HISTORY

PROJECT
TOPIC :
Important dynasties of
INDIA
Name : MARILYN . S .
CHLOE
Class : 9 ‘C’
Roll No : 23
 INDEX
S.No TOPIC PG NO.

1. Mauryan Empire 1-5

2. Sangam Age 6

3. Gupta Empire 7-10

4. The Cholas 11-14

 MAURYAN EMPIRE
TIMELINE –

MAP SHOWING THE EXTENT :

ASHOKAN EDITS SANCHI
STUPA
CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA EMPEROR ASHOKA
 MAURYAN EMPIRE
In the 4th century B.C., Nanda kings ruled Magadha dynasty and this dynasty was the most powerful
kingdom of the north. A Brahman minister called Chanakya also known as Kautilya/ Vishnupgupta,
trained a young man, Chandragupta from the Mauryan family. Chandragupta organized his own army
and overthrew the Nanda king in 322 B.C.
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power based in Magadha and
founded by Chandragupta Maurya. In ancient India, Mauryan Empire was a state centred at Pataliputra
(later Patna) near the junction of the Son and Ganges (Ganga) rivers. It lasted from about 321 to 185
BCE and was the first empire to encompass most of the Indian subcontinent. The Mauryan empire was
an efficient and highly organized autocracy with a standing army and civil service.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION :
1.Arthashastra : The Arthashastra is an Indian treatise on politics, economics, military
strategy, the function of the state, and social organization attributed to the philosopher and Prime
Minister Kautilya who also known as Chanakya, and Vishnugupta, 350-275 BCE. He was
instrumental in establishing the reign of the great king Chandragupta Maurya, founder of
the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE). The Arthashastra is thought to have been written by Kautilya as
a kind of handbook for Chandragupta instructing him in how to reign over a kingdom and encouraging
direct action in addressing political concerns without regard for ethical considerations.The name of the
work comes from Sanskrit words Artha which means “aim” or “goal” and Shastra, meaning “treatise”
or “book” and the goal of the work is a comprehensive understanding of statecraft which will enable a
monarch to rule effectively. The title has therefore been translated as The Science of Politics, The
Science of Political Economy, and The Science of Material Gain; this last because Artha is understood
in Hinduism as one of the fundamental aims of human beings in pursuing wealth and social status.

2.Indika : Indika is an account of Mauryan India by the Greek writer Megasthenes. The oldest
and most comprehensive record we have on India comes from Megasthenes. He was from the court of
the Seleucid Emperor to that of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote the Indika, a description of India,
based on his sojourn. In the descriptions of Indika, the King was the head of the state and had military,
executive, legislative and military aspects to his functioning. He was a hard working man and did not
sleep or rest during the day, being available at all hours for administrative work. The empire was
divided into provinces ruled over by viceroys, districts with their heads and a separate military
administration. Soldiers and agriculturists made up most of the population. Soldiers’ weapons and
equipment are also described in great detail. Megasthenes wrote down descriptions of the country, its
soil, climate, animals, plants, government, religion, manners of the people, arts, etc. In short, a detailed
description from the king to the remotest tribe.

3.Ashokan Edicts : The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of more than thirty inscriptions on the
pillars, as well as boulders and cave walls, attributed to Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire who
reigned from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. Ashoka used the expression Dhaṃma Lipi to describe his own. In
these inscriptions, Ashoka refers to himself as "Beloved of the Gods". These inscriptions were dispersed
throughout the areas of modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and
provide the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail Ashoka's view
about dhamma, an earnest attempt to solve some of the problems that a complex society faced. These
inscriptions proclaim Ashoka's adherence to the Buddhist philosophy which, as in Hinduism, is
called dharma, "Law". The inscriptions show his efforts to develop the Buddhist dharma throughout his
kingdom. Although Buddhism as well as Gautama Buddha are mentioned, the edicts focus on social
and moral precepts rather than specific religious practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism.
These were located in public places and were meant for people to read. The inscriptions revolve around
a few recurring themes: Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, the description of his efforts to spread
Buddhism, his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare program. The edicts
were based on Ashoka's ideas on administration and behaviour of people towards one another and
religion.

4.Sanchi Stupa : Sanchi Stupa is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop
at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located in 46
kilometres north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the
oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture. It was originally
commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical
brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chhatri, a parasol-like
structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The original
construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a
merchant of nearby Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's
wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a
balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The Sanchi Stupa built during Mauryan period
was made of bricks. The composite flourished until the 11th century.

