Ancient India History

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Harappa Civilisation

Ancient India History - Harappa Civilisation

Indus Valley civilizations covering approx 1/2 million miles of Northern Indian subcontinent is the largestancient civilization in history till now. Since both stone and copper are used it is a chalcolithicivil.The Indus

Valley people are highly artistic and skilled.Their chief features include a highly organized urban setup and a

strong economy.

The IVC economy is flourishing with extensive cultivation of wheat, barley. The Indus river is used fortransport, weights are all very accurate and highly standardized and traders have own personalised seals.

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Harappa Civilisation - Fashion

The exact origins of the IVC people is disputed but appears to belong to four ethnic types including theProtoaustioloids, Mediterraneans, Mongoloids and Alpines. People enjoy a comfortable life with a variety of

luxuries like ornaments in agate and gold, cosmetics (kajal) and elaborate toys for children. Painting on

pottery is skillful and covers various themes while small sculptures in terracotta (animals, toys), soft stone(bearded man) and metal jewels abound.

The greatest artistic skill is in the seals. These engravings of animals, flowers and other symbols haveartistic, religious and economic value .

Harappa Civilisation - Town Planning

The city of Mohenjo Daro is testimony to the town planning activities of the IVC. Cities are divided into

lower dwellings & the Citadel which houses important buildings. The streets form a grid system and are ofmodulated width. Bricks of fixed sizes are used for building while stone and wood are also used.Municipal

authorities who are responsible for the whole of the valley also regularly maintain a highly efficient drainagesystem.Buildings in the lower area are rather monotonous, being mainly functional rather than decorative.But many houses are 2 storeyed.

Harappa Civilisation - Architecture

Great Bath: Mohenjo Daro has a sophisticated system ofwater supply & drainage and its brickwork, ishighly functional and the amazing part of it is - that it is completely waterproof. The granaries are also

intelligently constructed, with strategic airducts and platform are divided into units.

The Dock at Lothal is to be used for inland & foreign trade.

Harappa Civilisation - Religion

The culture and religion of the IVC overlap and perhaps repetitive symbols such as the pipal leaf and

swastika have religious significance. Human dieties include a "proto type of Shiva" and a mother goddess.

Animal symbols such as the bull and unicorn and those of tree spirits and water dieties are also common.

These are images from the Harappan culture which existed in the Indus River Valley and which reached its

peak around 2600 BC, shortly afterthe developmentof urban societies inMesopotamia and Egypt.

Additional information can be found on the " India and South Asia " Chronology.

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Indian History - Vedic Era

India History - Vedic Era

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[1200-500 BC]

Rig Veda

The Rig-Veda is a collection of over 1,000 hymns, which contain the mythology of the Hindu gods, and is

considered to be one of the foundations of the Hindu religion. While the Rig is the oldest of the Vedas, thereare three other Vedas. There is the Sama Veda, which is the "knowledge of chants" or a number of basic

hymns recited at sacrifices. There is also the Yajur Veda or "knowledge of rites" which serve basically as a

"how to make sacrifices" book. The final Veda is the Athara Veda, this Veda represents the knowledgegiven by Athara who was a sage. These Vedas were passed on orall

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Indian History - Mahavira

India History - Mahavira

Vardhamma Mahavira was not the founder ofJainism, but he reformed and refined previous teachings of

the Jaina tradition. Mahavira was born in 599 BC in Kaundinyapura near modern Patna. Scholars debate thebirth date and place. Some claim it to be as late as 490 BC in Kundapura near Vaishali or in Vaishali, which

is in present day Bihar. Mahavira was born to a high-ranking family and received an education fit for a

nobleman. He learned about literature, art, philosophy, and military and administrative sciences. Mahaviramarried a princess named Yasoda and had a daughter named Anojja. When Mahavira was 28, his parents

died, and Mahavira wanted to abandon everything and everyone.

To please his brother, Mahavira decided to stay at his home until the age of 30. For those two years,

Mahavira practiced self-discipline and gave up luxuries by giving charity to beggars.

When Mahavira left his family at the age of 30, he also gave up all property, wealth, and pleasures. He left

his home and mediated, fasted, and went without water. After all this, Mahavira tore out his hair and

wandered naked with a piece ofcloth on his shoulder. Mahavira essentially became a homeless man. Thisdid not bother Mahavira, because he was going to teach the Jain Religion. Vardhamma Mahavira became the

24th Tirthankara or "ford-maker" of the Jain or Jaina Religion.

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Mahavira traveled naked to various parts of northern India, teaching and preaching. These parts included

Bihar, western Bengal, and western Uttar Pradesh. Mahavira attracted all kinds of people, including kings,

queens, rich, poor and both men and women.

