Post-Mauryan Developments

History is like a relay race. One empire passes the baton to another, but not always smoothly. When Ashoka, the most celebrated Mauryan emperor, died, the empire that had once stretched across most of India began to disintegrate rapidly. Why? Because Ashoka was a strong central figure, and after his death, the political glue holding the empire together weakened.

Disintegration of the Mauryan Empire

1. Provinces Declare Independence

Think of it like a house where the head passes away, and the siblings start fighting or choosing their own paths. That’s what happened:

• Kalinga (present-day Odisha) broke away and became independent under Kharavela, a powerful ruler in his own right.
• The Satavahanas rose to power in central and western India, forming a key regional kingdom.

2. Foreign Invasions in the Northwest

The northwestern part of India became like a revolving door of invaders:

• First came the Indo-Greeks, then the Shakas (Scythians), followed by the Pahlavas (Parthians), and finally the Kushanas (Yuechi tribes).
• Some of them ruled simultaneously in different regions, which tells us how fragmented and chaotic the political situation was.

3. Mauryan Rule Shrinks

Eventually, Mauryan control was reduced to just the Gangetic Valley. Even that didn’t last long—it was soon taken over by the Shunga dynasty, established by Pushyamitra Shunga.

Economic Resilience Despite Political Fragmentation

Interestingly, even though politically India was disunited, economically it remained strong. In fact, India contributed nearly 33% to the world economy during this time! Why?

• A robust trade network existed, especially between South India and the Roman West. Ports on the Coromandel and Malabar coasts flourished.

Brahmanical Reaction to Mauryan Policies

Here’s where religion and politics begin to mix more evidently.

1. Ashoka’s Dharma vs. Brahmanical Interests

• Ashoka was known for his policy of nonviolence (Ahimsa) and religious tolerance.
• He discouraged animal sacrifice, which was central to Vedic rituals.
• As a result, Brahmanas, who relied on dakshina (gifts) from sacrificial rituals, suffered a decline in income and prestige.

2. Brahmanas Seek Revival

• After the Mauryas, there was a clear shift: Brahmanas began regaining political power and reviving Vedic traditions.
• Ruling dynasties like the Shungas and Kanvas (in North India), and the Satavahanas (in Western Deccan and Andhra) were Brahmanical in orientation.
• They reintroduced Vedic sacrifices, re-legitimizing orthodox traditions.

The Rise of the Shungas (c. 185 BCE)

Let’s now focus on the Shungas, the immediate successors to the Mauryas in the Gangetic Valley.

1. Establishment of the Dynasty

• Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmana and the Mauryan army commander, assassinated the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, and established the Shunga dynasty in 185 BCE.

2. Military Engagements

The Shungas were not idle kings. They were constantly engaged in warfare:

• Defended North India from the Bactrian Greeks, who even reached Pataliputra for a time.
• Fought with southern neighbours in the Deccan.
• Faced invasions from Kharavela of Kalinga, who attacked North India.

3. Religious Outlook and Contributions

• Pushyamitra was a staunch Brahmana, known for performing two Ashvamedha sacrifices—a clear return to Vedic tradition.
• However, sources differ on his attitude towards Buddhism:
  • Buddhist texts like Divyavadana accuse him of persecuting Buddhists and destroying monasteries.
  • In contrast, Kalidasa’s play Malavikagnimitram portrays him positively.
  • Archaeological evidence from Bharhut and Sanchi shows that Buddhist monuments were renovated during his rule, suggesting some level of patronage.

Fall of the Shungas and Rise of the Kanvas

• After Pushyamitra, his son Agnimitra ruled. Eventually, ten Shunga rulers reigned, but their control shrank to just Magadh.
• The last ruler, Devabhuti, was murdered by his minister Vasudeva, who founded the Kanvas.

The Kanva Dynasty and Beyond

• The Kanvas ruled for 45 years.
• After them came the Mitra rulers of Kosambi.
• Finally, in the 4th century CE, Samudragupta, the mighty Gupta emperor, eliminated the Mitras, completing this chapter of transition from Mauryan to Gupta India.

Emergence of Kharavela, Tribal Republics & Urban Sites in Post-Mauryan India

Kharavela: The Warrior King of Kalinga

When the Mauryan Empire crumbled, several regional powers began asserting their independence. One such significant power was Kalinga—modern-day Odisha.

But the post-Mauryan history of Kalinga is obscure. We don’t exactly know when they broke free from Mauryan control. But we do know who reestablished Kalinga’s glory: Kharavela, a remarkable figure from the Chedi-Mahameghavahana dynasty, who rose to prominence in the 2nd century BCE.

The Jain King Who Was Also a Warrior

• Kharavela is a rare combination in history—a devout Jain, yet a militant conqueror.
• He is remembered for:
  • Military campaigns across central and southern India.
  • Cultural patronage, especially towards Jainism.
  • Promotion of architecture and urban development.

The Hatigumpha Inscription: His Self-Written Biography

Think of it like an ancient press release carved on stone 😊—17 lines etched on the Udaygiri hills near Bhubaneswar, inside what we call the Hatigumpha (Elephant’s Cave).

• This inscription is our primary source for Kharavela’s life, though it is damaged and undated, leading to multiple interpretations.
• It narrates:
  • His victories over the Satavahanas, Magadha, Indo-Greek ruler Demetrius, and even the Tamil kingdoms.
  • A symbolic revenge against Magadha: long ago, Magadha had taken away the image of the Kalinga Jina (a Jain symbol). Kharavela defeated Magadha, reclaimed the image, and returned it home—this was more than politics; it was religious restoration.
  • He also excavated 117 caves for Jaina monks, showing his commitment to Jain asceticism.

So, Kharavela was not only a political figure, but a restorer of lost Jain pride and legacy.

Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves: Kharavela’s Living Legacy

These twin hills near Bhubaneswar house:

• Hatigumpha inscription (as discussed).
• Numerous carved caves used by Jain monks.
• They stand as early architectural testimonies to Jain influence in eastern India.

Sisupalgarh: A Planned Ancient City

Near the same region, archaeologists discovered an urban marvel—the fortified city of Sisupalgarh, dating back to 6th–7th century BCE.

Unique Features:

• Water Fortification (Jala Durga): Water bodies surrounded the city, acting as natural defense barriers.
• It had 8 gateways—two on each side—suggesting:
  • Sophisticated military strategy.
  • Controlled entry-exit, indicating a planned administrative setup.
• Sisupalgarh reveals that urbanism in Kalinga was deeply advanced, even by ancient standards.

Rise of Tribal Republics in Punjab and Haryana

While kingdoms were rising in eastern and central India, something different was happening in the northwest—tribal or clan-based republics re-emerged.

One of the most significant examples: The Yaudheyas (1st century CE), located in Punjab and Haryana.

Features of Tribal Republics:

1. Clan-based democracy or oligarchy: Not ruled by kings, but governed by tribal assemblies or councils.
2. Kshatriya Identity: Many such tribes claimed descent from epic heroes (like those from Mahabharata), asserting their Kshatriya status.
3. Monetary Economy:
   • The Yaudheyas issued coins, especially in copper.
   • Thousands of these coins have been discovered.
   • One iconic symbol on their coins is:
     • A six-headed Kartikeya (God of War),
     • Standing beside a peacock, his mount.
   • This highlights their martial culture, religious identity, and economic sophistication.