Post-Mauryan Period Explained | Shunga, Kanva & Satavahana Dynasty | UPSC Ancient History

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In this lecture, we explore the Post-Mauryan Period of Ancient India, starting from the decline after Ashoka’s death to the rise of powerful regional dynasties like the Shungas, Kanvas, and Satavahanas.

The session explains how high expenditure with falling revenue, weak rulers, and agrarian crises such as the Bengal famine weakened the Mauryan state. This led to peasant distress, migration to forests, and the rapid spread of Buddhism and Jainism, creating anxiety among Brahmanical elites.

To counter this, the Shunga dynasty initiated Brahmanical revival, promoted Sanskrit, and restricted Buddhist influence. Key historical sources like Patanjali’s Mahabhashya, Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram, and the Dhanadeva–Ayodhya inscription help us understand the socio-economic realities of the time.

The lecture also covers:

Short-lived Kanva dynasty and increasing political fragmentation

Rise of the Satavahana Empire in the Deccan

Importance of ports like Amaravati, Pratishthana (Paithan), Girnar

Trade with Romans and Southeast Asia

Girnar inscription and irrigation works for agrarian stability

Unique features of Satavahanas such as matronymic king names

Major rulers like Gautamiputra Satakarni, who defeated Sakas and revived Vedic traditions

This period laid the foundation for the Gupta Golden Age and is extremely important for UPSC Prelims and GS-1 Mains.

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