Mahavira taught that the center of right conduct was the five great vows of which he preached until his

death. Four were from the previous teacher Parshva, and the fifth was his own. The vows were (asteya) tonot take anyone's private possessions, (satya) to always tell the truth, (aparigraha) to not own any property,

(ahimsa) to not injure or annoy any living thing, and (brahmacarya) to have complete celibacy. Parshva let

his followers wear clothing, but Mahavira did not want his followers to wear any. In this, Mahavira was very

faithful to his teachings. The most noticeable extent of these vows was that Mahavira let vermin inhabit hisbody, because it was wrong to kill any living creature. Mahavira vowed to neglect his body and agreed to

suffer all things that could happen. "Mahavira taught 73 methods for exertion in goodness by which many

creatures, who believed in and accepted them, studied, learned, understood, and practiced them, and acted

according to them, obtained perfection, enlightenment, deliverance, beatitude, and an end to all misery".This was the very extreme form ofthe vow. He gave up all he had and was celibate.

Mahavira's quest, for himself and others, was to finally reach nirvana or salvation. Nirvana is the attainmentof the blissful state of one's self and of total freedom from the cycle of birth, death, life, pain, and misery.

The final step for Mahavira and all that follow him was the final removal of the karma or self. Mahaviraattained nirvana the 13th year of his new Jain life. This happened while he was fasting, not drinking water for

two days, and meditating. Not only did Mahavira attain nirvana but he also attained kevala. Kevala is the

absolute knowledge and is the highest awareness.

Vardhamma Mahavira finally died in 527 BC at the age of 72. Mahavira is believed to have become Siddha,

never to go through the cycle of birth and death. Mahavira was able to rid himself of karma by destroying it

and won his soul's salvation by never returning to earth.

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Indian History - Gautama Buddha

India History - Gautama Buddha

[563-483 BC]

Gautama Buddha

Sidhartha was born (c. 563 BC; Kapilavastu, Nepal) into the Gautama family of the Shakaya clan. The

Shakayas were members of the priestly-warrior caste. In fact, Sidhartha's father was the head of the tribe soSidhartha was a prince and seemed destined to rule. He lived a luxurious life and the received the best

education his father's wealth could provide, but his father also sheltered him from life's hardships.

He married a woman named Yashodhara and they lived in his father's house. Sidhartha was still protected

from the trials of life. Yashodhara bore a son, and Sidhartha believed that he was happy.

Then, during one of his few excursions from the protection of his father's palace, Sidhartha saw three things

which opened the harsh realities of life to him. He saw an old man, suffering from the frailties of age. He

saw a sick man, suffering from disease. He also saw a dead man, which shocked him greatly. He finally

realized that the infirmities of old age, and the pain of sickness and death caused suffering that he had neverexperienced. This revelation caused him to begin a search for truth that drastically changed his life, and,

eventually, the lives of millions.

At the age of twenty-nine he left his home, his wife, his son, and his father. He gave up his claim to the

succession of his father's throne and left the palace. He studied Yogic meditation with two Brahman hermits

and achieved high cognitive states in both trance and meditation, but his desire for absolute truth was not

satisfied.

For the next six years, Sidhartha placed his body under severe asceticism, which included extreme fasting

and suspension of breathing. These practices almost killed him, but they did not satisfy his search for truth.

He finally ended his acetic lifestyle and began to eat. Sidhartha decided to meditate until the absolute truth

would lie clearly in front of him. He meditated under a Bodhi tree where he sat facing east.

At the age of thirty-five, on the night of the full moon, Sidhartha reached enlightenment and became an

"enlightened one"--a Buddha (c. 528 BC) He had at last discovered the truth he had sought, and he

immediately shared it with five ascetics who had practiced near him.

After a few weeks of rest, he decided to teach the way to enlightenment to others and went to Deer Garden

where he held his first sermon, " The turning wheel of Dharma." Sidhartha felt a strong call to teach otherseven though he could never teach the content of enlightenment, only the way of enlightenment. Buddha

called his teachings "the middle way", because it was in the middle between asceticism and indulgence.

For the next forty-five years he taught as the Buddha or "Shakyamuni" (sage of the shakaya"). He also

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established a community of monks called sanga.

The Buddha died after forty-five years of teaching at the age of eighty.

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Ancient India - Alexander's Invasion

Ancient India History - Alexander's Invasion

India, 336 BC: Alexander has launched an attack on the Indian sub-continent.

[336 BC-323 BC]

The throne of Macedon in south-east Europe has been occupied by Alexander. Having defeated the last of

the Persian rulers and conquered the Acharmenian empire, Alexander has vowed to conquer the Indiansatraps. His army has crossed the Hindukush mountains and is strengthening its position near Kabul. He has

captured the fortresses of Massaga and Aornos. Alexander is from a far off land called Greece. This is

reportedly beyond the horizon.

The astonishing fact about this he is just 21 years old! It's known from well-placed sources that he isplanning to launch a major attack on the Pauravan king across the Jhelum river. The Pauravan king is

planning a massive counter attack.

