The Age of Reorganisation Class 7 Notes

The Age of Reorganisation: After the Mauryan Empire collapsed, a period known as the Age of Reorganisation began. This happened because the large empire broke up into many smaller, new kingdoms.

The North and North-West parts of India became weak, which allowed foreign invaders to attack. The small kingdoms that rose up were previously controlled by the Mauryans. Now, they were free and fighting for power. To become strong, these new rulers either waged war against their neighbours or created ties through marriage.

New Dynasties in North and Central India

The great Mauryan Empire, which was expanded by Ashoka, began to fall apart after his death. Ashoka's successors could not control the huge kingdom.

The last Mauryan Emperor, Brihadratha, was killed by his own chief general, Pushyamitra Shunga, around 185 BCE. This murder ended the Mauryan rule. Pushyamitra Shunga then started a new kingdom called the Shunga Dynasty.

The Shungas

Started by Pushyamitra Shunga in North and Central India. Pushyamitra showed his power by performing the Ashwamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice). During this time, Vedic rituals and Sanskrit literature became important again. The philosopher Patanjali compiled the Yogasutras.

The Indo-Greeks

These were the descendants of Alexander's governors (Satraps) who settled in the North-West. They mixed Greek and Indian culture. The famous Heliodorus Pillar praised the Indian god Vasudeva, showing this mix.

The Kushanas

They came from Central Asia and built a large empire in Northern India. The most famous king was Kanishka, who promoted trade along the important Silk Route. During their rule, two distinct styles of art developed: Gandhara Art (a mix of Greek and Indian styles) and Mathura Art (a purely Indian style using red sandstone).

 Dynasties in the Deccan and South

In the Deccan, the Satavahanas flourished with strong Roman trade. In the South, the Chola, Chera, and Pandya kingdoms remained independent, producing the famous Sangam Literature

The Satavahanas

They ruled a large part of the Deccan (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra).

Trade with the Roman Empire was very strong. Their coins were found far away in Gujarat.

A key feature was that kings were often named after their mothers, like Gautamiputra Satakarni.

The Chedis

They ruled the Kalinga region (present-day Odisha). King Kharavela was a great follower of Jainism and built the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves for Jain monks.

Chola, Chera, and Pandya

These three kingdoms in South India were powerful and independent even during Mauryan times. This period produced the Sangam Literature, which is a collection of poems about love and bravery written by many poets. The Chola King Karikala built a major irrigation project, the Grand Anicut Dam, earning the region the name 'Rice Bowl of South'.