Buddhism

Life of Gautama Buddha

• Gautam Buddha, was born as Siddhartha.
• born in 566 BC at Lumbini (Nepal) - Sakya clan
of Kshatriya -Sakyamuni.
• He died at 80 years of age in 486 BC
at Kushinagar (uttar Pradesh).
• Mother - ‘Mahamaya’
• he was brought - ‘Prajapati Gautami’ his
maternal aunt
 Life of Gautama Buddha
• he was also called Gautam.
• Father - Sidhdhodhana.
• Wife - Yashodhara.
• became an ascetic at the age of 29 in search of
truth and end of sorrows .
• This event in Buddha’s life is known as
“Mahabhinishkramana”.
 Life of Gautama Buddha
• Teachers – Alara Kalama and Udarak Ramaputta
• After seven years of roaming around- at the age of
35 - enlightenment at Uruvela while meditating on
the bank of river Niranjana under a Peepal tree.
• Bodhi Tree - Bodh gaya.
• Buddha attained the knowledge on the Poornima
of Vaishakha month.
• He then gave his first sermon at Sarnath(Varanasi)-
Dhammachakra Parivartan”.
 Life of Gautama Buddha
• Buddha passed away - 486 BC under a Sal tree in
Kushinagar (Lichchhavi Kingdom).
• Various notable rulers of his time were Buddha’s
disciples such as Prasenjit, Bimbisara, and
Ajatsatru.
• Some famous Bikshuks of Budhdhism
were Sariputra, Ananda, Mahakassapa, Annurad
ha, Upali, and Rahul.
• Vardhman Mahavir(Jainism) – contemporary.
 Symbols
Event in Life of Symbolised by:
Buddha

Buddha’s Birth Lotus & Bull

The Great Departure

(Mahabhinishkraman Horse
a)

Enlightment (Nirvana
Bodhi Tree
)

First Sermon
(Dhammachakrapari Wheel
vartan)

Death (Parinirvana) Stupa

 Buddhist Philosophy

• Madhyam marga philosophy - both the

extremes of the world- indulgence and strict
abstinence both are avoided and a middle
path between them is followed.
 Four noble truths(Arya satya)
• The world is full of sorrow(Dukkha)
• Desire is the cause of sorrow(Dukha samudya)
• If desire is conquered all sorrow is won
over(Dukha nirodha)
• Desire can be conquered by following eight
fold paths (Ashtangirka Marg)
 Eight Fold Path
• Samyak Drist: Right Understanding
• Samyak Sankalpa: Right Resolve
• Samyak Vani: Right Speech
• Samyak Karma: Right Action
• Samyak Ajiv: Right Living
• Samyak Vyayam: Right Efforts
• Samyak Smriti: Right
Mindfulness/thought
• Samyak Samadhi: Right Self-
Concentration
 Tri-ratnas in Buddhism
• Buddha means the highest spiritual potential
in every human being.
• Dhamma refers to the teachings of Buddha.
• Sangha is the organization of the monks
practicing Buddhism.
 Buddhist Works
• language  -  Pali.
• “Tripitaka” written in Pali –  Sutta Pitak ,
VinayaPitak, and AbhidhammaPitak.
• Dhammapad - Gita of Buddhism.
• Buddhacharita – Aswaghosa.
• MilindaPanho – Menander & Nagasena.
• Mulamadhyamakarika - Sunyavada - south
Indian Buddhism Philosopher, Nagarjuna.
Buddhist Councils
  First Council
• It was held under the patronage
of Ajatshatru(Haryanka Dynasty) in 486BC.
• Monk Mahakassapa Upali presided over the
first council.
• It was held at Sattapani caves in RajGriha just
after the death of Buddha.
• Compilation of VinayPitaka and SuttaPitaka
was accomplished here.
 Second Council
• In 383 BC. under the patronage
of Kalashoka (Shishunaga Dynasty).
• It was held at Vaishali after one century of
Buddha’s death(parinirvana).
•  The second council was presided over by
Sabbakamini.
• First division in Sangha took place. Theravadin
and Mahasanghika split up here
 Third Council
• In 250 BC under the patronage of
King Ashoka.
• It was held at Pataliputra
• It was presided by Mogaliputta Tissa.

