RELIGIOUS

REFORM IN
6TH
CENTURY
BC
 RELIGIOUS REFORM IN 6TH CENTURY BC

➢ Started happening towards the end of the later

Vedic age. Religion by this time had become a
monopoly of the priestly class and more
complicated.
➢ It had become very costly and beyond the reach
of the common man. It denied salvation to the
Shudras. 6th Century B.C. was marked by a
string of intellectual currents all over the world.
➢ In India, a group of thinkers called the ‘Sramanas’
emerged in the Rig Vedic Age. They were the
earliest critics of the Vedic religion.
 RELIGIOUS REFORM IN 6TH CENTURY BC

➢ All Tirthankaras before Mahavira were Sramanas (Total 23). The Sramana school
of thought was first to criticise the role of Brahmins. By the 6th Century B.C.,
six philosophical systems called ‘Darshanas’ were founded in India.
Philosophical School Founder
Samkhyashastra Kapila
Yoga Patanjali
Nyaya Gautama
Vaisesika Kanada
They were the first to found the atomic theory of the
Universe. Their main philosophy “Man comes from dust and
returns to dust”
Purva Mimamsa Jaimini
Uttar Mimansa Vyasadeva Badarayan
 RELIGIOUS REFORM IN 6TH CENTURY BC

➢ 6th Century BC thus posed challenges and brought about new

intellectual thought. Jainism was first to protest against Brahmanism.
➢ It began with 23 Tirthankars before Mahavira, but their protest was
not emphatic and decisive against Brahmanism as much as Buddhism.
BUDDHISM
 BUDDHISM
1. Ceylonese
chronicles:
Mahavamsam by
3. Tibetan chronicles
Mahnama and 2. Chinese chronicles
(Divya vadan)
Deepavamsamare
the most important
sources.

➢ According to the Ceylonese texts, Buddha

was called Siddharth, and his parents were
Siddhodhana and Mayadevi, who belonged to
theclan of Sakyas (also known as Sakyamuni).
 BUDDHISM
➢ Gautama was his Gotra name. He was born in Lumbini in Nepal Tarai in 563 B.C.
on the full moon day of Visakha masa (Budh Purnima).
➢ Mayadevi died during delivery and Gautami became his stepmother. Devadatta,
son of Gautami and stepbrother of Siddharth, was a friend turned foe.
➢ Siddharth married Yasodhara, princess of Koilas. At the age of 29, Siddharth
entered the city of Kapilvastu with his favourite chariot driver, Chenna and his
favourite horse, Kantaka. He came across 4 scenes:

A man suffering due to old A man suffering due to disease.

age.

A dead body A saint whose face was brimming with

happiness.
 BUDDHISM
➢ He made up his mind to relieve mankind of misery.
At the age of 29, on a full moon day, he along with
Chenna & Kantaka secretly left the palace.
➢ This is known as Mahabhinishkramana (The Great
Departure). Kantaka died on the spot in grief.
Siddharth first went to Urvila and became a
disciple of two gurus- Alara Kalma and Udraka
Ramaputra.
➢ Alara Kalma expert in Sramana school of thought &
Udraka expert in Yoga Shashtra. But Siddhartha
was not happy as his questions remained
unanswered.
 BUDDHISM
➢ He left and reached Gaya at the age of 35, and sat for
rigorous meditation on the banks of the stream,
Niranjana in the land of Samaga.
➢ Sujata, daughter of Samaga, offered him rice and milk.
His meditation lasted for 48 days.
➢ On the 49th day (Vaishaka full moon day), he got
enlightenment called Bodhi (knowledge above senses
or intuitive knowledge). It is said that Indra sent a
demon,
➢ Mura, to disturb Siddharth but he remained
unperturbed. Prithvi (Goddess of Earth) was the
witness to his enlightenment when he became The
Buddha.
 BUDDHISM
➢ His first disciple was Mahakasyapa who became his student
at the age of five.
➢ Siddhartha had 5 disciples to whom he delivered his first
sermon at Sarnath in a deer park on Dharmachakra
pravartana (how the wheel of dharma moves).
➢ The two other Chakras taught by the Buddha were
DhanyaChakra & Kala Chakra. He delivered maximum
discourses in the city Shravasti (U.P).
➢ The first Kings to be influenced by the teachings of Buddha
were King Ajatasatru of Magadha and king Prasenjit of Kosala.
➢ Buddha converted a bandit, Angulamali, and Amrapali a.k.a.
Ambapali (the seductress), the Court dancer of Ajatasatru
to Buddhism. He initiated Rahul to Sanyasa.
 BUDDHISM
➢ At the age of 80, Buddha reached Kusinara and became
the guest of an untouchable, Chanda who offered pork.
➢ Buddha consumed it, had diarrhoea and died
(Mahaparinirvana) at Kusinara. His last words were “All
things are subject to Deccay”

The important event of Buddha’s Life Symbol

Birth Lotus and Bull
Mahabhinishkramana Horse
Nirvana Bodhi tree
Dharmachakra pravartana Wheel
Mahaparinirvana Stupa
 BUDDHISM
I. 4 Noble Truths - ‘Arya Satyas

The world is full of misery The cause of misery iszeal

➥
Trishna Agni) or excess of desire
𝗍

To conquer zeal, one should follow Zeal can be surmounted

Arya Ashtanga Marga (Eightfold
Path) ⬅
 BUDDHISM
II. 2. Eightfold Path comprises the 8 Principles for a good life.

III. 3. He also prescribed Madhyama Marga (Middle Path) i.e. the Life
between two extremes, a life of balance.
 BUDDHISM
1. He believed in the transmigration of the soul (Life after death). However, he did
not believe in the existence of soul. He was Anatmavadi.
2. He believed in Karma Siddhanta (For every action, there is an opposite reaction)
called Pratityasamutpada.
3.On the existence of God, Buddha remained silent. He was agnostic, who neither
says Yes or No.
4. For the Buddha Moksha (Salvation) meant Freedom from Desire, which causes
birth and Rebirth.
5. For the Buddha Non violence (Ahinsa) was a virtue. However, one must be
prepared to defend against violence.

6. He encouraged trade and commerce and was not against profit.

7. He was against caste evils but not caste system. In Buddhism the caste hierarchy
was Kshatriya, Brahmin, Vaishya and Shudra.
 BUDDHISM
➢ Sangha was the religious order founded by the Buddha. Buddhist Sangha is
considered to be the oldest Church in world history. Slaves, insolvents and
deceased persons were not allowed to enter Sangha.
➢ However, at the insistence of Ananda, Buddha allowed women into Sangha.
Bhikshus were the lifetime members of the Buddhist Sangha. Upasakas were the
followers of Buddhism.
➢ The Sangha had a prescribed code of conduct –

1. Every monk (Bhikshu)

3. Monks were not
must have one pair of 2. Monks were to
to commit 64 types 4. Pravarana means
yellow robes, a needle, a rest only in the rainy
of crimes i.e. confession ceremony.
piece of string, and a season.
Prathimokshas.
begging bowl.
 BUDDHISM
➢ After the death of Buddha, four Councils had met
to resolve several issues regarding Buddhism, its
teachings and regarding the code of conduct within
the Sanghas.

➢ First Buddhist Council took place in 483 B.C. at

Rajagriha. Buddhist Council
➢ It was presided over by Mahakashyapa and
patronised by Ajatsatru, the King of Magadh.
➢ Ananda recited Sutta Pitaka (a code of conduct,
morals, and principles for Buddhist monks) and Upali
recited Vinaya Pitaka (code of conduct for the
Sangha).
 BUDDHISM
➢ The 2nd Buddhist Council was held in 383 B.C at Vaishali.
It was presided over by Sabbakami and patronized by
Kalasoka, the greatest king of Sisunaga dynasty.
➢ Here Buddhism got divided into two sects: Mahasanghikas
who favoured change (Liberal) and Sthviravadins /
Theravadins who advocated no change and were
believers/followers of elders (Conservative).

➢ The Third Buddhist Council was held in 250 B.C. at

Pataliputra and was presided over by Moggaliputra Tissa
(Upa Gupta), prince of Ceylon.
➢ It was patronised by Ashoka, the greatest of the
Mauryan kings. Tissa composed Abhidhamma Pitaka that
dealt with Buddhist philosophy. The pitakas are the
scriptures.
 BUDDHISM
➢ The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in the First
Century A.D. at Kundalavana in Srinagar. It was
presided over by Vasumitra.
➢ Asvaghosa was vice president and council was
patronized by Kanishka, the greatest ruler of the
Kushans. During this Council, Buddhism got divided
into Mahayana & Hinayana, the second split.

1. Mahayana means the 2. Hinayana meaning Less/

Great Journey of Buddha’s Short Journey of Buddha’s
soul. soul.
 BUDDHISM
➢ Mahayanism was founded by Acharya Nagarjuna. The new
school, which claimed to offer salvation for all, styled itself
Mahayana, the greater vehicle (to salvation), as opposed to
older Buddhism, which it contemptuously referred to as
Hinayana, or the lesser vehicle.
➢ The Mahayana scriptures also claimed to represent the final
doctrines of the Buddha, revealed only to his spiritually
most advanced followers, where as the earlier doctrines
were viewed as merely preliminary.
➢ Though Mahayana Buddhism, with its pantheon of heavenly
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and its idealistic metaphysics, was
strikingly different in many respects from the Hinayana, of
which the main body was Theravada.
 BUDDHISM
➢ Mahayanism held that Gautama Buddha was preceded by Six Buddhas, viz:-
(6)
Kasyapa,
and the
(4) (5) prevalence
(3)
(1) Vipasyi (2) Sikhi, Krakuchch Kanakamu of their
Visvabhu
handa ni worship
among the
Buddhist
art.

