HISTORY ONE-LINER (POST MAURYAN PERIOD)

 

ONE-LINER HISTORY NOTE FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS

POST MAURYAN PERIOD

 

Sunga Dynasty (185-71 BC)  

 

1.       Sunga Dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga the commander-in-chief of last Mauryan king, Brihadratha.  

2.      Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitram is about the love story of Pushyamitra’s son Agnimitra and Malavika.  

3.      Last ling of sunga dynasty was Devabhuti.

 

Kanva Dynasty (72 BC - 27 BC)  

 

1.       Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva in 72 BC after defeating the last Sunga ruler Devabhuti.  

2.      This dynasty ruled for a period of 45 years.  

3.      Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susuman were the rulers of Kanva dynasty.

 

Cheta (Cheti) Dynasty of Kalinga  

 

1.       The Cheti Dynasty was believed to have founded by Maha Meghavahana  

2.      The Hatigumbha inscription of Kharavela, of the Kalinga ruler gives details about the Chedis of Kalinga.  

3.      Kharavela was a follower of Jainism.

 

Satavahanas (235 BC – 100BC)  

 

1.       Satavahanas were the most powerful ruling dynasty after the Mauryas.  

2.      Satavahanas were also known as Andhras.  

3.      Satavahanas were the Indian rulers who prefixed their mother’s name along with their names.  

4.      Most important Satavahana ruler was Gautamiputra Satakarni.  

5.      Satavahanas were Brahmanas.  

6.      Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati in Andhrapradesh became important seats of Buddhist culture under the Satavahanas.  

7.      The two common structures of Satavahanas were the temple called Chaitya and the monastery called Vihara.  

8.      Satavahanas mostly issued lead coins.  

9.      The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit

 

Indo Greeks  

 

1.       First to invade India were the Greeks who were called Indo-Greeks.  

2.      The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander with his Capital at Sakala in Punjab (Modern Sialkot)  

3.      The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India.  

4.      The introduction of Hellenistic art features into India were also the contribution of Indo-Greek rule.  

5.      Menander was converted into a Buddhist by Buddhist monk Nagasena (Nagarjuna)  

6.      Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins bearing the figure of kings.  

7.      Demitrius, the king of Bacteria invaded India about 190BC. He is considered as Second Alexander (But the Indian ruler who accepted the name second Alexander (Sikandar-i-sani) was Alauddin Khilji)  

8.      Indo-Greeks were the first to introduce military governorship in India.

 

The Parthians (19 – 45 AD)  

 

1.       Parthians also known as Pahalavas were Iranian People.  

2.      Gondophernes was the greatest of the Parthian rulers.  

3.      St. Thomas is said to have came to India for the propagation of Christianity during the period of Gondophernes.

 

4.      The Sakas (90 BC - Ist AD)  

5.      Sakas were also known as Scythians.  

6.      The first Saka king in India was Maues or Moga who established Saka power in Gandhara.  

7.      The most famous of the Saka rulers in Western India was Rudra Daman I. His achievements are highlighted in his Junagarh inscription written in 150 AD.  

8.      Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman was the first inscription in Sanskrit.  

9.      Ujjayini was the capital of Rudradaman.

 

Kushans  

 

1.       Kushans are also known as Yuch-chis or Tocharians.  

2.      Kushans came to India from North Central Asia.  

3.      First great Kushana king was Kujala Kadphises or Kadphises I.  

4.      The most famous Kushana ruler was Kanishka.  

5.      He became the ruler in 78 AD and started Saka Era in 78 AD.  

6.      The Capital of Kanishka was Peshawar or Purushapura.  

7.      Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council in Kashmir.

8.      Scholars like, Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha, Charaka and Nagarjuna were the courtiers of Kanishka.  

9.      The Gandhara School of Art received royal patronage under the Kushans.  

10.    Kanishka patronised Mahayana form of Buddhism.  

11.      Kanishka is righty called the ‘Second Ashoka’  

12.    Kanishka was the first king who inscribed the image of Lord Buddha on his coins.  

13.    Kanishka started the Saka era in 78 AD. The first month of Saka era is Chaithra and the last month is Phalguna.  

14.    Vasudeva was the last great king of Kushana Dynasty.  

15.    Kushana school of art is also referred to as the Mathura school.