Post-Maurya Pre-Gupta Period

What is the subject matter of the Post-Maurya Pre-Gupta Period?

 The Post-Maurya Pre-Gupta Period covers the period between the decline of the Mauryas and the rise of the Guptas.

Which dynasty succeeded the Mauryas in Magadha?

 Shunga dynasty.

Who founded the Shunga dynasty?

 Pushyamitra Shunga.

Who was the last Mauryan ruler defeated by Pushyamitra Shunga?

 Brihadratha.

What was the capital of the Shunga dynasty?

 Pataliputra.

Which text provides information about the Shunga period?

 Malavikagnimitram.

Who wrote Malavikagnimitram?

 Kalidasa.

Who was the second ruler of the Shunga dynasty?

 Agnimitra.

Which dynasty succeeded the Shungas?

 Kanva dynasty.

Who founded the Kanva dynasty?

 Vasudeva Kanva.

Who was the last ruler of the Shunga dynasty?

 Devabhuti.

How long did the Kanva dynasty rule approximately?

 About 45 years.

Which foreign groups entered India during the Post-Maurya period?

 Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, and Kushanas.

Who were the Indo-Greeks?

 Greek rulers who established kingdoms in north-western India.

Which Indo-Greek ruler is famous for his dialogue with Nagasena?

 Menander.

By what other name is Menander known?

 Milinda.

Which Buddhist text records the dialogue between Menander and Nagasena?

 Milindapanho.

What is Milindapanho?

 A Buddhist text containing questions of King Milinda.

Which Indo-Greek ruler is associated with Buddhism?

 Menander.

Who were the Shakas?

 Central Asian tribes who entered India.

Who defeated the Shakas and adopted the title ‘Shakari’?

 Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Which dynasty is associated with Gautamiputra Satakarni?

 Satavahana dynasty.

Who founded the Satavahana dynasty?

 Simuka.

Which region was mainly ruled by the Satavahanas?

 Deccan region.

What was the capital of the Satavahanas?

 Pratishthana.

Which Satavahana ruler is regarded as the greatest ruler of the dynasty?

 Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Which inscription provides information about Gautamiputra Satakarni?

 Nasik Prashasti.

Who composed the Nasik Prashasti?

 Gautami Balashri.

Which Satavahana ruler issued lead coins?

 Satavahana rulers.

Which language was widely used in Satavahana inscriptions?

 Prakrit.

Who were the Parthians in India?

 Foreign rulers who ruled parts of north-western India.

Which Parthian ruler is associated with India?

 Gondophernes.

Who were the Kushanas?

 A Central Asian dynasty that established rule in north India.

Who founded the Kushana power in India?

 Kujula Kadphises.

Which Kushana ruler is regarded as the greatest ruler?

 Kanishka.

Which era is associated with Kanishka?

 Shaka Era.

When did the Shaka Era begin?

 78 CE.

Which capital was associated with Kanishka?

 Purushapura.

What is the modern name of Purushapura?

 Peshawar.

Which Buddhist council was held during Kanishka’s reign?

 Fourth Buddhist Council.

Where was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?

 Kashmir.

Which Buddhist sect flourished under Kanishka?

 Mahayana Buddhism.

Who presided over the Fourth Buddhist Council?

 Vasumitra.

Which scholar is associated with Kanishka’s court?

 Ashvaghosha.

Who wrote Buddhacharita?

 Ashvaghosha.

Which physician was associated with Kanishka’s court?

 Charaka.

Which medical text is associated with Charaka?

 Charaka Samhita.

Which art schools flourished during the Kushana period?

 Gandhara and Mathura schools of art.

What is a feature of Gandhara art?

 Greco-Roman influence.

What is a feature of Mathura art?

 Indigenous Indian style.

Which material was commonly used in Gandhara art?

 Grey sandstone.

Which material was commonly used in Mathura art?

 Red sandstone.

Which religion received patronage during the Post-Maurya period?

 Buddhism.

What development in trade marked the Post-Maurya period?

 Expansion of inland and overseas trade.

Which trade route connected India with the Roman Empire?

 Sea trade routes through western ports.

Which ports were important in Indo-Roman trade?

 Bharukachchha and Arikamedu.

Which text gives information about trade in the Post-Maurya period?

 Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

What coinage feature became common during the Post-Maurya period?

 Extensive use of gold, silver, copper, and lead coins.

Which guilds played an important role during the Post-Maurya period?

 Merchant and artisan guilds.

What was the significance of guilds in the Post-Maurya period?

 They regulated trade and crafts.

Which cave architecture flourished during the Satavahana period?

 Rock-cut cave architecture.

Name important cave sites of the Post-Maurya period.

 Karle, Bhaja, Ajanta, and Nasik.

Which stupa was enlarged during the Post-Maurya period?

 Sanchi Stupa.

Which dynasties patronized Buddhist monuments in the Post-Maurya period?

 Satavahanas and Kushanas.

Why is the Post-Maurya Pre-Gupta Period significant in Indian history?

 It witnessed foreign interactions, trade expansion, and cultural synthesis.