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Ancient India

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215 views128 pages

Ancient India

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Aanand Rishabh Daga

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915

 (VK) HISTORY BY VK JAIN SIR

 SOURCE
 6th + 11th NCERT
 6th :- R.Thapar
 11th :- RS Sharma
 11th NCERT:- Fine arts volume-I
 Ancient India = NIOS
 TN Board- +1 200 pages book
 TOPIC FOCUS ON
 Archeology
 Epigraphy:- Inscriptions
 Numismatics (coins)
 Literature
 Dating
 BC:- Before Christ
 BCE:- Before common era
 CE:- Common era
 RECOGNIZE TRANSFORMATION
 Caves  villages  towns
 Hunter  Farmer  Traders
 Stone  Copper  Iron
 PREHISTORY
 People didn’t know writing
 No written records
 PROTOHISTORY
 Writing is there but still not interpreted
 HISTORY
 Writing + Inscriptions
 Ancient + Medieval + Modern
 Prehistory proto history  history
ancient medieval  modern history
 SOME IMPORTANT TIMELINES
a) 1786:- royal Asiatic society of Bengal
 First society
 Sir william Jones = head translated the Sanskrit
Kalidas’s “Abhigyanshkuntla” to English language
b) 1818 first book on history (J.S Mill)
 History of India (three volumes)
 Hindu India, Muslim India and British India
 Just talked about our (dark spots ) bad points of
our culture (e.g about sati)
c) 1833: Education bill passed
 William Bentinck
 English medium is introduced
 It gave India a linguistic unity lead to national
movement
 Now Indian understand british ideology and
started writing our culture in glorifying manner;
nationalist way of writing
d) 1947: Indian Independence Act
 Nehruvian era after 1947

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 Socialism was the philosophy

 D.D Kosambi wrote culture & civilization of India
and said history can be studied from above and
below
 Above:- kings, queens, nobles
 Below:- commons, artisans, farmers etc
e) 1961:- NCERT project approved for school
education
f) 1969:- JNU Founded
g) 1976:- 42nd amendment , Socialist, secular
h) 1977:- NCERT written

 SYLLABUS OF ART & CULTURE

 ART FORMS
 Culture :- belief and traditions of a community
gives identity to a particular community
 Classical culture
 Folk/ regional culture
 Popular culture :- for entertainment
1. PERFORMING ART (BODY ACTION)
 Dance ,Drama, Music
 Also called intangible art by UNESCO
 Based on particular tradition like Natyasastra
 Natyasastra written by Bharatmuni around
200BC consists all the performing art forms of
India
a) Bha:- Bhava :- emotions (Rasa- 9 Rasa
basically)
b) Ra:- Raga ,
 6 in total change in every 4 hour
 6×4 = 24 hours
 6 seasons in India
 Music + Painting Raga used to depict
mood
c) Ta:- Tala ( dance)

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 Listen Langa Chunriye song on youtube to

 POLITICAL STRUCTURE
 Jana= head = rajana
 Sabha + Smiti = help to take decisions of rajana
 No taxes
 Bali:- only a voluntary tribute given by person to
king
 After vedic period Bali became a tax on
Agriculture
 MAHAJANPADAS OR JANAPAD
 Smrat , virat = head

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 No sabha , no smiti
 King became powerful with help of Brahmins =
ruling class developed
 Yava:- barley :- in early vedic period cannot be
considered a crop as it does not require anything
to grow
 No industry in early vedic period
 HOWEVER, IN LATER VEDIC PERIOD
 Yava + other crops words like godhuma (wheat) ,
vrihi (rice)
 Use of plough “satapatha Brahmana” part of
“Yajur vedas” -1st evidence of plough mentioned
(agriculture) ,8-10 ox pulled plough (heavy)
(made of iron)
 POTTERY:-
 Ochar color pottery:- simple and weak in early
period
 Painted greyware pottery:- in later vedic period

 SOCIETY
 Early vedic period
 Equality was there for women
 Women were educated, recited hymns mantras,
participated in ceremonies,
 No sati, no parda practice/ system
 Ladies that contributed to rig vedas are
a) Appala
b) Ghosha
c) Lopamudra
 No Varna
 Anybody can take any profession
 LAST PART OF RIG VEDAS (STARTING OF
LATER VEDIC PERIOD)
 Purusha suktam (Sanskrit )
is hymn 10.90 of the Rig-Veda, dedicated to
the Purusha, the "Cosmic Being”
 Purusha Suktam {X mandala (Chapter)}
 Prajapati (Purusha = adipurusha= creator)
related to Brahma as four parts come out of
lymph of Brahma
a) From Mouth= Brahmin= teach
b) From Arms= Kshatriyas= fight
c) From Thigh= vaishya = maintain
d) From Feet= Shudra =serving
 In later vedic period they became independent
Varna
 Varna came from word= varya means “to
choose”
 GOTRA
 Atharva vedas
 UPANAYAR
 Those sanskara allowed to only upper three
classes when child is started to go for school
 Denied to shudras as they have no right to
education , only they need to serve

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 SANSKARA
 Scared / holy rituals performed only by princely
class
 1st = garbhadhana
 Total 16 in number
 2nd punswana sansakara
1) Garbhadhana is the conception ritual for having
healthy children. Lord Brahma or Prajapati is
appeased by this ritual.
2) Punswana is the fertilization ritual performed on
the third month of pregnancy asking for life and
safety of the fetus. Once again Lord Brahma is
prayed to in this ceremony.
3) Seemantonnayana ritual is observed in the
penultimate month of pregnancy for safe and
assured delivery of the baby. This is a prayer to
the Hindu God Dhata.
4) Jatkarma is a birth ceremony of the new-born
baby. On this occasion, a prayer is observed for
goddess Savita.
5) Namkarana is the naming ceremony of the baby,
which is observed 11 days after its birth. This
gives the new-born an identity with which he or
she will be associated all his life.
6) Niskramana is the act of taking the four-month-
old child out for the first time into the open to
sunbathe. The Sun God Surya is worshiped.
7) Annaprashana is the elaborate ceremony
conducted when the child is fed cereal for the
first time at the age of six months.
8) Chudakarma or Keshanta karma is the
ceremonious tonsuring of the head and Lord
Brahma or Prajapati is prayed and offerings
made to him. The baby's head is shaved off and
the hair is ceremonially immersed in the river.
9) Karnavedha is the ritual of having the ear
pierced. These days it is mostly girls who have
their ears pierced.
10) Upanayana aka thread ceremony is the
investiture ceremony of the sacred thread where
Brahmin boys are adorned with a sacred thread
hung from one shoulder and passed around their
front and back. This day, Lord Indra is invoked
and offerings are made to him.
11) Vedarambha or Vidyarambha is observed when
the child is initiated into study. In ancient times,
boys were sent to live with their gurus in a
'gurugriha' or hermitage to study. Devotees pray
to the Hindu God Apawaka on this occasion.
12) Samavartana is the convocation or the
commencement to the study of the Vedas.
13) Vivaha is the lavish nuptial ceremony. After
marriage, the individual enters the life of a
'grihastha' or conjugal life - the life of a
householder. Lord Brahma is the deity of the day
in the wedding ceremony.
14) Awasthyadhana or Vivahagni Parigraha is a

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ceremony where the marrying couple encircles

 There were 24 great teachers, the last of whom was

Lord Mahavira.
 These twenty-four teachers were called Tirthankaras-
people who had attained all knowledge (Moksha)
while living and preached it to the people.
 The first Tirthankara was Rishabnatha. The word
‘Jain’ is derived from jina or jaina which means the
‘Conqueror’.

 CAUSE OF ORIGIN?
 Hinduism had become rigid and orthodox with
complex rituals and dominance of Brahmins.
 The Varna system divided the society into 4
classes based on birth, where the two higher
classes enjoyed several privileges.
 Kshatriya's reaction against the domination of
the brahmanas.
 Spread of the new agricultural economy in the
north-eastern India due to the use of iron tools.
 WHAT ARE THE TENETS OF JAINISM?
 It mainly aims at the attainment of liberation, for
which no ritual is required. It can be attained
through three principles called Three Jewels or
Triratna i.e.
1. Right Faith (Samyakdarshana)
2. Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana)
3. Right Action (Samyakcharita)
 Five Doctrines of Jainism
1. Ahimsa: Non-injury to living being
2. Satya: Do not speak a lie
3. Asteya: Do not steal
4. Aparigraha: Do not acquire property
5. Brahmacharya: Observe continence
 PHILOSOPHY & CONCEPT OF GOD IN
JAINISM
 Jainism believes that the universe and all its
substances or entities are eternal. It has no
beginning or end with respect to time. Universe
runs on its own accord by its own cosmic laws.
 All the substances change or modify their forms
continuously. Nothing can be destroyed or
created in the universe.
1. There is no need for someone to create or
manage the affairs of the universe.
2. Hence Jainism does not believe in God as a
creator, survivor, and destroyer of the
universe.
 However Jainism does believe in God, not as a
creator, but as a perfect being.
1. When a person destroys all his karmas, he
becomes a liberated soul. He lives in a
perfect blissful state in Moksha forever.
2. The liberated soul possesses infinite
knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power,
and infinite bliss. This living being is a God of
Jain religion.

