Comprehensive Study Guide: Ancient Indian Dynasties from Maurya to Satavahana

Information from Rudradaman’s Junagarh Inscription

• Source of Information: The Junagarh Inscription of Rudra Daman provides critical historical data regarding the Sudarshan Lake.

• History of Sudarshan Lake Construction and Renovation:

  • Original Construction: The lake was originally constructed by Chandragupta Maurya.
  • Mauryan Governor: The construction was carried out under the supervision of Pushyagupta Vaishya, the governor serving under Chandragupta Maurya.
  • Ashoka’s Period: During the reign of Ashoka, the lake underwent renovation work. This was led by Usha.
  • Dam Construction: A dam was subsequently built on the lake by Tandgupt.
  • Later Renovation: The lake was renovated again by Rudra Daman.

Mauryan Administration and Social Structure

• Official Currency:

  • The official currency of the Mauryan Empire was known as the Pana (Pad).
  • This coin was made of Silver.

• Administrative Divisions:

  • Chakra: In Mauryan administration, provinces (Prant) were referred to as Chakra. These were organized on a state-wise basis.
  • Sthanika: This was the revenue collector based at the District level.
  • Pratishtha (Pradeshta): This officer was the commissioner in charge of a Mandal (Commissionary).

• Legal System and Courts:

  • Civil Court: Known as Dharmasthiya.
  • Civil Court Judges: Known as Dharmastha or Vyavaharika.
  • Criminal Court: Known as Kantak-shodhana (Kojdari Nyayalaya).
  • Criminal Court Judge: Known as Pradeshta (Nishtha).

• Rank and Hierarchy of Main Officers:

  1. Raja: The King (Supreme authority).
  2. PM/Purohit: The Prime Minister or Chief Priest (Second in rank).
  3. Senapati: The Military Commander.
  4. Sannidhata: The Finance Minister.
  5. Samaharta: The Head of the Revenue Department.
  6. Nayak: The regulator who managed the military in the capital.

• Slavery and Social Observation:

  • Kautilya: According to Kautilya, there were $9$ types of slaves (das).
  • Megasthenes: Contrary to Kautilya, Megasthenes stated that there were no slaves (No slate) in India.

• Mauryan Governance and Economy:

  • Centralization: The Mauryan administration was the first fully centralized rule in history. Centralization involved creating distinct departments for every function, all regulated by a single central authority.
  • Revenue Tax: The revenue tax during the Mauryan period was set at $\frac{1}{6}$ of the revenue.

• Military Administration:

  • The military was managed by $6$ separate committees.
  • Each committee consisted of $5$ members.
  • Total membership across all committees was $30$.

• Monuments:

  • Sarnath Pillar: Constructed by Ashoka, located in Varanasi (Banaras).

Ashoka’s Buddhist Missions (Religious Promoters)

• Ashoka promoted Buddhism both within India and abroad by sending religious promoters (Dharam Pracharak) to various countries:
  • Mahendra and Sanghamitra: Sent to Sri Lanka. Mahendra was Ashoka’s son and Sanghamitra was his daughter. The ancient name of Sri Lanka was Seelan (Ceylon).
  • Maharakshita: Sent to Yunan (Greece).
  • Majjhantika: Sent to Kashmir and Gandhara (Significant for the spread of Buddhism outside India).
  • Rakshita: Sent to Karnataka, specifically a place called Banavasi.

Fall of the Mauryan Empire and the Rise of the Sunga Dynasty

• Primary Reasons for Decline:

  • Ashoka’s adoption of Buddhism and the subsequent Dhamma policy.
  • Significant financial crises (Financial crisis/Vittiya Sankat).
  • Absence of powerful rulers after Ashoka.

• Transition of Power:

  • Last Mauryan Ruler: Brihadratha (Bradrath), who was considered weak.
  • The Coup: Brihadratha’s military commander, Pushyamitra Sunga (Pusya Mitra Song), killed the king under adverse circumstances and took the throne.

