Post-Mauryan India (200 BCE - 300 CE)

Society: Evolution of Jatis

During the post-Mauryan period, Indian society saw the evolution and increased complexity of the jati system. Jatis, or sub-castes, developed within the broader framework of the varna system (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras). These jatis were based on various factors including occupation, region, and clan, leading to a more intricate and stratified social hierarchy. The emergence of jatis allowed for some degree of social mobility within specific occupational groups, although the overall structure remained hierarchical and rigid.

The Satavahanas and State Formation in the Peninsula

The Satavahana dynasty, reigning from approximately the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE, was pivotal in state formation in the Deccan region. They established a well-organized administrative system, dividing their empire into provinces governed by local officials. The Satavahanas are noted for their promotion of trade, issuing a variety of coinage that facilitated commerce both within and outside their empire. They supported both Brahmanism and Buddhism, which is evident in their patronage of religious monuments and inscriptions in Prakrit.

Sangam Texts and Society

The Sangam literature, composed between 300 BCE and 300 CE, offers a vivid depiction of early Tamil society in South India. These texts, including collections like "Ettuthokai" and "Pathuppattu," provide insights into the social structure, economy, and culture of the time. They describe a society organized into clans and chiefdoms, with a strong emphasis on martial values, patronage of the arts, and extensive trade networks. The Sangam poems highlight the lives of various social classes, from kings and warriors to farmers and merchants, illustrating a dynamic and multifaceted society.

Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushanas; Kanishka

The post-Mauryan era witnessed the arrival and establishment of several foreign dynasties in India, each contributing to the cultural and political landscape:

• Indo-Greeks: After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, the Indo-Greeks ruled parts of northwestern India. They brought Hellenistic cultural influences, particularly visible in the art of the Gandhara region.
• Sakas: The Sakas, or Scythians, were Central Asian nomads who migrated into India and established kingdoms. They continued the traditions of coinage and patronized both Buddhist and Hindu institutions.
• Parthians: Also known as Pahlavas, the Parthians followed the Sakas into northwestern India. They played a significant role in the cultural and commercial exchanges between India and the Roman Empire.
• Kushanas: The Kushanas, originally from Central Asia, established a powerful empire under rulers like Kujula Kadphises and Kanishka. Kanishka (circa 127-150 CE) is particularly noted for his support of Mahayana Buddhism and fostering a syncretic culture that blended Indian, Greek, and Persian influences.

Contacts with the Outside World

During this period, India was actively engaged in trade and cultural exchanges with various regions, including the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia, and China. The Silk Road facilitated the movement of goods such as spices, textiles, and precious stones, as well as ideas and technologies. Indian cultural influences spread to Southeast Asia, as evidenced by the adoption of Indian scripts, languages, and religious practices.

Religion: Saivism, Bhagavatism, Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism, Jainism

• Saivism: The worship of Shiva gained prominence, with the development of various sects and the construction of temples dedicated to the deity.
• Bhagavatism: Centered on the worship of Vishnu, Bhagavatism grew in popularity, highlighted by the composition of texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the rise of Vaishnavite devotional practices.
• Buddhism: This era saw the division of Buddhism into Hinayana (Theravada) and Mahayana schools. Mahayana Buddhism flourished, particularly under Kanishka's patronage, leading to significant developments in Buddhist art and philosophy.
• Jainism: Jainism continued to be influential, especially in western and southern India. Jain communities were active in trade and commerce and constructed important architectural monuments such as temples and cave complexes.

Culture and Art

The post-Mauryan period experienced significant cultural and artistic developments:

• Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art: These schools created distinctive artistic styles that blended Indian and Hellenistic elements. The Gandhara school is known for its realistic and detailed sculptures, while Mathura art features indigenous motifs and iconography.
• Architecture: This period saw the construction of stupas, viharas, and chaityas, which were important centers for Buddhist worship and monastic life. Notable examples include the Sanchi Stupa and the Karle Chaitya.
• Literature: Apart from Sangam literature, this period saw the creation of important texts like the Manu Smriti, Arthashastra, and various Puranas, which had a lasting impact on Indian society and culture.