About the Post-Mauryan Period
The Post-Mauryan period (c. 185 BC – 320 AD) began with the fall of the Mauryan Empire and saw the rise of many regional powers. In the Ganga valley the Shungas and the Kanvas ruled; in the north-west came a series of invaders — the Indo-Greeks, the Shakas, the Parthians and the Kushans; and in the Deccan the Satavahanas built a powerful kingdom. This age is important for the growth of trade, coinage, art, Buddhism and Sanskrit literature, and for the great Silk Route contacts between India, Central Asia, China and the Roman world.
The Shunga dynasty (c. 185–73 BC) was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga, the commander who killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha in 185 BC. Pushyamitra performed two Ashvamedha sacrifices and revived Brahmanical religion and Sanskrit learning. His son Agnimitra is the hero of Kalidasa’s play Malavikagnimitram. The Mahabhashya of Patanjali belongs to this period, and the Bharhut stupa and the stone railings of Sanchi were built under Shunga patronage.
The Kanva dynasty (c. 73–28 BC) was founded by Vasudeva Kanva, a minister who overthrew the last Shunga ruler Devabhuti. It was later destroyed by the Satavahanas.
The Indo-Greeks (Yavanas) were Greek rulers of Bactria who entered India after the Mauryan decline. Demetrius was among the first to invade India (c. 190 BC), and he is called “the second Alexander”. The most famous was Menander (Milinda), whose capital was Sakala (Sialkot). Menander became a Buddhist, and his dialogues with the monk Nagasena are recorded in the Milindapanha (“Questions of King Milinda”). The Indo-Greeks were the first in India to issue coins with the names and portraits of kings.
The Shakas (Scythians) established power in western India. Maues (Moga) was an early Saka ruler, and the Western Kshatrapas ruled Gujarat, Malwa and Rajasthan. Their greatest ruler was Rudradaman I, whose Junagadh rock inscription (c. 150 AD) is one of the earliest long inscriptions in Sanskrit; it records the repair of the Sudarshana lake. The Saka era begins in 78 AD. The Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni defeated the Saka ruler Nahapana.
The Parthians ruled in the north-west; their famous king Gondophernes is said to have received St. Thomas, who brought Christianity to India.
The Kushans were a branch of the Yuezhi who came from Central Asia. Kujula Kadphises united them, but the greatest ruler was Kanishka (c. 78–101 AD), who is credited with starting the Saka era (78 AD). Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir, presided over by Vasumitra with Ashvaghosha as vice-president. His court is linked with the physician Charaka, the philosopher Nagarjuna and the poet Ashvaghosha, author of the Buddhacharita. Kanishka’s coins bear images of Shiva and Buddha, and the Kushans controlled the Silk Route. The Gandhara and Mathura schools of art flourished under them. Later Kushan rulers included Huvishka and Vasudeva.
The Satavahanas (Andhras) ruled the Deccan. Simuka founded the dynasty after destroying the Kanva power, and the capital was Pratishthana (Paithan) on the Godavari, with an important centre at Amaravati. Satakarni I performed two Ashvamedha sacrifices. The greatest ruler was Gautamiputra Satakarni (1st–2nd century AD), who defeated Nahapana and took the titles Dakshinapatha-pati (Lord of the Deccan) and Trisamudraya-pita-vahana; his achievements are recorded in the Nashik inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri. The Satavahanas followed the matronymic tradition (naming kings after their mothers). They issued the first lead coins in India, and Yajna Sri Satakarni issued coins bearing a ship. They built the Amaravati stupa and the stupas at Nagarjunakonda, and they patronised Buddhism and made generous land grants. The dynasty declined in the 3rd century AD.
Timeline of the Post-Mauryan Period
- 185 BC: Pushyamitra Shunga kills Brihadratha and founds the Shunga dynasty.
- c. 190 BC: Demetrius, an Indo-Greek ruler, invades India.
- c. 165–130 BC: Reign of Menander (Milinda) in the north-west.
- c. 73 BC: Vasudeva Kanva overthrows the Shungas and founds the Kanva dynasty.
- c. 28 BC: The Kanvas are destroyed by the Satavahanas.
- c. 1st century BC: Simuka founds the Satavahana dynasty.
- c. 1st–2nd century AD: Gautamiputra Satakarni defeats the Saka ruler Nahapana.
- c. 78 AD: Beginning of the Saka era; Kanishka’s reign begins.
- c. 150 AD: Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman I.
- c. 3rd century AD: Decline of the Satavahanas.
Main Facts about the Post-Mauryan Period (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Founder of the Shunga dynasty: Pushyamitra Shunga (185 BC).
- Last Mauryan ruler killed by him: Brihadratha.
- Shunga capital: Pataliputra, later Vidisha.
- Shunga patron of Sanskrit: Patanjali wrote the Mahabhashya.
- Stupas built under the Shungas: Bharhut and Sanchi.
- Founder of the Kanva dynasty: Vasudeva Kanva.
- First Indo-Greek invader of India: Demetrius.
- Most famous Indo-Greek king: Menander (Milinda).
- Menander’s capital: Sakala (Sialkot).
- Buddhist text on Menander: Milindapanha.
- First to issue coins with king’s name and portrait: the Indo-Greeks.
- Saka era began: 78 AD.