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3. Every living being has a potential to become

God.
 Hence Jains do not have one God, but Jain Gods
are innumerable and their number is
continuously increasing as more living beings
attain liberation.
 ANEKANTAVADA
 Anekantavada in Jainism is the ontological
assumption that any entity is at once enduring
but also undergoing change that is both constant
and inevitable.
 The doctrine of anekantavada states that all
entities have three aspects: substance (dravya),
quality (guna), and mode (paryaya).
1. Dravya serves as a substratum for multiple
gunas, each of which is itself constantly
undergoing transformation or modification.
2. Thus, any entity has both an abiding
continuous nature and qualities that are in a
state of constant flux.
 SYADVADA
 Syadvada, in Jaina metaphysics, the doctrine
that all judgments are conditional, holding good
only in certain conditions, circumstances, or
senses, expressed by the word syat (“may be”).
 The ways of looking at a thing (called naya) are
infinite in number.
 Syadavada literally means the ‘method of
examining different probabilities’.

 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANEKANTAVADA

AND SYADVADA
 The basic difference between them is that
Anekantavada is the knowledge of all differing
but opposite attributes whereas Syadvada is a
process of the relative description of a particular
attribute of an object or an event.
 WHAT ARE THE SECTS/ SCHOOL
OF JAINISM?
 Jain order has been divided into two major sects:
Digambara and Svetambara.
 The division occurred mainly due to famine in
Magadha which compelled a group led by
Bhadrabahu to move South India .
 During the 12 years famine, the group in South
India stick to the strict practices while the group
in Magadha adopted a more lax attitude and
started wearing white clothes.
 After the end of famine, when the Southern
group came back to Magadha, the changed
practices led to the division of Jainism into two
sects.

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1. DIGAMBARA:
 Monks of this sect believe in complete
nudity. Male monks do not wear clothes
while female monks wear unstitched plain
white sarees.
 Follow all five vows (Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya,
Aparigraha and Brahmacharya). Believe
women cannot achieve liberation.
 Bhadrabahu was an exponent of this sect.
 Major Sub-Sects
1. Mula Sangh
2. Bisapantha
3. Terapantha
4. Taranpantha or Samaiyapantha
 Minor Sub-Sets
1. Gumanapantha
2. Totapantha
2. SVETAMBARA:
 Monks wear white clothes.
 Follow only 4 vows (except brahmacharya).
 Believe women can achieve liberation.
 Sthulabhadra was an exponent of this sect.
 Major Sub-Sects
1. Murtipujaka
2. Sthanakvasi
3. Terapanthi
 REASON FOR THE SPREAD OF
JAINISM?
 Mahavira organised an order of his followers
which admitted both men and women.
 Jainism didn’t very clearly mark itself out from
the brahmanical religion, therefore it spread
gradually into West and South India where
brahmanical order was weak.
 The great Mauryan King Chandragupta Maurya,
during his last years, became a Jain ascetic and
promoted Jainism in Karnataka.
 Famine in Magadha led to the spread of Jainism
in South India.
 The famine lasted for 12 years, and in order to
protect themselves many Jains went to South
India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu.
 In Odisha, it enjoyed the patronage of Kalinga
King of Kharavela.

 WHAT IS JAIN LITERATURE?

 Prakrit language= Anga
 Jain literature is classified into two major
categories:
1. AGAM LITERATURE:
 Lord Mahavir's preaching was methodically
compiled by his followers into many texts. These
texts are collectively known as Agams, the
sacred books of the Jain religion. Agam literature
is also divided into two groups:

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a) ANG-AGAMA:
 These texts contain the direct preaching
of Lord Mahavir.
 They were compiled by Ganadharas.
Lord Mahavir's immediate disciples were
known as Ganadhara.
 All Ganadharas possessed perfect
knowledge (keval-gyan).
 They orally compiled the direct
preaching of Lord Mahavir into twelve
main texts (sutras).
 These texts are known as Ang-agams.
b) ANG-BAHYA-AGAMS (OUTSIDE OF ANG-
AGAMS):
 These texts are expansions of Angagams.
 They were compiled by Shrutakevalin.
 Monks who had knowledge of a
minimum of ten Purvas were known as
Shrutakevalin.
 Shrutakevalin wrote many texts (sutras)
expanding the subject matter defined in
the Ang-agams.
 Collectively these texts are called Ang-
bahyaagams meaning outside of Ang-
agams. The twelfth Ang-agam is called
Drastivad.
 The Drastivad consists of fourteen Purva
texts, also known as Purvas or Purva-
agams.
 Among Ang-agams, Purvas were the
oldest sacred texts. They are written in
the Prakrit language.
2. NON-AGAM LITERATURE:
 This consists of commentary and explanation of
Agam literature and independent works,
compiled by elder monks, nuns, and scholars.
 They are written in many languages such as
Prakrit, Sanskrit, Old Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi,
Kannad, Tamil, German, and English.

 WHAT IS JAIN ARCHITECTURE?

 Jain architecture cannot be accredited with a
style of its own, it was almost an offshoot of
Hindu and Buddhist styles.
 Types of Jain Architecture:
1. LAYANA/GUMPHAS (CAVES)
 Ellora Caves (Cave No. 30-35)- Maharashtra
 Mangi Tungi Cave- Maharashtra
 Gajapantha Cave- Maharashtra
 Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves- Odisha
 Hathi-gumpha Cave- Odisha
 Sittanavasal Cave- Tamil Nadu
2. STATUES
 Gometeshwara/Bahubali Statue-
Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

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 Statue of Ahimsa(Rishabnatha)- Mangi-Tungi

hills, Maharashtra
3. JIANALAYA (TEMPLE)
 Dilwara Temple- Mount Abu,
 Rajasthan Girnar and
 Palitana Temple- Gujarat
 Muktagiri Temple- Maharashtra
 NOTE
 Manastambha: It is found in the front side of the
temple, having religious importance with an
ornamental pillar structure carrying the image of
Tirthankar on top and on all four cardinal
directions.
 Basadis: Jain monastic establishment or temples
in Karnataka.

 JAIN COUNCIL
 First Jain Council Held at Patliputra in 3rd
Century B.C. and was presided by Sthulbhadra.
 Second Jain Council Held at Vallabhi in 512 A.D.
and was presided by Devardhi Kshmasramana.
Final Compilations of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

 HOW IS JAINISM DIFFERENT FROM

BUDDHISM?
 Jainism recognised the existence of god while
Buddhism did not.
 Jainism does not condemn the varna system
while Buddhism does.
 Jainism believed in transmigration of soul i.e.
reincarnation while Buddhism does not.
 Buddha prescribed the middle path while
Jainism advocates his followers to even
completely discard the clothes i.e. life of
austerity.
 WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF JAIN
IDEOLOGY IN TODAY’S WORLD?
 Contribution of Jainism:
1. Attempts to reform the evils of varna order.
2. Growth of Prakrit and Kannada.
3. Contributed to architecture and literature
immensely.
 The Jain theory of Anekantavada translated into
practical terms in social context would mean
three principles:
1. Absence of dogmatism or fanaticism
2. Honouring the freedom of others
3. Peaceful coexistence and cooperation
 It brings the spirit of intellectual and social
tolerance.
 The principle of Ahimsa(non-violence) gains
prominence in today’s nuclear world to attain
long lasting peace in the society.

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1. The concept of Ahimsa can also help to

counter growing violence and terrorism.
 The principle of Aparigraha (non-possession) can
help to control consumerist habits as there is
great increase in greed and possessive
tendencies.
1. Global warming also can be healed with this
thought by doing away with unwanted
luxuries, which produce carbon emissions.

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 (PD) HISTORY BY PARVEEN DIXIT SIR
 Ancient history
a) 4th CBC to 6th CAD
b) Mauryan Age 321 BC-18BC
c) Age of commerce (2nd CBC -3rd
CAD)
d) Sangam age 3rd CBC to 3rd CAD
e) Gupta age 3rd CAD to 6th CAD
 IN EVERY CHAPTER SUB TOPIC WILL
BE STUDIED LIKE
1. Political history
2. Personalities
3. Bureaucracy
4. Economy
5. Society
6. Coinage
7. Literature (Source)
8. Architecture (symbol of time,technology)
9. TERMINOLOGY
 HISTORY- 4 PHASES- URBANIZATION
1. FIRST URBANIZATION
 Indus valley civlization2600BC-1900BC
 First urbanization occurred on bank of Indus
river
2. SECOND URBANIZATION
 6th CBC to 9th CAD near ganga river
 Heterodox movements occurred (Nastik
Movements like Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivika,
Charvaka etc)
3. THIRD URBANIZATION
 10th CAD to 18th CAD
 in Rajputana region then Delhi Sultanate and
Mughal took it to peak
 Bhagti & Sufi movements occurred (love and
devotion for god)
 Mughal period how to recognize
 Capital= bad & pur is written as suffix
(tuglaqbad, Shahpur)
 City = ganj is written as at end written (like
paharganj)
 Cant = Garh or kot is written as suffix
(chittorgarh, pathankot)
 Highway town = sarai is written as suffix
(like bebusarai)
 Pilgrimage center= sahib , Sharif is written
as suffix (harmandir sahib, Ajmer Sharif etc)
4. FOURTH URBANIZATION
 19th CAD
 Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj, either the problem
of women or the problem of lower cast , mass
movements occur
 Calcutta developed as urban center under British first

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 SECOND URBANIZATION
 6th CBC to 9th CAD near ganga river
 Heterodox movements occurred (Nastik
Movements like Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivika,
Charvaka etc
 Trade , economy, commerce always in up when
there is urbanization

 6th BC= development of markets

 Plough share
 Wet paddy
 Manure= organic waste
 Two great highways were present and effects of
urbanization
1. Highway connecting China = Silk route
2. In India the highway called Uttrapatha was
there
 Sher sha suri called it Sadak-e-Azam
 Mughal called it badshahi Sadak
 British called it GT road
 Greeks 3rd CBC Greeks

