Ch 09 – Post-Mauryan Empire

Local Dynasties: Shunga, Kanva, Satavahana

Foreign Dynasties: Indo-Greek, Shaka, Parthian, Kushan

Saka Era: 78 CE (Kanishka)

📅 Dynasty Timeline — At a Glance ▼

Dynasty	Period	Type	Key Fact
Shunga	185–73 BCE	Local (Brahmin)	Founder: Pushyamitra Shunga
Kanva	73–28 BCE	Local (Brahmin)	Founder: Vasudeva · Capital: Pataliputra
Satavahana	30 BCE–250 CE	Local (Deccan)	Called Andhra in Puranas
Indo-Greek	~200–100 BCE	Foreign	First gold coins, first coins with portrait
Shaka	~100 BCE–400 CE	Foreign (Scythians)	5 branches · Rudradaman — Junagadh inscription
Parthian	~19–45 CE	Foreign (Iran)	Gondophernes · St. Thomas visited India
Kushan	~78–250 CE	Foreign (Yuezhi)	Kanishka · Saka Era · 4th Buddhist Council

👑 Pushyamitra Shunga (Founder) ▼

Killed last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha — mentioned in Banabhatta's Harshacharita
Brahmin of Baimbika family — per Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitra
Related to Maurya dynasty — per Divyavadana
Divyavadana mentions persecution of Buddhists
Built Bharhut Stupa · Embellished Sanchi Stupa with stone slabs
Defeated Vidarbha King Yagyasena · Took title Senani — per Malavikagnimitram
Performed two Ashwamedha Yagyas — per Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva
Priest for Yagyas: Patanjali (founder of Yoga Philosophy · author of Mahabhashya)

📋 Key Shunga Successors ▼

Ruler	Key Facts
Agnimitra	Son of Pushyamitra · Main hero of Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitram (love story of Agnimitra & Malavika)
Vasumitra	Killed by Muladeva of Kaushal
Sujyesthika	On coins: named Tethamitra · Failed Yavana attack mentioned in Gargi Samhita + Malavikagnimitram
Bhagabhadra	Heliodorus (ambassador of Greek ruler Antialcidas) in his court Heliodorus influenced by Bhagavata religion Established Garuda Pillar at Besnagar — in honour of Vasudeva Inscribed virtues: Self-restraint, Renunciation, Alertness
Devabhuti	Last Shunga ruler · Killed by Brahmin minister Vasudeva → Led to Kanva dynasty

📌 Kanva Dynasty — Key Facts ▼

Founder

Vasudeva

Brahmin minister of Devabhuti

Capital

Pataliputra

Rulers (4)

Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana, Susharman

End: Satavahana ruler Simuka killed last ruler Susharman → dynasty ended

👑 Key Satavahana Rulers ▼

Simuka (60–40 BCE)

First ruler · Ended Shunga & Kanva rule

First to establish Satavahana power — per Nasik inscription
Killed last Kanva ruler Susharman

Krishna (37–27 BCE)

Brother of Simuka

Empire extended up to Nasik
Name mentioned in Nasik inscription

Satakarni I (27–17 BCE)

Most powerful king of Dakshinapatha

Simuka's nephew (son of Krishna)
Mentioned in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
First to assume title Satakarni
Married Naganika — princess of Angiya/Amiya dynasty
Naneghat inscription (Naganika) throws light on his works
Circular coins of Malwa style + silver coins in wife's name

Hala

Poet-king

Compiled Gatha Sattasai (Gaha Sattasai) — 700 verses in Prakrit · love tales
Courtier: Sharvavarman — author of Katantra grammar
Brihatkatha Kosh written by Gunadhya in his era

Gautamiputra Satakarni (106–130 CE)

Greatest Satavahana ruler

Called "Only Brahmin, incomparable Brahmin" — Nasik inscription (by mother Balasiri)
Empire: Malwa (N) to Karnataka (S)
Capital: Paithan (Pratishthana) — Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra
Defeated twice by Rudradaman I (Shaka ruler)
Defeated Shaka ruler (Kshatrapa) Nahapana
Established Venkataka city (Nasik, Maharashtra)
Issued coins with Rajashri inscribed

🏛 Satavahana — Administration, Society & Culture ▼

Administrative Structure

District: Ahara
Rural admin: Gramika
Feudal chiefs (Samanta): 3 categories — King, Mahabhoj, Senapati
Officials: Amatya, Mahamatya · Province head: Commander-in-chief (Senapati)

Society

Patrilineal (property) + Matrilineal (naming — e.g., Gautamiputra = son of Gautami)
Re-established Chaturvarnya (4-varna system)
Earliest ruler to give land grants / Jagirs
Most land granted to Buddhists
Most traders in Satavahana era were Buddhist followers

Language, Script & Coins

Official Language

Prakrit

Script

Brahmi

Coins

Potin, Copper, Bronze

Mostly manufactured from Lead (seesa)

