The Age of Reorganisation
1. What event marked the end of the Maurya Empire, and who was responsible for it?
Answer: The Maurya Empire ended around 185 BCE when the last Maurya emperor was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Puṣhyamitra Śhunga, leading to the rise of the Śhunga dynasty.
2. Why is the post-Maurya period referred to as the “Age of Reorganisation”?
Answer: It is called the “Age of Reorganisation” because, after the Maurya Empire’s collapse, the subcontinent saw the emergence of many new kingdoms that reorganised the existing regions, competing for power and reshaping the political landscape.
3. What was the significance of the aśhvamedha yajña performed by rulers like Puṣhyamitra Śhunga?
Answer: The aśhvamedha yajña was a Vedic ritual where a horse was allowed to roam freely, and unchallenged territories it crossed were claimed by the king. It signified the ruler’s power and supremacy over other kingdoms.
4. How did the Śhunga dynasty contribute to art and architecture?
Answer: The Śhungas patronised art and architecture, notably adding carved railings and reliefs to the Bharhut Stūpa, depicting stories from Buddha’s life, which are among the earliest examples of Buddhist art.
5. What role did maritime trade play in the Sātavāhana kingdom?
Answer: Maritime trade was vital for the Sātavāhanas, as evidenced by coins depicting ships, indicating advanced shipbuilding and navigation. They traded spices, textiles, and luxury items with the Roman Empire, boosting economic prosperity.
6. Who was Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi, and why was his name significant?
Answer: Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi was a prominent Sātavāhana king named after his mother, Gautamī Balaśhrī. This naming tradition highlighted the importance of maternal lineage in the Sātavāhana dynasty.
7. What is the importance of the Naneghat Caves in the context of the Sātavāhana kingdom?
Answer: The Naneghat Caves, located near a major trade route, were used for collecting tolls and taxes and served as resting places for traders, reflecting the Sātavāhanas’ focus on trade and commerce.
8. How did King Kharavela demonstrate his respect for all schools of thought?
Answer: King Kharavela, a Chedi ruler, created a council of ascetics and sages from various regions and declared himself a protector of all sects, as recorded in the Hāthīgumphā inscription, showcasing his inclusive ethos.
9. What is Sangam literature, and why is it significant for studying South Indian history?
Answer: Sangam literature is a collection of Tamil poems from the Sangam Age, expressing emotions like love and values like heroism. It provides historians with insights into the society, culture, and values of South Indian kingdoms like the Cholas, Cheras, and Pāṇḍyas.
10. How did the Chola king Karikāla contribute to agriculture in his kingdom?
Answer: Karikāla built the Kallaṇai (Grand Anicut), a water diversion system on the Kāveri River, which irrigated the delta, enabling more land for cultivation and earning the region the title “rice bowl of the South.”
11. What is the central theme of the epic Silappadikāram, and how does it reflect the values of the time?
Answer: The epic Silappadikāram centers on justice and the ruler’s dharma to uphold it, as seen in Kaṇṇagi’s quest to prove her husband’s innocence, reflecting the importance of fairness and moral duty in South Indian society.
12. How did the Cheras contribute to the cultural development of South India?
Answer: The Cheras encouraged Tamil literature by patronising Sangam poets and fostered trade with the Roman Empire and West Asia, exporting spices and pearls, which enriched the region’s culture and economy.
13. Why were pearls significant in the Pāṇḍya kingdom’s trade?
Answer: Pearls were a valuable trade item for the Pāṇḍyas due to their rarity and demand in distant markets like Greece and Rome, contributing to the kingdom’s wealth and prominence in trade networks.
14. How did the Indo-Greeks influence the cultural landscape of northwestern India?
Answer: The Indo-Greeks blended Greek and Indian elements in governance, art, and coinage. For example, coins depicted Indian deities like Vāsudeva-Kṛiṣhṇa, and the Heliodorus pillar shows their adoption of local beliefs.
15. What was the Śhaka Samvat calendar, and how is it used today?
Answer: The Śhaka Samvat calendar, developed during the Śhaka period, is 78–79 years behind the Gregorian calendar. It was adopted as India’s National Calendar in 1957 and is used in official publications.
16. How did King Kaṇiṣhka of the Kuṣhāṇa dynasty promote cultural development?
Answer: Kaṇiṣhka encouraged art and culture, leading to the Gāndhāra and Mathurā art styles, which blended Indian and Greek elements. His coins featured deities like Buddha and Śhiva, reflecting cultural inclusivity.
17. What are the key differences between the Gāndhāra and Mathurā schools of art?
Answer: The Gāndhāra style, from Punjab, used grey-black schist and blended Greco-Roman and Indian features, with realistic Buddha images. The Mathurā style, from Uttar Pradesh, used red sandstone, had a distinct Indian style, and depicted fuller figures of deities like Kubera and Lakṣhmī.
18. How did the Kuṣhāṇas’ control of the Silk Route impact India’s economy?
Answer: By controlling parts of the Silk Route, the Kuṣhāṇas facilitated trade between India, Asia, and the West, exchanging goods like spices and textiles, which boosted India’s economic prosperity and cultural exchange.
19. What does the Heliodorus pillar tell us about Indo-Greek cultural assimilation?
Answer: The Heliodorus pillar, inscribed by an Indo-Greek ambassador, praises Vāsudeva as the “god of gods” and lists virtues like self-restraint and charity, showing the Indo-Greeks’ adoption of Indian religious and ethical values.
20. How did the post-Maurya period demonstrate a blend of Indian and foreign cultural elements?
Answer: The period saw foreign invaders like the Indo-Greeks, Śhakas, and Kuṣhāṇas assimilate into Indian society, adopting local deities, languages, and art styles. This led to a fusion in coinage, sculptures (e.g., Gāndhāra art), and literature, with Indian themes dominating, creating a rich cultural confluence.
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