1. IN KING TYPE SYSTEM

 King is powerful
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 All power lies in hands of King
 Fix law, rules, tax
 Bureaucracy
2. IN NOBLE TYPE SYSTEM
 Nobles are powerful
 All power lies in hands of Nobles (like
zamidars)
 Laws , tax fix
 Money belongs to them
3. DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALIZATION
 Therefore higher decentralization is needed
for welfare and better security
 GRAPH OF CENTRALIZATION
 RIGVEDIC AGE
 Elected king
 King protects Gopa (cattle)
 No tax
 Only Bali= tribute was paid
 Decentralization of power was there in the
form of village assemblies (sabha, samiti)
 LATER VEDIC AGE
 Elected officers
 King is hereditary
 Regular taxation
 Village assemblies declined
 Centralization went up
 MAHAJANPADAS AGE
 High tax
 Bimbisara had standing army
 So strong kingdoms with standing armies=
further centralization
 Nand dynasty
 Mahapadmnanda, gave titles to themselves
 Sole authority of state = Ekrat
 Owner of all land of state= Akhilbhuvanpati
 King with aggressive army= Ugrasen
 Mauryan Age
 Selected bureaucracy
 Spy system is high shows high centralization
of power
 Checks and balances system
 No landlords like zamidars etc
 Kushan dynasty
a) Allowed defeated kings to rule: defeated
kings were called “Satrap”
 Sathvahana Dynasty (Andhra)
a) Tribal society
b) High egalitarianism
c) Informed northern Brahmins and performed
ashavmedha yagya
d) They started giving land grants and resulted
in decentralization of power
 Guptas

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a) Continued land grants for their legitimacy
b) Economy went down
c) Tax, state revenue low
d) Less officers as single officer doing multiple
work
e) So lack of checks and balances
f) So land grants became source of salaries
only to top rank officers
g) After death the post of top officers shifted to
son and land granted taken back , formed
basis of hereditary of posts
 Rajputs
a) Landlords were big problem for them rather
than enemy
b) Fall in centralization of powers
c) More decentralization of powers happened

READ HANDOUTS RS SHARMA BOOK CHAPTERS

UPLOADED ON PORTAL BEFORE READING FURTHER

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 CH-01:- MAURYAN AGE
 Topics covered
a) Political history 326BC-185BC
b) Indica of Megasthenese
c) Coinage

 MAURYANS & OTHERS LIKE GREEKS:-

1) ALEXANDER
 326BC: Alexander (Greek) Found a kingdom rules
by King named Omphius, Taxles, (Ambhi) (of
same King 3 names).
 Omphius became subordinate of Alexander
 Both fought battle with porus :- battle of
Hydrapese (River Jhelum= Vitasta in Vedas)
 Then Greeks stopped moving eastwards as there
was Agrammes (Dhanananda or Ugrasen) who
had battle elephants
 So Alexander moved southwards where they
defeated Many Ganasangha (republican
oligarchies means no permanent king , rule of
few elite families)
2) SELEUCUS NICATOR
 Eastern empire of Alexander than taken by
Seleucus Nicator
 Army general of Alexander and successor of
eastern parts of its empire (Syria to Indus)
 Seleucus in Sanskrit is called Saluva
 NOTE:-Uprooting of Nand dynasty By Chanakaya
and Chandragupta Maurya is the central plot of
8th CAD play named “Mudra rakshasa” by
Vishakhdatta.

3) CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA
 320-310 CBC:- western expansion of Mauryan empire
 Pushgupta (Minister of Chandragupta Maurya)
built sudarshan lake in Gujarat (junaghar region)
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 310-305 CBC:-
 northwest expansion of mauryan empire where
it engulfed a lot of Ganasangha claiming they
were saving them outer invasion
 305CBC:-
 War b/w Seleucus and Chandragupta,
Chandragupta won the war and gained
territories of Afghanistan region
 He married daughter of Seleucus named
“Helena”
 In return he gifted 500 war elephants to
Seleucus
 After war Seleucus sent an Ambassador named
“Megasthenese” to mauryan court, where he
authored a book named “Indica” (Court =(King
Sandrocottus = Chandragupta Maurya, capital
was Palibothra , today called Pataliputra or
Kosumpora”)
 298CBC:-
 Head of jains community Bhadrabahu came to
his court and asked permission to go south as
there was a prediction of great famine
th
 Inspired by jain monk Bhadrabahu (6 Thera) ,
Chandragupta maurya renounced throne &
became a jain monk.
 He moved to Karnataka region & at a place
named “Shravana Belgola” , he committed ritual
suicide by starvation called “Sallekhana or
Santhara”
 Note:-
a. In 10th CAD western Ganga Dynasty erected
a giant statue of “bahuballi” (46ft height) at
Shravana Belgola. Bahuballi was son of
Rishabdev (1st Jain Tirthankar)
b. every 10 years jains perform a ceremony on
this statue named “MahaMastakabhisheka”
c. Thera:- means elder, but in Jainism thera
means head of entire jain community after
last Tirthankar (Vardman Mahavir)
d. Basadi :- means jain temple (original
pronunciation is basti but written in Basadi)
4) BINDUSARA (298-272 BC)
 Other names
a) Greek name:- Amichocottus
b) Sikand Puran:- Amitraghatakam
 Follower of Ajivika Sect
FACTS OF AJIVIKA SECT
 founder :- Makkhali Ghosala contemporary
of 6thBC of Budha And Mahavir
 Basic Philosophy:- absolute predestination
(fatalism or niyativaad) means everything
which happens is pre-destined or pre-
written
 Criticism of Buddhism and Jainism

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 Southern expansion of mauryan empire )till
southern Deccan) Under Bindusara
 This southern of mauryan empire is mentioned
in “sangam literature”
 There are two terms used in it
a) Moriyar
b) Malloi
 Note:- Ashokan Inscriptions (Son of Bindusara)
mentioned Sangam Kingdoms (Cholas, Pandaya,
Keralputra(Chera), satyaputra (not identified
now by historians)
 MAURYAN CIVIL WAR:-
 4years long war happened
 Ashoka killed all his brothers except one
Vishtashoka
 Bindusara used to say him so ugly even not to
look at, so Ashoka took title “priyadarshi”
5) ASHOKA 269-232 CBC
 Ashoka conquered kalinga after 6 years of war
called as “Kalinga war”
 Ashoka invaded kalinga after a bloody invasion
 According Buddhist sources
a) after war he adopted Buddhism &
renounced violence and warfare
b) However, this fact is rejected as per Ashokan
inscriptions
 According to Ashokan inscriptions
 Ashoka changed his policies after kalinga
war
 CHANGE OF POLICIES
a) Chandashoka to Dhammashoka:- he gave
himself a title from Chandashoka to
Dhammashoka
b) Berighosha to Dhammaghosha :- policy of
threatening neighbours by military power to
policy of persuading neighbors by conveying
right actions to take
c) Dhammavijaya :- moral victory over
neighbors by making them allies
d) Appointments of Dhamma Mahamatra :-
(officers to ensure people live moral and
duty full life)
e) Appointments of Dhamma Pracharak:-
Ambassadors to spread Buddhism I
neighboring kingdoms. Ashoka sent his son
(Mahendra) and daughter (Sangamitra) to
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as Dhamma Pracharak.
 Third Buddhist council ( ):-
 Place:- Pataliputra
 Patron:- Ashoka
 Head monk President:- Mogalipotta Tissa
 Aim
a) To end sectarian divide in Buddhism
b) To compile Buddhist philosophy (agreed by
all)
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(class 1st ended & 2nd started)
 Result:-
 No end to sectarianism in Buddhism
 Compilation of Abhidhamma pitaka
 Addition of a book / chapter named
“Kathavatthu” (points of controversies in
Abhidhamma pitaka,) written by Moggaliputta
BACKGROUND TO KNOW RESULT OF 3RD COUNCIL
 CENTRAL BOOKS OF BUDDHISM
 Tri pitakas = 3 main books
1) Sutta Pitaka=
 teaching of Budha, divided into
chapters or books called “Nikaya”.
 Jatakas :- Stories of past life of Budha
also part of Sutta Pitaka.
2) Vinay Pitaka:-
 rules for Monks (Bhikkhu) & Nuns
(Bhikkuni) and the live on Bhikkh
 Note:- Ashoka was a upasaka ( a
general follower) not a Bhikkhu
3) Abhidhamma pitakas= Philosophy
 Ritual = dhamma
 Pragyan = enlightenment
 FIRST BUDDHIST COUNCIL(483 BC)
 Place:- Rajgriha
 Patron:- Ajatashatru
 President head Monk:- MahaKashhhyapa
 Aim:-
a) To preserve the teachings of Budha
 Result:-
a) Compilation of Sutta Pitaka + Vinay Pitaka
 SECOND BUDDHIST COUNCIL(383 BC)
 Place:- Vaishali (N-Bihar)
 Patron:- Kalashoka
 President:- Sabakami
 Aim:-
a) To end disagreements over rules of vinay
Pitaka
 Result:-
a) First split or Schism in Buddhism
 Sthaviravadin:- One with rigid rules
 Mahasanghika:- Majority With liberal
rules
 ASHOKA
 Ashoka donated a complex of 4 caves to monks
of Ajivika sect in Gaya (Western Bihar) , this
complex is known as “Barabar” caves
 Dasharatha maurya (232-224BC)
 Grandson of Ashoka
 He donated a complex of 3 caves to monks of
Ajivika sect in Gaya, these caves are known as
“Nagarjuni “ caves (near Barabar caves)

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 Under dasharatha Mauryan lost a territories of
Deccan
 After Dasharatha

 Samprati maurya (224-215BC)

 Also Grandson of Ashoka
 Follower of Jainism
 Under him, mauryan regained territories of
Deccan
 However after him mauryan slipped into a
continuous decline
 Brihadratha (192-189BC) (Last king)
 Assassinated by his military general named
“Pushyamitra Shunga”, who founded the shunga
dynasty (185-72BC)

