Dynasties of Ancient India like Nanda dynasty, Mauryan Dynasty, The Pandyas, The Cholas have come into the list of Dynasties of Ancient India. Following list is giving an insight into the Dynasties of Ancient India.

Dynasties of Ancient India

Haryanka Dynasty

• Bimbisara was the founder, who expanded the Magadha kingdom by annexing Anga and entering into matrimonial alliances with Kosala and Vaishali. He was contemporary of Buddha. Capital-Rajgir (Girivraja).
• Ajatshatru, came to power by killing his father. Annexed Vaishali, Kosala and Lichchhavi kingdom.
• Udayin founded the new capital, Patliputra.

Must Read: Social Conditions in the Era of Mauryan Imperialism

Shishunaga Dynasty

• Founded by Shishunaga; Kalashoka or Kakavarin convened 2^nd Buddhist council. Their greatest achievement was destruction of Avanti.

Nanda Dynasty

• Consider non-Kshatriyan dynasty, founded by Mahapadma Nanda. Alexander attacked during Dhana Nanda reign.
• Cyrus was the first foreign invader of India.
• Alexander, the king of Macedonia, invaded India in 326 BC and fought the Battle of Hydapses (Jhelum) with Porus (Purushottam) of Paurava dynasty.

Mauryan Dynasty

Chandragupta Maurya – The first ruler who overthrew Nanda dynasty with the help of Chanakya.

• He has been called Sandrocottus by Greek scholars.
• Chandragupta defeated Seleucus Nikator, the general of Alexander (30 BC), who later sent Megasthenese the author of ‘Indica’- to Chandragupta’s court.
• Mother was Mura– a Shudra woman in Nanda’s court.
• Mudrarakshasa was written by Vishakhadatta, describes about machinations of Chanakya against Chandragupta’s enemy.
• Chandragupta maintained six wings armed forces.
• He adopted Jainism and went to Sravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu. Bindusara was called Amitraghat by Greek writers; Greek ambassador, Deimachos visited his court; said to conquer the ‘land between the two seas’ – The Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Also Read: Centralized Administration of Mauryan Empire

Ashoka

• Ashoka was appointed the Viceroy of Texila and Ujjain by his father Bindusara.
• He was called Devanampriya – dear to Gods.
• The name Ashoka occurs only in copies of Minor Rock Edict I.
• Languages (script) used on inscriptions – Brahmi (Sub-continent, deciphered by James Princep in AD 1837), Aramic and Kharosti (North-Western India), and Greek (Afghanistan).
• Kalinga War (261 BC) mentioned in 13^th Major Rock Edict – converted Asoka to Buddhism under Upagupta.
• Sanchi Stupa was built by Ashoka.
• Sri Lanka is called Tamrapani in Ashokan inscription.

The Indo-Greeks

• The most famous Indo-Greeks was Menader (165-145 BC) also called Milinda, his capital was Sakala (modern Sialkot) in Punjab.
• Converted to Buddhism by Nagasena as per Milindapanho – a pali text.
• Greek were first to issue coins attributable to king, and also the first to issue gold coins in India; introduced Hellenistic art.

The Shakas

• The most famous ruler was Rudradaman I (AD 130-150), who repaired Sudarshana lake in Kathiawar region, issued first ever inscription in Chaste Sanskrit (junagarh inscription). He defeated Satvahanas twice.
• Vikramaditya, the king of Ujjain, was the only one who defeated the Shakas. To commemorate the victory, he started Vikram Samvat in 57 BC.
• The Parthians – the most famous king was Gondophernes (AD 19-45), in whose reign St. Thomas visited India to Propagate Christianity.

Have a Look at: Timeline of Maurya Empire

The Kushans

• Also called Yeuchi or Tocharians were nomadic people from the Steppes.
• Kanishka was the greatest of the Kushans, who started the Saka Era in AD 78.
• Kushans were the first ruler to issue goldcoins on wide scale known for metallic purity.
• In the riyal court of Kanishka, a host of scholars found patronage, like parsva, Vasumitra, Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Charak 9Physician) and Mathura.