• Compilation of AbhidhamPitaka was done

 Fourth Council
• In the 1st century AD, under patronage of
King Kanishka(Kushan dynasty).
• It was held in Kundalvana of Kashmir.
• Under the presidency of Vasumitra along with
Asvaghosha.
• Buddhism was divided into two sects namely,
Hinayana and Mahayana.
 Hinayana
• Early Buddhist teachings gave more importance to self-
realization and effort in achieving nirvana.
• Ideal - individual salvation - lesser vehicle.
• The Hinayana or Theravada doctrine believes in the
original teaching of Buddha, or the old, respected path
of theras.
• They don’t believe in Idol Worship.
• Hinayana teaches that, to attain individual salvation the
path goes  through self discipline and meditation.
• Asoka - Hinayana
 Hinayana
• Pali - Hinayana scholars
• It is also called the “Deficient Vehicle”, the “Abandoned
Vehicle”, 
• Sthaviravada or Theravada meaning “doctrine of elders”.
• Hinayana stresses on righteous action and law of karma.
• The Hinayana ideal is Arhat, the one who strives for his own
redemption.
• Hinayana regards Buddha as a man, of extraordinary
knowledge, but just a man, therefore, do not worship him.
 Hinayana
• It is developed around the acts of Buddha.
• Hinayana believes in salvation by works, that
each man should work for his own salvation.
• Hinayana scriptures are written in Pali, and
founded on the Tripitakas.
• Hinayana or Theraveda traditions are followed
in SriLanka, Laos, Cambodia, other South-east
Asian countries.
 Mahayana
• Mahayana believes firmly in the
spirit of Buddha’s teachings.
• Mahayana scriptures are
written in form of Sutras in
Sanskrit.
• This form of Buddhism gained
recognition at the time of
Kanishka.
• It believes in salvation by faith.
 Mahayana

• Mahayana is developed around the symbolism of Buddha’s

life and personality.
• The Mahayana ideal is salvation for all, that is why it is called
as greater vehicle.
• Mahayana holds the law of karuna / compassion over and
above the law of karma.
• Mahayana upholds the ideals of Boddhisatva / the saviour –
who is concerned about the salvation of others.
• This sect believes in the divine qualities of Buddha and thus
believes in Idol Worship.
• It is also known as the Bodhisattva Vehicle.
 Mahayana

• Mahayana Buddhism is spread across India, China, Japan,

Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan,
and Mongolia. Tibetan Buddhism is a traditions of
Mahayana only.
• The fundamental principles of Mahayana doctrine are based
on the possibility of universal liberation from suffering for all
beings. Therefore this is considered the “Great Vehicle”.
• The doctrine of Bhakti has evolved as a characteristic
feature of Mahayana Buddhism.
• “Nagarjuna” was the most outstanding exponent of
Mahayana Buddhism.
Jainism
Mahavira
 The Jain Tradition
• The Jain tradition had a succession of
tirthankars(religious leader).
• The first Tirthankar was Rishabha Dev.
• The 23rd Tirthankar was Parshavanath who founded
Jainism.
• According to the Jain tradition, time is infinite and
constituted by upward and downward movements.
• The tirthankars appear in succession in time, to teach
about the way of release of soul from material
entanglements of this world.
Rishabhanatha
 Vardhaman Mahavira (539- 467 B.C.)
• Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankar of the
Jain tradition. He is considered the last tirthankar.
• He was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali in about 546 BC.
• He was born to Kshatriya parents Siddhartha and Trisala.
• He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter from his
marriage named Anojja or Priyadarsana.
• He renounced the world at the age of thirty to become
an ascetic and wandered for twelve years. He also
practiced self-mortification for these years.
 Vardhaman Mahavira (539- 467 B.C.)
• In the 13th year of his penance, he attained the highest
spiritual knowledge by triumphing over himself. This
knowledge is called Kevala Gnan.
• Thereafter, he was called Mahavira, Jina, Kevalin.
• His followers were called the Jains and this religion
came to be known as Jainism.
• From this time till his death, he preached his doctrines
for 30 years.
• He died at the age of 72 at Pava near Rajagriha(now in
Patna district).
 Teachings of Mahavira
• Jainism rejects the authority of Vedas and Vedic rituals.
• It discards the belief in God.
• Therefore, Jains don’t worship God, but instead worship their
tirthankars (their souls have attained salvation).
• The 3 principles of Jainism are also known as TriRatnas (three gems)
are:- – right faith, right knowledge, right conduct.
• Right faith – It is the belief in the teachings and wisdom
of Mahavira. Followers of Jainism are expected to have right faith.
• Right Knowledge – It is the acceptance of theory which says there is
no God and that the world has been existing without a creator, all
objects possess a soul.
• Right conduct – It refers to the observance of the five great vows:-
not to injure life, not to lie, not to steal, not to acquire property, not
Jain Mahavratas
 Teachings of Mahavira
• Everyone had to strictly follow the doctrine of Ahimsa.
• Mahavira considered all objects, both animate and inanimate,
to have souls and different degrees  of consciousness.
• He considered all objects to possess life and feel pain when
they are injured.
• Mahavira advocated a very holy and ethical code of life.
• He considered even the practice of agriculture as sinful because
it causes injury to the earth, worms and animals.
• The doctrine of asceticism and renunciation was considered the
shortest path to salvation by going to extreme lengths for the
practice of starvation, nudity and other forms of self-torture.
 Spread of Jainism

