Post Mauryan India [HISTORY]

SHUNGA EMPIRE (185 BC- 75 BC)

Pushyamitra Sunga( 185 BC-149 BC)

• He was Commander in chief in the Mauryan Army.
• He killed the last Mauryan king – Brihadratha and forcibly usurped the throne.
• He followed brahamanism, Buddhist refers to him as the persecutor of Buddhism.
• His son Agnimitra succeeded him
• Greek invasion of Patliputra Repulsed by Vasumitra – Grandson of Pushyamitra Sunga .
• Last Sunga Ruler – Devabhuti Who was murdered by Vasudeva Kanva who was the founder of kanva Dynasty.
• He performed two Ashwamedha Sacrifices to expand the empire.
• Most important challenge of sungas was to protect north India against the invasions of Bactrian Greeks from the North West.

The Indo-Greeks:

• Demetrius Greek Ruler of bactria Annexed Afghanistan and Punjab.
• From Taxila, He sent two commanders for further Conquests- Appolodotus and Menander.
• Appolodotus Conquered Sindh and Marched upto Ujjain
• Menander  Extended his rule upto Mathura.
• He also Made Attempt to capture Patliputra But stopped by the army of Vasumitra – Grandson of Pushyamitra Sunga.
• Most Famous Ruler was Menander( 165 BC- 145 BC), also known as Milinda , His Capital Was at Sakala (Modern Sialkot in Punjab).
• Menander was converted by Buddhism by Nagasena(Nagarjuna).
• Dialogue b/w Nagasena and Menander compiled in the book Milindpanho.
• Indo-greek were the first one to issue coins attributed to kings.
• Greeks were the First one to Issue Gold Coins.
• They Introduced the features of Hellensenic art.
• Heliodorus( A Vaishnavite)- Greek Ambassador –Erected a Pillar- also called Garud Pillar at Besnagar Near Vidisha , Madhyapradesh.

Shakas:

• Shakas, a Nomadic Tribe from Central Asia.
• They attacked Bactria and Parthia , Captured them form Greek Rulers.
• Gradually , They Extended their Rule over north werstern India.
• They Divided into Two groups of Shakas.
• Northern Satraps- Ruled Over Taxila and Northern India.
• Western Satraps- Ruled Over Maharashtra.
• Founder Of Shaka Rule in Ist Century BC was Moga or Maues.
• Maues Established Shaka Power in Gandhara and ruled around 80-60 BC.
• His Capital – Sirkap(Taxila)
• His Son and Successor – Azes I Annexed the kingdom of last greek Ruler Hippostratos.
• In 58 BC Azes I founded the Azes Era, Coincides with Vikram Era in India.
• Bimaran Casket – Found in Jalalabad, Pakistan (b/w 1833 to 1838)
• It Had Coins of Azes II
• It also Had Idol in which Buddha Is represented among the Dieties Brahma  and Indra.
• Shakas Issued a Large No. of copper and Silver Coins.

Q. Which Saka Ruler Had the Title of Maharaja Mahatma ?

• Answer is Mogas or Maues.

Five Branches of Shakas Where they Settled

1. Afghanistan

2.Punjab(Capital- Taxila)

3.Mathura

4.Western India

5.Upper Deccan.

Most Famous Saka Ruler – Rudradaman I ( 130 – 150 AD)

• Famous for its work to improve the condition of sudarshan Lake in Semi Arid Zone of kathiyawar.
• Issued the first ever Long Inscription Of Sanskrit

Parthians:

• They Moved Form Iran to India.
• They Occupied only a very small portion of north werstern India.
• Most Famous Ruler- Gondophernes
• In his reign, St Thomas Came to India for the propagation of Christianity.