Post-Mauryan Period: Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas and Western Kshatrapas — CUET PG History

The Post-Mauryan Period marks a major transition in ancient Indian history, with the rise of regional and foreign powers across different parts of the subcontinent. Understanding the Shungas and Kanvas along with the Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas and Western Kshatrapas can be difficult because their timelines, rulers and areas of influence overlap. 

For CUET PG 2027 History, focusing on their political developments, coinage, administration, society, religion and art helps connect these developments clearly. For CUET PG History preparation, PW provides resources such as previous year question papers, online batches and test series to support revision and exam practice. 

Post-Mauryan Period: An Overview

The Post-Mauryan Period began with the decline of the Mauryan Empire and continued until the rise of the Gupta Empire. It witnessed political fragmentation, the emergence of regional kingdoms and the arrival of foreign dynasties in North-Western India.

After the Mauryan decline, Taxila was among the first regions to declare independence. Kalinga regained independence in the east, while the Satavahanas later emerged in the Deccan. In Magadha, Pushyamitra Shunga overthrew the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, around 187/185 BCE.

The major powers of this period included:

• Shungas

• Kanvas

• Indo-Greeks

• Sakas/Western Kshatrapas

• Parthians

• Kushanas

The period is also important for developments in coinage, trade, Buddhism, Sanskrit literature, inscriptions and Buddhist art and architecture.

To prepare this topic systematically, refer to the CUET PG History syllabus and revise the political, religious, economic and cultural developments of the Post-Mauryan Period.

Shunga Dynasty

The Shunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga, the Mauryan commander-in-chief, after he killed Brihadratha during a troop inspection or military parade around 187/185 BCE.

The Shungas ruled parts of North and Central India, with Pataliputra and Vidisha as important centres. Their administration was more decentralised than the Mauryan system.

Important Shunga Rulers

Pushyamitra promoted Brahmanical traditions and performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice. His attitude towards Buddhism is traditionally described as persecutory, but evidence of Shunga-period renovation and enlargement of the Barhut and Sanchi stupas makes this interpretation more complex.

Vasumitra’s victory over the Yavanas is also important, although the identity of the Greek ruler involved remains debated.

Kanva Dynasty

The Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva, who killed the last Shunga ruler Devabhuti around 73 BCE.

The Kanvas were Brahmins who claimed descent from the sage Saubhari. Their territory was centred mainly on Magadha, with Pataliputra and Vidisha as important centres.

The Kanvas ruled for roughly 45–50 years and exercised much weaker political control than the Mauryas. The dynasty ended around 28 BCE, when Susharman was killed by the Andhra/Satavahana ruler Balipuka.

Heliodorus Pillar

The Heliodorus Pillar, also called the Garuda Dhwaja, was erected at Besnagar, near ancient Vidisha, during the Shunga period.

It was commissioned by Heliodorus, the Greek ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialkidas, and dedicated to Vasudeva Krishna.

The inscription is written in Prakrit using Brahmi script and provides important evidence for the spread of Bhagavatism, an early form of Vaishnavism, as well as cross-cultural religious exchange.

The inscription mentions Kasiputra Bhagabhadra, whose exact identification among the Shunga rulers remains debated. He should not be identified with Pushyamitra.

Indo-Greeks

The Indo-Greeks were Bactrian Greeks who established rule in North-Western India after the decline of Mauryan power.

The Bactrian Greeks had originally been Greek satraps under the Seleucid Empire. Diodotus I established independent rule in Bactria. After the loss of Bactria around 145 BCE, some Greek rulers continued to control territories south of the Hindu Kush and came to be known as Indo-Greeks.

Important Indo-Greek Rulers

Menander, known as Milinda in Buddhist literature, is associated with the Milindapanha, which records his philosophical dialogues with the Buddhist monk Nagasena. He is traditionally associated with conversion to Buddhism.

Agathocles issued coins depicting Indian deities, showing the cultural and religious interaction between Greek and Indian traditions.

Indo-Greek Coinage

Coins are an important source for reconstructing Indo-Greek history.

The Indo-Greeks are credited with introducing portrait coins in India.

Sakas and Western Kshatrapas

The Sakas, or Scythians, originated in Central Asia and entered India through the north-western passes. Their rule in different parts of India continued from roughly 150 BCE to 400 CE.

The Sakas were divided into major groups, including the Northern Satraps around Taxila and the Western Satraps in regions such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Malwa.

Western Kshatrapas

The Western Kshatrapas were a branch of the Sakas and were organised into two major dynasties:

• Kshaharata Dynasty

• Kardamaka Dynasty

The Kshaharatas included Bhumaka and Nahapana. Nahapana rose from Kshatrapa to Mahakshatrapa and eventually became an independent ruler. He was defeated by the Satavahana ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni.

The Kardamaka dynasty was founded by Chashtana and produced the powerful ruler Rudradaman I.

Rudradaman I

Rudradaman I is particularly important for the Junagadh inscription, which records his repair of the Sudarshan Lake, an irrigation project originally associated with Chandragupta Maurya.

The Junagadh inscription is one of the earliest important examples of classical Sanskrit prose in a royal inscription.

Important inscriptions from the wider period are also found at Nasik, Karle and Junagadh.

Double Rule

Saka and Parthian administration sometimes involved a system of dual rule, with a Maharajadhiraja and Mahakshatrapa exercising authority together. Overstruck coins from this period provide evidence of rivalry and succession disputes.

Parthians or Pahlavas

The Parthians, also called Pahlavas, ruled parts of North-Western India after the Sakas. Their political centre was Takshashila.

Their most notable ruler was Gondophernes, who is associated with the Christian tradition of St. Thomas's visit to India.