➢ Further support to this contention is provided by the Nigali Sagar Edict of Ashoka
which refers to the enlargement of a Stupa erected in honour of Kanakamuni by the
Mauryan monarch. Five of these past Buddhas, except Sikhi, are represented in the art of
Bharhut, understandably by means of their characteristic tree- symbols along with
identification lables.
 BUDDHISM
➢ According to Buddhist teaching there are three
types of perfected beings- “Buddhas”, who
perceived the truth for themselves and taught it to
others, “Pratyeka Buddhas” (Private Buddhas), who
perceived it, but kept it to themselves and did not
teach it; and ‘Arhats’ (Worthies), who learned it
from others, but fully realised it for themselves.
➢ The replacement of the ideal of the Arhat by that of
the Bodhisattva (Being of Wisdom) is the basic
distinction between the old sects and the new,
which came to be known as Mahayana.
 BUDDHISM
➢ A few bodhisattvas were moved by compassion and renounced eternal
bliss in order to return to the earthly sphere to instruct the
unenlightened.
➢ Other Bodhisattvas are believed to dwell in a state of beneficent
meditation in quiet mountain solitudes, and send forth powerful thought
forces which influence man to follow the right path.

1. Amitabha (boundless light)

2. Avalokitesvara 3. Manjusri
is the guardian of the west. 4.Vairochana 5. Samanta-bhadra
(watchful lord), also (charming)
He established a “Pure land” (illuminant) is (instantly
called Padmapani represents the
called Sukhavati for the regarded as the auspicious), also
(Lotus -bearer), wisdom-aspect of
salvation of the man, entry dharmakaya aspect called Chakrapani
whose attribute is the Buddha
into which required only of Buddha. (Wheel- bearer).
compassion. principle.
faith in and surrender to him.
 BUDDHISM
Lesser Bodhisattvas are
1. Akshobhya (unshakable), also called Vajrapani
(thunderbolt bearer) or Vajradhara.
2. Amoghasiddhi (infallible power) or Visvapani
(all- holding).
3. Maitreya, the future Buddha who comes from
seventh heaven tushita.
➢ Two chief schools of Mahayana philosophy were
the Madhyamika (Doctrine of Middle position)
and the Vijnanawada (Doctrine of
Consciousness) or Yogacharya (The way of Yoga
or Union.)
 BUDDHISM
➢ Madhyamika Philosophy was founded by Acharya
Nagarjuna taught that the phenomenal world had only a
qualified reality; that all beings labour under constant
illusion of perceiving things where in fact there is only
emptiness.
➢ This emptiness or void (Sunyata) is all that truly exists,
and hence the Madhyamikas were sometimes also called
Sunyavadins (exponents of the doctrine of emptiness).
➢ The Vijnanavada school, founded by Maitreyanatha.
According to it the whole universe exists only in the
mind of perceiver.
➢ This school produced many important philosophers and
logicians such as Asanga (his Sutralankara is the earliest
text of the school), vasubandhu (younger brother of
Asanga), Dignaga and dharmakirti.
 BUDDHISM
S. Mahayana Hinayana
No.
1. Believed that Buddha would be born again. Buddha would never be reborn.

2. Followed Sanskrit. Followed Pali.

3. Deified Buddha and worshipped him as God Buddha was a great intellectual and not
(Idol Worship). God; did not deify him.
4. The idea of Bodhisattva emerged
5. Worship of Images of Buddha Buddha identified by certain symbols

6. Mahayana depends upon the spirit of Buddha Hinayana held firm to the letter of Buddha
Teachings.
7. Mahayana upholds the ideal of the Bodhisattva The Hinayana ideal is the Arhat, who
or saviour, who is concerned with the strives after his own redemption.
salvation of others
 BUDDHISM
➢ With the transformation of Mahayana into Vajrayana in the
seventh-eighth century AD, a wide pantheon emerged
which was further elaborated in the 10th century AD.
➢ At the apex of the hierarchy of the gods and goddesses
stands the divine pair of Adi Buddha and Adi Prajna, the
universal parents of Buddhism, from whom originate five
Dhyani Buddhas, viz

(4) (5)
(1) Amitabha (2) Akshobhya (3) Vairochana
Ratnasambhava Amoghasiddhi

➢ These Dhyani Buddhas represent the five material elements of which the world
is made; air, water, ether, fire and earth.
 BUDDHISM
Important Mahayana Sects:
1.Vajrayana Buddhism : It was
a form of tantric buddhsim that
developed first in Bengal &
Bihar and later entered into
Tibet. Its main centre was The 2. Kalachakra
Vikramshila University founded Buddhism: Is the other 3.Tantric Buddhism : 4. Sahajayana
by King Dharma Pala of the Pala Tibetan form of Also developed in Buddhism: It was
Dynasty. The first Vice Buddhism introduced by Nepal. In this form, founded by Siddha
Chancellor of the university Padmasambhav. In this Taras (The stars) are Saraha of 8thcentury
Ateesh Depankar was the form of Buddhism certain worshipped as the AD in Odisha & Bengal.
founder of this sect. As it sign and symbols are spouses of the Buddha It was also a form of
follows such a hard yogic worshipped for magical for magical powers. tantric Buddhism.
exercises like diamond to reach powers.
the stage of The Buddha in ones
own lifetime it was called
Vajrayana. It was first introduced
into Tibet by Santarakshita.
 BUDDHISM
➢ Vijaya Singhava was the first to preach Buddhism Branching
out of
in Ceylon. Buddhism
➢ Kumarajeeva was the first to introduce Buddhism outside
India.
in China.
➢ Kanishka & Aswagosha made it popular in
Central Asia.
➢ Minandar – The greatest of Indo-Greeks was
converted into Buddhism by Nagasena. The
dialogue between Minandar & Nagasena is
recorded in Milindapanha (a text in Pali).
➢ Kumaragupta of Gupta dynasty founded Nalanda
University (University of Buddhist studies).
 BUDDHISM
➢ Harsha Vardhana – the last great king of ancient
India, was converted into Mahayana Buddhism by
Huen Tsang. Harsha conducted Buddhist
conferences called Sangeethies at Kannauj &Prayag.
➢ The Palas were the last patrons of Buddhism. They
founded three universities: Vikramshila (Ateesha
Deepankar was the first Vice Chancellor),
Uddandapura and Jagaddala.
➢ Palas patronized Vajrayana Buddhism (Buddhism
with Mantra & Tantra and magical powers)
➢ In the South, Acharya Nagarjuna founded Sree
Parvath University in Nagarjunakonda.
 BUDDHISM
1. The ‘avatar’ or the concept of incarnation made
Buddhism lose its identity. Buddha was
incorporated in Brahmanism as Avatar of Vishnu.
2. The revival of Brahmanism and the rise of
Bhagavatism led to the fall of popularity of
Buddhism.
3. After the birth of Mahayana Buddhism, the use of
Pali, the language of the masses as the language of
Buddhism was given up from the 1st century A.D.
The Buddhists began to adopt Sanskrit, the
language of the elite.
4. The practice of idol worship, prosperity and wealth
led to the deterioration of moral standards.
 BUDDHISM
5. Adishankaracharya with his profound logic proved that
Buddhism and Jainism were the 2 branches of
Brahmanism. Thereby he ended the identity of
Buddhism.
6. Moreover, the attack of the Huns in the 5th and 6th
centuries and the Turkish invaders in the 12th century
destroyed the monasteries.
7. The advent of Islam with the emergence of the Slave
Dynasty led to the decline of Buddhism. Bakhtiar Khijli
destroyed Buddhist Stupas and Nalanda University.
8. Lack of security made Buddhism move to Nepal.
➢ All these factors contributed to the decline of
Buddhism in India.
 BUDDHISM
Architecture
➢ The different forms of Buddhist
architecture include:
➢ A place of worship which is
constructed on relics.
➢ It is a representation of life being
ephemeral, symbolized by half-dome.
Chaityas
➢ They are the prayer halls.
 BUDDHISM
Vihara
➢ Vihara is the rest house of Buddhist
monks.

➢ It symbolizes that whoever understands

the Buddhist philosophy is a spiritual
head and is divine.
 BUDDHISM
1. Pipriwaha Stupa in Lumbini is the oldest amongst all.

2. Sanchi, Sarnath, Soneri and Sasaram built during Mauryan times.

3. Baruhath Stupa in MP was built during the Sunga dynasty.

4. In South India, the most important Stupa is Amaravati Stupa in Andhra Pradesh. It was
built by Nagasoka and was the biggest Stupa in ancient times.

5. Biggest Stupa at present in the world is Borobudur Stupa in Java, constructed by

Poornavarnam II of the Sailendra dynasty.
6. Famous Viharas in India are at Nagarjunakonda in Telengana. It is the only place where the name of
the sculptor is engraved on the structure. Its Sculptor was Badantacharya. These Vihars were built by
Shanti Sri, sister of King Kshanta Mula of Ikshvaku dynasty.
 BUDDHISM
Three different schools of art represent Buddhism.

➢ It was developed by the Sunga dynasty. It

comprises images of Buddha in sitting postures, in
deep meditation with Gyan Chakra (Wisdom
Wheel) behind his head.

➢ It was developed by Kushans. It is a combination of

the Greek and Roman traditions. Buddha is shown
with thick curly hair, drapes, greek-like, masculine
physique models as Apollo, always in standing
posture and preaching like a teacher.
 BUDDHISM
➢ This was developed by the Satvahana dynasty. It is
the most decorative form. The art is depicted on
white limestone slabs where the themes of
Buddha’s life are engraved in all kinds of postures.

➢ The Prakrit language that was used by Buddha was Pali.

Upto the first century A.D., Prakrit remained the official
language of Buddhists. Later, Sanskrit became prominent
due to the influence of Mahayana Buddhism during the
4th Buddhist Council.
➢ Most important Pali Texts are Suttapitaka, Vinayapitaka,
Abhidhamma Pitaka &Milandopanha. Buddhaghosa –
wrote Vasuddimaga (The Path of Purification).
 BUDDHISM
1. First Sanskrit scholar in Buddhism was Aswaghosa. He wrote
Buddha Charitra. It is the first Kavya in Sanskrit literature. He also
wrote Sundara Nandana and Seri Putra Prakarana (A drama found
in Khotan in Central Asia). Along with other great scholar Parsva
he wrote Mahavibashya, a commentary on Buddhist philosophy.
2. Most important/Greatest Scholar of Buddhism was Acharya
Nagarjuna (The Einstein of India). He wrote the following
treatises:
d. Sruhullekha was
a letter by e. Rasaratnakara
a. Madhyamika b. Madhyamika c. Saddharma- Nagararjuna to his which deals with
Siddhanta Sutralankara Puhdarika friend King Yagnasri chemical
Satakarni of properties.
Satavahanas.