The Sunga Dynasty (185 BC – 73 BC)

• Sunga Dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Sunga.
• They were basically Brahmins. This period saw the revival of Bhagvatism.
• Patanjali, wrote ‘Mahabhasya’, at this time.
• In arts, the Bharhut stupa is the most famous monument of the Sunga period.

The Kanva Dynasty (73 BC – 28 BC)

• In 73 BC, devabhuti, the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty, was murdered by his minister Vasudeva, who usurped the throne and founded the Kanva dynasty. Replaced by Satvahans.

The Satavahanas (or Andhras)

• Simuka (60BC – 37 BC) was the founder of the Satavahanas dynasty.
• Satavahanas were finally succeeded by the Ikshvakus in AD 3^rd
• Under the Satavahanas, many chaityas 9worship halls) and viharas (monasteries) were cut out from rocks mainly in North-West Deccan or Maharashtra the famous examples were nasik, Kanheri and Karle.
• The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit.
• The Satavahanas issued coins of lead (mainly), copper, bronze and potin.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni was an important king.

The Pandyas

• Their capital was Madurai. The Pandyas were first mentioned by Megasthanese, famous for pearls.
• Trade with Raman Empire, sent embassies to emperor Augustus.

You May Also Read: Economic Condition During the Delhi Sultanate

The Cholas

• The Chola kingdom called as Cholamandalam was situated to the North-East of Pandya kingdom between Pennar and velar rivers.
• Capital was kaveripattanam/puhar.

The Cheras

• Their capital was Vanji (also called Kerala country). It owed its important trade with Romans.

Sangam Age

• Sangam Age corresponds to the post-Maurya and pre-Gupta period. Sangam was a college or assembly of Tamil poets held under Royal Patronage.

There Sangams were held

(i) at Madurai chaired by Agastya.

(ii) at Kapatpuram, chaired by Tolkappiyar.

(iii) at Madurai, chaired by Nakkirar.

• Kural by Tiruvalluvar is called the ‘fifth Veda’ of The Bible of Tamil Land.

Don’t Miss: Indus Valley Civilization – 4700 years ago in Harappa and Mohenjodaro

The prosperity of the Harappan Civilization, that was discovered in 1920-22 when two of its most important sites were excavated, was based on its flourishing economic activities such as agriculture, arts and crafts, and trade. In fact the whole period of the Harappan Civilazation is divided into three distinct phases:

(i) Early Harappan Phase (3500BC – 1900 BC) – It was distinguished by some town-planning in the form of mud structures, elementary trade, arts and crafts, etc.

(ii) Mature Harappan Phase (2600 BC – 1900 BC) – this period was characterized by well developed towns with burnt brick structures, inland and foreign trade, numerous types of crafts, etc; and

(iii) Late Harappan Phase (1900 BC – 1400 BC) – this phase marked the decline of the Civilization during which many cities of this great Harappan Civilization were abandoned and the trade disappeared creating the gradual decay of the important urban features.

Also Read: Significance of the Harappan Civilization

Agriculture in the Harappan Civilization

It has been well established by the historian archaeologists that the fertile Indus alluvium contributed not only to the surplus in agricultural production but it also assisted the people of the Harappan Civilization to get involved in exchange, both internal and external, with others and also expand crafts and industries.

That the base of the Harappan Civilization was agriculture and cattle-rearing (pastoralism) became evident by the discovery of the granaries at sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal that served as the storehouse for grains.

Although, there is no evidence of tools which were used for agriculture, in Kalibangan the plough-marks or furrows have been observed indication to plough cultivation. In Banawali in Hisar district of Haryana a terracotta plough has also been found giving strength to the idea of plough cultivation.

The people of the Harappan Civilization carried on irrigation on a small scale by drawing water from wells or by deflecting river water into channels.

