History · X-Factor Notes
Post-Mauryan Period revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Shunga Dynasty Foundation | The Shunga dynasty was established by the Mauryan commander Pushyamitra Shunga. He killed the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, in 184 BC. | |
| Shunga Capital | The capital of the Shunga Dynasty was Pataliputra. | |
| Satavahana Dynasty Foundation | The Satavahana dynasty was established by Simuka (also known as Sindhuk or Shiprak) after assassinating the Kanva king Susharma. | UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2008 |
| Satavahana Significance | The Satavahana dynasty was the most powerful dynasty in the South after the Mauryans. | |
| Satavahana Capital | The capital of the Satavahana dynasty was Paithan (Pratishthan). | |
| Puranic Dynastic Information | The Vishnu Purana gives an account of the Mauryan Dynasty. The Matsya Purana is related to the Andhra Satavahana Dynasty. | UPPCS (Pre) 2023 |
| Succession in Deccan | The Vakataka dynasty established its kingdom after the power of the Satavahana dynasty weakened. | |
| Kalinga Ruler | Kharavela, king of Kalinga, belonged to the Chedi dynasty. Kharavela was a patron of Jainism. | UPPCS (Mains) 2015, UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2008 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Invader Chronological Order | The correct chronological order of invaders in ancient India is Greeks (326 BC; Alexander), then Sakas (Scythians - 1st century BC), and finally Kushanas (1st century AD). | UPPCS (Pre) 2023 |
| Indo-Greek Evidence | The Milindapanho is an important text related to the Indo-Greek ruler Menander. | |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Saka Samvat | The Saka Samvat started in 78 AD. Most historians credit the Kushan ruler Kanishka as its originator. | UPPCS (Mains) 2007 |
| Kanishka's Empire Extent | Kanishka's empire stretched from northern Turpan (China) in the north to the Vindhya hills (south), and from Northern Afghanistan (west) to eastern U.P. and Bihar. | |
| Court Scholars (Kanishka) |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Patanjali | Maharshi Patanjali, author of Mahabhasya, was a contemporary of the Pushyamitra Shunga. | UPPCS (Pre) 2011 |
| Varaha Mihira's Works | Varahamihira authored Panchasiddhantika, Brihat Samhita, and Brihat Jataka. Panchasiddhantika is based upon |
| Besanagar Inscription |
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| Heliodorus of the Besanagar inscription was a resident of Takshila (Taxila). |
| U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010 |
| Saka-Kshtrapa Coin Ratio | The ratio of Gold-Silver coins in the Saka-Kshtrapa period was 1:35 (Question noted, but from excluded state). |
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| UPPCS (Pre) 1994, UPPCS (Mains) 2008, U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2008 |
| Art Development | The Gandhara School of Art flourished during the Kushana period. This style was influenced by Greek art. |
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| Kushana Coins | The Kushanas issued gold and copper coins. They issued the largest number of copper coins in northern and northwestern India. |
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| Kanishka's Defeat | Kanishka was defeated by the Chinese General Pan Chao around 86 A.D.. |
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| Child Marriage | The practice of child marriage started in the Kushana Period, leading to the lowest stage of society for women. |
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| Encyclopedic Work | Brihat Samhita by Varaha Mihira is considered an encyclopedic work. |
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