Post Mauryan Period [185 BCE-300 AD]

Post Mauryan Period at a Glance

Category	Details
Post Mauryan Period Dynasties & their Founders	1. Shunga Dynasty (185-75 BCE); Founder: Pushyamitra Shunga 2. Kanva Dynasty (75-30 BCE); Founder: Vasudeva Kanva 3. Satavahana Dynasty (1st century BCE – 3rd century CE); Founder: Simuka 4. Indo-Greek Kingdoms (2nd century BCE – 1st century CE); Demetrius I (in the Indian context) 5. Kushan Empire (1st-3rd century CE); Founder: Kujula Kadphises 6. Western Kshatrapas (1st-4th century CE); Founder: Chastana
Geographical Spread	1. Shunga Dynasty: North-Central India 2. Kanva Dynasty: Central India 3. Satavahana Dynasty: Deccan region 4. Indo-Greek Kingdoms: Northwestern India and parts of Afghanistan 5. Kushan Empire: Northern India, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia 6. Western Kshatrapas: Western India
Religion	1. Buddhism: Continued to flourish with royal patronage, especially under the Kushans and Satavahanas. Spread to Central Asia and China during this period. 2. Jainism: Received patronage under some local rulers, and Jain temples and stupas were built. 3. Hinduism: Revival under the Shungas and Kanvas, with increased emphasis on Vedic rituals and the emergence of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
Literature	1. Patanjali’s Mahabhashya: A major commentary on Panini’s grammar, written during the Shunga period. 2. Asvaghosha’s Buddhacharita: An epic poem on the life of Buddha, written during the Kushan period. 3. Milindapanha: A Buddhist text recording the dialogues between King Menander I and the Buddhist sage Nagasena. 4. Gathasaptashati: A collection of poems in Prakrit, attributed to Hala, a Satavahana ruler.

Post Mauryan Period Timeline

Period/Year	Event/Dynasty	Key Details
185 BCE	Shunga Dynasty Established	Pushyamitra Shunga overthrows the Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and establishes the Shunga Dynasty.
185-149 BCE	Reign of Pushyamitra Shunga	He promoted Brahmanism and revived Vedic rituals.
150 BCE	Expansion of Indo-Greek Kingdoms	Indo-Greek rulers, like Demetrius I, invaded and established control over parts of Northwestern India.
75 BCE	Kanva Dynasty Established	Vasudeva Kanva, a minister of the Shungas, overthrows the last Shunga ruler and establishes the Kanva Dynasty.
75-30 BCE	Kanva Dynasty Reign	The Kanva Dynasty rules over the remnants of the Shunga territories in Central India until its fall.
1st Century BCE	Satavahana Dynasty Emerges	The Satavahanas rose to power in the Deccan Plateau.
30 BCE	Fall of the Kanva Dynasty	The Kanva Dynasty is overthrown, leading to political fragmentation in Central India.
78 CE	Kushan ruler Kanishka I ascended to the throne	The Saka era begins.
1st-3rd Century CE	Reign of Satavahana Dynasty	The Satavahanas consolidate control over large parts of Central and Southern India.
127 CE	Reign of Gautamiputra Satakarni	The most powerful Satavahana ruler, he defeats the Western Kshatrapas and expands the Satavahana empire.
1st – 3rd Century CE	Kushan Empire Expansion	Under rulers like Kanishka I, the Kushan Empire expands into Northern India, Central Asia, and parts of China.
150 CE	Rise of Western Kshatrapas
3rd Century CE	Decline of Satavahanas and Kushans	Western Kshatrapas, a Scythian dynasty, established control over Western India, competing with the Satavahanas.
4th Century CE	Gupta Empire Emerges	Simuka found the Satavahana Dynasty in the Deccan region, marking the rise of a major South Indian power.

