Qts 10. Write about Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 BC)
With the help of Chanakya, known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, he overthrew the Nandas and established the rule of the Maurya dynasty.
Chandragupta is called Sandrocottus by Androcotus the Greek scholars. This account is given by Megasthenes (A Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus to the court of Chandragupta Maurya) in his book Indica and the Arthashastra of Kautilya
Seleucus Nikator was one of the Generals of Alexander and after his death, had succeeded in gaining control of most of the Asiatic provinces. Chandragupta defeated him in 305 BC and was compelled to yield parts of Afghanistan to Chandragupta. There was also a marriage alliance between the two families.
Built a vast empire, which included not only good portions of Bihar and Bengal, but also western and north western India and the Deccan.
Vishakhadatta wrote a drama Mudrarakshasa (describing Chandragupta's enemy) & Debi Chandraguptam in sixth century AD.
Chandragupta adopted Jainism and went to Chandragiri Hill, Sravanabelagola (near Mysore) with Bhadrabahu, where he died by slow starvation.
Qts 7. Write about Bindusara (298-273 BC)
Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara. Called Amitraghat/Amitrochates by Greek writers.
He is said to have conquered 'the land between the two seas', i.e., the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Greek Ambassador, Deimachos visited his court.
Bindusara asked Antiochus I of Syria to send some sweet wine, dried figs and a sophist. Antiochus I sent wine and figs but politely replied that Greek philosphers are not for sale.
Bindusara patronised Ajivikas.
Qts8. Write about Ashoka (273-232 BC)
Ashoka was appointed as the Viceroy of Taxila and Ujjain by his father Bindusara. He was at Ujjain when Bindusara died.
His formal coronation was delayed for four years, suggesting a disputed succession. A Buddhist literature says that he came to throne after killing his ninety nine brothers.
He was the first ruler to maintain direct contact with people through his inscription.
The Kalinga War (261 BC, mentioned in XIII rock edict) changed his attitude towards life. Ashoka became a Buddhist after that. Ashoka became the Buddhist under Upagupta.
He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon as Buddhist missionaries with a sapling of original pipal tree.
He inaugurated the Dhammayatras from the 11th year of his reign by visiting Bodh Gaya; also appointed Dhamma Mahamantras (officers of righteousness) to spread the message of Dhamma.
The emblem of India Republic has been adopted from the 4-lion capital of the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath. Built the Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh.
Ashoka sent missionaries to the kingdoms of the Cholas and the Pandyas, and five states ruled by Greek kings (Antiochus II of Syria; Philadelphos Ptolemy II of Egypt; Antigonus of Mecedonia; Maggus of Syrina; Alexander of Epirus). He sent missionaries to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Suvarnbhumi (Burma) and also parts of South-East Asia.
Qts 9. What are Ashoka's Names and Titles
1. Only inscriptions in the Maski edicts refer his name as Ashoka
2. Puranas refer his name as Ashokavardhana.
3. Girnar Inscription of Rudradaman mentions him as Ashoka Maurya.
4. In Babhru Inscription, he refers himself as Piyadassi Raja Magadha (Piyadassi, King of Magadha).
5. He assumes two titles Devanampiya and Piyadassi in his inscriptions.
Qts10. Write about Ashoka's Dhamma
Its broad objective was to preserve the social order like people should obey their parents, pay respect to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks and show mercy to slaves and servants. He held that if people behaved well they would attain Swarga (Heaven).
Qts11. Write about Ashoka's Edicts
Major Rock Content
Edict (MRE)
First MRE Prohibition on animal slaughter.
Second MRE Mention of places of Cholas, Pardayans, Satyaputras and Keralputras.
Third MRE Directions to Predeshikas, Yuktas and Rajukas for propagation of Dhamma.
Fourth MRE Impact of Dhamma on society.
Fifth MRE Appointment of Dhamma Mahamantras.
Sixth MRE Welfare measures.
Seventh MRE Propagation of peace, balance of mind and faith.
Eight MRE Details of visit to Bodhi tree.
Ninth MRE Stress on ceremony of Dhamma.
Tenth MRE Ashoka's desire to gain popularity for Dhamma.
Eleventh MRE Appraisal of Dhamma.
Twelfth MRE Promotion of religions of different faith.
Thirteenth MRE Largest of all victory over Kalinga's destruction of war.
Fourteenth MRE Inclusion of Ashoka into Sangha; It is bilingual. It tells that fishermen and hunters gave up hunting; Faith of ruler and kingdom in Dhamma.
Qts16 . Write about The Indo-Greeks (2nd Century BC)
A number of invasions took place around 200 BC. The first to invade India were the Greeks, who were also called the Indo-Greeks of Bactrian Greeks (because they ruled Bactria).