TOPIC:- MAURYAN AGE

 TOPICS TO BE READ
1) Indica of 9) Import/ export
Megasthenese 10) Revenue system
2) Coinage 11) Theories of art state
3) Paintings craft
4) Administration a) Saptang theory
5) Central b) Rajamandala
bureaucracy theory
6) Judicial system 12) Ashokan inscription &
7) Spy system Dhamma Ashoka
8) Municipal and 13) Literature
military system 14) Architectur
1. INDICA OF MEGASTHENESE (INDIA)
 He wrote about India the following things in
Indica
 Rituals  Palibothra =
 Huge population a. a large & planned
 Rich country= city =
Agriculture b. stone, bricks, wood
 Vibrant society = materials
not rigid architecture
 No slavery (Note:- c. unit of length used
in Arthashastra is stadia,
kautilya told d. unit of weight used
about slavery = ) is talent
 Many animals  socio division = 7 fold
 strong armies = division of Indian society
war elephant

 Socio division = 7 fold division of Indian society

 Descending order from top to bottom
 7th Division= Herdsmen= outside society=
wonder with their cattle = buy something here
and sell elsewhere= trade involvement= Paid tax
 6th = Farmers = majority of our population =
main source of revenue= everyone protect them
even enemy
 5th= shopkeepers = artisans= majority of urban
population
 4th = among the commoners they are most
influential = soldiers as they always carry their
weapon =
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rd
 3 =overseers , implement the policy= junior
Govt employees
 2nd = councilors = top officers
st
 1 =either sophists/ philosophers= most
respectable = men of knowledge =people go to
them to know about future
2. COINAGE IN MAURYAN AGE
1) Mauryan Coins name
a. Pana= silver =1
b. Ardhapana= silver =1/2
c. Pada= copper= ¼
d. Ardhapada= Ashtabhagika= copper= 1/8
e. Massaka= copper= 1/16
 SOME BACKGROUND
1. Rig vedic coin=
 Nishka = gold coin = (for either worship
or jewelry)
 Traders were called= Pani
 Note:- Then the trader term “Pani”
became panik vanik banik baniya
in longer times
 Method of coin making in rig vedic till
Indo Greeks:-
 Irregular shaped coins,
 but are punch marked coined
because a shape is hammered on it
2. Later vedic coins’s name=
a. Krishanala= silver coin
b. Shatamana = silver
3. Mahajanpadas coins’ Name
a. Copper coin
 Pana,
 Karshapara (cash word came from it)
 Massa= a small copper coined
 Kakani
b. Silver coin
 Pruna
 Rupya (because of roop=shape)
c. Gold coin
 Suvarna
4. Mauryan Coins name
a) Pana= silver =1
b) Ardhapana= silver =1/2
c) Pada= copper= ¼
d) Ardhapada= Ashtabhagika= copper= 1/8
e) Massaka= copper= 1/16
5. Indus valley to 1957
 Almost same with some variations
 1Rs= 64 paisa
 Old= 1/64 paisa
 New= 1/100
3. PAINTINGS IN MAURYAN AGE
 No paintings of mauryan age is found so far

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 First specimen of historical paintings available to
us is Ajanta paintings (2nd century BC), which are
stylistically very developed.
 Therefore, there must be some tradition of
painting in mauryan age, Either on some
perishable material like cloth, leather, wood etc
or are yet to be discovered
4. ADMINISTRATION (MAURYAN)
 Descending order from top to bottom
 Empire divided into provinces  Provinces into districts
called Ahar  Ahar into Janapada Janapada into Gram
1) EMPIRE= (King top head of bureaucracy)
 King, Smrat, Rajana
 Piyadassi= (Ashoka)
 devanampiya = Ashoka
2) PROVISIONS
 Kumar (means son of king)
 Aryaputara
3) AHAR
 Pradeshika (head)
 Rajjuka = revenue collection officer, judicial
decision powers
 Yukta = officer of revenue assessment
4) JANAPADA
 Sthanika= head= revenue collector
 Gopo= land management (patwari today)
5) GRAM
 Gramika (low head in bureaucracy )
 Gramini
 Grampardhan
 Elected by people of village , accepted by state
(note)
 PROVINCES OF MAURYAN EMPIRE
 Taxila (PushKala Vati , Purushpur under Hindus, today
called Peshawar all are names of Taxila )
1. Magadha
2. Avanti
3. Uttrapatha
4. Kalinga
5. Dakshinapatha

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57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
5. MAURYAN CENTRAL BUREAUCRACY
 Descending order from top to bottom
 King  Mantri Parishad Mantri  tirtha 
Amatya Adhyaksha
1. Pataliputra = headed by King
2. Mantri parishad= king + Senani, Purohita,
Top Mantri , Top Amatya (officers)
3. Mantri
4. Tirtha ==mahamatya= Mahamatra (in
Ashokan inscriptions)= top officers =elected
by exams
5. Amatya: officers of 30departments run
under mauryan
6. Adhyaksha (head of department)
a. Head of iron department= Laoh
adhyaksha
b. Suvarna adhyaksha
c. Account :- Akshapatala adhyaksha
d. Head of treasury = Kosha adhyaksha
 Apart from king nothing is hereditary in mauryan
period (note it)
6. MAURYAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM
 Descending order from top to bottom
 King  Maha Danda Nayak  Danda Nayak 
Gramini  Vridha
1) Top officer= King
2) Chief Justice= Maha Danda Nayak
3) Dandanayak
4) Gramini / Gramika (has jury of village elders
in odd number called Gram Vridha –
conventional number is 5)
 SOME BACKGROUND
 Dandanayak
 Dandapati
 Dandaadhyaksha
 All are officers of judiciary
 SOURCES OF LAW
 Descending order from top to bottom
1) Rajashasana:- decrees of state= top
2) Vyavahara (tradition and practicality)
3) Charit (individuals involved)
4) Dharma (law books)
7. MAURYAN SPY SYSTEM
 Everywhere , everything
1) Senior/ stationary = Samstha
2) Field/ junior = sanchari
 Sanchari pass information to Samstha and
Samstha to King
 Some Types of sanchari
 Kapatika chhatra = students
 Grihapati = householders
 Udasthita = beggars,
 Vaidehaka= traders
 Women like vishkanya for assassination

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 In Ashokan inscription spy/ reporter to king
1) Pativedaka
2) Polisani
 Megasthenese mentioned in Indica
1) Episcopoi

8. MUNICIPAL & MILITARY SYSTEM

1) MUNICIPAL
 City head = mayor= Nagarika
 Nagarika run city with help of 6 committees of 5
members each
 4 are economic purposes and 2 are in human
activities
a) Census= 1st committee= Birth & death
b) Foreigners =committee =for record
c) industry=committee
d) excise= committee
e) Sales = committee
f) custom=committee
2) MILITARY
 Head= Senani (Arthashastra )= commander
(Indica)
 6 committees × 5 members
1) Elephant committee= manages elephants
2) Horse committee
3) Infantry committee
4) Chariot committee
5) Navy committee= boats
6) Supplies and armory committee
 According to Arthashastra some military
officers
 Elephant officer= Hasth adhyaksha
 Cavalry = Ashwa adhyaksha
 Infantry= patya adhyaksha
 Chariot =ratha adhyaksha
 Navy = Nau adhyaksha
 Supplies= gau adhyaksha
 Armory (weapons)= ayodh adhyaksha

9. MAURYAN IMPORT+EXPORT
 IMPORT
a. Glassware
b. Linen cloth
c. Gold, silver
d. Horse
 EXPORTS
a. Spices and food (black pepper is called
Yavanapriya (Europeans and greeks)
b. Textiles
c. Iron implements from mines near Magadha
 SOME BACKGROUND
 From later vedic to early 19th century
(charter act 1813
 IMPORT
a. Luxury goods
b. Horses
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c. Gold and silver coming India as trade
surplus/wealth (in form of coins)
 1st Century AD
 Greek author Pliny talked about drain
of wealth from Europe to India
 Roman emperor Vespasian banned
trade with India
 18th Century AD= many European
countries banned an Indian textile
named “Calicose”
 EXPORTS
a. Textiles:- Cotton in Vedic, then Silk, wool
b. Food & spices
c. Jewelry :-Gold, Silver, Diamond (Panna
diamond), Shells, Ivory, pearls, perfume
(kannuj, generally capitals produced)
 Note:- textile under british became our
import from export and raw cotton
became export

10.MAURYAN REVENUE SYSTEM

 Main source= agriculture
 Landlords = absent
 Two central officers of revenue collection
a. Samaharta /Samahartri = revenue collector
b. Sannidhata /Sannidhatri = revenue treasury
 Agronomai = according to Megasthenese
 LAND IS OF TWO TYPES
1) Privately owned by farmers:-
 State earn by tax on it called “Bhaga” =
land revenue tax= 1/6 rate is prevalent
that is why it is also called Shisht
(Bhaga)
2) Crown land/ state owned land= Sita
land
 State earns by Profits by
a. hired labor +
b. Dasa +
Veshthi /vetthi (tax via manual labor
 LIST OF TAXES
a. Bhaga
b. Shisht
c. Pindikara = tax on village
d. Senabhaktam
e. Pranaya = tax on any emergency of state
f. Bali = tax during famine, note the region
where famine is not from there the tax was
taken and sent to famine areas
g. Shulka = toll tax /Chungi
h. Hiranya= tax in cash
i. Veshti / vetthi= tax via manual labor
 Note:- in Medieval time crown land was called
“Khalisa”