➢ The Philosophy called Sunyavada (Theory of Voidness) was founded by Acharya

Nagarjuna.
 BUDDHISM
3. Vasubandhu was the author of Abhidhammakosa (First
dictionary on Buddhist philosophy).
4. Dignaga was the first to introduce the theory of logic
(Tarkashastra) and he wrote Pramana Samuccaya.
5. Dharmakeerthi, called ‘Kant of India’, who wrote Nyayabindu.
6. Jataka stories in Sanskrit language numbering around 550, deal
with previous births of Buddha called Bodhisattvas. The
concept of Bodhisattvas was entirely Mahayanist. They were
entirely written by Mahayanist in Sanskrit. Jataka stories are
part of Khuddaka Nikhaya of Sutta Pitaka.
7. In Sanskrit literature, a new literary trend called Avadhana
literature started. It deals with the stories of either The great
Buddhist Bikshus called Thera Gadhas are of great Buddhist
nuns called Theri Gadhas.
JAINISM
 JAINISM
➢ Jainism emerged during Rig Vedic times, starting with
Tirthankars.
➢ There were a total of 24 Tirthankars, the last one
being Mahavira. Their sacred literary tradition is called
Anusruti. First Tirthankar was called Rishabh.
➢ 23rd Tirthankara was Parsvanabha (Prince of Kasi) or
Parsvanath.
➢ He founded the four principles of Jainism:

3.
2. Ahimsa -
1. Satya - Aparigraha 4. Asteya -
Non-
Truth - Non- Non-Stealing
Violence
possession
 JAINISM
➢ He was born at Kunda village in Vaishali District. His
parents were Siddhartha and Trishila (Belonged to the
Tribe Lichchavi) and he belonged to the Gnatrika clan
(a.k.a Gnataputra); he got married to Yashoda and his
daughter Priyadarshana got married to Jamali.
➢ At the age of 30, he renounced the world, when his
parents died and he tried to find the ultimate reality i.e.
the meaning of life.
➢ Yasoda did not permit but Nandivardhana (his elder
brother) gave him permission to become Sanyasi.
➢ In the 6th year of his ascetic life, he met Makkhali
Gosala (a.k.a Goshala Muskariputra), the founder of a
sect called Ajivikas.
 JAINISM
➢ At the age of 43, Vardhaman attained Kaivalya
(Ultimate/Supreme knowledge) at Jrumbika on the banks
of river Rijupalika on the 10th day of Vaishakha Masa.
➢ He declared himself ‘Jain’ (conqueror of ultimate
knowledge-Jina) and hereafter became the founder of
Jainism. Jains or Nirgranthas were the ‘People liberated
from bonds’.
➢ He died (or attained Nirvana) in Pavapuri at the age of 72.
Vardhaman was survived by 11 disciples called Gandharas.
Arya Sudharman became head of the Jain church after
Mahavira.
➢ Sambhuta Vijaya and Bhadrabahu became the heads of the
Jain sangha. They perfected, the 14 purvas (Old texts)
which contained the original teachings of Mahavir.
 JAINISM
1. He added the 5th Principle to Jainism called Brahmacharya (control
over senses). The 5 principles were then called Pancha Anuvratas.

2. He gave the Three Ratnas (Jewels) of Jainism- Right Faith, Right

Knowledge and Right Conduct.

3. Jain philosophy was called Syadvada & Anekantaravada.

4. Sadvada means The Theory of “May Be” ; it teaches that no knowledge is

perfect. Anekantaravada states that no knowledge can be studied in isolation. (In
other words everything in Universe is connected with the other).

5. For the Jains knowledge could be attained by seven different means

called Sapta Bangi.
 JAINISM
Jainism Buddhism
Non- violence Non-violence is not to be For the Buddha Ahinsa is a Virtue.
compromised within Jainism However one must be prepared to defend
ones ownself.
The idea of Securing the highest knowledge, Kaivalya is Liberation from desires was taught in
Salvation salvation; Jainism advocates ‘Gnana Marga’ Buddhism; Buddha advocated ‘Karma
Marga’
Existence of Mahavira declared that God exists but is Buddha remained silent and agnostic. He
God not responsible for the evolution of the made no categorical statement
Universe. The universe according to him regarding God.
evolved on its own. The Jain theory on the
evolution of universe comes close to “The
big bang theory”.
Existence of For the Jains Atma/Soul is there. For Buddha there is no Atma/Soul
Soul However, there is nothing called (Anatmavadi).
Universal Soul. (Paramatma)
 JAINISM
➢ The First Jain Council was held at Pataliputra
and was presided over by Sthulabahu or
Sthulabhadra. The original teachings of Mahavira were
compiled in the form of 14 Poorvas (old texts).
➢ In the first Council, the 14 Poorvas were reduced to
12 Chapters called Angas. After the first Council,
Jainism got divided into Swetambara (followers of
Sthulabahu, white clads) and Digambars (followers of
Bhadrabahu).
➢ The Second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi in
Gujarat. It was presided over by Devardhi
Kshamaramana. In this council 12 Angas and 12
Upangas were finally compiled.
 JAINISM
2. Kharavela, the greatest ruler of the Chedi dynasty
that ruled Kalinga, convened a Jain Council at
1. Chandragupta Maurya was converted to
Kumaragiri in 161 B.C. for uniting Swetambars and
Jainism by Bhadrabahu and he performed
Digambars but his attempt failed. He constituted a
Sallekhana Vrata (annihilation of soul or starving
new order of Jains monks called Yapanacharyas for
oneself to death) at Chandragiri at
preaching and promoting Jainism. Konda Kundana
Shravanabelagola (Karnataka).
Acharya founded a sub sect called SaraswatiGacham
and wrote Prabhat Treya.

4. The Rashtrakutas were the last

great patrons of Jainism.
Amoghavarsha, the greatest of 5. Jainism soon lost patronage due
3. Siddiraja and Kumarapala – Rastrakutas wrote the famous ‘Ratna to its adherence to non-violence
rulers of Gujarat patronized Malika’ and ‘Kavirajamarga’. ‘Ratna and very soon it got assimilated
Swetambar Jains. Malika’ actually called Prashnottar by Brahmanism which dealt a final
Ratna Malika’ written in Sanskrit. blow to its identity.
Kavirajamarga’ was written in
Canarasi (Kannada in Prakrit form).
 JAINISM
1. Development of local languages (Prakrit) was the most
important contribution of Jainism-
d. Canarasi
(Kannada) and
Sauraseni
a. Mahavira (Marathi) were
c. Badrabahu developed by the
taught in b. All Jain
wrote Jains. Jainasena
Ardhamagadhi scriptures were
Kalpasutras for Suri and
(Modern Bihari written in GunaBadra wrote
Digambars in
or Magadhi Prakrit. Adipurana which
Prakrit.
language). deals with the
lives and the
teachings of 24
Theerthankars.

2. They perfected Cave temple architecture – Cave

temples were built at Khandagiri and Kumaragiri in Kalinga,
Indragiri and Chandragiri at Shravanabelagola, and Badami
in Karnataka.
 JAINISM
➢ Sittannavasal cave temples in Tamil Nadu and Bairav
Konda cave temples in Andra Pradesh were also
developed by the Jains.
➢ However the earliest cave temples in India belong to the
Maurayans times called Barabar cave temples in Bihar
dedicated to Ajvikas by samrat Ashok.
3. Development of Temples: Jain temples are called
Basadis The jain temple architecture is based on
principles called Acharanga Sutras.
➢ In the construction of the temple a practice of installing
24 stones statues of Theerthankars in four direction
called Chaumukha was also followed. Dilwara Temple in
Mt. Abu, Rajasthan was built by Bhima I of the Solanki
dynasty. It is the classic example of Jain architecture.
 JAINISM
4. Jains were the first to make monolithic statues. The
first monolithic statue is that of Parsvanath, found
at Sultanganj, Bihar.
➢ The statue of Bahubali a.k.a Gomateswar at
Shravanabelagola is the tallest Granite statue in the
world. It is monolithic and most perfect. It was
installed by Chamundaraya, Minister of Ganga
dynasty, South Karnataka.
➢ The statue was build by the great sculptor
Aristanemi. He took 12 years. As such for every 12
years the Maha Mastak Abhishek is being
performed.
5. Ghatikas were the Jain Centres of Learning.
BHAGVATISM
 BHAGVATISM
➢ The reaction to the popularity of Buddhism and
Jainism, Brahmanism emerged in the form of
Bhagavatism. Not only did it assimilate the popular
features of Buddhism and Jainism, but it also evolved
ideas of its own with which people could relate
easily.

➢ Vasudeva Krishna was the founder of Bhagavatism.

