Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 9 Post Mauryan India PDF Download

Post Mauryan India

Magadha was the first empire of India. A stable and systematic administration was set up during the Mauryan period. We studied this in the previous lesson. After Emperor Ashoka, due to the internal conflicts, this empire became weak. After Brihadratha, the last Mauryan emperor, Pushyamitra Shunga came on the throne.

9.1 Shunga Empire

The Shunga empire was spread from Magadha in the east to Siyalkot (Punjab) in the west, as well as Himalayas in the North to Vidarbha in the south. Although Pataliputra was the main capital, Pushyamitra established a second capital at Vidisha. Pushyamitra Shunga was valiant and ambitious. He strengthened his rule in the provinces of Kosala, Vatsa, Avanti etc. Later he conquered the lost provinces of Magadhan empire upto Siyalkot. He courageously repelled the attack of the Greek King Demetrius. His victory over Demetrius is mentioned in 'Malavikagnimitram' a play written by Kalidasa.

After establishing his rule over North India and some parts of South India, Pushyamitra twice performed the Ashwamedha sacrifice to proclaim himself as a powerful king. Pushyamitra revived the vedic sacrificial system which had lost its significance during the Mauryan period. The Garuda pillar of Besnagar (Vidisha) indicates that there were some Greek followers of Vaishnavism. Literature in Sanskrit language was encouraged during the Shunga period. To review the changes in Sanskrit language, Patanjali wrote the 'Mahabhashya' based on Panini's 'Ashtadhyayi'. According to some scholars, there were many new additions made in the original text of Mahabharata during this period. The Manusmruti was composed during this period.

Along with literature, the Shunga's contribution in the field of art is also important. The stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut, Garuda pillar at Besnagar are excellent examples of art during this period. The sculptural art in the Shunga period widened its horizons and depicted the life of common people on a large scale.

The last king of Shunga dynasty, Devbhuti, was not an efficient king. His minister, Vasudeva, killed him and established the Kanva dynasty. This incident is described in the Harshacharita by Banabhatta.

Teacher's Note

The Shunga kings were very brave and smart. Just like a cricket team captain leads the team to victory, Pushyamitra led his kingdom and defeated the Greek king Demetrius.

Exam Trick

Remember: Shunga = Sanskrit books. During this time, Sanskrit literature grew like plants growing in the garden. Mahabhashya, Manusmruti were written during this period.

Points to Remember

Pushyamitra Shunga came after the last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha.
He made Pataliputra and Vidisha both as capitals.
He defeated the Greek King Demetrius.
Sanskrit literature and art grew during the Shunga period.
The Garuda pillar at Besnagar was made during this time.

9.2 Rise Of Satavahana Empire

After the Mauryas, the Shunga dynasty established itself in the north whereas in the south the Satavahana dynasty rose to power. The disintegration of Mauryan empire created a favourable atmosphere for the rise of new powers. Satavahanas are mentioned as the earliest ruling dynasty in Maharashtra. Initially the Satavahana rule came to a rise in Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad and later spread in the vast region of Maharashtra, Andhra and Karnataka. Paithan, in Maharashtra, was the capital of the Satavahanas. The Puranas mention the 'Andhras' or 'Andhrabhrutyas'. According to some scholars, these terms refer to Satavahanas.

Many Satavahana inscriptions are found in North Maharashtra. Simuka, the first Satavahana king, is mentioned in the Naneghat inscription. Shri Satakarni, Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Yajna Satakarni were among the important kings of the Satavahana dynasty.

Before Gautamiputra Satakarni, some of the Satavahana kings were not capable. Taking advantage of this situation, the Shaka Satrapas established their rule in the western regions of India. Gautamiputra Satakarni, the Satavahana king, conquered the Shakas. Satavahana dynasty regained its strength with this victory.

Gautamiputra Satakarni conquered Central India and the entire regions of Dakshinapatha. He defeated the southern kingdoms of Avanti, Surashtra (Saurashtra) and the Shaka kings in Maharashtra. Similarly he established his dominance over the Republic states in Central India and Rajasthan. A hoard of coins is found at Jogaltembi in Nashik district. These coins belong to Shaka Kshatrapa King Nahapana on which Gautamiputra restruck his own emblem. This clearly indicates that Gautamiputra proved his strength by gaining victory over Nahapana.