Architecture

Chaitya — Rock-cut: Nasik, Karheri, Karle (Maharashtra)
Ajanta and Ellora cave construction
Stupas: Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh)

🏺 Indo-Greek / Hind-Yavana Ruled Bactria (Afghanistan) · Entered via Hindu Kush ▼

First Gold Coins

Indo-Greeks

First in India to issue gold coins

First Portrait on Coins

Indo-Greeks

First to put King's image on coins

Art Patronage

Hellenistic → Gandhara Art

Mixed Greco-Indian form

Most Famous Ruler — Menander (165–145 BCE)

Also called Milinda
Converted to Buddhism by Nagasena
Composition: Milindapanaho — Dialogues of Milinda + Nagasena
Capital: Shakal (Sialkot), Punjab

🐎 Shakas (Scythians) Also called Shaka Kshatraps · 5 Branches ▼

5 Branches of Shakas

Branch 1

Afghanistan

Branch 2

Taxila

Branch 3

Mathura

Ruled until 2nd century

Branch 4

Nasik

Branch 5

Ujjain

Western Kshatrapa — Rudradaman

Rudradaman (130–150 CE) — Most Famous Shaka

Shaka of Ujjayini (Western Kshatrapa)
Lover of Sanskrit — long Sanskrit inscription
Junagadh Inscription (150 CE): Girnar mountains, Gujarat · Script: Brahmi · Language: Sanskrit · Oldest Sanskrit poetic inscription
Ruled: Sindh, Konkan, Narmada valley, Malwa, Kathiawar, Gujarat
Restored Sudarshan Lake (originally built by Pushyagupta Vaishya under Chandragupta Maurya)
Defeated Gautamiputra Satakarni twice
Last Shaka ruler: Rudrasimha III — killed by Chandragupta Vikramaditya (who then issued silver coins)

🇮🇷 Indo-Parthians (Pahlavas) Original residence: Iran ▼

First ruler in India: Maus
Actual founder: Mithridates-I

Famous Ruler — Gondophernes (19–45 CE)

Takht-i-Bahi inscription (Peshawar) · Script: Kharoshthi · Name inscribed as Guduvhar
Persian name: Vindapharnes
St. Thomas came to India to preach Christianity during his reign

📌 Kushan — Key Facts ▼

Origin: Yuezhi (Yuchis) → 5 clans → Kushan was one of them
Empire: Amu Darya (Oxus) to Ganga · Khorasan (Central Asia) to Varanasi (UP)
Gold coins: Pure gold coins — superior to even Gupta rulers
Copper coins: Highest number of copper coins issued

👑 Kushan Rulers ▼

Kujula Kadphises (15–65 CE)

First Kushan ruler

Controlled northwestern provinces (First Invasion)
Issued only copper coins — imitated Roman coins
Coins have Buddhist symbols like Triratna
Titles: Maharajadhiraja, Dharmamitra

Vima Kadphises (65–78 CE)

Actual founder of Kushan power in India

Conquered Shen-tee (per Chinese text Hou-Han-Shu)
Crossed Sindhu, captured Taxila and Punjab
First to issue regular Gold coins in India
Coins: Greek script (one side) + Kharoshthi (other side)
Shiva's figure, Nandi (bull), trident inscribed → faith in Shaivism
Took title: Maheshwara

Kanishka (78–105 CE)

Greatest Kushan ruler · Started Saka Era 78 CE

Capital: Purushpur / Peshawar
Built Sangharama Vihara (Chanyu of Kanishka) · Architect: Agesilaus (Agilasa)
Founded Kanishkapur (Kashmir) and Sirkap (Taxila)
Started Saka Era in 78 CE — used by Government of India
Controlled famous Silk Route (China → Iran → West Asia)

Court Scholars

Philosophers

Parshva, Vasumitra, Ashwaghosha

Scholar

Nagarjuna

Physician

Charaka

4th Buddhist Council

Year: 1st Century · Location: Kashmir (Kundalavana)
President: Vasumitra · Vice President: Ashwaghosha
Result: Final form of Mahayana sect

Vasudeva I

Last Great Kushan Ruler

Gold coins: Dinar, Quarter Dinar
Copper coins: Single denomination

🎨 Gandhara vs Mathura Art ▼

🏺 Gandhara Art

Patron: Shakas

Style: Realistic

Influence: Hellenistic / Greco-Roman

Buddha's hair: Curly (Greco-Roman style)

Material: Grey schist stone

Location: NW India / Afghanistan

🗿 Mathura Art

Patron: Kushans

Style: Idealistic / Indian

Influence: Pure Indian tradition

Famous: Headless standing statue of Kanishka

Material: Red sandstone

Location: Mathura, UP

🙏 Religious Developments ▼

Garuda Pillar at Vidisha — by Heliodorus (Indo-Greek ambassador) for worship of Vasudeva (Vishnu)
Kushan coins depict both Shiva and Buddha
Menander became a Buddhist (converted by Nagasena)
Milindapanho — Dialogue with Nagasena → Main source of post-Maurya period history
Origin of Buddhist Mahayana sect (finalized at 4th Council under Kanishka)
Buddhist caves (rock-cut) in Maharashtra
Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati Buddhist art — Andhra Pradesh