Its philosophy comprised of the three basic
principles:
Prapatti i.e. Nishkama
Bhakti i.e.
Total surrender Karma i.e.
Devotion
to God Selfless act.
 BHAGVATISM
➢ Bhagavatism propounded that Gnanamarga
will make man arrogant and therefore is
not a wise choice.
➢ Similarly, it argued that the Karmamarga is
very relative in terms of good and bad and
therefore not a viable option.
➢ Hence, Bhaktimarga, as propounded by
Bhagavatism, is the most simplified route to
get salvation.
 BHAGVATISM
1. Krishna was the disciple of three great sages: Angeerasa,
Ghora and Sandeepani. In Jaiminiya Brahmana and Taiminiya
Upanishad Krishna appears as a teacher for the first time.
2. Bhagavad Gita, composed by Vedavyas, is the highest stage of
Krishna’s philosophy. Krishna’s philosophy emerged around
1000 B.C. but Bhagavatism became popular only in 6th
century B.C. because of Brahmanism’s initial opposition to it
(as Krishna’s philosophy opposed Brahmin ritualism).
3. However, later they appropriated it as a good defence
against Jainism and Buddhism. Shudras were getting
converted to the other religions and even other sections of
the society were getting attracted to Buddhism and Jainism.
This process had to be constrained. So the priestly class
diverted its attention to Bhagavatism (as Krishna belonged
to Yadavs).
 BHAGVATISM
4. After they were successful, they hailed Krishna as an
incarnation of Vishnu and assimilated Bhagavatism into
Brahmanism.
5. In course of time, the ritualistic part also underwent a
change in Bhagavatism with Pancharatra system which
was introduced by sage Sandilya.
6. Pancharatra system meant worshipping Krishna and the
four Yadava heroes of the Satwata family i.e
Sankarshana (Balaram), Pradyumna and Samba (sons of
Krishna),Aniruddha (Grandson of Krishna).
7. During the age of Guptas, Bhagavatism was
transformed into Vaishnavism (Krishna got identified as
an incarnation of Vishnu). Thus Vaishnavism emerged as
the extension of Bhagavatism.
 BHAGVATISM

1. Bhagavatism gradually became

popular, even among foreign races
like Kushans, Parthians And Indo-
greeks. Lord Krishna was worshipped
as Herakles by Greeks.

2. As Buddhism and Jainism were too

rigid, they identified most with
Bhagavatism. Malodorous, a Greek
ambassador of king Antialkhedus
followed Bhagavatism and installed
Garuda pillar inscription at
Basenagar in Vidisha in M.P.
VAISHNAVISM
 VAISHNAVISM
➢ Vaishnavism became a powerful movement
in South India especially in Tamilakam under
the Alvars (Tamil Vaishnava Saints).
➢ They composed devotional literature in
Tamil on Vaishnavism called Prabanda. From
there Vaishnavism transcended the
boundaries of India into Southeast Asia.
➢ It was popularized in Suvarna Dweep by
Kaundinya who married a Javan princess
Susa. He got settled there and promoted
Vaishnavism.
 VAISHNAVISM
➢ The Acharyas were the Vaishnava philosophers. The first Vaishnava
philosopher was Ramanuja Acharya.
➢ He introduced Visista-Advaita Siddhanta. Other renowned Acharyas
were Madhava and Vallabha Acharyas.
 Nataraja, (Sanskrit: “Lord of
the Dance”) the Hindu god
Shiva in his form as the cosmic
dancer, represented in metal or
stone in many Shaivite
temples, particularly in
Chidambaram temple in
Tamil Nadu.
 SHAIVISM
➢ Shaivism is the oldest sect in India and a
native faith of India. Aryans accepted Rudra,
the non-Aryan God, who gradually evolved
into Shiva. Shiva was worshipped in the form
of from 1st Century A.D. onwards. The
oldest Shivling in India is found in
Gudimallam near Reni Gunta in A.P, dated
➢ 56 A.D. The sacred mantra, Panchakshari
(Om Namah Shivay) was first mentioned in
Tamil epic Silappadikaram (The Jewelled
Anklet) written by Ilango Adigal.
 SHAIVISM
1. Pashupata Sect – It was founded by Nakulisa or Nakulin and became quite popular in North India.

2. Kashmir Shaivism – It is found only in Kashmir and was founded by Vasugupta. It has no mantras but only
mudras. This form of worship is called Trika.

3. Agamanthas, Mattamayura and Kalamukha are the popular sects in Central India.

4. Shaivism became a devotional movement in South India, first led by Tamil Shaiva saints called Nayannars. There were 63.
They composed devotional Tamil literature called Thevaram. Thevaram is popular as Dravida Veda. Periya Puranam
written by Sekkilar (Chikkilar) deals with the lives and teachings of Nayannars

5. South India: Siva Advaita, founded by Srikanta in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

6. Karnataka – Veera Saiva, founded by Basaveswara.

7. Andhra Pradesh – Aradyasaiva founded by Mallikarjuna Panditha are the popular sewa sects.
 SHAIVISM
➢ There were 63 Nayanars, who belonged to
different caste backgrounds. The best known
among them were Appar, Sambandar,
Sundarar and Manikkavasagar. There are two
sets of compilations of their songs –
Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.
➢ There were 12 Alvars, who came from
equally divergent backgrounds, the best
known being Periyalvar, his daughter Andal,
Tondaradippodi Alvar and Nammalvar. Their
songs were compiled in the Divya
Prabandham.
 SHAIVISM
1. The Seventh to Ninth Centuries saw the emergence
of new religious movements, led by the Nayanars
(saints devoted to Shiva) and Alvars (saints devoted
to Vishnu) who came from all castes including those
considered “untouchable” like the Pulaiyar and the
Panars.
2. They were sharply critical of the Buddhists and Jains
and preached ardent love of Shiva or Vishnu as the
path to salvation.
3. They drew upon the ideals of love and heroism as
found in the Sangam literature (the earliest example
of Tamil literature, composed during the early
centuries of the Common Era) and blended them
with the values of bhakti.
 SHAIVISM
4. The Nayanars and Alvars went from place to place
composing exquisite poems in praise of the deities
enshrined in the villages they visited and set them to
music.
5. Between the Tenth and Twelfth Centuries, the Chola
and Pandya kings built elaborate temples around
many of the shrines visited by the saint- poets,
strengthening the links between the bhakti tradition
and temple worship.
6. This was also the time when their poems were
compiled. Besides, hagiographies or religious
biographies of the Alvars and Nayanars were also
composed. Today we use these texts as sources for
writing histories of the bhakti tradition.
 SHAIVISM
7. In Brahminism the other popular cults were – Shakti, Surya & Ganpati. Adi
Shankaracharya brought all these divergent sects into the fold of brahminism
and for them introduced a new form of worship called Panchayatana system of
worshipping Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Ganpati and Durga. It was one of the essential
aspect of Hindu temple architecture. The followers of Shankracharya are called
Smarthas.
SHAIVISM
FORMATION OF STATE
FORMATION OF STATE

1. Magadha was the most powerful of the 16 Mahajanapadas. All the other 15 republics
could not emerge as stable States while Magadha emerged as a monarchy and had a
stable political system.

2. Magadha also had the geographical advantage over other republics of its times. It
was less prone to foreign attacks due to its interior location in the fertile Indo-
Gangetic Plain.

3. It also had rich mines which helped it to evolve as the 1st industrial State in India. It
witnessed the rise of literacy which was not Brahmanical, and thus was not religiously
bound. Shudras came to be empowered as it was ruled by Shudra dynasties. It had a
flourishing economy based on trade and commerce.
 FORMATION OF STATE
➢ Defined by Kautilya in his Saptanga theory of Arthashastra, a State was
characterized by seven principles. No state formation satisfied all
these seven aspects till the end of 6th Century B.C.
➢ Magadha was the first State to fulfil the criteria laid down by Kautilya
in Arthashastra and to emerge as a full-fledged state.
 FORMATION OF STATE
➢ Its first Capital City was Girivraja meaning strong fort. The other
capital cities were Rajagriha and Pataliputra. It was ruled by four
dynasties. Brief of three dynasties before the Mauryans

3. Ajatasatru killed
2. Jivaka – the his father Bimbisara
and came to power. 5.First Buddhist
first physician in
[Called Kunika.] He 4.Assakara was his council was
1. It was founded Indian history and
was the greatest of invincible organised by
by Bimbisara a.k.a a student of Taxila the dynasty. He Commander of Ajatasatru at
Srenika. University expanded the state Ajatasatru. Rajgriha in 483
flourished in the with his BC.
court of Bimbisara. imperialistic policies
and measures.
 FORMATION OF STATE
3. Kalasoka organised
1. The dynasty was 2. Kalasoka was the
the Second Buddhist
named after its founder greatest ruler of the
council at Vaishali in
Sisunaga. dynasty.
383 BC.

1. It was founded by Mahapadmananda. He

conquered Kalinga and Saurashtra.

2. Dhana Nanda was the last of the dynasty.

Alexander’s invasion took place during his
time 326 B.C
MAURYAN DYNASTY
 MAURYAN DYNASTY

1. Arthashastra, written by Kautilya – The main theme

of the treatise was Statecraft. It was later discovered
and translated into English by Shyama Sastri.

2. Mudrarakshasa, written by Visakadutta- It deals

with the diplomacy of Rakshasa, the Prime Minister
of Nandas.

3. Kautilya also wrote Chandragupta Katha.

 MAURYAN DYNASTY
1. Indica, written by Megasthenes (Deals with city
administration of Pataliputra)- He stated that
there were no drinking habits, no slavery etc.
He divided Indian society into seven castes
based on profession. He also stated that the
city administration of Pataliputra was managed
by a municipal board of thirty members.
2. Ptolemy wrote Geography. Pliny, the Elder,
wrote Natural History. He lamented on the
Drain of Wealth from Rome to India.
3. The works of both Ptolemy and Pliny deal with
trade, commerce and communication systems
under the Mauryas.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
1. The earliest coins belonged to the 6th century B.C and are
called punch- marked coins. They circulated for the first time in
eastern U.P. and Bihar.

2. Signs on Mauryan coins: Peacock, Hill and Crescent were

found on Mauryan coins.

3. Peacock was the royal sign of Mauryas. The word Mauryas is

derived from Muriyas i.e. who tamed peacocks.

