Summary - Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period

SUMMARY

• The invasion of Greeks led to the reciprocal influence.

• In India, after Alexander’s death, his general Seleucus Nicator, succeeded to the region across north-western India as a ruler and consequently diplomatic relations were established.

• The Seleucid Empire got weakened and as a result, following a couple of his successors, Menander, the best known of Indo-Greek Kings ruled the empire.

• The Indo-Greek kingdom was ousted by the Sakas followed by the Parthians and the Kushanas. The Sakas appointed kshatraps or provincial governors to administer the territories.

• Rudradaman was the most famous Saka ruler. After him, the Sakas were displaced by the Parthians who were succeeded by the Kushanas.

• The best known of the Kushanas was Kanishka who was an ardent follower of Mahayana form of Buddhism. Gandhara art developed during his period.

• Buddhist philosophers such as Asvaghosha, Parsva, Vasumitra and Nagarjuna were patronised by Kanishka.

• In South India, Satavahana kingdom was established in the first century CE. Muvendar (Chola, Chera and Pandya) were dominant in this region.

• Trade developed between the Tamil country and Rome. Puhar became an important port on Coramandel coast. Yavana merchants lived in port towns.

• These centuries were not a period of political stability. Yet, expansion of maritime trade led to economic growth and prosperity.