccumulatedduringthisperiod.

TEMPLEARCHITECTURE:
Threestylesoftemplearchitectureswere
present:
1.NagaraStyleoftemplearchitectures:
NorthIndianStyle,constructedinsemi
cylendricalshape.ItisalsocalledShikaraStyle.
ManytemplesareconstructedbyGuptans.

2.Dravidastyleoftemplearchitectures:
SouthIndianstyle,constructedinsemi
pyramidicalstyle.Gopuramandkoneruis
presentinthisstyle.Buldmainlybythepallavas
andCholas.
3.Vesarastyleoftemplearchitecture.:
CompositeIndianStyle.Theyarepresentin
DeccanArea.

Paintings:
Mural/Frescopaintings:Paintingsonwall
AjanthapresentinMaharashtraisveryfmous
cavepaintings.
StoriesofBuddhasandBodistvasarepaintedon
wallscalledJatakas.
31cavesarepresent.
BaghinMadhyaPradesh,9Buddhistcave
templesarepresent.

FirsthinducaveinIndiawasbuiltbyGuptains
inUdayagiriMadhyaPradesh.

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