History of India free essay sample

Bimbisara founded the dynasty by defeating the Brihadrathas. 37 9 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Bimbisara was a contemporary of Buddha. Magadha became a supreme power in North India under Ajatasatru. So Ajatasatru is considered as the founder of Magadhan Supremacy. Pataliputra and Rajagriha were the capitals of Magadhan kingdom. Magadha falls in the Patna region of Bihar. Haryankas were overthrown by Sisunaga and he founded the Sisunaga dynasty there. Kalasoka the son and successor of Sisunaga was succeeded by Mahapadma Nanda and he founded the Nanda dynasty. Ajatasatru’s successor Udayin was the founder of the city of Pataliputra. Alexander died of Malaria at the age of 33 in 323 BC while he was in Babylon. Alexander was cremated at Alexandria. Alexander was known as Shehansha in Persia and Sikhandar-I-Asam in Indo-Pak region. The Last general of Alexander in India was Eudamas. Alexander’s first General in India was Selucus Nikator. Alexander IV succeeded Alexander as the Masedonian K ing. Alexander’s teacher Aristotle is considered as the father of Politics, Biology, Taxonomy and the Science of Logic. ? ? ? ? ? ? Persian Invasion ? The Achaemenian king of Persia, Darius (522 486 BC) captured some territories the east of Sindhu in 518 BC. The Persian domination over Indian territory lasted upto 330 BC. Xerxes was the persian ruler who enlisted Indians in his army. The Kharoshti script was brought to India by Persians. Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC) ? ? Major sources for the study of Mauryan Empire are the Arthasastra of Kautilya and Indika of Megasthenes. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of Mauryan Empire. Details about his early life are not available He is believed to have belonged to Moriya Clan, hence got the name Maurya. It is also said that his mother was Mura a women of lower birth hence got the name Maurya. In some texts he is referred to as Vrishala and Kulahina. He conspired with Chanakya (Kautilya or Vishnugupta) the minister of Nanda to overthrew the last Nanda ruler DhanaNanda. Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne in BC 321. He fought against Selucus in 305 BC. Selucus surrendered before him and sent an ambassador, Megasthenese to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragupta’s Governor Pushygupta constructed the famous Sudarshana lake. ChandraGupta Maurya was converted to Jainism, abdicated the throne in favour of his son Bindusara, passed his last days at ? ? ? ? ? Alexander’s Invasion ? ? Alexander was born in 356 BC as the son of King Philip II of Mascedonia. Epirus or Olympias was Alexanders mother. Aristotle was Alexander’s teacher. He became the king in 336 BC He defeated the Persian ruler Darius III. Alexander founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt In 326 BC Alexander defeated Porus (Purushothama) the ruler of Punjab and Captured Taxila through the battle of Hydaspes on the banks of river Jhelum. Ambhi the ruler of Taxila invited Alexander to India. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 38 0 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Sravanabelagola (Near Mysore) where he died in 298 BC. Chandragupa Maurya was responsible for the political unification of North India for the first time. Bindusara was a follower of Ajivika sect. Bindusara was known as Amitragatha. Ashoka ascended the throne in 273BC and ruled upto 232 BC. He was known as ‘Devanampriya priyadarsi the beautiful one who was the beloved of Gods. Maski and Gujara Edicts of Ashoka gave the name Devanampriya Priyadarsi. Buddhist tradition says Ashoka killed 99 of his brothers to capture the throne. Ashoka was the first king in Indian history who had left his records engraved on stones. Ashokan inscriptions were written in Kharoshti and Brahmi scripts. Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 BC Kalinga is in modern Orissa. Ashokan inscriptions were deciphered by James Princep. After the battle of Kalinga Ashoka became a Buddhist, being shocked by the horrors of the war. Ashoka was initiated to Buddhism by Upagupta or Nigrodha a disciple of Buddha. For the propagation of Buddhism Ashoka started the institution of Dharmamahamatras. The IV Major Rock Edict of Ashoka tells about the practice of Dharma The Major Rock Edict XII of Ahoka deals with the conquest of Kalinga. Ashoka held the third Buddhist council at his capital Pataliputra in 250BC under the presidentship of Moggaliputa Tissa. He sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism (Mahendra and Sanghamitra) Ashoka spread Buddhism to SriLanka and Nepal. He is known as the Constantine of Buddhism. In his Kalinga Edict he mentions ‘‘All man are as my children’’. Ceylones ruler Devanmpriya Tissa was Ashoka’s first convert to Buddhism. Ashoka ruled for 40 years and died in 232 BC. The emblem of the Indian Republic has been ? ? ? ? adopted from the four lion capital of one of Ashokas pillars which is located in Saranath. Rock-cut architecture in India made a beginning during Ashoka’s reign. Brihadratha the last Mauryan ruler was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga who founded the Sunga Dynasty in 185 BC. Megasthenese the first foreign traveller to India mentions about the existence of seven castes in India during the Mauryan period. Stanika in Mauryan administration refers to tax collector. Post Mauryan Period Sunga Dynasty (185-71 BC) ? Sunga Dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga the commander-in-chief of last Mauryan king, Brihadratha. ? Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitram is about the love story of Pushyamitra’s son Agnimitra and Malavika. Last ling of sunga dynasty was Devabhuti. Kanva Dynasty (72 BC 27 BC) ? Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva in 72 BC after defeating the last Sunga ruler Devabhuti. This dynasty ruled for a period of 45 years. Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susuman were the rulers of Kanva dynasty. ? ? Cheta (Cheti) Dynasty of Kalinga ? The Cheti Dyna sty was believed to have founded by Maha Meghavahana The Hatigumbha inscription of Kharavela, of the ? Important Mauryan Officers Samaharta . Collector of Revenue Sannidata .. Head of Treasury Dandapala Head of Police Durga Pala . Head of Royal Fort Pradeshikas . Head of District Administration Prashasti .. Head of Prisons 38 1 Kalinga ruler gives details about the Chedis of Kalinga. ? Alauddin Khilji) ? Kharavela was a follower of Jainism. Indo-Greeks were the first to introduce military governorship in India. Satavahanas (235 BC 100BC) ? The Parthians (19 45 AD) ? Satavahanas were the most powerful ruling dynasty after the Mauryas. Satavahanas were also known as Andhras. Satavahanas were the Indian rulers who prefixed their mother’s name along with their names. Most important Satavahana ruler was Gautamiputra Satakarni. Satavahanas were Brahmanas. Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati in Andhrapradesh became important seats of Buddhist culture under the Satavahanas. The two common structures of Satavahanas were the temple called Chaitya and the monastery called Vihara. Satavahanas mostly issued lead coins. The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit Parthians also known as Pahalavas were Iranian People. Gondophernes was the greatest of the Parthian rulers. St. Thomas is said to have came to India for the propagation of Christianity during the period of Gondophernes. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The Sakas (90 BC Ist AD) ? ? Sakas were also known as Scythians. The first Saka king in India was Maues or Moga who established Saka power in Gandhara. The most famous of the Saka rulers in Western India was Rudra Daman I. His achievements are highlighted in his Junagarh inscription written in 150 AD. Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman was the first inscription in Sanskrit. Ujjayini was the capital of Rudradaman. ? ? ? ? ? Indo Greeks ? ? First to invade India were the Greeks who were called Indo-Greeks. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander with his Capital at Sakala in Punjab (Modern Sialkot) The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India. The introduction of Hellenistic art features into India were also the contribution of Indo-Greek rule. Menander was converted into a Buddhist by Buddhist monk Nagasena (Nagarjuna) Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins bearing the figure of kings. Demitrius, the king of Bacteria invaded India about 190BC. He is considered as Second Alexander (But the Indian ruler who accepted the name second Alexander (Sikandar-i-sani) was Kushans ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Kushans are also known as Yuch-chis or Tocharians. Kushans came to India from North Central Asia. First great Kushana king was Kujala Kadphises or Kadphises I. The most famous Kushana ruler was Kanishka. He became the ruler in 78 AD and started Saka Era in 78 AD. The Capital of Kanishka was Peshawar or Kanishka Purushapura. Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council in Kashmir. 38 2 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Scholars like, Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha, Charaka and Nagarjuna were the courtiers of Kanishka. The Gandhara School of Art received royal patronage under the Kushans. Kanishka patronised Mahayana form of Buddhism. Kanishka is righty called the ‘Second Ashoka’ Kanishka was the first king who inscribed the image of Lord Buddha on his coins. Kanishka started the Saka era in 78 AD. The first month of Saka era is Chaithra and the last month is Phalguna. Vasudeva was the last great king of Kushana Dynasty. Kushana school of art is also referred to as the Mathura school. ? ? Sanskrit was the court language of the Guptas. India became ‘‘Greater India’’ under Samudra Gupta. Samudra Gupta was an accomplished Veena player. Chandragupta II the greatest of Gupta rulers was popularly known as Vikramaditya. ? ? Historically Important Places Ayodhya Birth place of Sri Rama (UP) Amber Palace Rajasthan Aghakhan Palace Pune (Maharashtra) (Gandhi and Kasturba were kept in prison here) Kedarnath Holy place of Hindus (Utharanchal) Amarnath Pilgrim centre (Kashmir) Elephanta caves Near Mumbai Ellora Caves Maharashtra 34 cavetemples (Hindu, Buddha Jaina) Rajgir Jain Temple in Bihar Golden Temple Amritsar Harmandir Sahib of Sikhs Golgumbus Bijapur (Karnataka) Tomb of Muhammed Adil Shah Tanjore Capital of Cholas Brihadveswara Temple Charminar Hyderabad (Monument of Plague