5.Administration of CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA and ASHOKA :

CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA - PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION

 The extensive Mauryan Empire was divided into some big provinces. The administration of
the provinces was placed either in hands of governors or the princes of the royal house acting as
viceroys, and called as Kumaras.
 The exact number of the provinces at the time of Chandragupta is not known. By giving India
a strong dynasty, he opened a new era in the annals of his country. It was an era of greatness and
glory, marked with the high tide of political and cultural resurgence.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION
 The Indian villages from time immemorial managed their internal affairs in a smooth and orderly
manner. At the time of Chandragupta the same traditional village system continued. Every
village had a headman named usually as the Gramika.
 A number of villages also formed themselves into groups under a superior headman called Gopa.
Many villages constituted a Janapada managed by state officers. Thus, that India under
Chandragupta Maurya enjoyed a strong and sound administration based on valid principles,
systematic organisation and the rule of Law.

ASHOKA - Under Asoka, there were four provinces: the Northern Province (Uttarapatha) with the
capital at Taxila, western province (Avantiratha) with the headquarters at Ujjain, eastern province
(Prachyapatha) with the centre at Tosali and the southern province (Dakshinapatha) with its capital as
Suvarnagiri.

PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

  These provinces were divided into districts called Janapadas and the District Administration
was looked after by Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta.
 Head of the province was called Kumar or Aryaputra. Kumar was assisted by Governor
Mahammatra.
 Other officers who were active in the administration of the provinces were Pradeshika for tax
collection, Rajuka who performed the functions of modern day Tehsildar or a revenue officer
and Yukta as the treasurer

LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

 There was an intermediate level of administration between the district level and that of the
village. The unit here was formed by a group of five or ten villages.
 The gopa worked as an accountant to the unit. His duties included the setting up of village
boundaries, keeping a census of the population of each village according to their tax-paying
capacity, their professions and their age, noting the live-stock of each village, etc. The tax was
collected by the sthanika who worked directly under the Pradesika.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION
Village also known as gram was the smallest unit of administration and enjoyed autonomy to a great
extent. Individual villages must have had their own set of officials who were directly responsible to the
gopas.

ADMINISTRATION OF CITIES
The head of the city was called Nagaradhyaksha. The Arthashastra mentions that this city
superintendent was responsible was responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the city. He was
assisted by two subordinate officials, the gopa and the sthanika. According to Megasthenes, the
administration of Pataliputra, the capital city of Mauryan Empire was looked after by a committee of 30
members.

Ashoka’s Dhamma - Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the emperor
Ashoka. The following are the main principles of Ashoka's dhamma: People should live in peace
and harmony. Everyone should practise the principle of ahimsa, i.e. non-violence and non-injury
to all living beings. People should love one another and display respect and tolerance towards
other religious faiths. The policy of Dhamma was an earnest attempt at solving some of problems
and tensions faced by a complex society. Ashoka's private empire were responsible for the
formation of the policy. It emphasized tolerance of people and the notion of showing consideration
towards slaves and servants; there is stress on obedience to elders; generosity towards the needy,
Brahmans and Sarmanas. Ashoka pleaded for tolerance of different religious sects in an attempt to
create a sense of harmony.[35] The policy of Dhamma also laid stress on non-violence, which was to
be practiced by giving up war and conquests and also as a restraint on the killing of animals.

MAJOR KINGS :
1.Chandragupta Maurya : Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan
Empire in ancient India. His mother’s name was Mur, so he was called Maurya in Sanskrit which
means the son of Mur, and thus, his dynasty was called Maurya dynasty. He was taught and counselled
by the philosopher Chanakya, who had great influence in the formation of his empire. Together,
Chandragupta and Chanakya built one of the largest empires on the Indian subcontinent. According
to Jain sources, he later renounced his empire and became a Jain monk. Chandragupta's life and
accomplishments are described in ancient Greek, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain texts, but they vary
significantly. Chandragupta created a new empire, applied the principles of statecraft, built a large
army and continued expanding the boundaries of his empire.

2.Bindusara : Bindusara, also Amitraghāta or Amitrochates was the second Mauryan emperor of
India. He was the son of the dynasty's founder Chandragupta and the father of its most famous ruler
Ashoka. Apparently he was a man of wide interest and taste. Bindusara further expanded the Mauryan
Dynasty as far as Mysore down south. It is said that he conquered sixteen states to extend the empire
between the two seas. He ran the administration smoothly and maintained a good relation with distant
countries like the Greeks, the Syrians and the Egyptians.