Alexander defeats the Pauravan King

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India, 326 BC: Alexander moves through the dense jungles of Ohind. Then,

having crossed the Indus river and secured the help of the Ambhi, king of

Taxila, Alexander marches on to the Jhelum. The Pauravan king with an armyof 30,000 soldiers, horses and elephants provided fierce resistance but was

eventually defeated.

When Alexander asked the Pauravan king to bow, the latter answered, "Actlike a King". Impressed by the Pauravan king's efforts he has given him backhis kingdom.

Alexander leaves India

Alexander has moved further. He concentrated on capturing the Chenab and

Ravi plains upto Beas. This strategy of Alexander is typical of the great Greek rulers. Having conqueredseveral tribes and satraps, Alexander has received many presents including brocades, gems, tigers, etc. He

wanted to move further towards the Ganges valley, but has been stopped by his tired troops.

So with a heavy heart, Alexander has retraced his steps to the Jhelum. He has been severally wounded whilestorming one of the citadels of the powerful tribe of Malavas. Through the desserts of Baluchistan and with

terrible sufferings, he has reached Babylon. And in 323 BC , not very long after his return to Babylon,Alexander dies.

"The hold of the great king [Alexander] on the Indian frontier slackened considerably in the fourth centuryBC. The arduous campaigns of Alexander restored the fallen fabric of imperialism and laid the foundation of

a closer contact between India and the Hellenic world. The Macedonian empire in the Indus valley no doubt

perished within a short time. But the Macedonian had welded the political atoms into one unit and thuspaved the way for the permanent union under the Mauryas."

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Ancient India - Alexander's Invasion

Ancient India History - Alexander's Invasion

India, 336 BC: Alexander has launched an attack on the Indian sub-continent.

[336 BC-323 BC]

The throne of Macedon in south-east Europe has been occupied by Alexander. Having defeated the last of

the Persian rulers and conquered the Acharmenian empire, Alexander has vowed to conquer the Indiansatraps. His army has crossed the Hindukush mountains and is strengthening its position near Kabul. He has

captured the fortresses of Massaga and Aornos. Alexander is from a far off land called Greece. This is

reportedly beyond the horizon.

The astonishing fact about this he is just 21 years old! It's known from well-placed sources that he isplanning to launch a major attack on the Pauravan king across the Jhelum river. The Pauravan king is

planning a massive counter attack.

Alexander defeats the Pauravan King

India, 326 BC: Alexander moves through the dense jungles of Ohind. Then,having crossed the Indus river and secured the help of the Ambhi, king of

Taxila, Alexander marches on to the Jhelum. The Pauravan king with an army

of 30,000 soldiers, horses and elephants provided fierce resistance but waseventually defeated.

When Alexander asked the Pauravan king to bow, the latter answered, "Act

like a King". Impressed by the Pauravan king's efforts he has given him back

his kingdom.

Alexander leaves India

Alexander has moved further. He concentrated on capturing the Chenab and

Ravi plains upto Beas. This strategy of Alexander is typical of the great Greek rulers. Having conqueredseveral tribes and satraps, Alexander has received many presents including brocades, gems, tigers, etc. He

wanted to move further towards the Ganges valley, but has been stopped by his tired troops.

So with a heavy heart, Alexander has retraced his steps to the Jhelum. He has been severally wounded while

storming one of the citadels of the powerful tribe of Malavas. Through the desserts of Baluchistan and with

terrible sufferings, he has reached Babylon. And in 323 BC , not very long after his return to Babylon,Alexander dies.

"The hold of the great king [Alexander] on the Indian frontier slackened considerably in the fourth centuryBC. The arduous campaigns of Alexander restored the fallen fabric of imperialism and laid the foundation of

a closer contact between India and the Hellenic world. The Macedonian empire in the Indus valley no doubt

perished within a short time. But the Macedonian had welded the political atoms into one unit and thuspaved the way for the permanent union under the Mauryas."

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Indian History - Bindusara

India History - Bindusara

298 BC: Bindusara becomes the new king of Mauryan Empire

[298 BC - 273 BC]

After ruling for about twenty five years, Chandragupta left his throne to his son Bindusara and became a Jainascetic. Bindusara inherited an empire including the Hindukush, Narmada, Vindhyas, Mysore, Bihar,

Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Baluchistan & Afghanistan. He was calledAmitraghata which means "slayer of

foes" by Greek writers.

Bindusara's Empire

Bindusara extended his empire further as far as south Mysore. He conquered sixteen states and extended the

empire from sea to sea. The empire included the whole of India except the region of Kalinga (modernOrissa) and the Dravidian kingdoms of the south. The Dravidians kingdoms of the Cholas, Pandyas and

Cheras were very friendly with the Mauryan empire and so the king felt no need to conquer them. However,

Kalinga was not friendly with the Mauryans and so a war was fought between the people ofKalinga and

Mauryans led by Bindusara's son Ashoka.