Greeks were the first to issue coins which can be definitely attributed to the kings, and also the first to issue gold coins in India.
They introduced Hellenic i.e. Greek features in art giving rise to Gandhar school in the North-Western India.
The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander (165-145 BC), also known as Milinda. He was converted into Buddhism by Nagasena (described in the Pali text, Milinda Panho or The Questions of Milinda).
Qts 17. Write about Shakas/Scythians (1th Century-4ª Century AD)
The Greeks were followed by the Shakas, who controlled a larger part of India than the Greek did. The Shakas came to India through the Bolan Pass. The earliest Indian textual reference to the Shakas is found in the Mahabhasya.
The first Shaka King in India was Maues or Moga who established Shaka power in Gandhara.
The most famous Shaka ruler in India was Rudradaman I (AD 130-150). His achievements are highlighted in his Junagarh inscription This inscription records in details the repairs of Sudarshana lake in Kathiawar. It is the first major inscription to be written in Sanskrit.
Qts 18. write about Parthians (1ª Century BC-1 Century AD)
Originally they lived in Iran, invaded at the beginning of Christian era, from where they moved to India. In comparison to Greeks and Shakas, they occupied only a small portion in North-West India in the first century.
The most famous Parthian King was Gondophernes (AD 19 to AD 45), in whose reign St. Thomas is said to have come to India for the propagation of Christianity.
Qts 19. Write about Kushans (1ª Century AD-3rd Century AD)
The Kushans are also referred to as Yue-Chis or Tocharians. They belonged to one of the five clans of the Yue-Chi tribe.
Kujula Kadphises minted coins in copper.
Kanishka was their most famous king.
He had two capitals first at purushpur near modern peshwar and second Mathura. He patronised the following persons: (i) Ashwaghosha (wrote Buddhachari which is the biography of budda and sutralankar) (ii) nagarjuna wrote madyamik sutra) (ii)
Vasumitra chairman of fourth buddist council and charaka wrote charaka samitha
Qts 20. Why Kanishka is known in history
1. He started an era in AD 78, which is now known as Saka era and is used by the Government of India.
2. Fie extended his whole-hearted first at Kushans patronage to Buddhism (Held the fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir).
Qts 21.Write about Shunga Dynasty (185BC-73BC)
Pushyamitra founded this dynasty. They were basically Brahmins. This period saw the revival of Bhagvatism.
A Shunga king, Agnimitra was the hero of Kalidasa's Malvikagnimitram.
In arts, the Bharhut Stupa is the most famous monument of the Sunga period.
The fine gateway railing which surrounds the Sanchi stupa, built by Ashoka, constructed during the Sunga period.
Qts 22. Write about Kanva Dynasty (73BC-28BC) [Capital-Patliputra]
The founder of this short-lived dynasty was Vasudeva, who killed the last Sunga king, Devabhuti Bhumimitra and Narayana succeeded Vasudeva. All were Brahmins.
They were swept away by Satavahanas of the Deccan.
Qts23. Write about Satavahana Dynasty (60 BC-225 AD) [Capital - Pratishthana/Paithan (Maharashtra]
They were the successors of the Mauryans in the Deccan and the central India. The official language of the Satvahanas was Prakrit
Simuka is regarded as the founder of this dynasty. The most important king was Gautamiputra Satakarni (AD 106-130) who raised the power and prestige of Satavahanas to greater heights. He set up his capital at Paithan on the Godavari in Aurangabad district.
Satavahanas started the practice of donating land with fiscal and administrative immunities to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks.
Under the Satavahanas, many Chaityas (worship halls) and Viharas (monasteries) were cut out from rocks mainly in North-West Deccan or Maharashtra. The famous examples were Nasik, Kanheri and Karle.
Stupas were seen scattered all around Ellora. The most famous of these attributed to the Satavahana period are Amravati, a sculptural treasure house, and Nagarjunakonda.
Satavahanas were finally succeeded by the Ikshvakus in 3rd Century AD.
The Chetis of Kalinga
The Hathigumpha inscription (near Bhubaneswar, Orissa) of Kharavela, the third ruler of the dynasty gives information about the Chetis.
Kharavela pushed his kingdom beyond the Godavari in the South. He was a follower of Jainism and patronised it to a great extent.
Qts24.What are Three school of sculpture:
1. Amaravati School (150 BC-400 AD)- by Satavahanas.
2. Gandhar School (50 BC-5th Century AD) - by Kushans.
3. Mathura School (150 AD-300 AD)- by Saka and Kushans.
The influence of Greek sculpture is very evident in the Gandhar School, while Mathura school evolved an indigenous form.