4. Important coins were Tola (Gold) and Pana (Silver). Each Pana
was equal to ¾th of a Tola.

5. Mauryas used to mint coins in Ashada Masam (beginning of the

financial year).
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
Chandragupta Maurya:
1. He was the founder of the Maurya dynasty and
the Greeks called him Sandrakottes. In 305 B.C.
he defeated Seleucus Nikator, the representative
of Alexander. An agreement was reached between
the two in 305 B.C. and it was the 1st treaty in
Indian history between a native king and a
foreign ruler.
2. He conquered Saurashtra and appointed
Pushyagupta as the Governor. Pushyagupta
constructed the famous Sudarshana Lake. It was
attested by Rudradaman’s (Greatest of the Sakas)
Junagarh inscription.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
3. He was the first king to envisage the ideas
of Welfare State and Paternal Kingship
(treating his subjects as children). He also
was the first to take the titles
Devanampriya (beloved of Gods) and
Priyadarshi (one who loves to be
admired).
4. Chandragupta abdicated the throne for his
son, Bindusara, accepted Jainism and
performed Sallekhana Vrata at
Shravanabelagola.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
2. In his 10th regnal year, he attacked Kalinga.
Dimouasi and Meghavahana were the 2 Kalinga
1. Son of Bindusara and Sudharma, he killed all
kings who fought the war. The main cause for
his brothers except Tisya and came to power
the battle of Kalinga was that the Naga tribes
with the support of minister Radhagupta in 273
of Kalinga were looting Mauryan ships. Ashoka
B.C.
mentioned the details of the Kalinga war at
Dhauli in his famous XIII Major Rock Edict.

4. He introduced a social philosophy called

3. He was converted to Buddhism by Upagupta.
Dhamma (Dharma) with principles like Satya,
He visited the Buddhist shrines and installed
Samyama, Sankshema and Ahimsa. Nigrodha (a
the Rumandei Pillar Inscription at Lumbini to
5- year-old child) was the Buddhist monk who
mark the nativity of the Buddha.
was responsible for the change in Ashoka.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
3. Brihadrata – the
1. Samprapti also
2. Dasaratha also last of the Mauryas,
followed Jainism and
followed Ajivika was killed by his
was popular as Jaina
Sect. Chief Commander,
Asok.
Pushyamitra Sunga.

➢ Although there are many theories that attempt to describe the fall of the Mauryan
empire, the most reasonable one is that it describes the collapse due to the
financial crisis.
➢ Due to lack of control on mines and the land grant system, the Mauryan treasury
diminished. The empire had suffered huge losses in trade and commerce.
Communication systems were disrupted.
➢ And finally, the absence of any strong ruler after Ashoka led to its ultimate collapse.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
Salient Features:
2. It was the 3. It was also the
1. Mauryan
most state with well
State was the
centralized expanded and
first welfare structured
state in Indian
state in India. bureaucracy.
history.

➢ At the Central level, the king was assisted by the Council of Ministers called Mantri
Parishad. Mantris were the advisors, who received 12,000 panas per annum as salary.
➢ Amatyas were the cabinet ministers with annual salary of 48,000 panas [Silver
Coins] per annum.
➢ There were 27 departments with 26 Adhyakshyas. The only department without
Adhyaksha was Fisheries.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ Important functionaries were called Teerthas -

Samaharta was the

Chief Tax Collector. Sannidata was the Chief
Treasury Officer.

➢ Empire was divided into 4 provinces – South, East,

West and Central.
1. Ujjain was the capital of Central Province.
2. Taxila was the capital of Western Province, whose
Governor was stated to be the successor of the
Mauryan State.
3. Suvarnagiri was the capital of Southern Province.
Tosali was the capital of Eastern Province.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
4. Governors were called Kumara-amatyas. They were
assisted by:
a. Pradesika – Chief Revenue Officer.
b. Rajuka – Revenue Settlement Officer.
c. Yukta – Tax Collector.
5. Sthanika was the Head of the Local Administration. The
capital city, Pataliputra, was ruled by a Municipal Board
of 30 members, divided into 6 committees.

➢ This also was managed by a Board of 30

members divided into 6 committees, each
with 5 members.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY

1. The source of law for Mauryans was Sukraneeti

composed in the post- Vedic age.

2. Dharmasteyas were the Civil Courts of Law and

Kantaka Shodaka were Criminal Courts.

3. Spy systems or espionage formed a crucial part

of Mauryan administration. The Chief royal spy
was called Pathivedaka, one who reports directly
to the king and the other spies were called
Gudapurushas.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ The chief source of revenue was Land Tax or Bhaga.
However many additional taxes were also levied –

2. Dasamolibaga – Tax collected

1. Hulivakara – Tax on by the State for protecting the
ploughshare. crops from 10 types of
destruction.

➢ There were two types of land tenures:

1. Seetha or Sita – Land of State or the Crown lands which were administered by
Seethaladhyaksha.

2. Forced labour called Vetti/Vesti was employed on these lands. The officer-in-
charge was called Vistivandaka.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ The State-controlled mining, wine manufacturing,
salt and other essential commodities.
1. Akaraadhyakshya was in charge of all mines
except iron.

2. Loha adhyakshya was in charge of Iron-ore

mines.

3. Panya adhyakshya was the Quality

Controller of essential commodities.

4. Pauthava adhyakshya was in charge of

weights and measures.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
The Guild System
➢ Srenis were the guilds of craftsmen and merchants.
Guilds of merchants were headed by Sresti. Each of
these guilds was guided by a set of regulations and
norms called Srenidharma.
➢ Except for the guilds of Pataliputra, other guilds
issued private Currencies. The guild claimed
immunity from the control of the state, involved in
money lending business, maintained their own
private armies called Srenibala and were the centres
of technical education.
➢ The Buddhist and Jain Literature talk about
Saddalaputta at Vaishali who had 500 potter shops
under his control.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
Important Guilds were:

Guild Profession

Sarthabahu Guild of mobile merchants

Nigama Settled merchant guilds of a town

Puga Guilds of money lenders

Adyantrikas Most popular guilds in Deccan.They manufactured hydraulic

engines called Ghati Yantra, used in lift irrigation
 MAURYAN DYNASTY

➢ Roopadarsaka was the officer to maintain

the standard in gold currency.

a. The most important highway was from

Pataliputra to Taxila, Rajamarga [Imperial
Highway] Asokan punch-marked Coins
b. The highway from Ujjain to Kanyakumariwas
called Dakshina Varta marga. Ujjain was the nodal
point of all communication and transport systems.
➢ According to Megasthenese, royal officers called
Agronomis were in-charge officers for the
communication systems.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ Broach (also called Bharucha or Barygaza) was the
most important port on the West Coast. Tamralipti
was the most important port on the East Coast.

➢ Ashokan pillars are the most beautiful example of

Mauryan Art. They were made up of buff coloured,
black-spotted and red-spotted sandstones
procured from Chunar and Mathura.
➢ The most beautiful pillar is found at Lauriya
Nandangarh (Bihar). Feroz Shah Tughlaq shifted
Ashokan pillars from Meerut and Topra to Delhi.
➢ These pillars also contain edicts of Ashoka which
are an important source of information about the
empire.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ Sudhama and Lomasa were the two Cave
Temples built during Mauryan times at
Barabar Hills (Bihar). Ashoka dedicated
these caves to the Ajivikas.

➢ It was called Northern Black Polished Ware

[NBPW] characterised by glossy and
shining elements.
➢ The lustrous polish is the essential aspect of
all the Mauryan art forms including pottery.
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ The 2 masterpieces of Mauryan Culture are the
monolithic statues of Yakshini, found at Sultangunj,
Bihar and Elephant found at Dhauli.

➢ They are the first written recorded evidences in

Indian history. They were deciphered for the 1st
time by James Princep in 1837.
➢ The inscriptions were written in Pali language
(Prakrit), the exception being Kandahar inscription
which was written in Greek and Aramaic
(Armenian) languages and is hence bilingual.
➢ The script used in the inscriptions is Brahmi (left to
right).
 MAURYAN DYNASTY
➢ The only inscriptions written in Kharosthi script (right to left)
were Mansehra and Shahbaz Giri inscriptions. Brief
description of Edicts:
1. In the Maski and Gurjara inscriptions, Asoka reveals his actual name.

2. In the Bhabru Edict [M.P.], Ashoka expressed his faith in Buddhism.

3. In the Barabar cave inscriptions, Ashoka declared his secular policy.

4. In the Sarnath pillar inscription, he called himself Dharma-Asoka.

5. In the Rumandei pillar inscription, Ashoka talks about land grants made to
the monasteries and tax concessions given to them.
6. In the II and XI separate Rock Edicts, Ashoka elaborates on his
Dharma.
Biography Zone
❖ Chanakya, also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta, (flourished 300 BCE), Hindu statesman and
philosopher who wrote a classic treatise on polity, Artha-Shastra (“The Science of Material
Gain”), a compilation of almost everything that had been written in India up to his time
regarding Artha (property, economics, or material success).
❖ He was born into a Brahman family and received his education at Taxila (now in Pakistan).
He isknown to have had a knowledge of medicine and astrology, and it is believed he was
familiar with elements of Greek and Persian learning introduced into India by Zoroastrians.
Some authorities believe he was a Zoroastrian or atleast was strongly influenced by that
religion.
❖ Chanakya became a counsellor and advisor to Chandragupta (reigned c. 321–c. 297), founder of the Mauryan
Empire of Northern India, but lived byhimself. He was instrumental in helping Chandragupta overthrow
the powerful Nanda dynasty at Pataliputra, in the Magadha region.
❖ Chanakya’s book came to be Chandragupta’s guide. Each of its 15 sections deals with a phase of government,
which Chanakya sums up as “the science of punishment.” He openly advises the development of an elaborate spy
system reaching into all levels of society and encourages political and secret assassination. Lost for centuries, the
book was discovered in 1905.
❖ Compared by many to Italian statesman and writer Niccolò Machiavelli and by others to Aristotle and Plato,
Chanakya is alternately condemned for his ruthlessness and trickery and praised for his sound political wisdom and
knowledge of human nature. All authorities agree, however, that it was mainly because of Chanakya that the
Mauryan empire under Chandragupta and later under Ashoka became a model of efficient government.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
(2ND CENTURY B.C – 3RD CENTURYA.D.)