3.Ashoka : Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great (268-232 BCE), was the third king of the
Mauryan Dynasty, who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from (322-185 BCE). Ashoka means
“without sorrow” which was most likely his given name He best known for his renunciation of war,
development of the concept of dhamma (pious social conduct), and promotion of Buddhism as well as
his effective reign of a nearly pan-Indian political entity. At its height, under Ashoka, the
Mauryan Empire stretched from modern-day Iran through almost the entirety of the Indian
subcontinent. Ashoka was able to rule this vast empire initially through the precepts of the political
treatise known as the Arthashastra. Ashoka promoted the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia.
Considered by many to be one of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka expanded Chandragupta's empire to
reign over a realm. Ashoka waged a destructive war against the state
of Kalinga (modern Odisha), which he conquered in about 260 BCE. He converted to Buddhism after
witnessing the mass deaths of the Kalinga War, which he had waged out of a desire for conquest. He is
remembered for the Ashoka pillars and edicts, for sending Buddhist monks to Sri Lanka and Central
Asia, and for establishing monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Gautama Buddha.

REASONS FOR THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EMPIRE:

The Maurya Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the
Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westward across central and western India in order to
take advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal by Alexander the
Great's armies. Chandragupta, with the help of an intelligent and politically astute Brahmin, Kautilya
usurped the throne by defeating Dhana Nanda in 321 BC.
The Mauryan Empire rose as a result of Alexander the Great's conquests and fell because Ashok died
and social/political unrest continued. It lasted from about 321 to 185 BCE and was the first empire to
encompass most of the Indian subcontinent.
The empire lost its grip and disappeared by 185 BCE. Mauryan Empire began to decline after the death
of Ashoka in 232 BC. The last king was Brihadratha was assassinated in 185 BC-183 BC by his general
Pushyamitra Shunga who was a Brahmin. The decline of the Maurya Dynasty was rather rapid after the
death of Emperor Ashoka. In 180 BCE, Brihadratha Maurya, was killed by his general Pushyamitra
Shunga in a military parade without any heir. Hence, the great Maurya empire finally ended, giving
rise The Mauryan Empire rose as a result of Alexander the Great's conquests and fell because Ashoka
died and social/political unrest continued.to the Shunga Empire.
The Mauryan Empire rose as a result of Alexander the Great's conquests and fell because Ashoka died
and social/political unrest continued.
 SANGAM AGE
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TIRUKKURAL
 SANGAM AGE
The Sangam period, or Sangam Age or Third Sangam period, is the period of history of ancient
Tamil Nadu and Kerala and parts of Sri Lanka spanning from 6th century BCE to 3rd century BCEIt
has been named after the famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars held during that period that
flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai. It is the period in the history of
ancient southern India which is also called Tamilakam.
According to Tamil legends, there were three Sangam periods, held in the ancient South India
popularly called Muchchangam, namely Head Sangam, Middle Sangam and Last Sangam period.
 The First Sangam, is believed to be held at Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages.
No literary work of this Sangam is available.
 The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram, only Tolkappiyam survives from this.
 The Third Sangam was also held at Madurai. A few of these Tamil literary works have
survived and are a useful sources to reconstruct the history of the Sangam period.
Historians use the term Sangam period to refer the last of these, with the first two being legendary.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION :
1.Tirukurral : The Tirukkural, or shortly the Kural, is a classic Tamil language text
consisting of 1,330 short couplets of seven words each, or Kurals. The text is divided into three books,
each with aphoristic teachings on virtue, wealth and love. The Kural has been widely admired by
scholars and influential leaders across the ethical, social, political, economical, religious, philosophical,
and spiritual spheres over its history. The Kural is traditionally praised with epithets and alternate titles
such as "the Tamil Veda" and "the divine book". It emphasizes non-violence and moral
vegetarianism as virtues for an individual. In addition, it highlights truthfulness, self-restraint,
gratitude, hospitality, kindness, goodness of wife, duty, giving, and so forth, besides covering a wide
range of social and political topics such as king, ministers, taxes, justice, forts, war, greatness of army
and soldier's honor, death sentence for the wicked, agriculture, education, abstinence from alcohol and
intoxicants. It also includes chapters on friendship, love, sexual union, and domestic life. The Kural has
been dated variously from 300 BCE to 5th century CE. The Kural is structured into 133 chapters,
each containing 10 couplets (or kurals), for a total of 1,330 couplets. Of the 1,330 couplets in the text,
40 couplets relate to god, rain, ascetics, and virtue; 200 on domestic virtue; 140 on higher yet most
fundamental virtue based on grace, benevolence and compassion; 250 on royalty; 100 on ministers of
state; 220 on essential requirements of administration; 130 on morality, both positive and negative; and
250 on human love and passion. These 133 chapters are also grouped into three sections : (a) Aram
(righteousness); (b) Porul (wealth); (c) Inbam or Kanam (pleasure). While Aram and Inbam discuss
about ethical living in private life, Porul deals with public affairs.

REASONS FOR THE RISE AND FALL OF THE AGE :

Sangam academies held during that period that flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya
kings of Madurai. Thus, giving rise to Sangam Age.