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
11.THEORIES OF STATE CRAFT
A. SAPTANG THEORY
 State is a body with sever(7) body parts (limbs)
 These 7 body parts of state are
1) Head = king
2) Brain= army
3) Eyes= Mantri/ Amatya
4) Face= treasury
5) Hands= forts
6) Feet= territory
7) Soul= allied states or allied people
B. RAJAMANDALA THEORY
 Theory to understand allies and alliance system
 Allies can be of two types natural and transitional
 Raja = state
 Mandala= space

 Odd numbered are mutually natural allies and

evened numbered are mutually natural allies
 This theory of geopolitics i.e. geography decides
the alliances
12.THE ASHOKAN INSCRIPTIONS
A. MINOR ROCK EDICTS
a) Inscribed in early years of his reign
b) Main focus= devotion and association with
Buddhism
c) Inscribed on large stones therefore are
called rock edicts
d) Non-descriptive in nature, therefore , are
called minor edicts
e) Placed on Highways
B. MAJOR ROCK EDICTS
a) Inscribed in middle years of his reign
b) Main focus = his message to his people to
live moral and duty full life (life in
accordance with Dhamma)
c) Inscribed on large stones therefore called
rock Edicts
d) Descriptive in nature therefore are called
major edicts
e) Placed on highways (sides)
C. PILLAR EDICTS
a) Inscribed in last years of his reign
b) Main focus is his message to later kings (his
descendants) on how to rule state and

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57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
subjects. He advised them to treat subjects
like father treating his sun
c) Inscribed on pillars therefore are called
“pillar edicts” both descriptive and non-
descriptive
d) Placed at pilgrimage centers of Buddhism
like at sarnath , Vaishali, sankissa (UP),
Rampurva, Laoriya Nandangarh
 MAIN CONTENTS OF ASHOKAN EDICTS
 Language and script of edicts (messages)
LANGUAGE SCRIPT
Prakrit Brahmi
Kharoshti (from right to left)

Sanskrit Brahmi
Kharoshti (from right to left)

Aramaic Aramaic same script

Greek Greek same script

 14 major edicts (7 minor ,7 pillar )

 13th major edict talked about change of his
policies after kalinga victory, this edict is missing
in his inscriptions found in kalinga region (he
defeated kalinga so did no want to humiliate the
people so he made it missing)
 CONTENT OF INSCRIPTIONS
1) Description of his administrative ideology
2) Focus on social and moral code instead of
religion
3) Buddhism is mentioned however as philosophy
instead of religion
4) Emphasis on social welfare & even animal
welfare
5) He calls his people to develop virtues like
a. No negative traits
b. Social harmony
c. Religious tolerance
d. Equal treatment to all sex
e. Respect for elders
f. Rituals are ignorance
g. Non-sacrifice of animals
h. Moral and spiritual development of subjects
i. Religion is not ritual imposition but way of
life
6) He mentioned the appointments of Dhamma
Mahamatra who ensures that people follow
above principles
7) He asked his people to live life in accordance
with dhamma. According to him following are
the constituents of Dhamma
a. Shochaya= purity
b. Sacha= truthful
c. dane=charity
d. sadhave=good
e. madhave=gentle
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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
f. apasinave =no evil
g. daya
h. eusabia = compassion
 RELEVANCE OF DHAMMA OF ASHOKA
 He wanted his people to develop the universal
virtues which were devoid of time and place, if
followed by us they could end majority of
Individuals problems & social Conflicts
…….2nd class ended, 3rd started……

13.MAURYAN LITERATURE
a) Indica (Greek)= Megasthenese
b) Books by Chanakaya
1) Arthashastra (Sanskrit)= Kautilya and it is
divided into 15 and chapters called
Adhikaran further divided into Prakarana
2) Neetishastra/chanakayaneeti (Sanskrit) =
Chanakaya / Kautilya. Content is human
conduct
3) Chanakaya Shatak (Sanskrit)= Kautilya, 100
poems of ethical poetry
4) Panchatantra (Panchakhyana) (Sanskrit) =
Vishnu Sharma (Kautilya / Chanakaya). Five
chapters called tantra. book on diplomacy
5) Medical treatise = Shanaqa / Vishnu Sharma
/ Kautilya / Chanakaya
c) Books of Buddhism:-
1) Compilation of Abhidhamapitaka:-
2) Kathavatthu :- a book/chapter added in
Abhidhamma , author is Moggaliputta Tissa
in Pali language
 FIRST JAIN COUNCIL (300BC-280BC)
 Pataliputra = place
 Aim:- to recompile /preserve jain canons
(something which show direction)
 Chairmanship:- Sthulabhadra.
 Result:- recompilation of 11 Angas (12th lost)
 Central books in Jainism are 12 Angas
 46 Agam = 12 Angas + 34 books
 Angas will prevail always so also called 12
Angas Agam
d) Jain Literature
1) Recompilation of 11 Angas (12th lost) (Language
Prakrit)
2) Kalpasutra (Prakrit):- Bhadrabahu (founder of
Digambara) (it is biography of Tirthankara
3) Bhadrabahu Samhita (Prakrit):- Bhadrabahu
(work of jain astrology)

14.MAURYAN ARCHITECTURE
a) Caves
b) Stupa
c) Vihar
d) Chaitya
e) Dhamma Stambha
f) Yaksha Yakshini
g) Mauryan Polish
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A. CAVE ARCHITECTURE
 First specimen of cave architecture available in
India belongs to mauryan age /
a) Barabar caves (four caves)
b) Nagarjuni caves (3 caves)
 Barabar caves (four caves)

 Nagarjuni caves (3 caves)

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NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 The cave architecture of mauryan age is
relatively simple (comparing post mauryan)
 The inside walls of cave are polished to make
them smoother, whereas, the gateway / opening
of cave is cut in the shape of door.
 Lomas Rishi cave:- it is a Chaitya cave in
Barabar cave complex belongs to Ajivika sect.
famous for its rock cut façade arch

 Latest buddhist architecture has incorporated

this arch on the outside of Chaitya caves of
Buddhism, therefore it became the signature
feature of Chaitya architecture
 Today this arch is known as Chaitya arch

B. STUPA
 Any architecture built atop relic of Buddha
 Later stupas were built atop the relics of
buddhist monks
 Inspiration:-
 Megalithic burials
 Death = like bubble (or stupa means life can
burst anytime like bubble)
 Shape of Stupa
a) Kesariya Stupa = Vaishali (East Champaran )
shape is pyramid bell= tallest /highest stupa in
India

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57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
b) Dhamek Stupa (Gupta Age)= At Sarnath (eastern
UP), shape is Cylindrical

c) Chaukhandi stupa= 16th C= at sarnath shape is

octagonal indo-Islamic

d) In SE Asia Domes are generally Bell shapes or

Pagoda shape

e) Sanchi Stupa (Ashoka)= Vidisha but now Raisen ,

shape is hemisphere
 Upper railing, lower railing and gateways were
added later in Shunga Period
 Parts of sanchi stupa are as following
 Made of yellow white sand stone
 Anda= made of stone bricks representing death
 Harmika = stone railing representing life

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 Yasti = stone road connecting this life to other
life
 Chhatra= total three in number representing tri-
ratna of Buddhism
a. 1st= Buddha himself
b. 2nd= his teaching
c. 3rd = his followers

 It is not important that every stupa has 3 chhatra

, some have 1 (Amravati stupa )or 2 also
 Note:- Upper railing, lower railing and
gateways were added latter in Shunga
period

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See people are going in front of him (Buddha in
no human form), two chakra on feet indicating
him, women have no upper clothes, hands are
bent awkward

See the birth representation of Buddha, a

Chaitya arch , dancers are dancing , script is
written on Chaitya arch

Dream of maya devi when arrival of Buddha

represented as elephant(mother of Buddha
herself not wearing upper clothes)

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Awkwardly bent hands and head knot

This is a monkey miracle at Vaishali (monkey

brought honey for Buddha and he is not shown
in human form), seat of Buddha is empty

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Bhagwan Buddha gave first sermon (Buddha

himself absent )

Saṅkāsya (also Sankissa, Sankassa) is one of the ‘Eight

Great Places’ of the Buddhist pilgrimage. It was here that
the Buddha performed the miracle of the ‘Descent from
the Heavens, accompanied by Indra and Brahma’.
Here when mother of Buddha died, she went to
heaven and she was crying as no god can even
console her, as Buddha is above gods in buddhism so
they prayed Buddha to come to heaven and console
her, he went to heaven (depicted by ladder in
picture two chakras ) and gave sermon at heaven to
his mother and consoled her. See crowdedness of
the panel not seen mauryan, Gandhara and Mathura

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Villagers welcoming Buddha, female has

brought water and is covered here , Chaitya
arch = head knots

Elephant and monkey miracle both at Rajgriha ,

where was a wild elephant who used to desecrate
the villagers, and Buddha came and by looking
everything settled down and monkeys here brought
honey. Carvings relatively shallower

SANCHI SCHOOL OF ART

 Features
1) Time= 1st century BCE
2) Place = Sanchi (Vidisha present day Raisen)
3) Color= yellow white sandstone
4) Art form= narrative art form
5) No human form Buddha (no
anthropomorphic form Buddha)
6) Deeper carvings (compared with Bharhut )
7) Themes= on Buddhism
8) Head knots
9) Lean bodies
10) Crowded panels

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 Shunga age elaborations in sanchi stupas
During Mauryan age Ashoka built sanchi stupa

 Note:- Upper railing, lower railing and gateways

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See the tanks for water storage and cuts

2) EASTERN FREE STANDING STUPA

ARCHITECTURE
 White marvel is used
 Amravati stupa

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 Amravati school of Art
st rd
 Time:- 1 to 3 CAD
 Place :- Amravati (Guntur)
 Patron:- Sathvahanas
 Stone:- white marvel
 Type:- Narrative
 Buddha:- human form Buddha / anthropomorphic
Buddha
 Theme:- Buddhism
 Monks:- head knots
 Body:- thin body
 Panel:- crowded panel
 Sense of movement in sculpture

Now see the full movement of sculpture form

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 SANGAM AGE 3RD BC-3RD AD

 From 3rd CBC onwards a sudden rise in literary
activity could be seen in peninsular India
 Poets of these work, claimed that they have
written their work in assemblies of poets known
as “Sangam” (where people meet). Therefore
this literature is called sangam literature and the
kingdoms described are called sangam kingdoms
 The time period of this literature is called
“Sangam age”

 The period roughly between the 3rd century

B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India (the area
lying to the south of river Krishna and
Tungabhadra) is known as Sangam Period.

