The Mauryan Dynasty (BC 325 - 183)

In BC 305 Chandragupta defeated Seleucus Nikator.
Megasthenese was a Greek ambassador sent tot the court of Chandragupta Maurya by Seleucus.
The Mauryan dynasty was founded by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of ruler Dhanananda and ascended the throne of Magadha about 322 BC.
Pataliputra(modern Patna) was the capital of the Mauryas.
The ‘Arthasastra’ written by Kautilya the Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya,’Indica’ written in Greek by Megasthenes are the literary sources that throw light on the Mauryan period.
Chandragupta embraced Jainism at the end of his life and spent his last days at Sravamabelagola near Mlysore with Bhadrabahu.
Ajivikism became important during the period of Mauryans.Ajivika sect founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary of the Buddha.
Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara (297-274 BC).
The most illustrious ruler of Mauryas was Ashoka (273-232 BC).
Ashoka asserted All men are my children.
He adopted the title ‘Devanampriya’ or beloved of the Gods.
The Mauryan administration had a well knit system of espionage.
National Emblem of India is adopted from the Saranath Lion capital of Asoka Pillar.
The great Stupa at Sanchi, was built by Asoka.
Asoka fought the Kalinga (Orissa) war in 261 BCand thereafter gave up wars and embraced Buddhism.
Brihadratha was the last major Mauryas ruler.

THE SUNGA DYNASTY(BC 185-74)

Sunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga, the commander-in-chief of Brihadratha, the last Mauryan king.
Patanjali lived in his court.He wrote “Mahabhashya”.
Kalidas’s drama Malavikagnimitram is about the love story of Pushyamitra’s son Agnimitra and Malavika.
'Manusmrithi' was written during the period.

KANVA DYNASTY(BC72-27)

Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva in 73 BC after defeating Devabhuti the last Sunga ruler.
Susarman, the last Kanva ruler was killed by Simukha, he founder of Satavahana dynasty.

CHEDI DYNASTY OF KALINGA

It is believed that Chedi dynasty was founded by Mahameghavhana.
The Hathigumbha Inscriptions of Kharavela, who belonged to the Chedi dynasty gives valuable information about Chedi’s of Kalinga.

The Satavahanas(235BC-100)

The Satavahanas came to ppower in te Deccan. They were called Andhras.
The founder of this dynasty was Simukha.
Gautamiputra Stakarni was the famous ruler of Satavahanas.
Amaravati and Nagarjuna Konda were developed as famous Buddhist centres during this period.
Their capital was Srikakulam.

Indo-Greeek or the Bactrians(Northern Afghanistan)

The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander or Milinda(BC165-145).
Milinda was converted to Buddhism.
Milinda Panha-the dialogue between Nagarjuna and Milinda.
Indo-Greeks introduced the Hellenistic art feature.
They introduced gold coins in India.
Dimitrius, the king of Bactria invaded India and he is considered as the Second Alexander. But Indian ruler was accepted the name second Alexander was Alaudin-Khilji.

THE PARTHIAN DYNASTY

THE SAKA DYNASTY(100-390 AD)

Scythians were known as Sakas.
The Scythians attacked Bactria.
Maues or Moga was the first Saka king in India, who established Saka power in Gandhara in 80 BC.
Rudradaman (AD 130-152) was one of the famous kings of Saka dynasty. His capital was Ujjayini.
The Junagadh Inscription is associated with Rudradaman.
The King of King (Raja-dhi-Raja),Great king (Maharaja) were the prestigious titles used by the Saka kings.

KUSHANAS DYNASTY

The Kushanas ruled form Kashmir.
Kadphaises I is the founder of this dynasty.
Kanishka was the most important ruler of Kushana dynasty. He started the Saka era(the Indian Calendar) in 78 AD.
Kanishkas’s capital was purushhapura (Peshwar).
Kanishka was a patron of Buddhism. He supported Mahayana Buddhism. Due to his services to Buddhism, he is called the ‘Second Asoka’.

KANISHKA

He convened the fourth Buddhist Council at Kashmir in 78 AD.
Old Silk route was a source of income to the Kushanas.
He started Saka Era in 78AD. Its first month is Chaitra and last is Phalguna.
During the time of Kanishka, Buddhism divided into 2-Hinayana and Mahayana.
The Gandhara School of art (a mixture of Indo-Greek art) developed during this period.
Aswagosha and Nagarjuna were patronized by Kanishka,Aswagosha wrote ‘Buddhacharita’.
Charaka, the father of Ayurveda was the court physician of Kanishka.
Charaka wrote ‘Charaka Samhita’ and Susrutha wrote ‘Susrutha Samhitha’ (a treatise on surgery).
Vasudea was the last great king of Kushana dynasty.