⚠ TRAP 01 — First Gold Coins in India

Indo-Greeks = First to issue gold coins in India
Vima Kadphises (Kushan) = First to issue REGULAR gold coins
Guptas = Most gold coins issued (NOT purest — Kushans)
Kushans = Purest gold coins (superior to Guptas)

⚠ TRAP 02 — Rudradaman's Junagadh Inscription

Junagadh Inscription = Oldest Sanskrit poetic inscription
Location: Girnar mountains, Gujarat · Script: Brahmi · Language: Sanskrit
Also mentions restoration of Sudarshan Lake (originally built by Pushyagupta under Chandragupta Maurya)

⚠ TRAP 03 — 4th Buddhist Council

4th Buddhist Council = Kashmir (Kundalavana) · Patron: Kanishka
President: Vasumitra · Vice President: Ashwaghosha
Result: Mahayana sect finalized
(NOT in Pataliputra — that was 3rd Council under Ashoka!)

⚠ TRAP 04 — Gandhara vs Mathura Patron

Gandhara Art = Patronized by Shakas (Realistic, Greco-Roman style)
Mathura Art = Patronized by Kushans (Idealistic, Indian style)
Dono alag-alag dynasties ne patronize kiya!

⚠ TRAP 05 — Saka Era Started By

Saka Era = 78 CE · Started by Kanishka (Kushan)
Used by Government of India even today (National Calendar)
"Saka" dynasty ne shuru nahi ki — Kushan ruler Kanishka ne!

⚠ TRAP 06 — Patanjali (Shunga Era)

Patanjali = Priest for Pushyamitra's Ashwamedha Yagya
Also: Founder of Yoga Philosophy + Author of Mahabhashya
(Mahabhashya = commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi)

⚠ TRAP 07 — Heliodorus Garuda Pillar

Heliodorus = Greek ambassador (of Antialcidas) in Bhagabhadra's court
He built Garuda Pillar at Besnagar — for Vasudeva (Vishnu)
Proof that foreigners adopted Indian religions!

⚠ TRAP 08 — St. Thomas in India

St. Thomas came to India during Gondophernes's reign (Parthian ruler)
To preach Christianity — 1st century CE
Gondophernes = Indo-Parthian (NOT Kushan, NOT Shaka)

Shunga founder?

Pushyamitra Shunga

Killed Brihadratha (Mauryan)

Shunga dynasty period?

185–73 BCE

Malavikagnimitram hero?

Agnimitra

Son of Pushyamitra · Written by Kalidasa

Pushyamitra's Yagya priest?

Patanjali

Yoga founder · Mahabhashya author

Garuda Pillar at Besnagar by?

Heliodorus

Greek ambassador of Antialcidas

Last Shunga ruler?

Devabhuti

Killed by minister Vasudeva

Kanva founder?

Vasudeva

73–28 BCE · Capital: Pataliputra

Kanva ended by?

Simuka (Satavahana)

Killed last Kanva ruler Susharman

Satavahana called in Puranas?

Andhra

Satavahana original capital?

Pratishthana (Maharashtra)

Gatha Sattasai compiled by?

Hala

700 verses · Prakrit language

Greatest Satavahana ruler?

Gautamiputra Satakarni

106–130 CE · Capital: Paithan

Satavahana official language?

Prakrit · Script: Brahmi

Satavahana district called?

Ahara

First gold coins in India?

Indo-Greeks

First portrait on coins?

Indo-Greeks

Menander also called?

Milinda

Converted to Buddhism by Nagasena

Menander's capital?

Shakal (Sialkot), Punjab

Most famous Shaka ruler?

Rudradaman (130–150 CE)

Ujjayini · Western Kshatrapa

Junagadh inscription — significance?

Oldest Sanskrit poetic inscription

150 CE · Girnar, Gujarat

Sudarshan Lake restored by?

Rudradaman

Originally built by Pushyagupta

Last Shaka ruler — killed by?

Chandragupta Vikramaditya

Killed Rudrasimha III

St. Thomas in India — whose reign?

Gondophernes (Parthian)

Gondophernes inscription?

Takht-i-Bahi (Peshawar)

Kharoshthi script

Kushan origin tribe?

Yuezhi (Yuchis)

Actual founder of Kushan in India?

Vima Kadphises

Vima Kadphises — religion?

Shaivism (title: Maheshwara)

Saka Era — started by whom?

Kanishka · 78 CE

Kanishka's capital?

Purushpur / Peshawar

4th Buddhist Council — location?

Kashmir (Kundalavana)

President: Vasumitra

4th Council result?

Mahayana sect finalized

Charaka — court of?

Kanishka (Kushan)

Gandhara Art patron?

Shakas · Realistic style

Mathura Art patron?

Kushans · Idealistic style

Silk Route controlled by?

Kushans