Administration during Bindusara's Reign

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Bindusara maintained good relations with Selucus Nicator and the emperors regularly exchanged

ambassadors and presents. He also maintained the friendly relations with the Hellenic West established by

his father. Ambassadors from Syria and Egypt lived at Bindusara's court. He preferred the Ajivikaphilosophy rather than Jainism.

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Indian History - Ashoka

India History - Ashoka

273 BC: Ashoka coronated as Mauryan king

[273 BC - 232 BC]

Ashoka, the most trusted son of Bindusara and the grandson of Chandragupta

Maurya, was a brave soldier. He was the most famous of the Mauryan kings

and was one of the greatest rulers of India. During his father's reign, he wasthe governor of Ujjain and Taxila. Having sidelined all claims to the throne

from his brothers, Ashoka was coronated as an emperor. Ashoka extended

the Maurya Empire to the whole of India except the deep south and the south-

east, reaching out even into Central Asia.

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261 BC: The Kalinga War

Ashoka succeeded in conquering Kalinga after a bloody war in which 100,000 men were killed, 150,000injured and thousands were captured and retained as slaves. The sight of the slaughter involved in his

conquest deeply distressed Ashoka and deeply affected his mind. This was a turning point in his life. He

renounced war and sought peace in Buddha's preachings of love and ahimsa (non-violence). The war alsodeveloped in him a hatred for all kinds of violence. So he gave up hunting and slaughtering of animals. He

became a strict vegetarian.

Under his reignBuddhismspread to Syria, Egypt, Macedonia, Central Asia, Burma. For

propagation of Buddhism, he started inscribing edicts on rocks and pillars at places where

people could easily read them. These pillars and rocks are still found in India, spreading their

message of love and peace for the last two thousand years. To his ideas he gave the nameDharma. Ashoka died in 232 BC. The capital of Ashoka pillar at Sarnath is adopted by India

as its national emblem. The "Dharma Chakra" on the Ashoka Pillar adorns our National Flag.

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Indian History - Fall of Mauryas

India History - Fall of Mauryas

Fall of Mauryas

Emperor Ashoka ruled for 37 years. He died in 232 BC. During his reign he gave up war and preached peace

in the kingdom. Seven kings (some say 10) followed Ashoka within a period of 50 years. The Mauryan

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empire was breaking up. There are different opinions about the fall of the kingdom. Some say that since the

later part of Ashoka's reign was devoid of wars, the military were inactive and this weakened them. Others

say after Ashoka there were no strong kings to rule such a vast empire.

Life of People in Mauryan Empire

Extract from "A History of India for Children" by Roshan Dalal:

Many people were agriculturists. They grew rice, wheat, barley, pulses, cotton and

vegetables. Others were artisans. They specialised in different crafts, as in the

earlier period. Textiles, wooden, and ivory objects, perfumes, jewellery from semi-precious stones, items of iron and copper and the shining black pottery described

earlier, were among the things they made. Traders and merchants carried goods to

far-off places by land and sea. Soldiers defended the kingdom. Ministers and

officials helped the king. Philosophers and religious people wandered through the kingdom in search of thetruth about life and death, and why life existed.

Sungas Dynasty

The last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty was Brithadratha. He was killed by his own commander-in-chief

Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BC.

With the fall of Mauryas, India lost its political unity. Pushyamitra Sunga became the ruler of the Magadhaand neighbouring territories. The north-western regions comprising Rajputana, Malwa and Punjab passed

into the hands of the foreign rulers. The kingdom of Pushyamitra was extended upto Narmada in the south,

and controlled Jalandhar and Sialkot in the Punjab in the north-western regions.

Pushyamitra died after ruling for 36 years (187-151 BC). He was succeeded by son Agnimitra. This prince isthe hero of a famous drama by India's greatest playwright, Kalidasa. Agnimitra used to hold his court in the

city of Vidisa, modern Besnagar in Eastern Malwa. The power of the Sungas gradually weakened. It is saidthat there were ten Sunga kings.

Kanva Dynasty (75BC - 30BC)

The last ruler of the Sunga dynasty was overthrown by Vasudeva of the Kanva dynasty in 75 BC. The Kanvaruler allowed the kings of the Sunga dynasty to continue to rule in obscurity in a corner of their former

dominions. Magadha was ruled by four Kanva rulers. In 30 BC, the southern power swept away both the

Kanvas and Sungas and the province of Eastern Malwa was absorbed within the dominions of the conqueror.

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Indian History - Satvahana Dynasty

India History - Satvahana Dynasty

The Satvahana Dynasty

After the decline of the Mauryan empire the Satvahanas established their kingdom in the Deccan. They were

also known as Andhras. They first rose to power in present Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari. The

founder of the Satvahanas was Simuka. But the man who raised it to eminence was Satakarni I. TheSatvahana dynasty began its rule in about 40 or 30 BC, and continued until the 3rd century AD.

