1. Introduction

The Post-Mauryan Period refers broadly to the centuries following the decline of the Mauryan Empire, particularly from around the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.

After the decline of the Mauryas, India was not ruled by a single large empire for a long period. Instead, several regional and foreign-origin dynasties emerged in different parts of the subcontinent.

Important powers of this period included the Shungas, Kanvas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, Kushanas and Satavahanas.

This period is especially important because of the growth of long-distance trade, the development of new artistic traditions, the spread of Buddhism, increased contacts with Central Asia and the Roman world, and the development of important schools of sculpture.

2. Political Condition after the Mauryas

After the death of Ashoka around 232 BCE, the Mauryan Empire gradually weakened.

Around the middle of the 2nd century BCE, the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha was overthrown by his general Pushyamitra Shunga.

The political map of India subsequently became divided among several kingdoms and smaller political powers.

3. Shunga Dynasty

The Shunga Dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Shunga around 185 BCE.

Pushyamitra was originally a military commander under the Mauryas and is traditionally described as having overthrown Brihadratha, the last Mauryan ruler.

Pushyamitra Shunga

• Founder of the Shunga dynasty.
• Ruled from the Magadha region.
• Capital associated with Pataliputra and Vidisha.
• Performed Vedic rituals including the Ashvamedha according to literary sources.
• Faced conflicts with Indo-Greek powers.

4. Important Shunga Rulers

5. Heliodorus Pillar

The Heliodorus Pillar is located at Besnagar near Vidisha in present-day Madhya Pradesh.

It was erected by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador associated with the Indo-Greek ruler Antialcidas.

Heliodorus described himself as a devotee of Vasudeva.

6. Kanva Dynasty

The Kanva Dynasty succeeded the Shungas in Magadha around the 1st century BCE.

The founder of the dynasty was Vasudeva Kanva.

The Kanva dynasty was relatively short-lived and was eventually replaced by the Satavahanas in the Magadha political tradition.

7. Indo-Greeks

The Indo-Greeks were Greek-origin rulers who established kingdoms in north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent following the weakening of Hellenistic political power in Central Asia.

Their kingdoms were concentrated mainly in Afghanistan, Gandhara, Punjab and adjoining regions.

Indo-Greek rulers are especially important for their coinage, cultural interactions and political contacts with Indian kingdoms.

8. Menander / Milinda

Menander, known in Indian Buddhist tradition as Milinda, was one of the most famous Indo-Greek rulers.

He is associated with the Buddhist text Milindapanha, which presents a dialogue between King Milinda and the Buddhist monk Nagasena.

The text discusses philosophical and Buddhist questions through a question-and-answer format.

9. Indo-Greek Coinage

Indo-Greek rulers issued a large number of coins that are extremely valuable for reconstructing political history.

• Portraits of rulers were commonly shown.
• Greek legends were frequently used.
• Indian scripts and symbols also appeared on some coins.
• Coins demonstrate cultural interaction between Greek and Indian traditions.

10. Shakas

The Shakas, also called Scythians, were groups of Central Asian origin who established political power in different parts of north-western and western India.

Important Shaka political centres developed in regions such as Gandhara, Mathura, western India and the Deccan.

Major Shaka branches

• North-western Shakas
• Mathura Shakas
• Western Kshatrapas

11. Rudradaman I

Rudradaman I was one of the most important rulers of the Western Kshatrapas.

He is particularly famous for the Junagadh inscription.

The Junagadh inscription is written in Sanskrit and is considered one of the earliest long inscriptions composed in polished classical Sanskrit.

Rudradaman is also associated with the repair of the Sudarshana Lake.

12. Parthians

The Parthians were another Central Asian political group that established influence in north-western India.

The most famous Indo-Parthian ruler was Gondophernes.

The Indo-Parthian kingdom was centred largely in Afghanistan and north-western regions of the Indian subcontinent.

13. Gondophernes

Gondophernes was an important Indo-Parthian ruler.

Christian tradition associates the apostle St. Thomas with his kingdom, although the historical details of this tradition remain debated.

14. Kushanas

The Kushanas emerged from the larger political movements of Central Asian groups traditionally associated with the Yuezhi.

They established a powerful empire extending across parts of Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India.

The Kushana period is particularly important for international trade, Buddhism, art, coinage and cultural interaction between India and Central Asia.

15. Important Kushana Rulers

16. Kanishka

Kanishka I was one of the most important Kushana rulers.