The Pandyas profited from trade with the Roman Empire. Their power declined with the invasion of a
tribe called the Kalabhras. After the Sangam Age, this dynasty lost its significance for more than
century.
 THE GUPTA EMPIRE
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 ALLAHABAD PILLAR INSCRIPTION

NALANDA UNIVERSITY

ARYABHATTA
DEOGARH TEMPLE

CHANDRAGUPTA I CHANDRAGUPTA II
SAMUDRAGUPTA
 THE AGE OF THE GUPTAS
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire existing from the mid-to-late 3rd century CE to 543
CE. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 467 CE, it covered much of the Indian subcontinent.
This period is considered as the Golden Age of India by some historians.
The ruling dynasty of the empire was founded by the king Sri Gupta the most notable rulers of the
dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II alias Vikramaditya. The 5th
century CE Sanskrit poet Kalidasa credits the Guptas with having conquered about twenty-one
kingdoms, both in and outside India
The high points of this period are the great cultural developments . The Gupta Period of India was not
characterized by enormous material wealth or by elaborate trade activity. It was defined by creativity.
Flourishing arts, fabulous literature, and stupendous scholars are just a few of the things that marked the
period. The Gupta Empire was believed to be a dynasty of the Vaishya caste, the third of the four Hindu
castes representing merchants and farmers.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION :
1.Accounts of Fa-hien :
 Fa-hien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II on a religious
mission.
 During his stay in India, he went on pilgrimages to Mathura, Kannauj, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar,
Vaishali, Patliputra, Kashi and Rajagriha.
 According to Fa-hien, Magadha was a prosperous country with large towns and wealthy people.
Although people were wealthy, they led simple lives and observed the Buddhist rules of conduct.
 Fa-hien writes that Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Buddhism and Jainism peacefully coexisted in society.
 The people lived in peaceful co-existence with other sects. Hindu gods and goddesses were depicted on
coins and also in sculptures and paintings.
 Fa-hien has also remarked about the mildness of the Gupta administration. He said that the penal code
was fairly liberal and most offences were punished by fines. Hence, he said that the Gupta Empire was
prosperous and governed on enlightened principles.

 2.Allahabad pillar description : The Allahabad Pillar is a single shaft of polished

sandstone standing 35 feet (10.7 m) high. It has a lower diameter of 35 inches (0.9 m) and an upper
diameter of 26 inches (0.7 m). The customary lotiform bell-shaped capital seen in the other
Ashoka Pillars is lost as is whichever statue mounted it.
 The Allahabad pillar is an Ashoka Stambha, one of the pillars of Ashoka, an emperor of the Maurya
dynasty.
 It is particularly notable for containing later inscriptions attributed to the Gupta emperor, Samudragupta.
 It is considered “the most important historical document of the classical Gupta age.”
 It is written in very simple and refined Sanskrit in Champu kavya style.
 It is in excellent Sanskrit, written in the more refined Gupta script (a later version of Brahmi) by the
poet and minister, Harishena.
 It lists achievements of Samudragupta. This Inscription is a eulogy of Samudragupta and mentions
about the conquests of Samudragupta and boundaries of the Gupta Empire.
 3.Contribution to the education- NALANDA UNIVERSITY :
Nalanda University was established by Kumaragupta I in the 5th century. The university was one of
the important learning centers of the Gupta period and it was situated in the present day Bihar.
 Nalanda, being the biggest centre, handled all braitches of knowledge.
 Gupta Empire Education played an important role in the Gupta period.
 .During this era, primary education was obtained by the people. In case of formal and higher
education, the people of the Gupta Empire were required to stay in Brahmanical Agraharas or Buddhist
monasteries.
 During the Gupta dynasty period, even women were allowed to obtain an education.
 There were many educational institutions and universities set- up to enable people to study.
 Cities like The Gupta rulers encouraged higher learning by patronizing centers of
higher education at Nalanda.
 Pataliputra, Ayodhya, and Nasik were significant educational centers of those times.

4. Science – ARYABHATTA : Aryabhatta was a famous Mathematician and

Astronomer of the Gupta period. The chief exponent of the development in math was Aryabhatta. He
was one of the reasons for the advancement achieved by the Guptas in the field of mathematics. Many
new inventions were brought about by him to help solve the mathematical problems. His two famous
books include Aryabhattiyam and Surya Siddhanta. His main achievements were the following :
 He made major contributions to Trigonometry and Algebra.
 He most probably understood the concept of zero and the place value system.
 He was the founder of the concept of 0 (zero) and was acquainted with decimal system.
 Aryabhatta worked on the approximation for Pi which was equal to 3.1416.
 Aryabhatta also stated that the earth moved around the sun and rotated on its own axis.
 Solar and lunar eclipses were scientifically explained by Aryabhatta in Surya Siddhanata.
 He discovered the rule for finding the area of a triangle.