Satakarni I allied with powerful Marathi chieftain and signalled his accession to power by performingashvamedhas (horse-sacrifice). After his death, the Satvahana power seemed to have been submerged

beneath a wave of Scythian invasion.

AD 80-104: Reign of Gautamiputra

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the famous king during the Satvahana dynasty. He defeated the Sakas

(Scythians), Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas (Parithans). His empire extended upto Banavasi in the south,

and included Maharashtra, Konkan, Saurashtra, Malwa, west Rajasthan and Vidharbha. His son,

Vasishtiputra, ruled at Paithan on the banks of Godavari.

Two other cities, Vaijayanti (in North Kanara) and Amravati (in the Guntur district), attained eminenceduring the Satvahana period. Kings succeeding Gautamiputra lost many of their territories. But the power of

Satvahanas revived under Sri Yajna Satakarni, who was the last great king. After him, the empire began to

decline.

Some scholars say the there were 19 kings of this dynasty which ruled for 300 years, while others say there

were 30 kings who ruled for 456 years. The dynasty came to an end about the middle of the third century

AD. (after AD 220). Their empire broke up into small states ruled by the Abhiras, Chutus, Ikshvakus,Pallavas.

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Extract from the bookA History of India for Children

Administration

The Satvahana empire was divided into provinces called aharas, each under an amatya or minister. They had

a large army. Women were prominent in social life, owned property and took part in assemblies.

Religion

The Satvahana rulers were said to be Brahmins. They worshiped Krishna, Vasudeva and other Vaishnava

gods. But Buddhism also flourished. They gifted land to Brahmins and Buddhist monks.

Architecture and art

Many Buddhist chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries) were carved out of solid rocks. The most

famous chaitya is at Karle, in Maharashtra. The Satvahanas used Pratik, a form of Sanskrit, for their

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Indian History - Kushans and Kanishkas

India History - Kushans and Kanishkas

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[AD 50 - 300]

AD 50: Establishment of Kushans

The Kushans were a branch of the nomadic Yeuhchi tribe of China. The Yeuhchitribe was in conflict with another tribe and so was forced to leave China. They

came to Central Asia and then spread to Bactria, Paritha and Afghanistan.

Gradually they were divided into five branches. One of these branches -- KouelChougang (Kushans) -- was superior to all. The Kushans under Kujala attacked

the Parithans, took possessions of Ki-pin and Kabul and became the complete

master of the Indian borderland.

Kujala became the first king of the Kushans and was known as Kadphises I. He

was a great warrior. He was succeeded by his son Wima Kadphises known asKadphises II. He conquered the north-western region of India. He defeated Saka Satraps in the north-west.

Punjab and Sind were his dominions.

AD 120: Reign of Kanishka

Kanishka was the most famous of the Kushan kings. It is not known how he

became the king but he ascended the throne in AD 120. When Kanishka

ascended the throne, his empire consisted of Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab andportions of the former Parithan and Bactrian kingdoms. His empire extended

from the north-west and Kashmir, over most of the Gangetic valley. He annexed

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three provinces of the Chinese empire, namely, Tashkand, Khotan and Yarkhand. He was the only king who

ruled over these territories. He had two capitals at Purushpura (Peshawar now in Pakistan) and at Mathura in

west Uttar Pradesh. Kanishka proved that he was a great conqueror.

Successors of Kanishka

Kanishka's immediate successor was Vashiska who was then succeeded by Huvishka. Mathura became the

centre of Kushans. Many monuments were erected during Huvishka's reign. The last great king of Kushans

was Vasudev I. The Kushans were overthrown by the Sassanians of Persia in the north-west and the Guptasin the north. The rule of Kushans ended almost at the same time as that of the Satavahans in the south.

Buddhism during the Kushans

Kanishka embraced Buddhism towards the middle of his reign. He is said to have

been Zoroastrian before he became Buddhist. He spent his resources in spreadingBuddhism. Mahayana was the new form of Buddhism that was followed during this

period where the Buddha was worshipped as God. Old monastries were repairedand many new ones were built.

Art, Science and Literature

Kanishka was a great patron of art and literature. A new form of art Gandhara Art

was developed. Beautiful images of Buddha were developed in a Greek-Romanstyle. These images were carved in a realistic way, with graceful bodies and curly

hair.

Kanishka's court was adorned by many scholars like Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Nagarjuna and Charaka.

Ashvaghosha was a great poet and a master of music. He wrote Buddhacharita, a biography of the Buddha.Charak was a great physician and he wrote a bookCharak Samhita, which is based on the Ayurvedic system

ofmedicine.

89-105 AD Kushan king repulsed by the Chinese General Pan Chao

148-170AD An-Shih-Kao translates a work by Kanishka's Chaplain152 AD China loses Khotan

230 AD The Yueh chi king Vasudeva sends an embassy to China

276-293AD Sassanian conquest of parts of North-West India

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Indian History - Gupta Dynasty

India History - Gupta Dynasty

India Before the Guptas

After the downfall of the Kushans in the north and the Satvanahas in the south, no great power rose in India.