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 It has been named after the Sangam academies
held during that period that flourished under the
royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai
 Language :- Tamil in old style (only in Tamil)

 Total three Snagams took place

 THE THREE SNAGAMS :-

1) FIRST SANGAM (Ten (old) MADURAI)
 They wrote almost 8000 years (between 9600
BCE to 5200 BCE)
 All the works are lost , no surviving work
2) SECOND SANGAM ( AT KAPATAPURAM.)
 This Sangam lasted for thousands of year (3700
years) and had 59 members, with 1700 poets
participating. There were 59 Pandiya kings
starting from Vendercceliyan to Mudattirumaran
were decedents and rulers of that period.
 One work survived of this sangam
 Name of work:- Tolkappiyam (Tolkappiyar
(epithet), the author of “Tolkappiyam”, which is
the oldest extant Tamil grammar, is believed by
various traditions to be one of the twelve
disciples of Agattiyar. Tolkappiyar is believed to
have lived during the Second Sangam and to be
the author of the Tolkappiyam that has survived.
3) THIRD SANGAM (AT MADURAI)
 All surviving Sangam literature comes from this
particular Sangam.

 THE DIVISION OF LITERATURE

ON THE BASIS OF CONTENT:-
 NARRATIVE LITERATURE
 In this story is the main emphasis of work. If a
message or teaching has to be given , it is
given via story
 So no direct messaging
 Example for understanding :- chopai of

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57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
Tulsidas, Ramcharita Manas etc
 DIDACTIC LITERATURE
 In this , teaching and messages is the main
emphasis of the work
 Message is given directly, without any
support of story
 Kabir Doha can be example
 SANGAM LITERATURE DIVISIONS
A. ON THE BASIS OF STYLE/THEME:-
1) AGAM THEMES
 In this style, main emphasis is on description
of feelings , emotions , dilemma etc of
character
 Subjective emotion is the main theme
 largely about love (Agam is pronounced as
akam)
 they are the work of love stories
2) PURAM THEMES
 In this style , main emphasis is on
description on outer actions of characters
like bravery , charity, warfare etc
 Objective emphasis is the main theme
 largely about war (puram)
 war stories
B. ON THE BASIS OF THINAI/FLOWERS:-
 Sangam literature mentions 5 geographical
features
1) Mountain associated with emotion of
“Union”
2) Agricultural land:- associated with emotion
of “Quarrel”
3) Desert:- associated with emotion of
“Separation”
4) Forest:- associated with emotion of
“waiting”
5) Coastal region:- associated with emotion of
“Pain”
 Each geographical feature is associated with an
emotion and named on Thinai (flower) found in
that region
 Read table and remember for exam:-
G-FEATURE ASSOCIATION FLOWER
Mountain Union Kurinji
Agricultural Land Quarrel Marutham
Desert Separation Paalai
Forest Waiting Mullai
Coastal region Pain Neithal
………….4th class ended, 5th started…………

 DRISTI IAS SANGAM NOTES

 Introduction
 Period roughly between the 3 rd century B.C. and 3 rd
century A.D. in South India (the area lying to the
south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra) is known as

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Sangam Period.
 It has been named after the Sangam academies held
during that period that flourished under the royal
patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
 At the sangams eminent scholars assembled and
functioned as the board of censors and the choicest
literature was rendered in the nature of anthologies.
 These literary works were the earliest specimens of
Dravidian literature.
 According to the Tamil legends, there were three
Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the
ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam.
a) The First Sangam, is believed to be held at
Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages.
No literary work of this Sangam is available.
b) The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram,
only Tolkappiyam survives from this.
c) The Third Sangam was also held at Madurai. A
few of these Tamil literary works have survived
and are a useful sources to reconstruct the
history of the Sangam period.
 Sangam Literature: Major source
giving details of Sangam Age
 The Sangam literature includes
a) Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu,
Pathinenkilkanakku, and two epics named –
Silappathikaram and Manimegalai . Tolkappiyam
was authored by Tolkappiyar and is considered
the earliest of Tamil literary work. Though it is a
work on Tamil grammar but it also provides
insights on the political and socioeconomic
conditions of the time.
b) Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies) consist of eight
works – Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru,
Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal
and Padirruppatu.
c) The Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls) consists of ten
works – Thirumurugarruppadai,
Porunararruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai,
Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu,
Nedunalvadai, Maduraikkanji,
Kurinjippatttu,Pattinappalai and
Malaipadukadam.
d) Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works
about ethics and morals. The most important
among these works is Tirukkural authored by
Thiruvalluvar, the tamil great poet and
philosopher.
e) The two epics Silappathikaram is written by
Elango Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai
Sattanar. They also provide valuable details
about the Sangam society and polity.
 Other Sources that give details about the
Sangam Period are –
a) The Greek authors like Megasthenes, Strabo,
Pliny and Ptolemy mentioning about
commercial trade contacts between the

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West and South India.
b) The Ashokan inscriptions mentioned about
the Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers to the
south of Mauryan empire.
c) Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela of
Kalinga also has mention of Tamil kingdoms.
 Political History of Sangam Period

 South India, during the Sangam Age, was ruled by

three dynasties-the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. The
main source of information about these kingdoms is
traced from the literary references of Sangam Period.
 Cheras
a) The Cheras controlled the central and northern parts
of Kerala and the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu.
b) Vanji was their capital and the ports of the west
coast, Musiri and Tondi, were under their control.
c) The emblem of Cheras was “bow and arrow”.
d) The Pugalur inscription of the 1st century AD has
reference to three generations of Chera rulers.
e) The Cheras owed its importance to trade with the
Romans. They also built a temple of Augustus there.
f) The greatest ruler of Cheras was Senguttuvan, the
Red Chera or the Good Chera, who belonged to the
2nd century A.D.
1) His military achievements have been chronicled
in epic Silapathikaram, with details about his
expedition to the Himalayas where he defeated
many north Indian rulers.
2) Senguttuvan introduced the Pattini cult or the
worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife in Tamil
Nadu.
3) He was the first to send an embassy to China
from South India.
 Cholas
 The Cholas controlled the central and northern parts
of Tamil Nadu.
 Their core area of rule was the Kaveri delta, later
known as Cholamandalam.
 Their capital was Uraiyur (near Tiruchirapalli town)
and Puhar or Kaviripattinam was an alternative royal
residence and chief port town.
 Tiger was their emblem.
 The Cholas also maintained an efficient navy.
 King Karikala was a famous king of the Sangam
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Cholas.
a) Pattinappalai portrays his life and military
conquests.
b) Many Sangam poems mention the Battle of
Venni where he defeated the confederacy of
Cheras, Pandyas and eleven minor chieftains.
c) Karikala’s military achievements made him the
overlord of the whole Tamil region of that time.
d) Trade and commerce flourished during his reign.
e) He founded the port city of Puhar (identical with
Kaveripattinam) and constructed 160 km of
embankment along the Kaveri River.
 Pandyas
 The Pandyas ruled from Madurai.
 Korkai was their main port, located near the
confluence of Thampraparani with the Bay of Bengal.
 It was famous for pearl fishery and chank diving.
 Their emblem was the “Fish”.
 They patronized the Tamil Sangams and facilitated
the compilation of the Sangam poems. Rulers kept a
regular army.
 Trade was prosperous and their pearls were famous.
Sati, caste, idol worship were common.
 Widows were treated badly. They adopted the Vedic
religion of sacrifice and patronized Brahmin priests.
 Their power declined with the invasion of a tribe
called the Kalabhras. After the Sangam Age, this
dynasty lost its significance for more than a century,
only to rise once again at the end of the 6th century.
 Sangam Polity and Administration
 During the Sangam period hereditary monarchy was
the form of government.
 Each of the dynasties of Sangam age had a royal
emblem – tiger for the Cholas, carp/Fish for the
Pandyas, and bow for the Cheras.
 The king was assisted by a wide body of officials who
were categorised into five councils.
 They were ministers (amaichar), priests (anthanar),
envoys (thuthar), military commanders (senapathi),
and spies (orrar).
 The military administration was efficiently organized
and a regular army was associated with each ruler.
 The chief source of state’s income was land revenue
while a custom duty was also imposed on foreign
trade.
 Major source of fulfilling the royal treasury was the
booty captured in wars.
 The roads and highways were maintained and
guarded to prevent robbery and smuggling.
 Sangam Society
 Tolkappiyam refers to the Five-fold division of
lands – Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral),
Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal) and
Palai (desert).
 Tolkappiyam also refers to four castes namely
arasar(Ruling Class), anthanar, vanigar(carried
on trade and commerce) and
vellalar(Agriculturists).
 Ancient primitive tribes like Thodas, Irulas,
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Nagas and Vedars lived in this period.
 Position of Women during Sangam
Age
 A lot of information is available in the Sangam
literature to understand the position of women
during the Sangam age.
 Women had respect and were allowed
intellectual pursuits.There were women poets
like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and
Kakkaipadiniyar who flourished and contributed
to Tamil literature.
 Women were allowed to choose their life
partners. But life of widows was miserable.
 There is also a mention about the practice of Sati
being prevalent in the higher strata of society.
 Religion
 The primary deity of the Sangam period was
Murugan, who is hailed as Tamil God.
 The worship of Murugan was having an ancient
origin and the festivals relating to God Murugan
was mentioned in the Sangam literature.
 Murugan was honoured with six abodes known
as Arupadai Veedu.
 Other gods worshipped during the Sangam
period were Mayon (Vishnu), Vendan (Indiran),
Varunan and Korravai.
 The Hero Stone or Nadu Kal worship was
significant in the Sangam period and was erected
in memory of the bravery shown by the warriors
in the battle.
 Economy of the Sangam Age
 Agriculture was the chief occupation where rice
was the most common crop.
 The handicraft included weaving, metal works
and carpentry, ship building and making of
ornaments using beads, stones and ivory.
 These were in great demand in the internal and
external trade that was at its peak during the
Sangam period.
 A high expertise was attained in spinning and
weaving of cotton and silk clothes. These were in
great demand in the western world especially
for the cotton clothes woven at Uraiyur.
 The port city of Puhar became an important
place of foreign trade, as big ships entered this
port containing precious goods.
 Other significant ports of commercial activity
were Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and
Marakkanam.
 Many gold and silver coins that were issued by
the Roman Emperors like Augustus, Tiberius and
Nero have been found in all parts of Tamil Nadu
indicating flourishing trade.
 Major exports of the Sangam age were cotton
fabrics and spices like pepper, ginger,

