Post Mauryan Dynasties - Sunga | Satvahana | Kushan Dynasty

Post Mauryan Dynasties

Sunga | Satvahana | Kushan Dynasty

Here we will discuss about post Mauryan dynasties which is highly useful for SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.

Post Mauryan Dynasties - Sunga | Satvahana | Kushan Dynasty

Most important dynasties - The Sunga, The Satvahana and The Kushan Dynasty.

The Sunga

• Pushyamitra Sunga killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihdrath in 185 BC.
• Founder and Greatest ruler of the Sunga dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga. During his time the famous grammarian Patanjali was flourished. Pushyamitra is said to have perform two Ashvamedha Yagnas.
• Agnimitra, the Sunga king was the hero of Kalidasa's Malavikagnmitram.
• Heliodorus came during Bhagabhadra.
• Agnimitra was murdered by Devabhuti and he became the last ruler of this dynasty.

The Satvahana

• Simuka established Satvahana dynasty by destroying Sunga and Kanva dynasty.
• Satkarni 1 hasbeen praised in Nanaghat inscription by his wife Nayanika. Satkarni 1 was contemporary of Kharvela, ruler of Kalinga. 
• The Satvahana King, Gautamiputra Satkarni called himself the only Brahamana.His achievements are recorded in Nasik inscription. Nasik inscription belongs to his mother Gautami Balasri.
• Vashisthaputra Pulumayi set up his capital at Paithan.
• Yajnasri Satkarni recovered Malwa from the Shaka rulers.
• The last ruler was Palamayi iv.
• Satvahanas were the first rulers to make land grants to Brahamanas.
• Sopara was the important port of Satavahana dynasty.
• Amaravati Art was started during this time.
• Ajanta school of Painting  started with the Satvahana.
• The official language of Stavahanas was Prakrit in Brahmi script.

The Kushan

• Founder of the Kushan dynasty - Kujala Kadphises.
• Greatest ruler of the Kushan dynasty - Kanishka.
• Wima Kodphises issued a large number of gold coins.

Kanishka

• Kanishka started the Saka era (78 A.D.). His two capitals were Purushpura or Peshawar and Mathura. Kanishka was a great patron of Buddhism.
• Last ruler of the Kushan dynasty was Basudev ii.
• The Gandhara School of art received royal patronage of the Kushans. 
• The title of Kanishka - Devaputra.
• Charak was the court physician of Kanishka.
• Nagarjuna, Asvaghosha, Basumitra and Charak were contemporary of Kanishka.
• There were 18 branches of Buddhism during the reign of Kanishka.
• Fourth Buddist Council was held at Kundavan under the patronage of Kanishka.

 

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