• Mahavira had organised the Sangha to spread his teachings,

much like Buddhism.
• He admitted both genders men and women in the Sangha.
• Sangha consisted of both monks and lay followers.
• The rapid rise of Jainism has been attributed to the
dedicated work of the Sangha members who caused the
spread of Jainism in Western India and Karnataka.
• Jainism was patronised by rulers like Chandragupta
Maurya, Kharavela of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of
south India like the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas
and the Rashtrakutas.
Jain Symbols
 Division of Jainism

• The division in Jainism happened by the end of the fourth

century B.C.
• A serious famine occurred in the Ganges valley. Various Jain
monks led by Bhadrabagu and Chandragupta Maurya went to
Sravana Belgola in Karnataka. These came to be known as
Digambars(Sky-clad or Naked). They follow the tenets of
religion strictly.
• The monks who stayed back in north India were led by
Sthulbahu, he changed the code of conduct for the monks. This
sect became more liberal and started wearing white clothes.
Hence, they came to be known as Swetambars(white-clad).
Svetambaras and Digambaras
 Jain Councils/ Sangeeti
• In 3rd century B.C , the first Jain Council was
convened at Pataliputra headed by
Sthulbhadra.
• In 5th century A.D , the second Jain Council
was held at Vallabhi in Gujarat under the
Devardhigani. Here the compilation of Jain
literature called Twelve Angas was completed.
Post Mauryan India
 The Sunga Dynasty
• The founder - Pushyamitra Sunga(187-151 BC).
• assassinated the last Mauryan ruler,- Brihadratha.
• The southern parts were under the Satvahanas.
• The North-western areas were facing Bactrian Greek
invasions.
• Pushyamitra Sunga struggled to keep the area under
his control.
• He kept the Greek invasions in check, this has been
considered his major achievement.
Pushyamitra Sunga
 The Sunga Dynasty
• Pushyamitra was a supporter of Brahmanical traditions.
• He revived the practise of ‘Ashwamedha yajna’.
• He also contributed in construction of the Buddhist stupa
at Barhut.
• After the death of Pushyamitra, his son Agnimitra became
ruler.
• He conquered the Vidarbha area.
• The last ruler of Sunga dynasty was their 9th ruler,
Devabhuti.
• He was murdered by his minister Vasudeva Kanva.
Malavika Agnimitra
 Kanva Dynasty
• It was founded by Vasudeva Kanva.
• This dynasty was Brahmin in caste, believed to
be descendents of Rishi Kanva.
• The kingdom at the time of Vasudeva Kanva
was much reduced in its extent.
• Not much is known about the rulers of this
dynasty.
• The last king of Kanvas was Susarman.
Kanva Dynasty
 The Satvahana Dynasty:
• After the decline of Mauryan Empire in Deccan,
the Satavahanas became politically prominent in the middle
of the 1st century BC.
• They were the most important native successors of Mauryas.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni (1st century A.D.) was the greatest
of the Satavahana rulers.
• He extended the Satavahana rule by defeating the Shaka
ruler Nahapana of Western India.
• The kingdom of Gautamiputra Satkarni extended from river
Krishna in south to the river Godavari in north.
• The Satavahana capital was situated at Pratishthana (modern
day Paithan near Aurangabad in Maharashtra).
Satavahanas
 The Chedis/Chetas of Kalinga