For nearly a hundred years, India was divided into many independent states and there was continuousstruggle among themselves. There were kingdoms and republics, where the republics were ruled by the

elected chiefs. In the south, Malwa and Khatiawar were ruled by Rudradaman. In Magadha the Lichhavis

rose to prominence. The Nagas established their kingdoms in the northern India whereas the Pallavasestablished their kingdoms in the Southern India on the ruins of the Satvanaha empire.

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Gupta Dynasty

After the Kushans, the Guptas were the most important dynasty. The information about Guptas is known

from the archaeological remains, inscriptions and coins. Early in the beginning of the fourth century, a chief

called Sri Gupta ruled a small kingdom in Magadha. He was then succeeded by his son Ghatokacha. Theywere mostly minor rulers in east Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Reign of Chandragupta I (AD 320-335)

The first famous king of the Gupta dynasty was Ghatokacha's son Chandragupta I. He married Kumaradevi,the daughter of the chief of the Lichhavis. This marriage was a turning point to Chandragupta I. He got

Patliputra in dowry from the Lichhavis. From Patliputra, he laid the foundation of his empire and started

conquering many neighbouring states with the help of the Lichhavis. He ruled over Magadha (Bihar),

Prayaga and Saketa (east Uttar Pradesh). His kingdom extended from the river Ganges to Allahabad.Chandragupta I also got the title ofMaharajadhiraja (King of Kings) and ruled for about fifteen years.

An important act of Chandragupta I was the holding of an assembly of councillors and members of the royal

family at which Prince Samudragupta was formally nominated as the successor of the Gupta empire.

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Indian History - Reign of Samudragupta

India History - Reign of Samudragupta

[AD 335-380]

Harishena's Inscription

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Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I and though the exact date of his birth is not known, it seems

he must have ascended the throne after the death of his father Chandragupta I in AD 335. The information

about his reign is on an inscription engraved on a pillar at Allahabad. The text of this inscription wasrecorded by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta. Part of the inscription was lost in the course of time.

Harishena's inscription tells us about Samudragupta's various conquests and small kingdoms existing at that

time. Samudragupta also left an extensive coinage which supports the information of the inscription.

Samudragupta's Conquest

Samudragupta was a great warrior. His passion ofconquest was so great that he did not rest till he captured

almost whole of India. It seems Samudragupta first waged wars against the neighbouring kingdoms of

Shichchhatra (Rohilkhand) and Padmavati (in Central India), then ruled by Achyuta and Nagasena. Then he

incorporated in the Gupta empire the kingdom of Kota kings by defeating him. He also waged wars againsttribal states like those of Malvas, the Yaudheyas, the Arjunayanas, the Maduras and the Abhiras. The

descendants of Kushanas, many chieftains of Sakas, the Ceylonese hastened to propitiate the great Gupta by

offering homage and tribute or presents.

Samudragupta's daring adventure was his military expedition to the south along the coast of the Bay of

Bengal. He defeated Mahendra of Khosla, Mantaraja of Kurala, Mahendragiri of Pithapuram, Svamidatta ofKottura, Damana of Erandapalla, Vishnugupta - the Pallava king of Kanchi, Kubera of Devarashtrain the

Vizagapatam district and Dhananjaya of Kushthalapur possible in North Arcot. Samudragupta did not go

beyond the river Krishna.

Towards the west, Samudragupta subdued Palaghat, Maharashtra and Khandesh. He did not annex any part

of the Deccan to his empire as he knew that it would be difficult to control those territories situated so farfrom Patliputra.

Samudragupta's territories extended from the Himalayas in the north to the river Narbada in the south andfrom the Brahamaputra river in the east to the Yamuna river in the west. Then there were other kingdoms

like Assam, Nepal, Devaka, Kartipura.

Samudragupta's Reign

Samudragupta is considered as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. He

is also compared to Alexander or Napoleon as a conqueror. He performed

Ashwamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice) after defeating nine kings in the north

and twelve kings in the south to underline the importance of his conquest ofalmost the whole of India. He also assumed the title ofMaharajadhiraja

(King of Kings) and Chakravartin (Universal Monarch).

Samudragupta was not a only a great warrior but also a great patron of art and

literature. He gathered around himself a galaxy of poets and scholars, the most

prominent ones being Harishena, Vasubandhu and Asanga. He himself was agreat poet and musician. In one of his coins, he is shown playing the Veena.

Samudragupta was a staunch believer of Hinduism and was a worshiper of Lord Vishnu. He also respected

other religions like Buddhism and also allowed the Buddhist king of Ceylon to build a monastery at Bodh-

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Gaya.

