UPSC Prelims · General Studies

Ancient, medieval & culture

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History of India: ancient and medieval / Post-Mauryan India and the Sangam age

Shungas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas

Pushyamitra Shunga's coup, Agnimitra (hero of Malavikagnimitra), Bharhut railings, Kanvas
Indo-Greeks: Demetrius, Menander (Milinda), first portrait coins, Hellenistic influence
Shakas and Western Kshatrapas: Rudradaman I, Junagadh Sanskrit inscription, Sudarshana lake; Vikrama era
Parthians (Gondophernes), Kushanas: Kanishka, Shaka era 78 CE, Purushapura, fourth Buddhist council, gold coinage
Impact: cavalry, trousers and boots, satrap system, divine kingship, Silk Route trade

Where to study

ch. 9 Traders, Kings and Pilgrims, pp. 1-12 (printed 91-102)
ch. 9 Traders, Kings and Pilgrims, The story of the Silk Route (Kushanas), pp. 3-5 (printed 93-95)
ch. 9 Traders, Kings and Pilgrims, The story of the Silk Route, pp. 3-4 (printed 93-94)

Lesson 6 Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period, pp. 95-109 (printed 91-105)
Lesson 6 Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period, The Beginnings (Pushyamitra Sunga), p. 97 (printed 93)
Lesson 6 Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period, 6.1 Indo-Greek Relations; The Beginnings, pp. 95-98 (printed 91-94)
Lesson 6 Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period, 6.2 Sakas, Kushanas and Parthians; Sakas, pp. 98-99 (printed 94-95)
Lesson 6 Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period, Kushanas; Kanishka, pp. 99-101 (printed 95-97)
Lesson 6 Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period, 6.2 Sakas, Kushanas and Parthians (impact: satraps, cavalry, dress), pp. 98-100 (printed 94-96)

Theme 2 Kings, Farmers and Towns, 6. Towns and Trade (coins of the Indo-Greeks), pp. 17-18 (printed 44-45)
Theme 2 Kings, Farmers and Towns, 4. New Notions of Kingship (Rudradaman and the Sudarshana lake), p. 11 (printed 38)
Theme 2 Kings, Farmers and Towns, 4. New Notions of Kingship (Divine kings, Kushanas), pp. 9-10 (printed 36-37)