Kushan Dynasty was most important in Post Mauryan Age, providing

stability to the western frontiers of India
 POST MAURYAN ERA
➢ It is called a ‘dark age’ in Indian history. Due to
the infiltration of foreign races and the
consequent changes that took place in the
socio-political system, there is dearth of
information regarding this period.
➢ Art and architecture, trade and commerce, all
started declining and therefore not leaving
much to interpret the history of that period
directly.
➢ Hence the period is called ‘dark age’. At the
same time, caste dharmas were being violated
and for this, it is called the beginning of
Kaliyuga.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
Indo-Greeks
➢ They were also called Bactrian Greeks. Menander was the greatest of
the dynasty. He was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena.
➢ The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in large numbers.
➢ They also started the practice of inscribing the names and the images
of the kings on the gold coins giving us definite evidence.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
Shakas
➢ They were divided into 5 branches. They were
also called Kshatrapas. The most powerful
branch settled in Saurashtra.
➢ Rudradaman was the greatest ruler of the
dynasty. The Junagadh inscription & the Girnar
inscription talk about his greatness.
➢ He renovated the Sudarshana Lake for the first
time. In the Girnar inscription, he claimed
victory against the Satvahana dynasty.
➢ The Junagadh inscription issued by
Rudradaman was the first inscription in
Sanskrit.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
Parthians
➢ They actually belonged to Iran. They were also called Pahlavas. Gondophernes was
the greatest king of the Parthians.
➢ It was during his time that the 1st Christian pilgrim father St. Thomas visited India
in 56 A.D.
➢ He converted Gondophernes into Christianity. He was buried at Mailapur in
Chennai, according to Marcopolo.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
Kushans
➢ They belonged to the Yu-chi tribe of China and
they were also called Tocharians. Purushapura
are Peshawar in Afghanistan was their first
capital city.
➢ Here Kanishka built a monastery and huge stupa
which excited the wonder of foreign travellers.
Mathura in U.P. was the second capital city.
➢ They were the only dynasty to control the Silk
Trade Route. The route never touched India, the
nearest point for the Indians was Kandhar.
➢ They took the title Devaputra, imitating the
Chinese (Khad-Phesis).
 POST MAURYAN ERA
➢ The dynasty was founded by Kujala Khad-
phesis. Kanishka was the greatest king of the
dynasty.
➢ He started the Shaka era in 78 A.D., which is
used by the Government of India. He also
convened the 4th Buddhist Council.
➢ The Kushans were also responsible for
Gandhara School of Art which was an
admixture of Indian and Roman art.
➢ Kushans were the first rulers in India to issue
gold coins on a large scale. Their coinage
tradition was followed by the Guptas.
NATIVE DYNASTIES
The Shunga dynasty was a
Brahmin dynasty,
established in 185 BCE,
about 50 years after
Ashoka's death, when the
emperor Brihadratha
Maurya, the last ruler of the
Maurya Empire, was
assassinated by his Senani
or commander-in-chief,
Pushyamitra Shunga, while
he was reviewing the
Guard of Honour of his
forces. Pushyamitra Shunga
then ascended the throne.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
➢ It was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga. Videesa
or Vidisha (in M.P) was their capital city. His
son, Agnimitra defeated the Indo-Greeks and
was the hero in Kalidasa’s play
Malavikagnimitram. They developed the
Mathura School of Art.

➢ The dynasty was founded by Vasudeva.

Pataliputra was their capital city. Susarma,
the last of the dynasty, was killed by
Satakarni II.
SATAVAHANAS
Approximate
extent of the
Satavahana
(Andhra)
Empire under
Gautamiputra
Satkarni (in brown),
in the 2nd century
CE.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
➢ The only dynasty in India that ruled for the longest
period, uninterrupted for 400 years by 33
Satavahana kings from 2nd Century B.C. to 2nd
Century A.D.
➢ Their first capital city was Paithan (also known as
Pratishthanapura) in Maharashtra and the second
capital city was Dhanyakatak or Amaravathi.
➢ Srimukha or Simuka was the first king of the
Satavahanas. However, Satakarni I was the real
founder of the dynasty.
➢ He was also the first king in South India to perform
the Ashwamedha sacrifice. He was defeated by
Kharavela of Kalinga.
➢ The Nanaghat inscription issued by his wife,
Naganika talks about his greatness.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
➢ Hala was the scholarly king who wrote the famous
Gadhasapta Sathi (700 stories) in Prakrit language.
➢ Gunadhya was the court poet of Hala who wrote
the famous Brihatkatha in Paisachi language. It
narrates the story of Naravahanadatta (Kuber –
the God with Nara, man as a vehicle).
➢ Gautamiputra Satakarni, the greatest ruler of the
dynasty, founded the Salivahana era in 78 A.D. He
took the titles- Ek Brahmin (The only Brahmin)
and Tri Samudra Disawar (The Lord of Three Seas).
➢ His greatness is mentioned in Nasik inscription,
issued by his mother Gautami Balasri. Yagnasri was
the last great king. He was a close friend of
Acharya Nagarjuna.
 POST MAURYAN ERA
➢ In cultural contribution, they built the great
Amaravathi Sthupa, developed the Amaravathi
school of art and were the first to promote Ajanta
school of painting. They issued ship mast coins
indicating foreign trade particularly with Rome.

➢ It ruled Kalinga. Kharavela, the greatest of the

dynasty defeated Satakarni I and took the title
Mahameghavahana.
➢ The Elephanta Cave inscription also called
Hathigumpha inscription hails his greatness. In 161
B.C., he convened a Jain Council at Kumaragiri.
SANGAM AGE –
(2ND CENTURY
B.C. – 3RD
CENTURY A.D.)
Statue Of Kannagi Chennai
 SANGAM AGE
➢ Up to 2nd Century B.C, the Deep South remained under the
Neolithic Age. The peculiar cultural formation in the South is
called Megalithic Cultural formation (Big Stone Age Culture).
They were basically four types of Megalith burials –

(1) Menhirs, are like large and tall memorial stones erected to give some clue
to the presence of a grave.

(2) Dolmen, since it gives a table like look it has been designated as
dolmen which means a stone table.

(3) Cist, in this the dead body was first buried and small stones erected
around it. Then larger stone slabs were made to rest on the pillars,
providing the grave some short of a shade.
(4) Cairn Circle, this type megaliths consist of several round shaped stones.
In the graves iron implements, clay pots and bones of pets were kept and
rounded stones were fixed all around the graves.
 SANGAM AGE
➢ The word ‘Sangam’ means confluence of two rivers.
In history, it stands for ‘the assembly of poets or
scholars’.
➢ It was first convened by St. Agasthya, the 1st Aryan
who crossed Vindhyas and entered the South.
➢ Three literary assemblies called Sangams were held
at Madurai, the capital city of Pandyas. The main
theme of Sangam literature was war.
➢ The 1st Sangam was presided over by Agasthya
himself.
➢ However, the present Sangam literature belongs to
the 2nd and 3rd Sangams. The dynasties which used
to participate were Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.
 SANGAM AGE
➢ Sangam Literature is divided into 5 sections called:

1. Early Works

2. Eight Anthologies (called

Ettutogai)

3. Ten Short poems (called Pattu

Ppattu, ten idylls)

4. Eighteen minor works

(Padinenkil Kanakku)

5. Three Epics
 SANGAM AGE
➢ The literary sources of that period are an important source of information to
construct the history of that time. Important literary works are as follows-
Important work Writer Topic

Tolkappiyam Tholkappiyar It is the earliest text and deals with grammar

Padirrupattu It is a short collection of 8 poems in praise of Chera kings.

Madurai Kanji Mangudi It describes the city of Kaveripattinam and is the most
Marudam important source of trade and commerce in the deep South

Murugarupadai Nakkirar It is a song addressed to Murugan (Son of Shiva), the most

powerful God of the South
Palamoli Munrurai Araiyar It deals with day to day rituals of Tamilians

Thirukkural Saint Thiruvalluvar It is full of proverbs. Its theme is ethics and moral values of the
said period. It is also called the Bible of Sangam literature
 SANGAM AGE
a. Silappadigaram (The Jewelled Anklet) –It was written by Ilango Adigal,
the grandson of Karikala Chola. The hero of the epic, Kovelan was a
merchant of Kaveripatnam. The heroine of the epic, Kannagi, was the wife of
Kovelan. She became Goddess of Chastity and inspired a cult called Pattini
cult (Worship of Kannagi).

b. Manimegalai –It was written by Sittanai Sattanar. It is the story of

Manimekhala, the daughter of Kovelan and Madhavi, a beauty who excelled
in fine arts. Udaikumar was the villain of the epic. Manimekhala becomes a
Buddhist nun. It was the first text to talk about the development of fine arts
and Buddhism in the deep South.

c. Sivaga Sindamani– It was written by Tiruttakkadevatar.It is a story of a

magnificent character called Saivaga who finally became a Jain monk. The
epic also talks about the popularity of Jainism in the deep South.
 SANGAM AGE

From 2nd Century B.C. to 3rd Century A.D., the three dynasties Chera, Chola and
Pandyas were the dynasties, which dominated the polity of the Sangam age.
CHOLAS - Ruled the South
CHERAS - Ruled over the East Coast with the first capital
Malabar Coast of present Kerala. city at Uraiyur and the second
King Sengattuvan was the most capital city at Kaveripattinam. PANDYAS - Ruled the Central
popular king of Cheras. He was King Elara was the first Indian to part of Tamillakam with capital
the first to construct a temple conquer Ceylon. Karikala Chola cities- Madurai and Kamatapura.
for Kannagi and was the first to was the greatest of the Chola King Nedunzeliyan, the greatest
introduce the Pattini cult of rulers. He constructed a dam of Pandyan kings, performed
worshiping Kannagi. Rechara on river Cauvery and also built Aswamedha.
was his title. Karur and Vanji the port city ‘Kaveripatnam’
were the two capital cities. which was originally called
Puhar.
 SANGAM AGE
Trade
➢ There was a tremendous growth of external trade between the deep South and
Rome. By 1st Century A.D., Romans had occupied Egypt.
➢ Hippolus, merchant of Venice was the first to discover monsoon trade winds, a
knowledge facilitating better navigation.
➢ The Romans exported large quantities of spices from the port city Muzris. Black
pepper was called Yavanapriya meaning ‘liked by Greeks’.
 SANGAM AGE

➢ A temple of Roman king Augustus was

also found at Muziris. Kaveripatnam on
the South East Coast was the most
important port under the Cholas in the
silk trade with China.
➢ It was mostly frequented by Roman
Ships. Arikamedu, another port under
the Cholas was known by Greeks as
Puduki. A Roman factory and gold coins
of emperor Nero were found here.
 SANGAM AGE
1. The Four fold Verna system entered the South,
however it was not well established.
2. Vellalas were the dominant landlords. Enadis were
actually tribal leaders employed as military
commanders and were highly respected. The ruling
class was called Arasar and its members had marriage
relation with the Vellalas who formed the forth caste.
3. The Evil custom of Sathi was widely prevalent.
4. A new tradition of installing stone statues of the body
guards of the king who sacrificed their lives was
started, called Veeragal tradition.
5. In religion, Shiva, Shakti, Kannan (Krishna) were all
worshiped. However, Murugan (Lord Subramanya) was
the most popular god.
THE GUPTA
DYNASTY

Gupta Ruler Expeditions

 THE GUPTA DYNASTY

1. Allahabad Prashasti (eulogy) which was composed by Harisena, the Chief Commander of Samudragupta,
talks about his greatness as an administrator and as a great conqueror who waged 100 battles

2. Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription –It talks about the greatness of Chandragupta Vikramaditya II and his
victory against the Shakas.

