The Post- Mauryan Period Chapter Notes | History Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

Sangam Literature

• Sangam literature refers to early Tamil works composed in assemblies of poets in Madurai, called sangams.
• The term "muvendar" means "three crowned kings," referring to the Chola, Chera, and Pandya dynasties ruling Tamilakam (modern Tamil Nadu and Kerala).
• Three sangams were held, but most of their works are lost.
• Existing Sangam poems provide details about life, culture, and society in ancient south India.
• Occupations are mentioned, but caste is not directly referenced.
• It is a key source for studying ancient south Indian history.

Rulers of South India and the Deccan

The Cholas

• Ruled the Kaveri delta with their capital at Uraiyur.
• Kaveripattinam (Puhar) was their major trading port.
• King Karikala Chola, meaning "the one with the charred leg," was a prominent ruler.
• Karikala defeated the Cheras, Pandyas, and even occupied parts of Sri Lanka.
• He promoted trade and built many roads.
• The Chola emblem was the tiger.
• Kaveripattinam was destroyed by a tsunami 1500 years ago, as mentioned in the Tamil text Manimekalai, due to the king’s failure to conduct a festival, angering the sea goddess.

The Cheras

• Ruled present-day Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu, with their capital at Vanji (Karur).
• Also known as Keralaputras by historians.
• Had trade links with Romans and Greeks.
• Muziris was their chief port.
• King Neduncheralathan was famous and fought against the Cholas and Pandyas.

The Pandyas

• Ruled Madurai and parts of Tirunelveli, with their capital at Madurai.
• Korkai was their chief port.
• King Nedunchezhiyan was a notable ruler who defeated the Cholas and Cheras.
• He was a great patron of art and literature, and the third sangam likely occurred during his reign.
• The Pandyan kingdom was famous for exporting pearls to Rome.
• Frequent conflicts occurred among the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.

The Satavahanas

• Ruled present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka-Andhra regions, with their capital at Paithan (Pratisthana).
• Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most significant ruler, known for establishing a prosperous kingdom.
• His mother, Gautami Balashri, mentioned his achievements in inscriptions.
• Known as "Lords of the Dakshinapatha" (route to the south).
• Had flourishing internal and external trade, including with the Roman Empire, as evidenced by Roman coins found in their kingdom.
• Women held important societal roles, and dance was popular, as shown in sculptures.
• Worshipped Hindu gods and built rock-cut temples and monasteries in Maharashtra.

Kingdoms in the North

Indo-Greeks or Bactrians

• Ruled northwestern India by the 2nd century BCE after the decline of Seleucid power.
• King Menander (Milinda, 166–150 BCE) was the most famous, converting to Buddhism.
• The book Milinda Panha records his discussions with Buddhist philosopher Nagasena.
• Indo-Greek coins featured kings’ portraits and inscriptions in Greek and Kharosthi scripts.
• Indian art and craft were influenced by Greek styles, leading to the Gandhara School of Art, combining Indian and Greek elements.

The Sakas or Scythians

• Central Asian tribe that controlled north and northwestern India.
• King Maues (80 BCE) established Saka power in Gandhara.
• Their kingdoms were divided into provinces under military governors and satraps.
• King Rudradaman was notable, using Sanskrit for inscriptions instead of Prakrit.

The Parthians

• Came from Iran and ruled parts of northwestern India.
• King Gondophernes was the most famous.
• During his reign, Saint Thomas is said to have visited India and spread Christianity.

The Kushanas

• Emerged in the 1st century CE with a vast empire, having capitals at Mathura and Purushapura (modern Peshawar, Pakistan).
• King Kanishka was the most famous, a follower of Buddhism.
• He organized the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir to discuss Buddhist issues.
• Supported cultural activities, art, and Sanskrit literature, including the Gandhara School of Art.
• Ashvaghosha, a Sanskrit scholar, lived in his court and wrote Buddhacharita, a biography of the Buddha.
• Issued gold, silver, and copper coins, among the earliest gold coins in India.
• A headless statue of Kanishka, depicting him in a tunic, topcoat, boots, and holding a sword and club, is in the Mathura Museum.

The Silk Route

• A major trade route named after silk, a highly valued commodity among Romans.
• The Chinese were the first to produce silk, keeping the technique secret for years.
• Traders traveled through various routes, collectively called the Silk Route, with multiple branches.
• Kushanas controlled a branch extending from Central Asia to the Indus River ports, sending silk to Rome by ships.
• Merchants and Buddhist monks used the route, aiding the spread of Buddhism.

Spread of Buddhism

• Buddhism was popular, patronized by rulers like Menander and Kanishka.
• Spread to other countries due to India’s trade and cultural contacts, starting with Ashoka’s missions.
• Buddhism split into Hinayana (older, using symbols like the Bodhi tree) and Mahayana (depicting Buddha in human form).
• The concept of Bodhisattvas emerged—enlightened beings who stayed to help others.
• The Silk Route aided Buddhism’s spread to China, Central Asia, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Java, Cambodia, Sumatra, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
• Afghanistan was a key Buddhist center, with the Bamiyan Buddha statues (destroyed in 2001) as evidence.

Foreign Travellers

• Traders, pilgrims, and missionaries traveled the Silk Route.
• Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien (5th century CE, during Chandragupta II’s reign) and Hiuen Tsang (7th century CE, during Harshavardhana’s reign) visited India to study Buddhism and collect texts.
• Fa-Hien stayed at Pataliputra and translated Buddhist texts in China.
• Hiuen Tsang studied at Nalanda University, took manuscripts and Buddha statues to China, but lost some when his boat capsized on the Indus River.
• Indian monk Kumarajiva traveled to China, translating Buddhist texts into Chinese.
• Nalanda University in Bihar was a major Buddhist learning center, attracting scholars from China, Greece, and Persia.
• Nalanda had 2000 teachers, 10000 students, a vast library, and was a residential university for men.
• It was destroyed three times, finally by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 CE, and rebuilt twice.

The Beginning of Bhakti

• Hinduism grew alongside Buddhism, with worship of deities like Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, and Parvati.
• Rituals and sacrifices became less important, replaced by the concept of bhakti (devotion to God).
• Bhakti required a pure heart, accessible to all regardless of wealth, gender, or class.
• The term "bhakti" comes from Sanskrit "bhaj" (to divide or share), indicating a two-way relationship between devotee and God.
• Mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, part of the Mahabharata.
• Devotees believed pure devotion allowed them to see their deity in their desired form.

Meanwhile

• Christianity emerged 2000 years ago in West Asia, founded by Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem (Roman Empire).
• Christians follow the Bible, and Jesus is seen as the Saviour of the World.
• His teachings spread through West Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• In India, Christianity arrived in Kerala via Saint Thomas, an apostle who propagated the faith.
• Syrian Christians of Kerala are among the oldest Christian communities globally.