5. Works of Kalidasa – DEOGARH TEMPLE : – Gupta Sculpture, as seen

in the works of Kalidasa, in art creations and in religion and philosophy, the Dashavatara Temple of
Deogarh shows the ornate Gupta style architecture, The Temple was built out of stone and masonry
brick. The Dashavatara temple is locally known as Sagar marh, which literally means "the temple on
the tank", a name it gets from the square water pool cut into the rock in front.
 Nalanda, being the biggest centre, handled all braitches of knowledge.
 This famous Temple is situated in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh.
 The body of the temple is covered with beautiful sculpture with many figures.
 It is about 125km long.
 The temple was built on a 1.5 metre high platform, four stairways outside the platform provide access to
the temple.
 Its exterior is decorated with scenes of Ramayana. The entrance and pillars are covered with countless
paintings and carvings.
 It is dedicated to to Lord Vishnu, the god of preservation , who is shown asleep on the coil of the giant
serpent called Sheshnaga. In its small footprint, it also includes images of various gods and goddesses.
MAJOR KINGS :
1.Chandragupta I : Chandragupta certainly reigned in the first quarter of the 4th century CE,
but the exact period of his reign is uncertain. Chandragupta was a son of the Gupta king Ghatotkacha,
and a grandson of the dynasty's founder Gupta. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja ( "king of
great kings") and issued gold coins, which suggests that he was the first imperial ruler of the dynasty. It
is not certain how he turned his small ancestral kingdom into an empire, although a widely accepted
theory among modern historians is that his marriage to the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi helped
him extend his political power. Chandragupta I probably had a long reign, as the Allahabad Pillar
inscription suggests that he appointed his son as his successor, presumably after reaching an old age.

2.Samudragupta : Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta and princess Kumaridevi.

He greatly expanded his dynasty’s political power. Much of the information about him is obtained from
the Allahabad Pillar Inscription composed by his court poet Harisena. It suggests that he defeated
several kings of northern India, and annexed their territories to his empire. He also marched along the
south-eastern coast of India, advancing as far as the Pallava kingdom. He was a great conqueror, an able
statesman as well as a patron of arts. His empire extended from Brahmaputra in the east to rivers
Yamuna and Chambal in the west and from Himalayas in the north to the Narmada in the south. It is
because of his bravery and generalship that he is known as the ‘Napoleon of India’.The Gupta
inscriptions suggest that Samudragupta had a remarkable military career. He further extended his
empire upto the Chambal river by defeating the Naga Kingas of Mathura, Gwalior and Ahichhatra. Like
Alexander he was daring. During his famous Deccan campaign he covered more than 3000 miles
through dense forests. Though he defeated many powerful rulers, he did not annex southern territories.
He made the southern kings accept the authority and allowed them to rule. According to
Samudragupta’s court poet Harisena, Samudragupta performed an Ashvamedha Yajna or horse
sacrifice to prove his imperial sovereignty, and according to his coins, remained undefeated.
Samudragupta was not only a brave warrior and conqueror but also a great ruler, a musician and a poet.
In one of his coins he is shown playing the veena. Samudragupta issued eight types of coins made of
gold. His court was full of great scholars and literary persons. Samudragupta was a follower of
Brahmanism and worshipped Lord Vishnu. He also had faith in Vedic sacrifices. But he was tolerant to
other religions.

3.Chandragupta II Vikramaditya : Chandragupta II, also known by his title

Vikramaditya, was one of the most powerful emperors of the Gupta Empire in northern India.
Chandragupta continued the expansionist policy of his father Samudragupta: historical evidence
suggests that he defeated the Western Kshatrapas, and extended the Gupta empire from the Indus
River in the west to the Bengal region in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to
the Narmada River in the south. The Gupta empire reached its zenith during the rule of
Chandragupta. The legendary figure of Vikramaditya is probably based on Chandragupta II (among
other kings), and the noted Sanskrit poet Kalidasa may have been his court poet. Chandragupta II was
the second ruler of the dynasty to bear the name "Chandragupta", the first being his
grandfather Chandragupta I. He was also simply known as "Chandra", as attested by his coins.The
Sanchi inscription of his officer Amrakardava states that he was also known as Deva-raja. The records
of his daughter Prabhavatigupta, issued as a Vakataka queen, call him Chandragupta as well as
Deva-gupta The Udayagiri inscription of Chandragupta's foreign minister Virasena suggests that the
king had a distinguished military career. It states that he "bought the earth", paying for it with his
prowess, and reduced the other kings to the status of slaves. His empire seems to have extended from
the mouth of the Indus and northern Pakistan in the west to the Bengal region in the east, and from the
Himalayan terai region in the north to the Narmada River in the south. Chandragupta II entered into
matrimonial alliances as a part of his foreign policy. Many gold and silver coins of Chandragupta, as
well the inscriptions issued by him and his successors, describe him as a parama-bhagvata, that is, a
devotee of the god Vishnu. Chandragupta was also tolerant of other faiths. The iron pillar inscription
credits Chandra with the following victories:

 Defeated an alliance of enemies in the Vanga country

 Crossed the "seven faces" of the river Sindhu (Indus) during a war, and defeated the Vahlikas.