3. Eran Copper Plate Inscription, found in Delhi was issued by Bhanugupta. It is the first written
recorded evidence on the custom of Sati.

4. Bitari inscriptions talks about own invasion during the reign of Kumar Gupta.

5. Pahadpur inscriptions talk about gupta land grants.

 THE GUPTA DYNASTY

1. The Guptas issued

2. In the coins of
silver coins on the 3. In the coins of
Samudragupta, he is
model of the Kushans. Chandragupta
shown fighting with
Chandragupta I, in his Vikramaditya II, the
lions and playing the
silver coins is found signs depicting
harp (Veena-like musical
depicted along with his Aswamedha are found.
instrument).
wife, Kumaradevi.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
1. Literature is an important source to construct the history of Guptas. Kalidas
wrote the famous Abignanashakuntalam, Meghasandesham, Ritusamhara,
Kumarasambhavam, Raghuvansam, Vikramorvasiyam and Malavikagnimitram. In
his writings, Gupta society is reflected.
2. Vajjika wrote Kaumudi Mahotsava. It is a description of Chandragupta coming
to power.
3. Visakhadutta wrote the drama Devichandraguptam which talks about
Chandragupta II coming to the throne after killing his brother Ramagupta and
marrying his sister-in-law, Druvadevi.
4. Sudraka wrote the drama Mrichchhakatika or The Little clay cart is the story
of prostitute Vasantsena and Brahmin Charudatta’.
5. Bhasa wrote Vasavadatta, a play on urban life under the Guptas, the love story
of King Udayan.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY

1. Meetakshara written by Vigneshwara deals with

social law and customs of the time and is most
important in the context of inheritance issues. It
still forms the basis of many Indian Laws.

2. Neetisara was written by Kamandaka also deals

with law and is popular as The Arthashastra of the
Guptas.

➢ The Guptas hailed from Gaudadesha (Bengal).

They were the subordinate feudal heads
under the Kushans.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ Srigupta was the 1st King of the dynasty.
However, Chandragupta I is considered as the
real founder of the dynasty.
➢ He introduced the Gupta era in 320 A.D. He
Married Kumaradevi, the princess of the
Lichchavis. He got Pataliputra as gift.

➢ Samudragupta was the first great king of

the dynasty and is called ‘Indian Napoleon’ by
Vincent Smith for the military expeditions that
he carried on during his reign.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
1. He followed a policy called Sangraha (Total annexation),Vimochana
(Liberation of some territories) and Anugraha (Restoral).

2. He defeated four Aryavarta kings namely Chandravarma, Achyuta,

Ganapainaga and Nagasena.

3. He liberated 18 forest tribal kingdoms (Vimochana) near Vindhya and

defeated 12 South Indian Kings (Anugraha) and later restored them to their
thrones.

4. He also conquered North Eastern States – Samatata, Davaka,

Kamarupa and Nepal.

5. He took the title ‘Kaviraja’.

 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
1. He was the son of Samudragupta. He killed his brother
Ramagupta and married his sister-in-law, Druvadevi and
then came to power. It is considered a golden age in Indian
history as remarkable development was made in all spheres
of art, architecture and literature during this time.
2. After he had killed the Saka rulers, Bhasana and Rudrasimha,
he took the title ‘Sakari’.
3. The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Fa-hsien visited the Gupta
court during his reign. The Navratnas (nine exponents in
different disciplines) also belonged to his court. They were-
Kalidasa, Varahamihira, Amarasimha, Vararuchi, Dhanwantary,
Senku, Betalabattu, Gatakarpaka and Kshipanaka.
4. Senku, Betarabattu, Gatakarpaka, Kshipanaka, Amarasimha
and Kalidasa, all belonged to Literature; Varahamihira was an
Astrologer; Vararuchi an expert in Grammer; and
Dhanwantary on Medicine.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ His governor of Saurashtra, Parna Dutta renovated
the famous Sudarshana Lake for the second time
(It was first renovated by Rudradaman).
➢ The Huns attacked India for the first time during
his reign. However, the attack was repulsed by the
Crown Prince Skandagupta.
➢ The Huns attacked India for the second time under
the leadership of Mihirakula and Toraman. The
Pushyamitra tribe also revolted around the same
time.
➢ Skandagupta was the last great King. He failed to
deal with the situation and as a result, the Gupta
empire disintegrated.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ It was highly decentralised system of administration
with limited bureaucracy. At the central level King
was assisted by, Sandhivigrahaka (Incharge of
Foreign Affairs), Lekhaka (Correspondent),
Bandagarika (Royal Store keeper), Pustapala
(Incharge of District Administraion) and Akshapatala
(Incharge of Revenue records at the district level).
➢ Samanta System was the unique aspect of Gupta
administration. The Samanthas were the civil
servants simultaneously discharging civil, military
and judicial functions on behalf of the king. They
were given the lands called Bhuktis in lieu of
salaries.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ This system was started under the Mauryas.
Satvahanas were the first to introduce the
system in Deccan. Guptas were the first to
grant lands to the civil servants. Lands granted
to the temples were called Bramhadeyas. Lands
granted to the Brahmins were called Agraharas.
➢ The grantees were called Bhoktas and
Bhugathas. According to many theories, the
Gupta land grant system was responsible for
the beginning of Indian feudalism. The
Samanthas who got lands from the Gupta king
in course of time emerged as the Indian feudal
class.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ The Vakataka dynasty that ruled Deccan, gave the maximum number of land
grants in ancient Indian history.A land grant Charter was called Karasasana.
➢ Nividharma was the land endowment in perpetuity. Nividharma Aksayana a
perpetual endowment which a recipient could not alienate but could make
use of the income.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY

1. Devamatrukas were the most fertile tracts of the empire and

always under cultivation. Krushinala meant plough drivers or
tillers of the soil and Anirvasita meant independent Shudra
cultivators under the Guptas.

2. Kulyavapa, Dronavapa and Nivartana were the revenue

assessment methods.

3. Arghabhata (Lift irrigation), Tadaga (Tank irrigation) and Vapi

(Canal irrigation) were the main irrigation systems.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY

1. On the west 4. India’s trade with

coast, Rome was 3. Gandhara was Rome reached its
the major trade famous for woollen peak during the
partner and on the 2. Mathura was the industries,Varanasi Gupta age and
east coast was most important for silk, Prayag surprisingly also
China. Babaricum centre known for for Chariots, Ujjain came to an end
in Sind was the the best quality of for Ivory products under the Guptas.
major port city on cloth called Sataka. and Foot hills of Due to the decline
the West Coast Himalaya for of trade, the worst
and Tamralipti on saffron. affected city was
the East Coast. Mathura.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ The Golden Age means a period in which remarkable
progress is made in art, architecture, literature,
astronomy and medicine. In architecture, the Guptas
were the first to start the construction of temples in
North India. The Ikshvaku dynasty was the first to
construct temples in the entire Indian history.

➢ Guptas introduced the Nagara style of architecture.

The Gupta temples are found at Gaya, Varanasi,
Paharpur, Mathura, and Deogarh. Important temples
are The Parvati temple at Nachan Kuthara, Dasavtaar
Temple in Deogarh and Vishnu temple at Bhitargaon.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
➢ In the field of sculpture, the royal Boar
(Rajavaraha) was the best specimen of Gupta
sculpture found in Gupta rock cut temples at
Udayagiri.

➢ Guptas continued the Ajanta cave painting

tradition at Bagh caves (M.P).

1. All the literary forms (Kavya, Drama, Short

Stories, Satire and Dictionary Composition)
reached their perfection under the Guptas.
2. Amarasimha wrote Amarakosa, which was
the 1st dictionary in Sanskrit.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
3. Vishnu Sharma wrote Panchatantra stories, the first
short stories collection in Indian History.
4. Sanskrit grammar was developed on the basis of
Panini’s Ashtadhyayi and Patanjali’s Mahabhashya.
Chandragomin wrote Chandra Vyakarna which is
still popular in Bengal.
5. A Jain monk Vimla wrote Jain Ramayan, according to
which Sita was the sister of Rama.

➢ Aryabhatta was the greatest astronomer and

mathematician of his times. He was the first to measure
the radius of the Earth, explain the shape of the Earth
and also the formation of solar and lunar eclipses. He
wrote the famous Surya Siddhanta and Aryabhatiyam.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY

➢ Varamihira was another great astronomer who

introduced Romasa Siddhanta which became the
basis for the lunar calendar. He also wrote the famous
Brihatsamhita, Brihatjataka and Panchasiddhanta.