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cardamom, cinnamon and turmeric along with
ivory products, pearls and precious stones.
 Major imports for the traders were horses, gold,
and sweet wine.
 End of Sangam Age
 The Sangam period slowly witnessed its decline
towards the end of the 3rd century A.D.
 The Kalabhras occupied the Tamil country post-
sangam period between 300 AD to 600 AD,
whose period was called an interregnum or 'dark
age' by earlier historian
………….4th class ended, 5th started…………

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 KUSHANS DYNASTY :-

 Kushans were a part of YUECHI (YUEZHI) tribe

and natives of western China, pushed westwards
by Chinese Empire and they settled in central
Asia in 2nd CBC, pushing Scythians southwards. In
central Asia they were known as “GUISHVANG”
(which later became Kushans. Chinese sources
describe the Guìshuāng ( 貴霜 , Old Chinese:
*kuj-s *s+raŋ), i.e. the Kushans, as one of the five
aristocratic tribes of the Yuezhi}
 In Sanskrit literature they are mentioned as
“TUSHARA”
 In 1st CAD
 Kushans entered India & established themselves
on both the sides of Indus River.
A. KUJULA KADPHISES (30S-60SAD):-
 First king to led them in India was Kujula
Kadphises. He was follower of iranier religion
and Shaivism

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B. VIMA KADPHISES (90s-120sAD)
 Ruled from capital takshila and conquered till
Mathura region
 He was follower of Iranier religion and Shaivism
 Vima Kadphises was the first ruler to issue gold coins
extensively, due to the favourable trade conditions
between Rome and the Indian subcontinent at the
time; influenced by the ancient Roman 'denarius'
coins, Kushana gold coins were called 'dinara'
C. KANISHKA (120s-150sAD)
 He adopted Buddhism ad his coins also depict
his association with iranier religion and Shaivism
 Expanded Kushan empire eastwards till
Pataliputra and northwards in central Asia.
 During his reign , Kushans controlled almost
entire northern India , Afghanistan, and
substantial part of central Asia.
 Kushans controlled entire Uttrapatha and large
part of silk road unifying the markets from
central India to central Asia giving great boost to
trade ,especially exports towards roman empire
in west and Han empire in China.
 They acted as middle men of China Europe silk
trade
 Kushans ruled from three capitals
1) Kapisa (region near Kabul or Kabul)
2) Taxila /Pushkalavati (Peshawar)
3) Mathura
 Under them Taxila and Mathura prospered as
great centers of Buddhist Art – Gandhara school
of art and Mathura school of art respectively
 TRADE & COMMERCE OF KUSHANS
 Kushans controlled “Makran coast” {Baluchistan
area today} which gave them the control of
“Persian gulf sea trade, an important branch of
“Indian Ocean Trade Network”
 the control till Odisha region gave them a good
share in trade with SE-Asia
 Kushans created new trade routes and highways
giving further boost to trade and exports , this
even benefited later Gupta empire
 Kushans minted huge volumes of coins in almost
all prevalent metals and in all denominations
 Under Kushans a highly monetized trade
economy developed
 Even local markets used cash under Kushans {for
Kushans main focus was trade not agriculture}
 Kushans exported goods like
 textiles {Mathura textile was named
“SHATAK”-
 diamonds {Panna diamond of malwa region}
 oil seeds
 perfume
 ivory
 Salt (rock salt)

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 Pottery
 Mineral ores
 Jewelry (gold, silver, diamond, pearls etc)
 Spices (in huge amount) to Europe.
 Kushans exported huge quantities of goods to
Europe and china via a land trade
 Western satraps ,Sathvahanas and sangam
kingdoms exported huge quantities of Goods via
sea trade (Indian Ocean trade Network)
 Therefore, this period of Indian History is Known
as “Age Of Commerce”

In gupta period gold was considered as a wealth


 THE FOURTH BUDDHIST COUNCIL {OF
SARVASTIVADA OR THE MAHAYANA
BUDDHISM}
 Time :- reign of Kanishka (2nd CAD)
 Place:- Kundalavana (perhaps at Harwan, near
Srinagar, Kashmir)
 Patronage:- Kanishka
 President:- Vasumitra
 Asvaghosa was his deputy under the patronage of King
Kanishka of Kushan Empire.
 Aim:- to compile elaborate commentaries on
buddhist philosophy (to simplify them for
foreigners as they don’t know karma , aatma etc )
 Result:-
 compilation of “Abhidhamma Mahavibhasha
Shastra { elaborate commentaries on buddhist
philosophy, vibhasha means commentary , root
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57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
word is Bhashya}
 birth of vibhasika school in Buddhism (out of
sarvastivada) :- this school accepts “Maha
vibhasha Shastra as its central literature.
 Buddhism was divided into two sects namely
Mahayan and Hinayan .
 THERAVADA BUDDHISM
1) They (Theravada or Hinayan) do not accept
Kundalavana Council as a legitimate buddhist
council
2) According to them 4th buddhist council took place
in sri lanka.
th
 4 buddhist council of Theravada or
Hinayan:-
 Time:- 25BC
 Place :- Anuradhapura, Sri lanka
 Patronage:- King called Valagamba
 President:- _______
 Aim:- to preserve buddhist literature after a
long famine in Sri Lanka
 Result:- preservation of buddhist literature,
written down on palm leaf manuscripts
3) It is the most ancient branch of extant Buddhism
today.
4) It remains closest to the original teachings of the
Buddha.
5) Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and
subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia.
6) It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia,
Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
D. VASUDEVA (191-232)
 After Kanishka Kushans continued , however,
without much expansion , but still strongly
 Vasudeva was last strong Kushan emperor
 After him, dynasty slipped into decline
 Kushan kings after Vasudeva are known as Little
Kushans
 By 4th CAD, western regions of Kushans were
invaded by Sassanid empire and from east by
Gupta Empire.
 In Prayag Prashasti of Gupta emperor
Samudragupta (335-375AD) a Kushan king is
mentioned ruling as subordinate of Gupta
empire.
………….6th class ended, 7th started…………

 GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ART

 Time:- 1st to 3rd century AD
 Place:- Gandhara
 Patron:- Kushana
 Art type:- Narrative art
 Three places have inspired Gandhara:-and their
features assimilated in this art school, these
three places are the Indian + Greek+ central
asian
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a) Central asian features:-
 Stone (90% of the times Grey)
(sometimes blue schyst stone)
 Halo:- chakara /disc behind the head. It
could also be a Greek feature but
assimilated into central Asian. Here is
simple halo not decorated
b) Indian features:-
 Themes:- Buddhism {Mahayana largely as of
Kushanas)
 Head knot
 Mark on the forehead (tilak)
 Faces are sad
 Elongated ear lobes
 Standing with one feet resting/weight is on
one feet:- as Bhagwan Buddha is seen
standing on one feet , other feet is resting
c) Greek features:-
 Muscular body
 Curly hairs
 Folds on clothes /Drapery/ toga
 {Buddha is seen wearing opaque toga in
Gandhara school of art}

Elongated ears show he was a prince and due to jewellery

they got elongated.
Sad face represent :- warriors who were not happy even
after win.

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See one knee visible, sad face, folds (toga), halo,

muscular body
Knee represents he is resting one feet as he was
giving sermon for many hours standing and got tired
 Important points of Gandhara School of Art
a) Attendant of Buddha:- vajrapani
b) Human form Buddha is seen in Gandhara school
of art {one of the earliest human form depiction}
c) {Gandhara, Mathura, and Amravati school of art
were the earliest schools (traditions) to depict
Buddha in Human form}. Generally, Gandhara is
credited as the earliest among these.