REASONS FOR THE RISE AND FALL OF THE AGE :

RISE –
 The Gupta Empire was believed to be a dynasty of the Vaishya caste, the third of the four
Hindu castes representing merchants and farmers.
 Founded by Sri Gupta c. 240-280 CE, there are contradictory theories regarding the original
homeland of the Guptas.
 Historians believe Sri Gupta and his son may have been Kushan vassals, or rulers who swore
allegiance to the Kushan Empire.
 Sri Gupta’s son and successor, Ghatotkacha, ruled from c. 280-319 CE, while his son,
Chandragupta, ascended the throne around 319 and ruled until 335 CE.
FALL –
 They did not focus on empire-building and military conquests.
 So weak rulers along with incessant invasions from foreign as well as native
rulers caused the decline of the Gupta Empire.
 By the beginning of the sixth century, the empire had disintegrated and was ruled by many
regional chieftains.
 The last great king of the Gupta was Skanda Gupta was ascended the throne about 455 A.D.
 Even during the later years of Kumar Gupta's reign, the empire was attacked by a tribe called
Pushyamitra but it was repulsed, And immediately after the accession of Skanda Gupta, Hunas
made inroads, but they too were repelled.
The Gupta empire rose when Candra Gupta, through alliances with other princes and fell when
invasions by nomadic Huns seriously weakened the empire.
 THE CHOLAS
TIMELINE –

MAP SHOWING THE EXTENT :

TAMIL COPPER-PLATE INSCRIPTIONS

BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE

RAJARAJA I

RAJENDRA I
 Medieval India – THE CHOLAS
The Chola dynasty was a Tamil thalassocratic empire of southern India, one of the longest-ruling
dynasties in the world's history. The earliest datable references to the Chola are in inscriptions from the
3rd century BCE left by Ashoka, of the Maurya Empire . Despite these ancient origins, the period when
it is appropriate to speak of a "Chola Empire" only begins with the medieval Cholas in the mid-9th
century CE. The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile valley of the Kaveri River, but they ruled a
significantly larger area at the height of their power from the later half of the 9th century till the
beginning of the 13th century. The whole country south of the Tungabhadra was united and held as
one state for a period of three centuries and more between 907 and 1215 AD. The power of the new
empire was proclaimed to the eastern world by the expedition to the Ganges. The Cholas ruled for
more than 1,500 years, making them one of the longest-ruling families in human history.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION :
1.Inscriptions : The earliest of the extant copperplate inscriptions date from the 10th century
C.E. Of these, the Leyden plates, the Tiruvalangadu grant of Rajendra Chola I, the Anbil plates
of Sundara Chola and the Kanyakumari inscription of Virarajendra Chola are the only epigraphical
records discovered and published so far that give genealogical lists of Chola kings. Tamil copper-plate
inscriptions are copper-plate records of grants of villages, plots of cultivable lands or other privileges
to private individuals or public institutions by the members of the various South Indian royal
dynasties. The study of these inscriptions has been especially important in reconstructing the history
of Tamil Nadu. The grants range in date from the 10th century C.E. to the mid-19th century C.E. A
large number of them belong to the pandyas, the Cholas. These plates are valuable epigraphically as
they give us an insight into the social conditions of medieval South India; they also help us fill
chronological gaps in the connected history of the ruling dynasties. The Uttaramerur inscription gives
us information on the village administration, taxation and land revenue under the Cholas. Chola
inscriptions are important because they provide us detailed information about: Way of organisation of
the 'court sabhas'. It tells us that the 'Sabha' had separate committees to look after irrigation works,
gardens, temples, etc. There was a proper system of choosing members of such committees.