eradication) Konark Temple Orissa (Sun Temple) Qutab Minar Delhi Khajuraho Near Bhopal (M. P. ) 80 temples Mahabalipuram Centre of Pallava architecture (Tamil Nadu) Kurukshetra Battle of Mahabarata (in Haryana) TajMahal Agra (UP) Built by Shah Jahan Sanchi Buddhist Stupa (Madhya Pradesh) Haridwar Holy Place of Hindus (Uttaranchal) Gupta Empire (320 540 AD) ? ? ? Gupta Empire was founded by Sri Gupta. Ghatotkacha was the second ruler. Chandra Gupta I was the real founder of the Gupta Empire. He came to the throne in 320 AD. He was the first ruler to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja. He laid the foundation of Gupta Era on 26 February 320 AD. Samudra Gupta succeeded Chandragupta I in 335 AD. The Allahabad Pillar inscription composed by Harisena contains information about Samudragupta’s conquests. Allahabad Pillar inscription is also known as ‘Prayagaprasasti’. Samudra Gupta is also known as ‘Linchchavi Dauhitra’’. (son of the daughter Kumaradevi of Lichchavis) Samudra Gupta is described as ‘Indian Napoleon’ by V. A. Smith. Samudra Gupta composed ‘‘Vahukabita’’ and had the title ‘‘Kaviraja’’. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 38 3 ? He adopted the title ‘Sakari’ after his victory over Rudradaman II of Gujarat. Fa hein, the Chinese traveller, visited India during his period. The exploits of Chandragupta II are glorified in an iron pillar inscription fixed near Qutub Minar. Chandragupta II adopted the title Vikramaditya as a mark of his victory over the Sakakshatraps. ‘Nine gems’ or ‘Navratnas’ was a famous Scholastic Assembly in the court of Chandragupta II. The members in the Ninegems were Kalidasa, Kadakarbhara, Kshapanaka, Varahmihira, Vararuchi, Vethalabhatta, Dhanvantari, Ammarasimha, Sanku. Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta I. Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the last great ruler of Gupta Empire. Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the only hero in Asia and Europe who defeated the Hunas in their glorious period. Vishnu Gupta was the last ruler who died in 570 AD. Mantriparishad assisted the king in administration. Most important Industry of the Gupta period was textile. Period of the Gupta is compared to ‘Periclean Age of Greece’, ‘Augustan Age of Rome’ and ‘Elzabethan Age of England’. Period of the Guptas is considered as the Golden Age in the history of India. Earlier Guptas had their capital at Prayag in Allahabad, later it was shifted to Ujjain by Chandragupta II. The most important officers in the Gupta empire were Kumaramatyas. The royal seal of the Guptas bore the emblem of Garuda. Aryabhatta was the first to treat Mathematics as a separate subject. He wrote Aryabhattiyam. He ? ? belonged to the Gupta period. Aryabhatta was the first to use Decimal System. Panchsidhanta, Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka and Brihat Samhita are the works of Varahamihira. The best specimen of the Gupta paintings are seen at Ajanta caves and the Bhaga caves. The Gupta period marked the beginning of Indian temple architecture. Guptas issued large number of gold coins in India. Guptas largely patronised art and architecture. Guptas patronised the Gandhara school of art, Madhura School of Art and the Andhra School of Art. The Fresco paintings in the Ajanta caves are examples of the art of the Guptas. The chief source of income was land revenue. The position of women declined during the Gupta period. A renowned physician of the Gupta period was Vaghbhatta Nalanda and Taxila were the two universities of this period. Kalidasa is generally called ‘‘Indian Shakespeare’ and the ‘Prince of Indian Poets’. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Kalidasa ? Books on Sciences Chandra Vyakaran Chandragomin Amar Kosh Amar Singh Niti Shastra . Kamandak Kamasutra .. Vatsya yana Panchasiddhantika . Varahamihira Ashtanga Hridaya . Vaghbhatta Hastyaurveda . Pulkapya Sankhyakarika . Iswarkrishna ? ? ? ? 38 4 ? Patanjali founded ‘Yoga Shastra’, a school of Hindu philosophy during this period. ? ? ? ? ? The Hunas ? The Huns were a nomadic and barberic race of Central Asia. They were defeated by Skanda Gupta. In the last quarter of the 5th century AD, the Hunas established an independent kingdom in the Punjab. Toramana and Mihirakula were important Huna leaders. In 510 AD Bhanu Gupta defeated Toramana. Narasimha Gupta defeated Mihirakula. The Hunas gave rise to the Kshatriya Rajaputs. Sialkot was Mihirakula’s capital. He made Kanauj his new capital from Taneswar. Original name of Harsha was Siladitya. Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited India during his reign. Harsha summoned a religious assembly at Prayag. Hieun Tsang said Indians were ‘‘Truthful people although quick tempered’’ Harsha’s biography ‘Harsha Charita’ was written by his court poet Banabhatta. He also wrote ‘Kadambari’. Harsha Vardhana was a poet and dramatist. Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda are the works of Harshavardhana. Harsha Vardhana was defeated by the Chalukyan king Pulikeshin II in AD 634. Harshavardhanas empire was the last Buddhist empire in India. After Harsha, the Karkotas of Kashmir established their power. Mahendravarman I and Pulikeshin II were the contemporaries of Harshavardhana. Matanga, Divakar, Jayasena and Bhartrihari