1. Transition from the Indus Valley Civilization: After the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), significant changes took place in the Indian subcontinent. Key sources for this period include the Vedas—Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharveda—which provide insights into the era’s cultural and religious transformations.
2. Funeral Practices and Settlements: By the first century BCE, burial practices had evolved in central and southern India. The dead were interred in graves surrounded by large stone structures known as megaliths. Additionally, new agricultural settlements and pastoral communities began to emerge.
3. Emergence of Mahajanapadas: In the 6th century BCE, sixteen Mahajanapadas (great realms) came into existence. Among these, Magadha, Koshala, Vatsa, and Avanti were notably powerful. These Mahajanapadas had fortified capitals and played crucial roles in shaping early Indian history.
4. Rise of the Mauryan Empire:
- Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE by defeating the Nanda Dynasty. His reign marked a significant turning point in Indian history.
- Bindusara, Chandragupta’s son, ruled from 298 to 272 BCE, followed by Ashoka who ascended the throne in 272 BCE and ruled until 231 BCE. Ashoka’s reign is notable for the Kalinga War, which led to his adoption of a policy of non-violence and the promotion of Dhamma.
5. Ashokan Inscriptions: Ashoka’s inscriptions, written in Brahmi script and deciphered by James Prinsep in 1838, are essential for understanding the Mauryan period. They provide insights into Ashoka’s policies and his commitment to Dhamma, though inscriptions have limitations like faint or damaged text and a tendency to reflect the ruler’s perspective.
6. Post-Mauryan Dynasties: Following the fall of the Gupta Dynasty, new dynasties such as the Satavahanas, Shakas, Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras, and Kushanas emerged. These dynasties contributed to the region’s political and cultural developments.
7. Gupta Empire and Golden Age:
- The Gupta Dynasty, founded by Sri Gupta around 275 CE, marked the beginning of the Golden Age of India. Successors like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II expanded and consolidated the empire, leading to advancements in art, science, and culture.
- The Gupta period saw the rise of new towns and an increase in trade. Coins, including the first gold coins issued by the Gupta rulers, facilitated economic transactions and trade across and beyond the subcontinent.
8. New Communities and Agricultural Advances: Advances in agriculture, such as the use of iron-tipped ploughs and irrigation systems, led to the emergence of new social classes. The Vellalars (large landowners) and other categories of landholders and laborers became prominent.
9. Emergence of Towns and Trade Networks: From the 6th century BCE onwards, urban centers began to flourish, supporting trade in artifacts, pottery, and coins. Guilds or Shrenis managed production and trade, and successful merchants, known as Masattuvan in Tamil, became wealthy through extensive trade networks.
Important Terms:
- Janapada: A territory or area settled by a particular clan or tribe.
- Dhamma Mahamatta: An official appointed by Ashoka to promote his policies of Dhamma.
- Matriliny: A system of lineage and inheritance traced through the mother.
- Tamilakam: The ancient region encompassing parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
- Megaliths: Stone structures built over graves in South India.
- Vellalars: Large landowners or zamindars.
- Agrahara: Land granted to Brahmanas.
Timeline:
- 600-500 BCE: Formation of Mahajanapadas.
- 544-492 BCE: Reign of King Bimbisara of Magadha.
- 492-460 BCE: Reign of King Ajatashatru of Magadha.
- 321 BCE: Establishment of the Mauryan Empire by Chandragupta Maurya.
- 269-231 BCE: Reign of Ashoka.
- 201 BCE: Kalinga War.
- 335-375 CE: Reign of Samudragupta.
- 375-415 CE: Reign of Chandragupta II.
- 1784: Foundation of the Asiatic Society (Bengal).
- 1810: Colin Mackenzie collects inscriptions in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages.
- 1838: Deciphering of Brahmi script by James Prinsep.
- 1877: Alexander Cunningham publishes Asokan inscriptions.
- 1886: First issue of Epigraphia Carnatica.
- 1888: First issue of Epigraphia Indica.
- 1965-66: Publication of Indian Epigraphy and Indian Epigraphical Glossary by D.C. Sircar.
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