Notes For All Chapters – History Class 6
States after the Maurya Empire
8.1 The Shunga Dynasty
After Emperor Ashoka, the Maurya Empire became weak.
The last Maurya ruler, Brihadratha, was killed by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga.
Pushyamitra Shunga then became the king and started the Shunga Dynasty.
8.2 Indo-Greek Kings
Small kingdoms ruled by Greek kings were in the northwest of India.
They made important coins with a king’s picture on one side and a deity’s image on the other.
A famous Indo-Greek king was Menander (Milinda).
He discussed Buddhist philosophy with a Buddhist monk, Nagasena.
These discussions became a book called “Milind Panha” (Milinda’s Questions).
8.3 Kushana Kings
The Kushanas were a tribe from Central Asia.
They ruled Northwest India and Kashmir in the 1st century CE.
Emperor Kanishka was their most powerful ruler.
He started making gold coins with images of Buddha and Hindu gods.
Kanishka’s empire spread from Kabul to Varanasi.
He held the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir.
Kanishka’s court had famous scholars like:
- Ashvaghosha (wrote “Buddhacharita”)
- Charaka (a famous doctor)
8.4 The Gupta Dynasty
The Gupta dynasty ruled for nearly 300 years in North India.
The founder was Shrigupta.
Important kings:
- Samudragupta: Expanded the empire and played the veena (a musical instrument).
- Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya): Extended the empire to Malwa, Gujarat, and Saurashtra.
Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, near Delhi, was made during this time and has not rusted in 1500 years.
Fa-Hien, a Chinese traveler, visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign and wrote about India’s prosperity and good governance.
8.5 The Vardhan Dynasty
After the Guptas, the Vardhan dynasty became powerful.
Harshavardhan was its most important king.
His empire extended from Nepal to Narmada, Assam to Gujarat.
He was a Buddhist but respected all religions.
His court poet Banabhatta wrote his biography “Harshacharita”.
Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang (Xuanzang) visited India during his reign and stayed at Nalanda University.
8.6 Powers in Northeast India
The kingdom of Kamrup (modern Assam) emerged in the 4th century CE.
King Pushyavarman was its founder.
The Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang also visited Kamrup.
Kamrup was known as Pragjyotishpur (now Guwahati).
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