Post-Mauryan Age – Political History of West, South and Deccan India

Post-Mauryan age as discussed by Harsh

Background

Mauryan age was a golden period in Indian history in many senses because this period saw the development which were not occurred in earlier ages. But after flourishing for more than 140 years this great empire was started to disintegrate and ended in c. 187 BC when the last Mauryan king, Brahadratha was killed was Pushyamitra Shunga. After the end of Mauryan empire, various new kingdoms started to emerged, this age came to known as post-Mauryan age (c. 200 BC to c. 300 AD).

In this period, the different powerful kingdom emerged in different regions of India. For example, Shaka Kshatrapas of Western India, Satvahanas of Deccan; Chera, Chola, Pandyas of South Indian region; Kushanas, Shungas etc. in Northern India. We have already discussed the political history of North India previously. You can also read that – Post-Mauryan Period – Resources and Political History of North India.

Also Read : Socio-Cultural life of Mauryan Age

Economic Life of Mauryan Age

Magadha – Factors Behind its Rise

Jainism – Major Schools and Auspicious Signs

Shaka Kshatrapas of Western India

Originally Shaka Kshatrapas were the subordinate rulers (Kshatrapas) under Kushanas and Scytho-Parthian who came into prominence in post-Mauryan age. The early line represented by Mambarus (Periplus).  There was two important line of rulers Kshaharatas and Kardamakas. Kshaharatas included Bhumaka (allegiance of Kanishka) and Nahapana. Nahapana (c. 119 AD – c. 125 AD) has the title Kshatrapa, MahaKshatrapa and Rajan.

The coins were discovered from the areas of Rajasthan and Nashik. Thus, this kingdom includes Malwa, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Northern Maharashtra, parts of Rajasthan and lower Indus valley. The ancient Minnagara (modern Doha) was their capital. They were involved in conflict with Satvahanas. Nahapana was killed by Gautamiputra Satkarni as mentioned in Pune and Nashik inscriptions.

Kardamakas was the mother line of Kshatrapas which was founded by Chastana who originally ruled in Sindh under Kushanas. Rudradaman was most the popular king of this line. He issued the Junagarh inscription written in 72 Shaka year (c.150 – c151 AD). He defeated Satkarni twice and married his daughter to Satkarni’s son. Later, they were replaced by Malavas and Abhiras in north as southern territories were captured by Satvahanas King Yajna Satkarni. But later new line was established by Rudrasimha.

Satvahanas of Deccan

Satvahanas are identifies as the Andhras of the Puranas. Matsya and Brahmanda Puranas listed 30 kings who ruled for 460 years while Vayu Puranas mentioned only 17 kings who ruled for 300 years. Some of historians placed the origin of Satvahanas to c. 271 BC while others C. 30 BC that ends in early 3^rd Century AD. They originally belonged to the Andhra tribes of Andhra region and was the major power in the post-Mauryan period. Some of the references tells that Satvahana’s ancestors were Mauryan subordinates.

They maintained a large army which included over 10000 infantry, 2000 cavalry and 1000 elephants. The Satvahanas dynasty was founded by Simuka. Gautamiputra Satkarni was much known ruler of this line but Kharavela (Chedi King of Kalinga) in Hathigumpha inscription claimed that he defeated Satkarni. Shaka and Satvahanas were in conflict with each other because of the area of Kalyan and Sopara.

The empire was reached to its extent under the reign of Gautamiputra Satkarni, he was mentioned as the Ekabamhana (a peerless Brahmana) in Nashik inscription. They claimed that they were of Brahmanical origin. The local sub-ordinates rulers like Maharathis and Mahabhojas played significant role during the Satvahanas rule. Satvahanas empire was divided into number of large administrative divisions known as Aharas which includes Amatyas and Mahamatras, Mahasenapatis, record keepers etc. The villages were governed with the help of Gramikas.  

Far South – Chera, Chola, Pandyas

The early kingdom of Tamilakam begins around 4^th BC. The principality of Cholas was in lower Kaveri valley corresponded to the modern-day Tanjore and Trichinopoly of Tamilnadu and Uraiyur was their capital. Kingdoms of Pandyas was in the valley of Tamraparni and Vaigai which includes modern day Tirunelveli, Madurai, Ramnad and Travancore. Their capital was Madurai. Chera was the small kingdom on the coast of Kerala and Karurvur (Venji) was their capital.

Puhar, Korkai, Tondi & Muziris were the prominent port cities of Chola, Pandya, and Cheras respectively. Major sources of history of this time are laudatory poem which exaggerate achievements and virtue of rulers. Tamil-Brahmi script was used in inscriptions. The tiger, bow, and fish were the emblem of Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas respectively.

Cheras

Udiyanjeral is the earliest known king of Cheras. His son, Nedunjeral Adan described to defeated 7 crowned kings and won the rank of Adhiraja. He also fought against Cholas. Kuttuvan, younger brother of Adan supposed to conquered Kongu and extended power to eastern and western ocean. Senguttuvan, also son of Adan fought against chieftains. The Silappadikaram tells that he conquered Kodukur fortress in Kongu country. Ilankatunko was the last king identifies from Sangam poems.

Cholas

Karikala was believed to be the founder of the Chola empire as he was associated with many heroic exploits. Pattupattu poem describes his early years. He defeated the confederacy including Pandyas and Cheras. Another king mentioned in poems was Tondaiman Ilandiraiyan, who ruled from Kanchi and also was a poet. Chola kingdom was racked by a protracted and bitter war between the two contenders for the throne; Nalangili and Nedungili.

Pandyas

Early kings include Nediyon, Palshalai, Mudukudumi and Nedunijeliyan in the line of Pandyas. The death of Kovalan, hero of Silappadikaram is supposed to have taken place during the reign of last-mentioned ruler. Nedunijeliyan was the other king with same name who defeated the confederacy of Cholas, Cheras and five chieftains at the battle of Talaiyalanganam. Adigaiman, ruler of Tagadur, defeated by Chera king Perunjeral Trumporai.

Other Information of Far South

Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions mentioned kings as Ko and chieftains as Ko or Kon. A Kalatika was superintendent of pearls mentioned in Mangulam inscription. Alagamalai refers to Kanatikan, chief of scribes. Sangam poems also reflect the emergence of new base of royal prestige and legitimacy. They performed Brahmanical sacrifices, establishing link with northern epic tradition, the worship and patronage of certain deities and patronage of Jaina ascetics. Urbanization was yet to be take place.

Thus, the post-Mauryan age saw a significant development in every field of state because of the emergence of the local kingdoms.