• The Sunga Dynasty:

  • This was the first Brahmin dynasty in history after the Mauryans.
  • Founder: Pushyamitra Sunga.
  • Reign Period: $185\text{ to }149\,BC$.
  • Capital: Pataliputra (Inherited from the Mauryas).
  • Royal Priest (Raj Purohit): Patanjali served as the royal priest in the court of Pushyamitra Sunga. Patanjali is known for founding the Yoga philosophy (Yoga Darshan).

• Religious Sites and Monuments:

  • Sanchi Stupa: Originally built by Ashoka (Maurya Dynasty) in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Bharhut Stupa: Built by Pushyamitra Sunga. Initially, he supported Buddhism but later opposed its spread.
  • Definition of Stupa: Stupas are described as "heaps" or monuments marking sacred sites where the remains (remains/ अवशेष) of Mahatma Buddha were placed, such as teeth, clothes, or bones.

• Successors of the Sunga Dynasty:

  1. Agnimitra: Son and successor of Pushyamitra Sunga.
  2. Vasumitra: Successor of Agnimitra.
  3. Devabhuti: The last ruler of the Sunga Dynasty.

The Kanva Dynasty

• Transition of Power: Devabhuti was killed by his own military commander, Vasudeva.
• Dynastic Period: $75\,BC\text{ to }30\,BC$.
• Founder: Vasudeva.
• General Characteristics: Like the Sungas, the Kanvas were also Brahmins. There is limited historical literature on their specific actions.
• Last Ruler: Susharman (Susarman).

The Satavahana Dynasty

• Transition of Power: Simuka, the military commander of Susharman, killed him to establish the Satavahana dynasty.

• Dynastic Period: $30\,BC\text{ to }250\,AD$.

• Geography: Based in the region of the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh border, rather than Northern India.

• Unique Characteristics of Satavahanas:

  • Matriliny: The kings were often identified by their mothers' names (e.g., Gautamiputra).
  • Currency: They were the first to issue Lead coins (Lead coin/Sheeshe ke sikke).
  • Official Language: Their official language was Prakrit.
  • Capital: Pratishthan.
  • Land Grants: They provide the first recorded archaeological evidence of land grants (Bhumidan) to Brahmins and Buddhists.

• Key Rulers:

  • Simuka: The founder of the dynasty.
  • Satkarni First: One of the early rulers.
  • Hala: A ruler known for his literacy. He wrote the book Gatha Saptasati (Gaatha Sapt Sati) in the Prakrit language.
  • Gautamiputra Satkarni: The most powerful ruler of the dynasty, reigning from $106\text{ to }130\,AD$.
    • Nasik Inscription: Information about him found here.
    • Titles: Referred to as "Ekmatra Brahman" (Sole Brahmin) or "Advitiya Brahman" (Unique Brahmin).
    • Military Prowess: Described as having horses that drank water from three seas (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean).
    • Conflict with Shakas: He defeated and killed the Shaka (Saka) ruler Nahapana.

Comparative Stupa Summary (Match the Following)

1. Sanchi Stupa: Built by the Mauryas (Ashoka).
2. Bharhut Stupa: Built by the Sungas (Pushyamitra Sunga).
3. Dhamekh Stupa: Built by the Guptas.
4. Amravati Stupa: Built by the Satavahanas.

Questions & Discussion

• Interaction with Vaibhav: The instructor noted that Vaibhav was sitting and not participating or answering questions during the session.
• Student Inquiry on Lead Coins: A student asked if the lead coins had a specific name. The instructor clarified that while the Mauryan silver coin was the Pana, the lead coins of the Satavahanas are generally referred to by their material rather than a unique name in this context.
• Course Progress: The instructor confirmed that Ancient India is becoming clearer to the students and mentioned a future class at 11:00 AM focusing on mixed general knowledge questions (Static GK, Geography, Polity, Miscellaneous).