His reign is generally placed around the 2nd century CE, although the exact chronology of early Kushana rulers has been debated.

Importance of Kanishka

• Expanded Kushana political power.
• Promoted long-distance trade.
• Supported Buddhist institutions.
• Associated with the spread of Mahayana Buddhism.
• Patronized art and intellectual activity.
• Connected India with Central Asian trade routes.

17. Fourth Buddhist Council

Buddhist tradition associates a Fourth Buddhist Council with Kanishka.

It is traditionally said to have been held in Kashmir under the leadership of Vasumitra.

The council is particularly associated with the Sarvastivada school.

18. Kushana Empire and Silk Route

The Kushana Empire occupied an important geographical position along the Silk Routes.

This allowed it to participate in long-distance trade between China, Central Asia, India and the Roman world.

19. Kushana Coinage

Kushana coins are important historical sources because they depict rulers and a wide variety of religious figures and symbols.

Coins issued by Kushana rulers contain legends in different scripts and show Greek, Iranian, Indian and Buddhist religious influences.

The extensive use of gold coins reflects the importance of long-distance commerce and the economic strength of the Kushana state.

20. Gandhara School of Art

The Gandhara School of Art developed mainly in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent.

It is particularly famous for representations of the Buddha and Buddhist figures showing strong Hellenistic and Central Asian artistic influences.

Features

• Grey schist was commonly used.
• Naturalistic treatment of the human body.
• Wavy hair and detailed facial features.
• Heavy robe with realistic folds.
• Strong influence of Greco-Roman artistic traditions.
• Large number of Buddha and Bodhisattva images.

21. Mathura School of Art

The Mathura School of Art developed around Mathura in northern India.

It developed a distinctive Indian artistic style and produced images of Buddhist, Jain and Brahmanical deities.

Features

• Red sandstone was widely used.
• Strong indigenous Indian artistic character.
• Powerful and well-defined body forms.
• Buddha images became increasingly important.
• Jain and Brahmanical images were also produced.

22. Gandhara and Mathura Schools – Comparison

23. Satavahana Dynasty

The Satavahanas were one of the most important indigenous dynasties of the Deccan during the post-Mauryan period.

They controlled large parts of the Deccan and played an important role in trade between northern and southern India.

Their political history is reconstructed using inscriptions, coins, Puranic traditions and archaeological evidence.

24. Simuka

Simuka is generally regarded as the founder of the Satavahana dynasty.

The exact chronology and early history of the Satavahanas remain subjects of historical discussion.

25. Gautamiputra Satakarni

Gautamiputra Satakarni was one of the most powerful Satavahana rulers.

He is known particularly from the Nasik inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri.

The inscription describes his victories and portrays him as a restorer of Satavahana power.

Gautamiputra Satakarni fought against the Shakas, especially the Western Kshatrapas.

26. Vashishthiputra Pulumavi

Vashishthiputra Pulumavi succeeded Gautamiputra Satakarni and continued Satavahana power in the Deccan.

Satavahana inscriptions and coins provide valuable information about the dynasty during this period.

27. Satavahana Administration

Satavahana administration combined monarchical authority with local and regional institutions.

Important officials and administrative divisions supported the functioning of the state.

The Satavahanas also used titles and political practices that reflected interaction with northern Indian political traditions.

28. Satavahana Society

Satavahana society included agricultural communities, merchants, craftsmen, religious institutions and ruling elites.

Inscriptions reveal the role of women in making donations to Buddhist establishments.

The use of matronymic names such as Gautamiputra and Vashishthiputra is a notable feature of Satavahana royal names.

29. Satavahana Economy

Agriculture was the economic foundation, while trade and craft production became increasingly important.

Major economic activities

• Agriculture
• Metalworking
• Textile production
• Pottery
• Internal trade
• Maritime trade

30. Indo-Roman Trade

The post-Mauryan period witnessed significant maritime and overland trade between India and the Roman world.

Roman gold coins have been discovered at several sites in India, especially in southern and western regions.

Indian exports included spices, textiles, precious stones, ivory and other luxury goods.

Roman authors and the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea provide information about Indian Ocean trade.

31. Important Trade Centres

32. Religion in the Post-Mauryan Period

The post-Mauryan period witnessed the development and interaction of several religious traditions.

• Buddhism
• Jainism
• Vaishnavism
• Shaivism
• Various Brahmanical traditions

Buddhism expanded along trade routes into Central Asia, while devotional traditions associated with Vasudeva-Krishna and other deities also developed.