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Indian History - Empire of Chandragupta II

India History - Empire ofChandragupta II

Empire of Chandragupta II

[AD 380-413]

Chandragupta succeeded his fatherSamudragupta. He got the title ofVikramaditya (son of power), so he isalso known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya. Chandragupta II proved to be of the same military mettle of his

father and brought large amounts of territory in Western India under the Gupta empire.

From the inscription of the Mehrauli Iron Pillar of Chandragupta II situated in Delhi, it is learnt that he

waged successful wars against several chiefs of Vanga (Bengal). However Chandragupta II's greatestachievement was the victory over the Saka Satraps of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra.

Chandragupta's Biggest Achievement

Chandragupta marched against the Saka Satraps about AD 389. After six years of courageous fighting, he

killed the Sakas chieftains. He killed Rudrasena III, a Saka king ofWest India. He annexed all the threekingdoms of Satraps under Gupta empire and made Ujjain a second capital, and called himself Vikramaditya

-- a combination of words valour and sun. Chandragupta's empire had both the Arabian Sea coast and that of

the Bay of Bengal under its control. He also captured Bactria and concluded marital alliances with the

Nagas, Vakatakas and Kadamba dynasties.

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Like his grandfather, Chandragupta married the Lichhavi princess Kumaradevi. He gave his daughterPrabhavati in marriage to Rudrasena II, the Venkata king of Central India. Rudrasena had helped him in hiscampaign against the Saka Satraps.

Administrations and Coins

The account of administration of Chandragupta's reign is known from the Chinese pilgrim Fa Hein whocame to India during that period. The administration was very well organised with very light taxes. The

empire was divided into many provinces which were ruled by independent governors. The provinces were

further divided into districts. Land revenue was the main source of income of the state and was normallyone-sixth of the produce of the land.

The emperor also issued a host of gold, silver and copper coins to celebrate his reign. His coins featuredVishnu and his garuda, as well as images of himself killing a lion, among others. Experts say thatChandragupta II's coin are of a finer quality than had been seen thus far.

Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumargupta who was also a great ruler.

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Indian History - Reign of Kumaragupta

India History - Reign of Kumaragupta

Reign of Kumaragupta

[AD 415-455]

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Chandragupta II(Vikramaditya) was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta. Like his father, Kumaragupta wasalso a very great and able ruler. He was able to keep the vast empire, which extended from North Bengal toKathiawar and from the Himalayas to the Nerbudda, intact. He ruled efficiently for nearly forty years.

However, the last days ofhis reign were not good. The Gupta empire was threatened by the invasions of

Pushyamitras. The Pushyamitras were a tribe offoreigners who were settled in Central India. However,Kumaragupta was successful in defeating the invaders and performedAshvamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice) to

celebrate his victory. He issued new coins with images of Lord Kartikeya.

Skandagupta becomes the King

Kumaragupta died in AD 455 and was succeeded by his son Skandagupta. During his reign, the invasions of

the Huns became more frequent. Skandagupta repelled their early invasions and recovered most of the

imperial provinces.

Extract fromAn Advanced History of India

In one of the inscription the goddess of royal fortune is said to have chosen him as her lord, having discarded

the other princes. The full import of this passage is obscure. It is, however, certain that the superior ability

and prowess of Skandagupta in a time of crisis led to his choice as ruler in preference to other possible

claimants. Proud of his success against the barbarians, Skandagupta assumed the title of Vikramaditya.

But the continuous attack of the Huns weakened the Gupta empire. Skandagupta died in AD 467. After his

death, the Gupta empire began to decline.

Decline of the Gupta Empire

Inscriptions prove that the Gupta sovereignty was acknowledged in the Jabbalpur region in the Nebudda

valley as late as AD 528, and in North Bengal till AD 543-544. Kumaragupta is known to have been rulingin AD 473-474, Buddhagupta from AD 476-495, Vainyagupta in AD 508 and Bhanugupta in AD 510-511.

The Gupta empire became to disintegrate and till the middle of the sixth century AD, they had merelybecame petty chiefs.

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Ancient India History|Medieval India History|Modern India History

Indian History - Reign of Kumaragupta

India History - Reign of Kumaragupta

Reign of Kumaragupta

[AD 415-455]

Chandragupta II(Vikramaditya) was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta. Like his father, Kumaragupta wasalso a very great and able ruler. He was able to keep the vast empire, which extended from North Bengal to

Kathiawar and from the Himalayas to the Nerbudda, intact. He ruled efficiently for nearly forty years.

However, the last days ofhis reign were not good. The Gupta empire was threatened by the invasions ofPushyamitras. The Pushyamitras were a tribe offoreigners who were settled in Central India. However,

Kumaragupta was successful in defeating the invaders and performedAshvamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice) to

celebrate his victory. He issued new coins with images of Lord Kartikeya.

Skandagupta becomes the King

Kumaragupta died in AD 455 and was succeeded by his son Skandagupta. During his reign, the invasions of

the Huns became more frequent. Skandagupta repelled their early invasions and recovered most of the

imperial provinces.

