Category 7 · Ancient History

Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India

12 micro topics in Ancient History for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Indo-Greeks in North-West India; Shakas and Parthians; and 10 more.

1. 7.1

   Indo-Greeks in North-West India

   The Indo-Greeks, Bactrian Greeks who crossed the Hindu Kush from about 200 BC, held much of north-west India, ruled by rival dynasties, and issued the first coins that can be attributed to particular kings, including the…

2. 7.2

   Shakas and Parthians

   The Shakas (Scythians) destroyed Greek power in Bactria and India, ruled in five branches, and their western branch ruled Gujarat and Malwa for about four centuries, with Rudradaman I (AD 130 to 150) the most famous.…

3. 7.3

   Kushanas and Kanishka

   The Kushanas, a branch of the Yuechi from the Chinese border, occupied Bactria, Gandhara and the Gangetic basin, building an empire from the Oxus to Pataliputra. The Kadphises house issued Roman-style coins, and Kanishka (traditional start…

4. 7.4

   Cultural Consequences of Central Asian Contact

   Contact with the Greeks, Shakas, Parthians and Kushanas improved building techniques (burnt bricks, tiles) and cavalry (reins, saddles, probable rope stirrup), added dress (turban, tunic, trousers, boots), strengthened trade and gold supply, divine kingship, satrap rule…

5. 7.5

   Mahayana Buddhism and the Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art

   Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism arose around the start of the Christian era with image worship of the Buddha and relaxed monastic rules, helped by Kanishka’s council in Kashmir. It produced Gandhara art (Graeco-Roman style, Buddha with…

6. 7.6

   Satavahanas – Political History

   The Satavahanas, identified with the Puranic Andhras, rose in the Deccan after the Mauryas, defeated the Kanvas in the first century BC, and reached their height under Gautamiputra Satakarni (about AD 106 to 130), who defeated…

7. 7.7

   Satavahana Society, Administration, Religion and Architecture

   Satavahana society was brahmanised yet kings took metronymics (Gautamiputra); administration kept Ashokan terms (ahara, amatyas), added military traits (senapati governors, gaulmika) and tax-free land grants; kings performed Vedic sacrifices while patronising Buddhism; rock-cut chaityas (Karle) and…

8. 7.8

   Sangam Age – The Three Early Kingdoms of the Deep South

   After the megalithic phase, the deep south (Tamizhakam) saw state formation by the second century BC under contact with the north, and by the first century AD three kingdoms, Chola (Uraiyur, Puhar), Pandya (Madurai) and Chera…

9. 7.9

   Sangam Literature and Society

   Sangam literature, compiled about AD 300 to 600 though parts reach back to the second century AD, comprises the narrative Melkannakku (eight anthologies and ten idylls) and the didactic Kilkanakku, along with the Tolkappiyam, Tirukkural and…

10. 7.10

    Crafts, Commerce and Urban Growth (200 BC to AD 250)

    Between 200 BC and AD 250 under the Shakas, Kushanas, Satavahanas and early Tamil states, crafts and commerce flourished as never before: texts list dozens of occupations, metalworking, cloth, glass, ivory, bead and terracotta industries grew,…

11. 7.11

    Indo-Roman Trade and Maritime Contacts

    From the first century AD, once the monsoon route was understood, trade with the Roman empire moved mainly by sea through Broach, Sopara, Muziris, Arikamedu and Tamralipti. India exported spices (especially pepper), muslin, pearls, gems, ivory…

12. 7.12

    Money Economy and Coinage in Early India

    Metal money appeared in the age of the Buddha as silver punch-marked coins, became the Mauryan imperial currency, and peaked between 200 BC and AD 300 with Indo-Greek royal-portrait coins, Kushan gold dinars and copper coins,…

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Frequently asked questions

Which topics are in Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India?

Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India has 12 micro topics in Ancient History: Indo-Greeks in North-West India; Shakas and Parthians; Kushanas and Kanishka; Cultural Consequences of Central Asian Contact; Mahayana Buddhism and the Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art; Satavahanas – Political History; Satavahana Society, Administration, Religion and Architecture; Sangam Age – The Three Early Kingdoms of the Deep South; Sangam Literature and Society; Crafts, Commerce and Urban Growth (200 BC to AD 250); Indo-Roman Trade and Maritime Contacts; Money Economy and Coinage in Early India.

Is Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India important for UPSC Prelims?

Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India is a part of the UPSC Prelims Ancient History syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 12 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.