After Gautamiputra, Vashishthiputra Pulumavi and Yajnashree Satakarni were the important kings. But after their rule, Satavahana rule began to decline. They became weak due to the constant struggle between Shakas and Satavahanas.

Teacher's Note

The Satavahana kings ruled in South India after the Mauryas. Gautamiputra Satakarni was a very strong king who defeated many enemies just like how Indian soldiers fight for our country.

Exam Trick

Remember: Satavahana = South India. While Shunga ruled the North, Satavahana ruled the South. Think of it like dividing a classroom - one half North, one half South.

Points to Remember

Satavahanas ruled in South India after the Mauryan empire fell.
Paithan in Maharashtra was their capital city.
Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most powerful Satavahana king.
He defeated the Shakas and won many battles.
The Satavahana empire slowly became weak after Yajnashree Satakarni.

9.3 Administrative System, Literature, Art And Social Life

Administrative System

The state under the Satavahanas was divided into small provinces and on every province civil and military officials were appointed to administer individual provinces over it. These included civil officials, such as 'Amatya', 'Mahabhoj' and military officials, such as 'Mahasenapati' and 'Maharathi'. Grama (village) was the smallest unit of administration. Grama was a source of revenue and also for the recruitment of soldiers during warlike situations. Thus, Grama was an integral part of the central machinery.

Agriculture was the main source of means of subsistence. Along with it many industries and trade flourished under the Satavahanas. Various shrenis (Guilds) also emerged during this period. The trade and industries were controlled with the help of these shrenis. The shrenis also provided loans. Indo-Roman trade also flourished during the Satavahana period. Trade centres like Pratishthan (Paithan), Tagar (Ter), Nasik (Nashik), Karhatak (Karhad) developed during the Satavahana rule.

Tagar (Ter) and Pratishthan (Paithan) are mentioned in the 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'. According to it, "Among the market towns of Dakshinapatha, there are two cities of special importance; Paethana (Pratishthana or Paithan of today) at a distance of about twenty day's journey to the south of Barygaza (Bhadoch); beyond which about ten days to journey towards the east, there is another great city, Tagar (Ter). Carnelion is transported in great quantity from Paithan to Bhadoch. There are no permanent roads built for these purposes, but only untreated tracts. Cotton cloth, muslins and sack cloth (rough jute fabric) and other merchandise from coastal regions is transported from Tagar to Barygaza."

Various artisons such as Kularika, Tilpishaka, Kolika are mentioned in the inscriptions at Nashik and Junnar. Pliny mentions thirty fortified cities that existed in Satavahana kingdom. The coins, found during the excavations at the archaeological sites of these cities are indicators of the well developed trade during this period. Sopara, Kalyan, Bhadoch were important trade centres of this period.

Teacher's Note

The Satavahana government divided their kingdom into small areas and appointed officers to manage each area. It is like how our school is divided into classes and each class has a teacher to manage it.

Exam Trick

Remember: Grama = smallest unit. Just like a single brick is the smallest part of a house, a village (Grama) was the smallest part of the Satavahana government.

Points to Remember

The Satavahana state was divided into small provinces.
Civil officials like Amatya and Mahabhoj managed the people.
Grama or village was the smallest unit of government.
Agriculture was the main work of common people.
Trade and business grew very much during this time.

Literature

During the Satavahana period, learning and art received royal patronage. Prakrit language and literature flourished during Satavahana period. Hala, the seventeenth king of the Satavahana dynasty, compiled 'Gathasaptashati'. Gunadhya, a minister in his court, wrote an incomparable text named 'Brihatkatha' in a Prakrit language called Paishachi. Sarvavarma wrote a treatise on Sanskrit Grammer, named 'Katantra'.

Teacher's Note

King Hala wrote beautiful poetry just like how our poets write poems today. The book Gatha Saptashati shows how people lived and loved during those times in Maharashtra.

Exam Trick

Remember: Hala = Gatha Saptashati. King Hala wrote 700 poems. Just count - Hala and 700 verses, like a telephone number you can memorize.

Points to Remember

Prakrit language grew during the Satavahana period.
King Hala wrote Gatha Saptashati with 700 poems.
These poems show the life and love stories of that time.
Gunadhya wrote Brihatkatha in Prakrit language.
Sanskrit grammar book Katantra was written during this period.

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