Art of Post Mauryan Period

Art Style	Region	Key Features	Notable Examples
Gandhara Art	Northwestern India, Pakistan	Fusion of Hellenistic (Greek) and Indian styles; Realistic representation with detailed drapery and wavy hair. Use of schist stone for sculptures. Influenced by Greek, Persian, and Indian art traditions.	Buddha statues, Bodhisattva figures, and reliefs depicting Buddhist themes.
Mathura Art	Mathura	Indigenous style; emerged in the Mathura region. use of red sandstone; symbolic representation; detailed facial expressions.	Yaksha and Yakshi figures, early Buddha statues, Jain Tirthankaras.
Amaravati School	Andhra Pradesh	Originated in the Andhra Pradesh region. Use of white marble for detailed carvings. Known for the intricately carved drum, railings, and gateways of the Amaravati Stupa. Flourished under the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE).	panels depicting the life of Buddha and other Buddhist symbols.
Bharhut Art	Central India	Sandstone carvings with narrative reliefs and extensive use of medallions. Features floral and geometric patterns. Known for detailed railings and gateways that depict Jataka tales and Buddhist symbols. Developed during the Shunga period (2nd century BCE).	Railings and gateways of the Bharhut Stupa.
Sanchi Stupa Reliefs	Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh	Intricate carvings on the Toranas (gateways) and stone balustrades. Features narrative art with detailed representations of events from the Buddha’s life. One of the oldest and best-preserved examples of Buddhist relief art. Developed during the Mauryan and Shunga periods.	Jataka tales and Buddhist symbols on the gateways of Sanchi Stupa, depictions of Buddha’s life.
Ajanta Cave Paintings	Aurangabad, Maharashtra	Vibrant frescoes and murals; vibrant colours; depiction of Buddhist themes and daily life. Created between the 2nd century BCE and 6th century CE under Satavahana and Vakataka patronage.	Paintings of Jataka tales, scenes from the life of Buddha.

Architecture of Post Mauryan Period

Monument/Site	Features & Characteristics	Notable Art & Influence	Royal Patron, Date of Excavation, & Present Status
Sanchi Stupa	Hemispherical dome, Toranas (gateways) with intricate carvings. Built of stone, the stupa symbolizes the Buddhist cosmic mountain.	Carvings depicting Jataka tales, with influences from Mauryan and Buddhist art.	Royal Patron: Pushyamitra Shunga. Date of Excavation: Originally built in the 3rd century BCE (Mauryan period), modified during the Shunga period. Present Status: Well-preserved, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ajanta Caves	Rock-cut architecture with Buddhist Viharas (monasteries) and Chaityas (prayer halls). Frescoes and wall paintings with vibrant colours in a narrative style.	Paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, influenced by Buddhist and Persian art.	Royal Patron: Satavahana kings, Vakataka rulers. Date of Excavation: 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE. Present Status: Well-preserved, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gandhara Art	Fusion of Hellenistic (Greek) and Indian styles, with the use of schist stone for sculptures. Realistic representation with detailed drapery and facial expressions.	Buddha statues and reliefs of Buddhist themes, influenced by Greek, Persian, and Indian art.	Royal Patron: Kushan rulers (especially Kanishka I). Date of Excavation: 1st century BCE to 5th century CE. Present Status: Artifacts are preserved in various museums, though the region has faced looting and destruction.
Mathura Art	Indigenous Indian style using red sandstone for sculptures. Symbolic representation with emphasis on facial expressions and physical attributes.	Yaksha and Yakshi figures, Buddha statues, with influences from Indian religious themes and early Hindu art.	Royal Patron: Kushan rulers. Date of Excavation: 2nd century BCE onward. Present Status: Artifacts are preserved in museums like the Mathura Museum.
Bharhut Stupa	Stupa with detailed railings and gateways, featuring narrative reliefs. Sandstone carvings with medallions displaying floral and geometric patterns.	Scenes from Jataka tales, figures of yakshas and yakshinis, reflecting early Buddhist art with Hindu elements.	Royal Patron: Shunga dynasty. Date of Excavation: 2nd century BCE (Shunga period). Present Status: Some parts are preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
Amaravati Stupa	Large stupa with elaborate carvings on the drum, railings, and gateways. Use of limestone for detailed narrative panels with inscriptions.	Scenes from Buddha’s life, and depictions of Bodhisattvas	Royal Patron: Satavahana kings. Date of Excavation: 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE. Present Status: Fragments preserved in various museums, including the British Museum and Chennai Museum.
Nasik Caves	Scenes from Buddha’s life, and depictions of Bodhisattvas, with significant influence on Southeast Asian art.	Rock-cut caves are used as monastic complexes, with chaityas and viharas. Inscriptions and carvings, some with detailed door frames.	Buddha figures, and inscriptions of donors, reflecting Buddhist and Jain influences.