 MATHURA SCHOOL OF ART:-

 Time:- 1st to 3rd century AD
 Place:- Mathura
 Patron:- Kushana
 Art type:- Narrative (note apart from mauryan
all art forms are narrative)
 Themes:- Buddhism
 Colour stones:- red stones
 Buddha form:- Human form Buddha
 Body:- Fat bodies (note mathura school of arts
is inspired by mauryan age Yaksha Yakshini)
 Face:- happy faces
 Headknot:- simple head knots but not curl in it
 Halo:- decorative halo (not simple)

7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 35

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 Samgati:- translucent drapery (toga in India
called Samgati,).
 It is only on the Left shoulder in Mathura art
form (note it).
 It has lines on it (drapery) not the folds.
 Elongated earlobes:- also found in this

Buddha cant seen fat because he is god. Lines on left

shoulder is Samgati, and you can see body so
translucent, see red colour stone. Check head knot

See the fat body

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157
57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022

See the one feature is missing that here is cloth on both

shoulders, but we cannot reject it as mathura because of
one feature missing note it.
 Bala bodhi sattva discovered in 1905, earliest
and most famous specimen of mathura school .it
is a dated statue with name of Kanishka on it.
Look his picture down below and note the
features.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF
KUSHANS:-
 Although Kushans created a large empire,
however, it was divided into various satrapies
rules by satraps (a subordinate king or
governor). These satraps ruled their own regions
7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 36
NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
by their own style of administration, therefore
Kushanas’ administration was not a
homogenous administration
 EXAMPLES OF SATRAPS:-
a) Northern satraps at mathura {patronising
mathura school of art)
b) Western satraps in Gujarat region
{patronising Gandhara school of art}
 TITLES OF KUSHAN KINGS:-
a) Soter (saviour):- origin can be either Chinese
or central asian
b) Shah (king):- origin of this title is iranian
c) Kaiser (ceaser):- origin is roman
d) Devputra (son-of-god):- origin is Indian
e) Maharaja :- origin is Indian
NOTE THE OTHER TITLES
 Titles of Sathvahanas king was “Ekbrahmin”
 Mauryan ashoka or mauryan kings:- Devanampiya
(beloved of gods), piyadassi.

 GENERAL CHANGES BROUGHT

BY KUSHANS:-
a) Cavalry changes:-
 Reins ( ) & Stirrups ( ):- Indian
warfare shifted from elephant based to horse
based warfare
b) New clothing :-
 They brought
 Trousers (stitched) {earlier we wore single Leon
cloth)
 Leather boots
 Long coat
 Tunic (Kurta)
 MAP OF THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM:-
 Theravada or Hinayana Spread:-
 Bihar:- Buddhism starts and then spreaded
southwards and reached srilanka then to
Myanmar  Thailand  Theravada or Hinayana
 Spread of Hinayana (H in map) Buddhism was
mainly due to efforts of Ashoka
 Mahayana Buddhism spread:- {M in map}
 Under Kanishka and Kushans
 Bihar Afghanistan  central Asia  silk route
 china  japan
 China  laos , Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia
 Afghanistan  central Asia and towards China
was mainly due to the efforts of Kushan dynasty.
This is known as Silk Road Spread of Buddhism
 Note:- Kushans didn’t take Buddhism to Japan,
they just spread it towards China.
 Vajrayana Buddhism spread:- {V in map}
 Magical part of Buddhism , believe in tantrism
followed mainly by tribes
 Believed in women worship

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157

57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
 Spread of this Buddhism in eastern India and
towards south-east Asia was Mainly under Pala
Dynasty {8th-1th CAD}
 Region of Bengal and Bihar.
 Pala made 4 universities on based of Nalanda
university and taught Mahayana and Vajrayana
 These Five universities are called
Panchamahavihara {5 great buddhist great
universities in Bihar and Bengal region}
a) Nalanda ::- built by Kumar gupta
b) Vikramshila :- built by pala dynasty
c) Jagaddala/Jaggadala :- built by pala dynasty
d) Somapura :- built by pala dynasty
e) Odantpuri/odantapura:- built by pala
dynasty
 Mahavihara:- university
 Vihara:- buddhist Monk lives

7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 37

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 These universities teach Mahayana and
Vajrayana and other academic subjects
th
 Note:- in the 8 CAD, from one of these Mahavihara
a monk named Padmasambhava (in Tibet called
Rinpoche) went to Tibet where he assimilated the
practices of Mahayana , Vajrayana and Bonnism (a
local sect), this gave rise to tibetian Buddhism. Some
principles of tibetian Buddhism Based on
 residential monasteries {Gompa:- residential
monasteries of Tibet) ,
 theocracy (religious heads are political heads),
 lama system (dalai lama),
 karmapa lama (deputy)
 Rich iconography
 Ritual symbolism {e.g. like write one lakh chit to
mantars , put it on a cylinder and rotate or disc
and rotate it , you get 1 lakh times benefit}
th
 In 12 CAD, turks invaders (bakhtiyar Khilji),
desecrated and burnt these Mahavihara , this led to
migration of monks into Tibet region ,further
flourishing of tibetian Buddhism {TB in map}
th
 In 20 CAD, Chinese takeover of Tibet lead to the
migration of monks towards India, so today
Dharmshala is the center of Tibetian Buddhism.

MAHAYANA BUDDHISM:-
 Vedas are books of Hinduism and not of
Buddhism

 BACKGROUND TILL MAHAYANA

a) 383BC :- Vaishali , Kalashoka , 2nd
Buddhist council
 They became Maha sangika means started
allowing new truth or philosophical
interpretation
 It was Maha sangika v/s Sthaviravadin (rules
should be rigid)
b) 250 BC:- 3rd Buddhist council
 Lokottarvada :- super mundane Buddhism
 The name Lokottaravāda means those who
follow the supramundane (Skt. lokottara),
or transcendent, teachings. Despite bearing
this name, all sub-sects of the
Mahāsāṃghikas seem to have accepted

57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022

b) Mihirakula (son of Tomarana) :-

 After Tomarana , huns were led by his son
Mihira kula in early 6th CAD.
 He further intensified Huns invasions and
desecrated the entire Uttrapatha, cities
around Uttrapatha
 His main target was buddhist monasteries

7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 43

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF HUN
INVASIONS:-
 a confederacy of various kings was made {these kings
were feudatories of Gupta empire). This confederacy
was led by Yashodharman of Aulikara dynasty (a
subordinate dynasty of Gupta empire)
 Gupta king , Narasinghagupta baladitya was also a
part of this confederacy , in 530AD , this confederacy
defeated Huns and ended the HUNS invasion forever.
 Gupta king was a part of this confederacy , but was
not leading it, this indicates the obvious decline of
Gupta dynasty
 Yashodharman created his own inscription known as
Mandsaur Prashasti (in MP)

G. VISHNUGUPTA (540-550)
 Last known Gupta King
 CAUSES OF DECLINE OF GUPTAS
a) Huns invasions
b) Rise of Feudatories/ subordinate Kings
 While fighting HUNS invasion gupta empire began
declining. Huns were defeated by subordinate Kings
of Gupta empire , after their victories these kings
didn’t return sovereignty back to Gupta emperor and
claimed autonomy instead
c) Falling economy and trade:- the desecration of silk
road and Uttrapatha resulted I decline of trade and
economy . loss of territory led to loss of revenue.
d) Currency debasement :-It is a sign of economic crises
and further intensified economic crisis.
e) Gupta empire was a feudal empire with feudalism as
basis of administration. {means bureaucracy was not
available)
 These feudal lords increased the crisis to take the
benefit instead of solving the crisis
 MAP OF POST GUPTA AGE:-

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157

57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
 ADMINISTRATION AND CULTURAL
ASPECTS OF THE GUPTAS:-
 Topics we cover
a) Coinage
b) Administration
c) Judiciary
d) Feudal rule
e) Officers & Guilds
f) Agriculture & land
g) Land grants

A. COINAGE OF GUPTAS

 Gupta coins were based on Kushans coins,

Kushans coins were based on Indo-greeks (cast
stuck coin, In portrait style)

See the similarity of king’s standing and holding

swear in hand
 Guptas further perfected the coin art and
therefore represented the pinnacle of
numismatic art in India.
 In early medieval times, many regional kingdoms
made their coins inspired by gupta coins ,
however could not match the art ,style ,uniform
weight etc.
 Gupta Coins had most diverse numismatic art. In
many coins king and queen are shown together
 Various non-empirical scenes are depicted , like
king playing veena, killing tiger, rhino, riding
horse or elephant , even the scenes like
coronation and renunciation are depicted
 Guptas used various principles of sculpture and
paintings in coins like naturalism in body
movement ,sense of body weight, use of
projection, knowledge of Human and animal
anatomy
 Dinar:- Name of Gupta gold coins:- Dinar
 Rupak:-name of Gupta silver coin

7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 44

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915
 Goddess laxmi and durga were on Guptas Gold
coin.
 Look all features in the following pictures:-

See he is killing lion without any fear and having body

movement like foot sitting on a stone etc . Otherwise is
goddess Durga sitting on lion.
Main characters shown bigger heights

See king and queen, here they are bending (taking pose).
Second picture is of laxmi goddess , giving coins

King playing veena

See king killing Rhino and rhino is shown in fear

B. GUPTA’S ADMINISTRATION
 Look the division in descending order from top
to bottom
 DIVISION  INFORMATION
Empire ⬇  King, Raja, Samrat
 Titles:-
 MaharajaDhiraj,
 Parambhattaraka,
 Paramdevata,
 parameshwara,
 devadhideva


NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157

57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022
Province /Bhukti⬇ 

District/ Vishay⬇  Became lower unit because

of expansion of area (became
subordination)
Vithi⬇  Tehsil type
Pethaka/ Santaka/  Group of villages
Asthakuladhikaran⬇
Gram⬇ 

Patta  Private land

 Patwari was the officer who
gave this land
th th
…………8 class ends,9 starts……….

C. JUDICIARY


D. FEUDAL RULE


E. OFFICERS & GUILDS



F. AGRICULTURE & LAND



G. LAND GRANTS










7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 45

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 758915

NOTES MADE BY AKASH 7589157

57201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022

7201 E-5 BATCH STUDENT 2022 46

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