Among the chief ford crops the people of the Harappan Civilization grew were: wheat, barley, mustard, peas, sesasum, jejube, etc. However, from Lothal and Rangpur the evidence of rice has come in the form of husks embedded in pottery. The finding of a piece of woven cloth at Mohanjo-Daro suggests that cotton was one among other important crops. As far as the Harappan diet is concerned it has been founded that apart from cereals, fish and animal meat also formed a part of it.

Must Read: The Indus Valley Civilization

Industries and Crafts in the Harappan Civilization

The conclusion that except iron the Harappan pople were aware of almost all the metals gets strength from the evidences that suggest they manufactured gold and silver objects. The gold objects they made were beads, armlets, needles and other ornaments. However, the use of silver was more common then gold; a large quantity of silver ornaments, dishes have been discovered.

A number of copper tools and weapons, which commonly included axe, saws, chisels, knives, spearheads and arrowheads, were also discovered. It is imperative to mention here that the Harappans produced weapons that were mostly defensive in nature as there is no evidence of weapons like swords etc. Stone tools, that were commonly used, were also made in large quantities.

Copper was brought mainly from Khetri in Rajasthan. In the case of gold and silver, it has been speculated that gold might have been obtained from the Himalayan river beds and South India, and Silver from Mesopotamia.

The evidence of the use of the bronze, although in limited manner, has also been found. The bronze ‘dancing girl’, figurine, discovered at Mohenzodaro, is the most famous example concerning the bronze metal. This ‘dancing girl’ figurine is ‘a nude female figure, with right arm on the hip and left arm hanging in a dancing pose’, wearing a large number of bangles.

One of the most important crafts in the Harappan Civilization was the bead making. Precious and semi-precious stones such as agate and carnelian were used in making beads. Steatite was used for bead-making. At Chanhudaro and Lothal have been found the evidence of beadmakers’ shops, it has also been found that in beads, bracelets and other decoretions the use of ivory carving and inlaying were also in practice. All this shows the masterly skill that the Harappans possessed in a variety of arts and crafts.

At the site of Mohenjodaro, a well-known piece of art, a stone sculpture of a bearded man, was discovered; the eyes of the sculpture are half closed, indicating perhaps the posture of meditation, and across his left shoulder is an embroidered cloak. According to some scholars it could be the bust of a priest.

A large number of terracotta figurines of male and females, which outnumber those of males and are believed to represent the worship of mother goddess, have been is covered from various Harappan Sites. Apart from these, many varieties of models of birds, monkeys, dogs, sheep, cattle, humped and humpless bulls have also been found.

The most important industries during the period of the Harappan Civilization also included pottery-making. Potteries were mainly wheel- made and were treated with a red coating and had decorations in black. The painted designs include horizontal lines of varied thickness, leaf patterns, palm and papal trees. Depicted on potteries the figures of birds, fishes and animals.

More than two thousand seals of various kinds, which were generally square in shape and were made of steatite, have been discovered from the different sites. It is imperative here to mention that although the seals belonging to the Harappan Civilization depict a number of animals, there is no representation of horse on these.

Apart from various kinds of animals the seals of the Harappan Civilization also enclose some signs in the Harappan script that has not been deciphered so far. Moreover, the most famous of the seals is the one that has a horned male duty represented on it; many scholars have identified the figure with the ancient form of the God Pashupati (Lord of beasts).

Must Read: The Sangam Age : Early History of South India

Trade in the Harappan Civilization

During the period of the Harappan Civilization the trading network, both within the country (internal) and foreign (external) was a significant characteristic of the Harappan urban economy. A village- town (urban- rural) interrelationship developed due to the dependency of the urban population for the supply of food and many other necessary products on the surrounding countryside. In the similar fashion, the craftsmen belonging to urban areas required markets to sell their goods in other areas; it necessitated the contact between the towns.