- Junagadh inscription: Rudradaman I (repair of Sudarshana lake).
- Greatest Kushan ruler: Kanishka.
- Fourth Buddhist Council: Kundalvana, Kashmir, under Kanishka.
- Kushan court scholars: Ashvaghosha, Charaka and Nagarjuna.
- Two schools of Kushan art: Gandhara and Mathura.
- Founder of the Satavahana dynasty: Simuka.
- Satavahana capital: Pratishthana (Paithan).
- Greatest Satavahana ruler: Gautamiputra Satakarni.
- Saka ruler defeated by him: Nahapana.
- First metal coins issued by the Satavahanas: lead coins.
- Satavahana ruler with ship-type coins: Yajna Sri Satakarni.
Important Persons and Terms
- Pushyamitra Shunga: founder of the Shunga dynasty; performed two Ashvamedha sacrifices.
- Patanjali: author of the Mahabhashya on Sanskrit grammar.
- Vasudeva Kanva: founder of the Kanva dynasty.
- Menander (Milinda): Indo-Greek king who became a Buddhist; dialogue recorded in the Milindapanha.
- Rudradaman I: Saka ruler of the Junagadh inscription, written in Sanskrit.
- Kanishka: greatest Kushan ruler; began the Saka era and held the Fourth Buddhist Council.
- Ashvaghosha: author of the Buddhacharita and a figure of the Fourth Buddhist Council.
- Charaka: famous physician, author of the Charaka Samhita.
- Nagarjuna: founder of the Madhyamika school of Buddhism; wrote the Mulamadhyamakakarika.
- Simuka: founder of the Satavahana dynasty.
- Gautamiputra Satakarni: greatest Satavahana ruler; defeated Nahapana and was called Dakshinapatha-pati.
- Gandhara and Mathura: the two great schools of art of the Kushan age.
Why the Post-Mauryan Period Matters for Exams
This period is a favourite source of objective questions. Common questions include: Who founded the Shunga dynasty? (Pushyamitra Shunga.) Who was the last Mauryan ruler he killed? (Brihadratha.) Who wrote the Mahabhashya? (Patanjali.) Who founded the Kanva dynasty? (Vasudeva Kanva.) Who was the most famous Indo-Greek king, and what was his capital? (Menander, at Sakala.) Which text records his discussions with Nagasena? (the Milindapanha.) Which inscription of Rudradaman is in Sanskrit? (the Junagadh rock inscription.) Who started the Saka era, and in which year? (Kanishka, 78 AD.) Where was the Fourth Buddhist Council held? (Kundalvana in Kashmir.) Who founded the Satavahana dynasty? (Simuka.) Who was the greatest Satavahana ruler? (Gautamiputra Satakarni.) Which Saka ruler did he defeat? (Nahapana.)
How to Prepare the Post-Mauryan Period
- Split the period into regions. North (Shungas, Kanvas), north-west (Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans) and Deccan (Satavahanas).
- Link rulers to their famous act. Pushyamitra to the Ashvamedha, Menander to the Milindapanha, Rudradaman to Junagadh, Kanishka to the Fourth Council, Gautamiputra to Nahapana.
- Remember the numbers. Shunga 185 BC, Kanva 73 BC, Saka era 78 AD, Junagadh c. 150 AD.
- Learn the art and literature. Bharhut and Sanchi, Gandhara and Mathura, Ashvaghosha, Charaka and Nagarjuna.
- Note the coinage. Indo-Greek portraits, Saka and Kushan coins, Satavahana lead and ship coins.
Common Exam Traps
- The Shunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra, not by a Mauryan prince.
- Menander was an Indo-Greek king, not a Kushan.
- The Junagadh inscription is of Rudradaman I (a Saka), not of Ashoka.
- The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under Kanishka in Kashmir.
- The Satavahanas issued lead coins; the ship coin belongs to Yajna Sri Satakarni.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Shunga dynasty and how did it begin?
The Shunga dynasty was founded in 185 BC by Pushyamitra Shunga, the commander who killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha. He performed two Ashvamedha sacrifices and revived Brahmanical religion and Sanskrit learning.
Who was Menander and what is the Milindapanha?
Menander (Milinda) was the most famous Indo-Greek king, with his capital at Sakala (Sialkot). He became a Buddhist, and his dialogues with the monk Nagasena are recorded in the Milindapanha, or “Questions of King Milinda”.
Which inscription of Rudradaman I is famous and why?
The Junagadh rock inscription (c. 150 AD) of the Saka ruler Rudradaman I is one of the earliest long inscriptions in Sanskrit. It records the repair of the Sudarshana lake in Gujarat.
Why is Kanishka important in ancient Indian history?
Kanishka was the greatest Kushan ruler. He is credited with starting the Saka era in 78 AD, convened the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir, controlled the Silk Route, and patronised the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art. His court included Ashvaghosha, Charaka and Nagarjuna.
Who was the greatest Satavahana ruler and whom did he defeat?
Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest Satavahana ruler. He defeated the Saka ruler Nahapana and assumed the titles Dakshinapatha-pati and Trisamudraya-pita-vahana, as recorded in the Nashik inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri.
Which coins were first issued by the Satavahanas in India?
The Satavahanas were the first in India to issue lead coins. Their ruler Yajna Sri Satakarni also issued coins bearing a ship, which shows their maritime trade.