➢ Brahmagupta preceded Newton in founding the

Theory of Gravitation. He wrote Brahmasputa
Siddhanta and Kandakadyaka. In the subject
Mathematics, Geometry & Trignometry were
perfected. An unknown Indian was the first to use
zero in calculations even before Aryabhatta.
 THE GUPTA DYNASTY
1. Dhanwantary
perfected Charaka
2. Navaneetaka 3. Palakapya wrote
Samhita (Charaka
wrote Hastya Ayurveda
belonged to the age of
Navaneetakam on that dealt with
Kaniska), a text on
Ayurvedic medicine. Veterinary diseases.
ayurvedic medicine and
surgery.

1. The best copper ever

2. In the Mehrauli pillar
produced in Indian history
(located in Delhi), the best
was used in the standing
iron ever manufactured in the
images of Buddha found in
world has been used.
Sultanganj.
Biography Zone ❖ Kalidasa, (flourished 5th century CE, India), Sanskrit poet and
dramatist, probably the greatest Indian writer of any epoch. The
six works identified as genuine are the dramas Abhijnana
Shakuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala), Vikramorvashi
(Urvashi Won by Valour), and Malavikagnimitra (Malavika and
Agnimitra); the epic poems Raghuvamsa (Dynasty of Raghu)
Kalidasa Shakuntala with and Kumarasambhava (Birth of the War God); and the lyric
her friends Meghaduta (Cloud Messenger).
❖ As with most classical Indian authors, little is known about Kalidasa’s person or his historical relationships.
His poems suggest but nowhere declare that he was a Brahman (priest), liberal yet committed to the
orthodox Hindu worldview. His name, literally “servant of Kali,” presumes that he was a Shaivite (follower of
the god Shiva, whose consort was Kali), though occasionally he eulogizes other gods, notably Vishnu.

❖ A Sinhalese tradition says that he died on the island of Sri Lanka during the reign of Kumaradasa, who
ascended the throne in 517. A more persistent legend makes Kalidasa one of the nine gems at the court of
the fabulous king Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Unfortunately, there are several known Vikramaditya's (Sun of
Valour—a common royal appellation); likewise, the nine distinguished courtiers could not have been
contemporaries. It is certain only that the poet lived sometime between the reign of Agnimitra, the second
Shunga king (c. 170 BCE) and the hero of one of his dramas, and the Aihole inscription of 634 CE, which lauds
Kalidasa. He is apparently imitated, though not named, in the Mandasor inscription of 473. No single hypothesis
accounts for all the discordant information and conjecture surrounding this date.
 FOREIGNERS IN INDIA
Fa Hien came by ancient silk
route and returned on Ships.

Fa Hien
Fa-Hien, original name Sehi, (flourished 399–414),
Buddhist monk whose pilgrimage to India in 402 initiated
Sino-Indian relations and whose writings give important
information aboutearly Buddhism. After his return to
China, he translated into Chinese the many Sanskrit
Buddhist texts he had brought back.
 PUSHYABHUTI DYNASTY
➢ Pushyabhuti Dynasty was founded by
Narvardhana with its capital city at
Sthaneshwar in Haryana. Rajyavardhan &
Rajyashree were the brother the brother
and sister of Harshavardhana.
➢ Harshavardhana was the greatest ruler of
the dynasty. He founded the Harsha era in
606 A.D.
➢ Grihavarma, who was brother-in-law of
Harshavardhana, was killed by Gauda
Sasanka and Devgupta of Malwa. Sasanka
desecrated the famous Bodhi tree at Gaya.
 PUSHYABHUTI DYNASTY
➢ Harsha came to power shifting the capital city from
Thaneswar to Kannauj at the age of sixteen. He
conquered Malwa, Saurashtra, Kalinga and Kamarupa.
However, he was defeated by Pulakesin II of the
Western Chalukyas in the Battle of Narmada.
➢ Harsha was converted into Mahayana Buddhism by
the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Hieun Tsang. Hieun
Tsang wrote Si-yu-ki meaning ‘Experience of a
Traveller’ based on his Indian Expedition. Harsha took
the title Siladitya.
➢ He conducted the Buddhist conferences called
Sangeethies at Prayag. This was done to promote
Mahayana Buddhism. A great scholar in Sanskrit, he
wrote the famous plays such as Naganandam,
Ratnavali and Priyadarshika.
 PUSHYABHUTI DYNASTY
➢ Banabhatta, the court poet of Harsha wrote the Harsha Charitra,
Parvati Parinayam and Kadambari.
➢ Harsha is considered the last great emperor in ancient Indian
History. He also conducted Dharmayatras like Samrat Ashoka.
FOREIGNERS IN INDIA
Hiuen Tsang
Xuanzang, also called Muchatipo, Sanskrit Mokshadeva, or Yuanzang, (born 602,
Goushi, Luozhou, now Yanshi, Henan province, China—died 664, Chang’an, now
Xi’an, China), a Buddhist monk and Chinese pilgrim to India who translated the
sacred scriptures of Buddhism from Sanskrit into Chinese and founded in
China, The Buddhist Consciousness Only School. His fame rests mainly on the
volume and diversity of his translations of the Buddhist sutras and on the
record of his travels in Central Asia and India, which, with its wealth of detailed
and precise data, has been of inestimable value to historians and archaeologists.

Hiuen Tsang came by silk

route on land and also
returned through it.
WESTERN CHALUKYAS – BADAMI CHALUKYAS
WESTERN CHALUKYAS – BADAMI CHALUKYAS

➢ They ruled North Karnataka with the capital city at

Badami or Vatapi. Pulakesin I founded the dynasty.

➢ The greatest ruler of the dynasty, defeated Western

Gangas, Kadambas of Banavasi, Banas Vishnukundins
and finally the Pallavas. The main cause for the dynastic
wars between Chalukyas and Pallavas was regarding the
control over the Krishna-Godavari river basin.
➢ The Aihole inscription, composed by Ravi Kirti, talks
about the greatness of Pulakesin II. In this inscription
Ravikirti mentioned the names of the two great
Sanskrit poets Kalidas & Dandin. After defeating Harsha
Vardhana, Pulakesin II took the title Parameswara.
WESTERN CHALUKYAS – BADAMI CHALUKYAS
➢ In the wars with Pallavas, he defeated
Mahendravarman I and appointed his cousin Kunbaja
Vishnuvardhana as the governor of the East Coast
of Andhra region.
➢ He also sent an ambassador to the court of the
Persian emperor Khusrau and also received an
ambassador from him. He was killed by
Narasimhavarman I, son of Mahendravarman I of the
Pallavas in the Battle of Badami.

➢ Vikramaditya I son of Pulkesin II killed

Mahendravarman II, son of Narasimhavarman I. He
was also the first Indian to defeat the Arabs in the
Konkan coast.
 WESTERN CHALUKYAS – BADAMI CHALUKYAS

➢ He was the last great king of the Western

Chalukyas, defeated by his Samanta Dantidurga
in the battle of Khed. Dantidurga founded the
Rashtrakuta dynasty

➢ Western Chalukyas introduced a new style of

temple architecture called Vesara or Deccan style.
➢ It was an admixture of North Indian Nagara and
South Indian Dravidian. No cement or mortar was
used and stones were aligned together to form
the edifice.
➢ The city Aihole was called city of Temples. Badami,
Aihole & Pattadakal were the main centres for the
Vesara style of Architecture.
WESTERN CHALUKYAS – BADAMI CHALUKYAS

➢ In painting the western Chalukyas continued the

Ajanta cave paintings tradition.
➢ Aihole merchant guild and Veerabalanja were the
two powerful guilds under the western Chalukyas.
 PALLAVA DYNASTY

The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram built by Narasimhavarman II

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➢ The early Pallavas ruled from Amaravati. The
dynasty was founded by Shiva Skanda Varma.
Vishnugopa of this dynasty was defeated by
Samudragupta.

➢ They ruled from Kanchipuram. The dynasty was

founded by Simhavishnu. Mahendravarman I was
defeated by Pulakesin II.
➢ Narasimhavarman I, the greatest of the Pallavas
killed Pulakesin II and took the title Mahamalla
(Great wrestler).
➢ He founded the city Mahabalipuram also known as
Mamallapuram. He also constructed the famous
Seven Pagoda Temples (all monolithic) at
Mahabalipuram.
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➢ Narasimhavarman II built the Shore temple at
Mahabalipuram. The Shore temple was dedicated
to Martanda, a form of Shiva. He also constructed
the famous Kailashnath Temple at Kanchi.
➢ Nandivarman constructed the famous Vykunta
Perumal temple at Kanchi. Aparajita Varman was
the last of the Pallavas, defeated by Aditya Chola of
the Chola dynasty.

➢ It was the first royal dynasty that was devoted to

promoting education and learning in the South.
Ghatikas were the centres of learning under Pallavas.
➢ The capital city Kanchi became popular as the
Dakshin Kasi or Varanasi of the South and became a
centre for Sanskrit learning.
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➢ Mahendravarman I wrote the famous
Mattavilasaprahasana, a satire on Jain and Shiva
traditions. He was called Vichitra chitta. Dandin wrote
Dasakumaracharitra on the birth of Kartikeya. Bharavi
wrote Kiratarjuniyyam on the fight between Arjuna
and Shiva (in the form of Kirat).

➢ Pallavas were responsible for the Dravidian style of

temple architecture. The cave temples at Bhairavakonda
and Sittannavasal also belonged to the Pallavan age.
➢ The three masterpieces of Pallava sculpture are the Ganga
coming to the earth, Krishna lifting the Goverdhan Parvat
and the penance of Arjuna all the three found in
Mahabalipuram.
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➢ The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to
stone temples. The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut
temples dating from 610–690 AD and structural temples between 690–900 AD.
A number of rock-cut cave temples bear the inscription of the Pallava king,
Mahendravarman I and his successors.
➢ Among the accomplishments of the Pallava architecture are the rock-cut
temples at Mamallapuram. There are excavated pillared halls and monolithic
shrines known as Rathas in Mahabalipuram. The Rathas, populary called Seven
Pagodas, are actually eight in number.They are-

(8)
(1) (5)
2) Dhima, (3) Arjuna (4) Sahadev (6) Ganesh (7) Pidari Valaiyankutt
Dharmaraja Draupadi
ai.