2.The Brihadeshwara Temple : Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajarajesvaram

is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Kaveri river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu,
India. The temple is regarded as the foremost of all temples in the medieval south Indian architectural
style. It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized
Dravidian architecture. Brihadeshwara Temple (Tamil:Peruvudaiyar Kovil) is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located on the south side of Kaveri river in Thanjavur in the
Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... The temple turned 1000 years old in 2010. This imposing structure was
built by Raja Raja Cholan and his sister Kundavai, both ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. It was
constructed by the King at the height of the Chola reign to signify his power and strength. Here are a
few facts not known about this Chola temple of Thanjavur:
a) The original name of the deity was Rajarajeshwar. It was the Marathas who gave it the name
Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara.
b) The main temple is entirely built of granite. More than 130,000 tons of granite is said to have been
used to build it.
c) A long associated myth with this temple temple is that the shadow of the main structure does not fall
on the ground. However, this has been proven wrong by scientists.
d) The statue of Nandi at the entrance of the temple is carved out of a single stone.
e) The main Vimanam, which is at about 200 feet is often called Dakshin Meru or Southern Meru.
f) The inspiration to build the temple came to Raja Raja Cholan during his visit to Sri Lanka and is a
result of a dream he had.
g) The temple has a portrait of Raja Raja Cholan paying obeisance to Lord Natarajar. This is
undoubtedly, the first ever instance of a royal portrait.
h) Inscriptions in the temple point towards Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as the chief
architect of the temple. His successors survive to this day and practice the art of Vastu or Vastu Shastra.

3.Administration of Rajaraja I and Rajendra I :

RAJARAJA I : Before the reign of Raja Raja I, parts of the Chola territory were ruled by hereditary
lords and princes who were in a loose alliance with the Chola rulers.Raja Raja initiated a project of land
survey and assessment in 1000 which led to the reorganization of the empire into units known as
valanadus. From the reign of Raja Raja Chola I until the reign of Vikrama Chola in 1133, the hereditary
lords and local princes were either replaced or turned into dependent officials. This led to the king
exercising a closer control over the different parts of the empire. Rajaraja strengthened the local self-
government and installed a system of audit and control by which the village assemblies and other public
bodies were held to account while retaining their autonomy. To promote trade, he sent the first Chola
mission to China. Rajaraja was as able an administrator as he was a military genius. The Chola
administrative system was perfected by Rajaraja and this was apparent in the functioning of every
department. The elaborate, strong, and centralized bureaucracy along with hierarchical yet democratic
local administration is one of the distinguishing features of Rajaraja’s administrative machinery.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION

 Rajaraja divided his empire into Mandalams (Provinces) which were administered by governors.
At times, princes of the royal family were appointed as governors. The Mandalams were further
divided into Valanadus (Divisions), Nadus also known as Kottams or Korrams (Districts), Puram
(town), Nagaram (city), and finally Urs or Oorus (Villages).

 The village was the basic unit of administration which was variously known as Ur (Ooru)
gramam or agaram and Nallur (agricultural village). There are other names given to these local
units on the basis of either their location or the profession of their inhabitants.
 The most common type of villages was those that were occupied by people of all castes and
contributing land revenue to the royal treasury. Agrahara or Brahmadeya villages were tax-free
villages granted to Brahmins.
 Villages that were donated to Devis and Devtas were known as Devadana villages. Revenues
earned from these villages were handed over completely to the temples which became the
centers of life under the Cholas. Devadana villages gained currency under the Chola monarchs in
general and imperial Cholas, especially Rajaraja, in particular.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

 There were two centres of administration; one was the royal secretariat functioning from the
capital Thanjavur and the other was the local administration situated in the respective regional
centres as well as villages.
  Rajaraja created strong and centralized bureaucratic machinery to look into the daily
administration of the empire. A strict hierarchy was maintained in the bureaucracy and tenure of
an official depended on the pleasure of the monarch. Higher ranked officers were known as
Perundanam and Sirundanam were lower officials.
 Besides ensuring a strict balance between central control and local independence, great
importance was placed on non-interference in local administrative affairs from the central
bureaucracy.

RAJENDRA I : Rajendra Chola was one of the great rulers of Chola Empire, a contemporary of
Cheras and Pandya Empire in south India. The administrative setup of Rajendra Chola like other Chola
rulers can be discussed under the following lines :
1. King : King was the most important part of administration. He was the head of all forms of
government and was assisted by a Council of Ministers.
2. Administrative Division : The Empire was divided into provinces called Mandalam which were
governed by governors called Mandala mudalis who were paid salary in the form of lands. The
provinces were further divided into Districts called Nadus and Nadus were further divided into villages
called Ur. So we see there was an efficient local self-government setup.
3. Army : The Rajendra Chola had maintained a large army. The army consisted of infantry, cavalry
and elephants. It was due to efficient army that Rajendra Chola made such an extensive conquests.
4. Revenue Administration : The revenue administration was efficient as well. The farmers were
provided irrigation and other facilities and in return they used to pay a share to the government.