The Parthians followed Zoroastrianism. Their coins sometimes depicted Shiva, reflecting the cultural interactions of the period.

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, an ancient maritime trade account, also provides information relevant to this period.

Kushana Empire

The Kushanas were one of the five clans of the Yuezhi tribe from Central Asia. They replaced the Parthians and Sakas in several regions and established a large empire extending from Khorasan to Varanasi.

The two major centres were:

• Purushapura (Peshawar) — Main capital

• Mathura — Important cultural centre

Important Kushana Rulers

Kujula Kadphises ruled around 50–78 CE and established the House of Kadphises. Vima Kadphises expanded the empire eastward.

Kanishka established the House of Kanishka and expanded Kushana control into the lower Indus basin and eastern regions. He is associated with the beginning of the Shaka Era in 78 CE and the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir. The exact date of the council is debated.

Kushana Administration

The Kushana Empire was divided into satrapies, governed by Mahakshatrapas. A form of dual administration also extended to local levels, where officials such as gramika and bhadrapal operated.

Kushana rulers adopted titles such as “King of Kings” and “Lord of All Lands”, reflecting their authority over subordinate rulers and tribute-paying territories.

Kushana Coinage and Culture

Kushana rulers issued high-quality gold coins that later influenced Gupta coinage.

The Kushanas supported Mahayana Buddhism, Sanskrit literature and art, contributing to the spread of Buddhism towards Central Asia and China.

Important figures associated with the Kushana period include:

• Ashvaghosha — author of Buddhacharita

• Nagarjuna

• Vasumitra

• Charaka

Post-Mauryan Society and Guilds

The Post-Mauryan period saw growing occupational specialisation and the importance of guilds.

The varna and ashrama systems continued to influence social organisation. Dharmashastra texts also attempted to place groups such as the Yavanas within the existing social framework.

Women continued to live within a largely patrilineal and patriarchal social structure, although evidence from the Deccan shows that some Satavahana queens made independent religious donations.

Buddhist Architecture: Stupa, Chaitya and Vihara

The Post-Mauryan period saw major developments in Buddhist architecture.

Karla Chaitya near Pune is an important example of a rock-cut chaitya, while Sanchi is a major example of a stupa.

Rock-cut architecture developed extensively around Nashik and Pune, with sites such as Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa.

Three Major Schools of Art

Three important artistic traditions flourished during the Post-Mauryan period: Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati.

The Gandhara School is known for strong Hellenistic influence and realistic Buddha images with wavy hair and toga-like drapery.

The Mathura School developed around Mathura and produced Buddhist, Hindu and Jain images, mainly using red sandstone. Kushana ruler portraits have also been found here.

The Amaravati School developed in the Krishna-Godavari region and is known for detailed narrative reliefs. It received patronage from the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus.

Post-Mauryan Coinage

The Post-Mauryan period saw major developments in coinage. Indo-Greek rulers introduced portrait coins in India, while Saka rulers adopted several Indo-Greek numismatic features.

Kushana rulers issued high-quality gold coins, which later influenced Gupta coin designs.

Coins are particularly useful for understanding rulers, political authority, chronology and cultural exchange during this period.

Religious and Cultural Developments

The Post-Mauryan period witnessed interaction between Buddhism, Brahmanical traditions, Jainism and foreign religious traditions.

Important developments include:

• Shunga patronage of Brahmanical traditions and the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

• Evidence of Buddhist monument development at Sanchi and Barhut during the Shunga period.

• The Heliodorus Pillar as evidence of early Bhagavatism and cross-cultural religious exchange.

• Menander's association with Buddhism.

• Kushana patronage of Mahayana Buddhism.

• Spread of Buddhism towards Central Asia and China.

• Growth of Buddhist rock-cut architecture and sculpture.

• Development of the Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools of art.

CUET PG History: Important Post-Mauryan Facts

• Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty after overthrowing Brihadratha around 187/185 BCE.

• Pushyamitra performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

• Agnimitra was associated with Vidisha and is the central character of Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitram.

• Vasumitra defeated the Yavanas at the Sindhu River.

• Devabhuti was the last Shunga ruler.

• Vasudeva Kanva founded the Kanva dynasty around 73 BCE.

• Heliodorus erected the Garuda Dhwaja at Besnagar and dedicated it to Vasudeva Krishna.

• Menander/Milinda is associated with the Milindapanha and Buddhism.

• Indo-Greeks introduced portrait coins in India.

• Nahapana belonged to the Kshaharata dynasty and was defeated by Gautamiputra Satakarni.

• Rudradaman I belonged to the Kardamaka dynasty.

• The Junagadh inscription records Rudradaman's repair of the Sudarshan Lake.

• Gondophernes was the most notable Parthian ruler in India.

• Kujula Kadphises founded the House of Kadphises.

• Vima Kadphises expanded Kushana territory towards Mathura.

• Kanishka is associated with the Shaka Era (78 CE) and the Fourth Buddhist Council.

• The Kushanas promoted Mahayana Buddhism and supported Gandhara and Mathura art.

• Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati were the three major schools of art of the period.

• Stupa = monument, Chaitya = prayer hall, Vihara = monastery.

After revising these important facts, practise CUET PG History previous year questions to understand question patterns and assess your preparation for the examination.

The Post-Mauryan Period witnessed the emergence of several Indian and foreign ruling powers and significant developments in political, economic, religious and cultural life. The Shungas and Kanvas shaped the political history of Magadha, while the Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushanas and Western Kshatrapas influenced north-western and western India.

For CUET PG History, revising key rulers, inscriptions, coins, Buddhist developments and the Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools of art can help build a clear understanding of this period. PW’s CUET PG online batches, previous year question papers, and test series can also support revision, question practice and preparation assessment