As various kinds of metals and precious stones, which were needed by craftsmen to make goods, were not available locally, they had to be brought from outside. Lapis-lazuli, the precious stones used for making beads, was located in Badakshan mines in North-east Afghanistan. Turquoise and Jade have been brought from Central Asia.

In the field of external trade the people of the Harappan Civilization were engaged with Mesopotamia largely through Oman and Behrain in the Persian Gulf. This has been confirmed by the presence of artefacts, belonging to the Harappan Civilization, such as beads, seals, dice, etc. in these regions; in Mesopotamia cities like Susa, Ur, etc. about two dozens of Harappan seals have been found. Apart from seals, other artifacts belonging to the Harappan Civilization which have been discovered comprise potteries, etched carnelian beads and dices with Harappan features.

Don’t Miss: Indus Valley Civilization- 4700 years ago in Harappa and Mohenjodaro

Battles fought in India between 1700-1800

1707:          Battle of Khed was a one of the historically significant battles fought in India in which Tara Bai defeated by Shahu

1739:          Battle of Karnal. The Mughal army defeated by Nadir Shah

1740:          Battle of Gharia. notable among Battles fought in India between Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, and Alivardi Khan yvas killed.

1746-48:    First Carnatic War. One of the important battles fought in India was between French and British forces. Madras was captured by French but returned to the English by he Treaty of Aix-la-Chappalle. It is famous for the battle of St. Thome, in which a small French army defeated the Nawab’s large force

1749-54:    Second Carnatic War. Initially the French under Dupleix had some successes but at last the English got a hold

1758-63:    Third Carnatic War. French captured Fort St. David in 1758, but suffered badly at Wandiwash (1760)

1757:          Battle of Plassey. The Englhish forces under Robert Clive defeated the army of Siraj-ud-daula

1761:          Third battle of Panipat. Marathas were defeated by Ahmad shah Abdali

1764:          Battle of Buxar, The English under Munro defeated Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, Shuja-ud-daula, Nawab of Avadh, and Shah Alam II, the Mughal emperor

1767-69:    First Anglo-Mysore War. Contested between Haider Ali and the British

1770:          Battle of Udgir. The Nizam was defeated by the Marathas

1775:          Battle of Sindkhed, among battles fought in India between the Marathas and the Nizam. The Nizam was forced to surrender some territories

1752-82:    First Anglo-Maratha War. The British army was defeated. The humiliating convention of Wadgoan (1779) was concluded. Peace was at last restored by the Treaty of Salbai (1782)

1780-84:    Second Anglo-Mysore War. Haider Ali died in the battle (1782) and the field was taken by his son Tipu sultan. The war was concluded by the Treaty of Mangalore (1784)

1789-92:    Third Anglo-Mysore War. Tipu Sultan was defeated (1792). The war came to a close with the Treaty of Seringa patam

1799:          Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. Tipu died fighting

Battles fought in India between 1800-1900

1803-06:    Second Anglo-Maratha war. The Marathas were defeated by the British

1814-16:    Nepalese War. Between the English and the Gurkhas. The war came to an end with the Treaty of Sagauli

1817-19:    Third Anglo-Maratha war. The Marathas were badly defeated by the British

1824-26:    First Anglo-Burmese War. The British defeated the Burmese. Peace was restored by the Treaty of Yandahboo

1839-42:    First Anglo-Afghan War. The Afghan ruler Dost Muhammad was defeated by the English

1845-46:    First Anglo-Sikh War. The Sikhs were defeated by the English. The war was ended by the Treaty of Lahore

1848-49:    Second Anglo-Sikh War. Sikhs were defeated and Punjab was annexed by the British

1852:          Second Anglo-Burmese War. The English were successful

1865:          Third Anglo-Burmese War. The English annexed Burma

1878-80:    Second Anglo-Afghan war. The English suffered losses

Battle fought in India after 1900

1919-21:    Third Anglo-Afghan War. The English though victorious did not benefit from the war.