MAJOR KINGS :
1.Rajaraja I : Rajaraja I, born Arulmoli Varman, often described as Rajaraja the Great, was
a Chola emperor who ruled present day south India between 985 and 1014 AD . His extensive empire
included the Pandya country (southern Tamil Nadu), the Chera country (Malabar Coast and western
Tamil Nadu) and northern Sri Lanka. He also acquired the Lakshadweep and Maldive Islands in the
Indian Ocean. Campaigns against the Western Gangas (southern Karnataka) and Chalukyas extended
the Chola influence as far as Tungabhadra River. On the eastern coast he battled with the Chalukyas
for the possession of Vengi (the Godavari districts). Rajaraja's elder brother died before him, and after
the death of Uttama, Rajaraja ascended the throne in June–July 985. Rajaraja, an able administrator, also
built the great Rajarajeshwara Temple of Lord Shiva at the Chola capital Thanjavur. After defeating
the Pandyas, Rajaraja adopted the title Pandya Kulashani. Rajaraja I was possibly the greatest of the
Chola kings of southern India. He made the Cholas the paramount power in southern India, Sri Lanka,
and the southern seas. A political and organizational genius, he was also a grand patron of religion and
the arts.

2.Rajendra I : Rajendra Chola I or Rajendra I was a Tamil Chola emperor of South India
and East India and he Captured South Asia Countries present day of India, Sri Lanka, Maldives,
Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar islands and Southeast Asia present day of who succeeded his
father Rajaraja Chola I to the throne in 1016 CE. During his reign, he extended the influence of the
Chola empire to the banks of the river Ganga in North India and across the Indian ocean to the West
and South East Asia, making the Chola Empire one of the most powerful maritime empires of India.
ajendra led campaigns from 1002 CE. These include the conquest of the Rashtrakutas and the
campaigns against the Western Chalukyas. He conquered the Chalukyan territories of Yedatore (a
large part of the Raichur district between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra), Banavasi in the north-
west of Mysore and capital Manyakheta. To commemorate his victory, he built a new capital
called Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Rajendra I was the first to venture to the banks of Ganges. He was
popularly called the Victor of the Ganges. Tamil Chola armies exacted tribute from Thailand and the
Khmer kingdom of Cambodia. Rajendra stood as the first Indian king to take his armies overseas. He
also built a temple for Siva at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, similar in design to the Tanjore Brihadisvara
temple built by Rajaraja Chola. He assumed titles Parakesari and Yuddhamalla. Rajendra formally
ascended the Chola throne in 1014 C.E., two years after his installation as the Co-Regent. Early in his
reign in 1018 C.E., he installed his eldest son, Rajadhiraja Chola I, as yuvaraja (Co-Regent).
Rajadhiraja continued to rule beside his father for the next 26 years. The son ruled in as full regal status
as the father. That practice may have been adapted initially to obviate disputed succession. Rajendra’s
inscriptions include the many campaigns he carried on behalf of Rajaraja from 1002 C.E. Those include
the conquest of the Rashtrakuta country and region around the current northwestern Karnataka state.
Rajendra also led campaigns against the Western Chalukya Satyasraya and crossed the river
Tungabhadra, carried the war into the heart of the Chalukya country and attacked their capital. To
complete the task begun by his father, of conquering the island of Srilanka, Rajendra invaded the island
in 1018 C.E. As a result of the campaign, Rajendra claimed to have captured the regal jewels of the
Pandya kings, which Parantaka I tried in vain to capture. Rajendra also captured the crown of the
sinhala king, his Queen and daughter. He took the Sinhala king Mahinda V prisoner, transporting him to
the Chola country where he remained a prisoner for over twelve years, dying in captivity.

REASONS FOR THE RISE AND FALL OF THE AGE :

RISE –
 The Chola Empire was founded by Vijayalaya. He took over the Tanjore kingdom in the 8th
century and led to the rise of the mighty Cholas by defeating the Pallavas. Tanjore was hence
made the first capital of the eminent Chola Empire.
 Aditya I succeeded Vijayalaya to become the ruler of the empire. The dynasty originated in the
rich Kaveri (Cauvery) River valley. Uraiyur (now Tiruchchirappalli) was its oldest capital .

FALL –
 The last king of the dynasty was Rajendra Chola III and was defeated by Pandya
King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I.
 After his rule, the kingdom witnessed a widespread downfall.
 One main reason, was the practice of giving total freedom to the Pandya rulers to reign,
inspite of defeating them.
 The Chola dynasty went into decline at the beginning of the 13th century with the rise of the
Pandyan dynasty, which ultimately caused their downfall.
In short, Cholas were first defeated by Pandyas in 1217, they were somehow restored back to power.
After the first defeat, the Chola Dynasty faced a continuous decline till 1279, which marked the end
of Chola dynasty.