Extract fromAn Advanced History of India

In one of the inscription the goddess of royal fortune is said to have chosen him as her lord, having discarded

the other princes. The full import of this passage is obscure. It is, however, certain that the superior ability

and prowess of Skandagupta in a time of crisis led to his choice as ruler in preference to other possibleclaimants. Proud of his success against the barbarians, Skandagupta assumed the title of Vikramaditya.

But the continuous attack of the Huns weakened the Gupta empire. Skandagupta died in AD 467. After his

death, the Gupta empire began to decline.

Decline of the Gupta Empire

Inscriptions prove that the Gupta sovereignty was acknowledged in the Jabbalpur region in the Nebudda

valley as late as AD 528, and in North Bengal till AD 543-544. Kumaragupta is known to have been ruling

in AD 473-474, Buddhagupta from AD 476-495, Vainyagupta in AD 508 and Bhanugupta in AD 510-511.

The Gupta empire became to disintegrate and till the middle of the sixth century AD, they had merelybecame petty chiefs.

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Indian History - The Chalukyas

India History - The Chalukyas

850: The Chalukyas gained Importance

[600-1200]

The Chalukyas rose to power in the Deccan from the fifth to eighth century and again from the tenth totwelfth century. They ruled over the area between the Vindhyan mountain and the river Krishna. The

Chalukyas were sworn enemies of the Pallavas and rose to power in Karnataka. The first great ruler of the

Chalukya dynasty was Pulakesin I. He founded Vatapi (modern Badami in Bijapur district) and made it his

capital. He is said to have performedAshwamedha Yagna (horse sacrifice). The kingdom was furtherextended by his sons Kirtivarman and Mangalesa by waging many successful wars against the neighbours

including Mauryans of the Konkans.

608-642: Reign of Pulakesin II

Pulakesin II was the son of Kirtivarman. He was the the greatest ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. He ruled foralmost 34 years. In this long reign, he consolidated his authority in Maharashtra and conquered large parts of

the Deccan from the banks of the Nerbudda to the reign beyond the Kaveri. His greatest achievement was

his victory in the defensive war against Harshvardhan in 620. In 641, the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang,visited the kingdom and said that the king was served by his nobles with perfect loyalty.

However the last days of the king were not happy. Pulakesin was defeated and killed by the Pallav kingNarasimhavarman in 642. His capital Vatapi was completely destroyed.

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End of Chalukya Dynasty

Pulakestin was succeeded by his son Vikramaditya who was also as great a ruler as his father. He renewedthe struggle against his southern enemies. He recovered the former glory of the Chalukyas to a great extent.

Even his great grandson Vikramaditya II was also a great warrior. He actually entered the Pallava capital. In

753, Vikramaditya and his son were overthrown by a chief named Dantidurga who laid the foundation of thenext great empire ofKarnataka and Maharashtra, that of Rashtrakutas.

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Indian History - The Cholas

India History - The Cholas

850: The Cholas gained Importance

The territory south, of rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra extending upto Cape Comorin is known as South

India or Carnatic region. South India was divided into three kingdoms namely the Cholas, the Chera and thePandyas of which Cholas was the most famous kingdom. The Cholas occupied present Tanjore and

Trincnopoly districts with some adjoining areas. Till eight century the Chola kingdom was very small but

gained importance from the ninth century onwards.

The Chola dynasty rose to prominence when in 850 their ruler Vijayalaya defeated the Pallavas and snatchedTanjore from them. Then Tanjore became the capital of the Chola kingdom. In the ninth century Aditya

Chola and Parantaka I were the successors of Vijayalaya.

985-1018: Reign of Rajaraja I

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The most important ruler of Chola was Rajaraja I. He was one of the greatest kings of the South India and

was known as "Rajaraja the Great". Rajaraja I and his able son Rajendra, conquered nearly the whole of the

present Madras Presidency. Rajaraja defeated the eastern Chalukyas of Vegi, the Pandyas of Madurai andthe Gangas of Mysore. His kingdom extended from Cape in the north to Comorin in the south. He conquered

Sri Lanka, the Maldive Islands and Sumatra and other places in Malay Peninsula.

He was not only an able administrator but also a great builder. He built a magnificent temple at Tanjore andwhich is named as Rajarajeshwar after his name.

1018-1048: Reign of Rajendra Chola

Rajendra Chola was also a able ruler like his father. He even went upto Bengal. He was victorious upto the

banks of Ganges. He assumed the title of "Gangaikonda" (the victor of Ganges). On his way he built up a

new capital called Gangaikondacholapuram. His greatest achievements was the conquest of Andaman and

Nicobar islands. During his reign the kingdom was called the "Golden Age of Cholas." After his death theChola kingdom began to decline. His successors were weak and so the kingdom started disintegrating.

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