Sunga Dynasty: Post Mauryan Period

• One of the significant dynasties that emerged during this period was the Shunga Dynasty, which ruled parts of North India from around 185 BCE to 73 BCE.
• They were originally a Brahmin dynasty that overthrew the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.
• The Shungas are known for their art patronage, particularly the Buddhist stupa at Bharhut and the stone railing around the stupa at Sanchi.
• Brahmanical religion was revived during their reign.
• Sanskrit language and literature developed.

Notable Rulers

Pushyamitra Sunga

• Pushyamitra Sunga (185-149 BCE) was the founder of the Sunga Empire.
• According to the Puranas, Pushyamitra became the king after killing Brihadratha, the last Mauryan king.
• He was a contemporary of Kharvela, the king of Kalinga.
• Pushyamitra performed the Aswamedha yajna twice, on the occasion of victory over the Vidarbhas (Berar) and Yavanas (Greek).
• His empire extended from Patliputra to the Narmada River and included Ayodhya and Vidisha.
• According to Divyavadana, his empire stretched as far as Sakala (Sialkot) in the Punjab region in the northwest.
• Ashokavadana mentioned that he had persecuted the Buddhists.
• The famous Gramarian Patanjali was a contemporary of Pushyaminra.

Agnimitra

• Pushyamitra Shunga was succeeded in 148 BCE by his son Agnimitra.
• During his father’s reign, he was viceroy in Vidisha and led a war against Vidarbha.
• He is the hero of the play ‘Malavikagnimitram‘ written by Kalidas. Malavikagnimitram tells the story of the love between Agnimitra, and an exiled servant girl named Malavika.

Sunga Art: Post Mauryan Period

• The post Mauryan period witnessed the continuation of the Mauryan architectural legacy, particularly in the form of stupas and rock-cut caves. However, new artistic styles also emerged, influenced by interactions with foreign cultures, resulting in the development of Gandhara and Mathura schools of art.
• The Bharhut Stupa was built during the Sunga reign.
• The elaborate walls and gates that encircle the Stupa in Sanchi were erected during the Sunga period. These Buddhist artifacts prove that the Shunga kings did not oppress the Buddhists even though they patronized the Brahmanical religion.
• The style of art in the Shunga period differed from Mauryan art, which was influenced by Persian art.
• The Shunga style was thus considered more indigenous.
• Mathura School of Art considered the indigenous counterpart to the Gandhara Art of Afghanistan and the North-Western frontier of India, flourished this time.

Kanva Dynasty (73-28 BCE): Post Mauryan Period

• The Kanva dynasty or Kanvayana overthrew the Shunga dynasty in parts of eastern and central India.
• The dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva in 73 BCE.
• He was initially a minister (Amatya) of the last Shunga Emperor Devabhuti.
• According to the Puranas, the last king of the Kanva dynasty was killed by Balipuccha, who founded the Andhra dynasty.

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Post Mauryan Period UPSC PSC MCQs

Q1. Which of the following inscriptions gives information about two Ashwamedha Yajanas performed by King Pushyamitra Shunga? [UPPSC 2018]

• (a) Saranath inscription
• (b) Besnagar inscription
• (c) Ayodhya inscription
• (d) Hathigupha inscription

Ans: (c) Ayodhya inscription

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