Ancient History of India : OLD NCERT Short Notes or Revision : CHAPTER-20 : Central Asian Contact and Mutual Impact (Arora IAS) OLD NCERT Notes (Ancient India)

CHAPTER-20 : Central Asian Contact and Mutual Impact

Ancient History of India
OLD NCERT
Short Notes or Revision Notes 

Successors of the Mauryas

 Successor Kingdoms:

• Eastern & Central India: Shungas, Kanvas, Satavahanas
• North-Western India: Central Asian dynasties

The Indo-Greeks (2nd Century BC):

• Invaded due to weakness of Seleucid empire (pushed by Scythians)
• Conquered large parts of North-West India
• Two Indo-Greek dynasties ruled simultaneously

Menander (165-145 BC):

• Most famous Indo-Greek ruler
• Capital: Sakala (Sialkot)
• Engaged in Buddhist philosophical discussions (Milinda Panho)

Impact of Indo-Greeks:

• Introduced coinage to India (including gold coins)
• Influenced Gandhara art (Hellenistic features)

The Shakas (Scythians):

• Overthrew Indo-Greek power in Bactria and India (larger territory)
• Five branches ruled in different regions:
  • Afghanistan
  • Punjab (Taxila capital)
  • Mathura (2 centuries)
  • Western India (until 4th century)
  • Upper Deccan

Famous Shaka Rulers:

• Vikramaditya (Ujjain): Defeated Shakas in 57 BC, Vikrama Samvat era begins
• Rudradaman I (130-150 AD): Repaired Sudarshana lake (irrigation) in Gujarat

The Parthians:

• Succeeded Shaka domination in North-West India
• Originally from Iran
• Famous Parthian King: Gondophernes

Successors of the Mauryas: The Kushans

Origin:

• Yuechi tribe (one of five clans)
• Nomadic people from Central Asia

Expansion:

• Displaced Shakas in Bactria (North Afghanistan)
• Empire stretched from Oxus River to Ganges River, Khorasan to Pataliputra

Dynasties:

• Kadphises Dynasty (50-78 AD):
  • Kadphises I: Issued copper coins imitating Roman styles
  • Kadphises II: Issued gold coins, expanded east of Indus River
• Kanishka Dynasty (78 – mid-3rd century AD):
  • Kanishka: Most famous ruler
    • Started Shaka era (used by Indian government)
    • Patron of Buddhism (held council in Kashmir)
    • Capital: Purushapura (Peshawar)
    • Second capital: Mathura (construction & sculpture)

Decline and Successors:

• Sassanian Empire (Iran) replaced Kushans in Afghanistan & west of Indus River (mid-3rd century AD)
• Kushan presence lingered in Kabul valley, Central Asia (3rd-4th century AD)
• Indo-Sassanians occupied lower Indus region (mid-3rd century AD)
  • Introduced term “Hindustan” for the region

Cultural Impact of the Kushans

Material Culture:

• Brick walls became prominent in construction.
• Red ware pottery (plain & polished) was widespread.

Military:

• Introduced superior cavalry and large-scale use of horses.
• Equestrian figures found in Begram, Afghanistan showcase their horsemanship.

Fashion:

• Introduced turbans, tunics, trousers, and long coats (sherwani is a descendant).
• Central Asian influence on headwear (caps, helmets) and footwear (boots).

Trade and Economy:

• Increased trade between Central Asia and India.
• Kushans controlled the Silk Route, facilitating trade with China and the Roman Empire.
• Widespread use of gold coins (first Indian rulers to do so).
• Promoted agriculture: earliest large-scale irrigation systems in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.

Government:

• Adopted the title “king of kings,” suggesting control over many smaller kingdoms.
• Strengthened the satrap system (provincial governors) from the Shakas.
• Military governorships (strategoi) for maintaining control over conquered territories.

Social and Religious Impact of the Kushans

Assimilation of Foreign Rulers:

• Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, and Kushans eventually assimilated into Indian society.
• Many became warriors (kshatriyas).

Religious Trends:

• Rise of Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu) among Central Asians.
• Example: Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador, built a pillar for Vasudeva (form of Vishnu) in Besnagar (2nd century BC).

Mahayana Buddhism:

• Developed as a response to perceived laxity in Buddhist practices.
• Offered a more accessible path to enlightenment.
• Hinayana (“Lesser Vehicle”) became the term for traditional Buddhism.
• Kanishka, a Kushan emperor, became a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism.
• He convened a council in Kashmir to codify Buddhist teachings.

Art and Sculpture:

• Kushan rule fostered artistic exchange between different regions.
• Central Asian, Gandhara, and Mathura schools of art emerged.
• Gandhara art:
  • Blended Indian and Central Asian styles.
  • Buddha depicted in Graeco-Roman style.
• Mathura art:
  • Indigenous Indian style influenced by Gandhara.
  • Produced beautiful Buddha figures and a statue of Kanishka.

Cultural Impact of the Kushans: Language, Literature, and Science

Multilingual Empire:

• Kushans used Greek, Kharoshthi, and Brahmi scripts on coins and inscriptions.

Literary Developments:

• Junagadh inscription (150 AD) – early example of “kavya” poetry style.
• Ashvaghosha:
  • Buddharchita (biography of Buddha)
  • Saundarananda (Sanskrit kavya)
• Mahayana Buddhist texts: Mahavastu, Divyavadana (avadana genre)

Theatre:

• Possible Greek influence on Indian theatre.
• Outdoor and indoor theatres found in Ramgarh caves.
• “Yavanika” (derived from “Yavana” for Greeks) referred to theatre performances.
• Bharata’s Natyasastra: a key work on dramaturgy.

Science and Technology:

• Indian astrology influenced by Greek ideas (horasastra from horoscope).
• Greek “drachma” became “drama” in Sanskrit.
• Brahmi script used by Greek rulers, Indian motifs on their coins.
• Charakasamhita: medical text with plant-based remedies (aushadhi)
• Stirrup and possibly leather shoemaking introduced by Kushans.