33. Growth of Mahayana Buddhism

During the early centuries of the Common Era, Mahayana Buddhism became increasingly influential in several regions.

Important ideas included the Bodhisattva ideal and the use of devotional practices associated with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Kushana patronage, trade networks and monastic centres contributed to the wider movement of Buddhist ideas.

34. Literature of the Post-Mauryan Period

The post-Mauryan centuries witnessed literary activity in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Tamil.

35. Sangam Age

The Sangam Age refers to the early historic period of South India associated with Tamil literary traditions.

The three major Tamil political powers were:

36. Sangam Literature

Sangam literature is an important source for understanding the political, social and economic life of early historic Tamilakam.

Important works

• Silappadikaram
• Manimekalai
• Purananuru
• Akananuru
• Pathitrupathu

37. Art and Architecture

The post-Mauryan period witnessed major developments in Buddhist architecture and sculpture.

Important features

• Stupa enlargement and decoration.
• Rock-cut caves.
• Chaitya halls.
• Viharas.
• Stone railings.
• Decorative gateways.
• Development of Buddha images.

38. Sanchi

Sanchi is one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in India.

Its Great Stupa has Mauryan origins but was substantially enlarged and decorated during later periods, especially during the Shunga and subsequent phases.

The gateways, known as Toranas, contain extensive narrative reliefs associated with Buddhist traditions.

39. Bharhut

Bharhut is famous for its Buddhist stupa railings and sculptural reliefs.

The sculptures contain scenes from the Jataka stories and Buddhist traditions.

Bharhut art is especially important for understanding early Buddhist narrative art.

40. Amaravati School

The Amaravati tradition developed in the lower Krishna River region.

It is particularly known for highly detailed Buddhist relief sculpture and narrative scenes.

Amaravati became an important centre of Buddhist artistic activity in the Deccan.

41. Nagarjunakonda

Nagarjunakonda was an important Buddhist centre in the lower Krishna region.

It contains remains of stupas, monasteries and other Buddhist establishments associated with the later Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods.

42. Rock-Cut Architecture

Buddhist and Jain communities used rock-cut caves as monastic and religious spaces.

Important western Indian cave sites include:

• Bhaja
• Karla
• Kanheri
• Nasik
• Ajanta – later phases are particularly important.

43. Guilds and Urban Economy

Trade and craft guilds played an important role in the urban economy of the post-Mauryan period.

These organizations are frequently referred to as Shrenis.

Guilds could organize production, trade and professional activities, and they also made donations to religious institutions.

44. Science and Technology

The post-Mauryan period saw developments in astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, mathematics and craftsmanship.

Increased trade and interaction with other regions also facilitated the movement of ideas and technical knowledge.

45. Foreign Contacts

The post-Mauryan period was characterized by strong interaction between India and regions outside the subcontinent.

46. Importance of Coins

Coins are one of the most important archaeological sources for the post-Mauryan period.

They provide information about:

• Names of rulers
• Political territories
• Religious symbols
• Economic conditions
• Trade relations
• Artistic styles
• Language and scripts

47. Important Inscriptions

48. Kharavela of Kalinga

Kharavela was an important ruler of Kalinga in the post-Mauryan period.

His achievements are described in the Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri, near Bhubaneswar.

The inscription provides information about his military activities, public works and religious patronage.

49. Bihar in the Post-Mauryan Period

Bihar remained an important historical region even after the decline of the Mauryan Empire.

Pataliputra continued to be an important political and cultural centre, although its political importance declined compared with the Mauryan period.

The Shunga and Kanva dynasties were particularly important in the political history of Magadha after the Mauryas.

50. Important Chronology

51. Major Post-Mauryan Dynasties – Quick Table

52. Important Terms for BPSC

53. Quick Revision

54. BPSC Practice Questions

55. BPSC Examination Focus

56. One-Line Revision

57. Conclusion

The post-Mauryan period was one of the most dynamic phases of ancient Indian history. The political unity of the Mauryan period was followed by the emergence of several regional and transregional powers.

The Shungas and Kanvas continued the political tradition of Magadha, while the Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians and Kushanas connected the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia and the wider Hellenistic world.

The Kushanas, especially under Kanishka, played an important role in long-distance trade and the expansion of Buddhist networks.

At the same time, the Satavahanas became a major power in the Deccan and participated actively in inland and maritime trade.

The period also witnessed major developments in Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati art, Buddhist architecture, coinage, literature and Indo-Roman trade.