• In the middle of 1st century B.C. , Kalinga rose to power under

the king Kharavela.
• He was a Jain as mentioned in his inscriptions.
• He made various conquests which are recorded as his
achievements on an inscription, known a Hathigumpha
inscription, located in the Udayagiri hills near Bhuvaneshvar,
Orissa. 
• This inscription is named  such because the image of an elephant
is carved out of stone next to the boulder carrying the inscription.
• Not much is known about this dynasty other than the
Hathigumpha inscription.
King Kharavela
 The Bactrian Indo-Greeks
• After death of Alexander in 323 BC, various
Greeks settled on the north-western boarder of
India in the present day north of Afghanistan.
• It should be noted that the rulers of Bactria are
called the Bactrian-Greeks, because they were
Hellenistic (Greek) in their ancestry.
• During the time of Pushyamitra Sunga the
invaders were ruled by Demetrius. 
Indo-Bactrian Empire
 The Bactrian Indo-Greeks
• The most revered Indo-Greek ruler was King Menander.
• His empire included the southern Afghanistan and Gandhara
region( to the west of Indus).
• He has been referred to as king Milinda who finds mention in the
famous Buddhist text ‘Milindapanho’ -in which philosophical
questions asked by Milinda to Nagasena (the Buddhist author of
the text) are described in detail.
• The capital of his kingdom was Sakala (Sialcot). He later embraced
Buddhism
• A Greek ambassador Heliodorus adopted Vaishnavite religion and
erected the Garuda Pillar at Besnagar. 
• The Greek influence in India then lasted for more than a century
after the death of King Menander.
Milindapanho
 The Sakas Dynasty
• The Sakas also known as the Scythians captured
Bactria from the Greek rulers and followed the
footsteps of the Greeks to extend their rule over
the northwestern parts of India.
• There were two distinct groups of Sakas – Northern
Satraps who ruled from Taxila ; and the Western
satraps who ruled over Maharashtra. 
• The founder the Saka rule in India in the 1st century
B.C. was Maues. And his successor Azes I, is
considered to be the founder of the ‘Vikrama era’.
Saka Dynasty
 The Sakas Dynasty
• The most famous of the Shaka rulers was Rudradaman
I who ruled in the middle of 2nd century AD.
• He is known to have undertook the repairs of the
Sudarshana Lake, which was originally built during the
reign of Chandragupta Maurya.
• This has been mentioned on an inscription which he
got engraved at Girnar/Junagarh in Gujarat.
• This inscription is the first royal inscription of India
which is composed in chaste Sanskrit.  
• Saka rulers of Taxila were overthrown by the Parthians.
 The Parthians
• The Parthians were Iranians in origin and had strong
cultural connection with the Shakas,.
• Thats why these both  groups are referred to as ‘Shaka-
Pahlava’. 
• The inscription that indicates the Parthian rule in the
northwestern area of Pakistan is the ‘Takht-i-Bahi’
inscription at Mardan near Peshawar.
• It is dated in 45 AD, and refers to Gondophernes
/Gondophares as a Parthian ruler.
• He is believed to have taken up Christianity by association
with St. Thomas.
 The Kushanas
• The Parthians were followed by the Kushanas also known
as Yuehis or Tocharians.
• They were one of the five clans in the Yuechi tribe. And
there were two successive dynasties in the Kushanas.
• The first dynasty was founded by Kadphises, who ruled for
28 years from A.D. 50.
• This had two Kings, Kadphises I and II or Vima Kadphises.
• Kanishka was the greatest Kushana king who spread his
kingdom beyond the western Himalayas also.
• He popularized Buddhism in Tibet, China, and Central Asia.
Kushanas and Kanishka
Artforms
Gupta Era:
 Gupta Age:
• Fall of Kushanas in 3 AD
• Not large as Mauryas but kept the North India
united for more than a century
• Generally regarded as Golden Age of Hinduism
• Kings belonged to Vaishyas
• Founder Sri Gupta and his follower
Ghatotkacha adopted Maharaja title
Gupta Coins
 Gupta Age:
• Chandra Gupta-I(319-335 AD):
– Power and prestige raised by conquest and
matrimonial alliances
– Married Lichchhavi princess Kumara Devi and
issued Chandragupta Kumaradevi gold coins
– Started Gupta era on 320 AD
– Control over Magadha, Saketa and Prayaga
– Adopted the title- Maharajadhiraja
Chandragupta -I
 Gupta Age:
• Samudragupta(335-380 AD):
– He is a great conquerer, son of Chandra Gupta
– Long inscription in Allahabad Pillar inscription by
Court poet Harisena
– Called as Napoleon of India by VA Smith
– Virasen- Commander in Chief, Vasubandhu-
Buddhist Scholar as Minister
– He reached till Kanchi and compelled pallavas to
accept suzerainty
Samudragupta
 Gupta Age:
– Did not annex territories in Southern India
– Maintained strong navy and controlled Java,
Malaya and Sumatra islands
– His coins represent him playing Veena and also
performed Ashvamedha Sacrifices
– Called as Dharma Prachar Bandhu- Upholder of
Brahmanism, he is a Vaishanavite
– He allowed Srilankan ruler Meghavarman to build
Buddhist temple at Gaya
 Gupta Age:
• Chandra Gupta II(380-415):
– Younger Brother of Rama Gupta
– He killed a Saka ruler and Rama Gupta and occupied
the throne
– extended his empire by conquest and matrimonial
alliance
– He married Dhruva Devi, Queen of Rama Gupta and
Kubernaga of Naga dynasty
– He married his daughter to a Vakataka Prince
Rudrasena-II
Chandragupta II
 Gupta Age:
– Mehrauli Pillar inscription claims his authority over
Northwestern India and Bengal and defeated the
confederacy of Vangas and Vahilkas
– Virasena’s Udayagiri cave inscription refers his
conquest of the whole world
– Ujjain was made second capital
– First gupta ruler to issue silver coins
– Adopted the title Vikramaditya and Sakari
– Navaratna at Ujjain, Harisena was court poet
– Fa-Hein visited India during his time
 Gupta Age:
• Kumara Gupta(415-455):
– Founded the Nalanda university
– Worshipper of Lord Kartikeya
– His empire was invaded by Turko-Mongol tribes
called Hunas
– He was died during a war with Hunas
Kumaragupta and Naladha
 Gupta Age:
• Skanda Gupta (455-467):
– He repulsed the Hunas twice and entitled him
Vikramaditya (Bhitari pillar inscription)
– Sudarshana lake was repaired during his time
– Gupta’s economy was weakened due to Hunas
invasion and it declined after his death
• Reason for fall of Guptas:
– Weak successors
– Rise of feudatories
Skandagupta
 Age of Gupta
• Administration is highly decentralised and
feudatory
• Kings adopted pompous titles like
Parameshwara, Maharajadhiraja ,
Parambhattarakka etc
• Kings were assisted by Mantri Mandal or
MantriParishad( Council of Ministers)
 Gupta Empire:

• Administrative units include:

– Bhukti( Province) headed by Uparika
– Vishayas( District) headed by Vishyapati
– Nagar/ Peth Village (Sub- District) headed by Purapala/
Nagarpati / Gramika
• Administration:
– Paura- Council responsible for City administration
consisting of President of city corporation, Chief of
Guild merchants, Artisans and Chief Accountants
comprising local representatives
 Gupta Empire:

• Military:
– Chariots declined and Cavalry became prominent
– Maintained a large standing army but feudal in
organisation
• SenaBhakta:
– Tax- Army was to be fed by people whenever it
passed through the country side
• Vishti:
– Forced labour practised in Royal army
Gupta Military
 Gupta Empire:

• Revenue:
– Land revenue was the chief source of State’s
income
– Tax varies from 1/4th to 1/6th of produce
– Number of taxes increased
– Land grants- Agraharas and Devagraharas
• Judiciary:
– First time Civil and Criminal laws were clearly
defined and demarcated
 Gupta Empire:

• Coinage:
– Issued largest number of gold coins
– Gold coins- Dinara, Silver Coins- Rupayakas
• Officials:
– Maha Pratihari: Chief usher of Royal Palace
– DandaPashika: Chief of Police department
– MahaPrajapati: Chief of elephant corps
– Vinayasthitisthapak: Officer of religious affairs
– Mahasvapati: Chief of Cavalry
– Mahadandanayaka: Minister of Justice
 Gupta Empire:
• Society:
– Supremacy of Brahmanas continued, accumulated
wealth by land grants and privileges
– Position of Shudras improved, permitted to learn and
new God- Lord Krishna
– Varna System strenghtened- Proliferation of castes,
assimilation of foreigners, tribal people into
brahmanical society by land grants, guilds into class
due to decline of trade and urban centres
Society of Guptas
 Gupta age:

• Position of women declined

• First evidence of Sati- Eran inscription of
Maharashtra
• Polygamy and Pre-Puberty marriages were
common
• Women were not given right to property
except Stridhana
 Gupta Age:

• Religion:
– Bhagavatism- worship of Vishnu
– Bhagavat Gita was written preached Incarnation
– Idol worship in temple- common
– Gods were united like Parvati with Shiva and Laxmi with
Vishnu
– Tolerance towards all religion
– Vajrayanism and tantric cult of Buddhism
– No royal patronage for buddhism
 Gupta Age:

• Economy:
– Land was five types:
• Khila- Waste land
• Kshetra Bhoomi- Cultivable land
• Vastu Bhoomi- Habitable land
• Charagah Bhoomi- pasture land
• Aprahata Bhoomi- Forest land
– Pahadur copper plate inscription of Buddhagupta:
• State was the sole owner of land
 Gupta Age:

– Land survey was conducted- Plates of Prabavati

Gupta plate
– Officer for maintaining records of land transaction-
Pushtapala
– Trade declined with Roman empire and increased
with South East Asia
– Ports in west- Broach, Chaul, kalyan and Cambay
– Ports in East- Tamralipti, Ghantasala and kandura
 Gupta Age:

• Taxes:
– Bhaga- Taxes paid to king by cultivators
– Bali- Additional and oppressive tax
– Bhoga- periodic supply of forest produce by
villagers to king
– Uparika- Extra tax levied on all subjects
 Gupta Age:
• Gupta Art:
– Also called as golden age of Ancient India
– Samudra Gupta represented by playing veena
– Chandra Gupta-II was credited with maintaining
nine luminaries in his court- Kalidasa,
AmaraSimha, Dhanavantri, Varahamihira,
Vararuchi, Ghatakarna, Kshapranak, Vedalabhatt
and Shanku
– Two meter high bronze image of Buddha
 Gupta Age:
– First time- images of Shiva, Vishnu and other Gods
– Brahmanical image of The Great Boar in Udayagiri
caves
– Buddha in Dharma Chakra Pravartana in Sarnath
and Buddha images of Bamiyan
– Ajanta paintings of Buddhist art
– Gandhara school was replaced by regional centres
of Banaras, Pataliputra and mathura
– Stupas- Mirpur Khas, Ratna giri and Dhammek
 Gupta Age:
• Architecture:
– Main style of temple architecture like Nagara and
Dravida style with Garbhagriha
– Square Sanctum sanctorum and pillared porch
• Religious Literature:
– Hindu texts:
• Rewritting of old religious books like vayu Purana,
Vishnu Purana, Manu Smriti, Ramayana and
Mahabharata( later to English under Institutes of Hindu
law by William Jones
Temple Architecture
Nagara Style
Vesara Style
 Gupta Age:
• New texts- Narad smriti, Prashar smriti, Katyana smriti
and Brihat smriti
– Jain Texts:
• Nyayavartam written by Sidhsena
– Buddhist texts:
• Abhidharma Gosha written by Dignanga
• Vishudhimagga written by Buddhgosha
 Gupta Age:
• Other lietrature:
– Mirchchakatikam (Clay cart) – love story of poor
Brahmin Charudatta and Virtuous Courtesan
Vasantasena by Sudraka
– Kiratarjuniyam- Bharavi
– DasakumaraCharitam and Kavyadarshan - Dandin
– Svapnavasavadatta and Charudatta- Bhasa
– Mudrarakshasa and Devi Chandraguptam-
Vishakadatta
 Gupta Age:
– Panchatantra and Hitopadesa- Vishnu Sharma
– Amarkosh- Amarsimha
– Sankhya Kanika- Iswara Krishna
– Kamasutra- Vatsyayana
– Ravan Vadha- Bhattin
– Panchasiddhandhika and Brihad Samhita-
Varahamihira
– Abhijnyakashakuntalam, Raghuvamsam, Meghadutta,
Vikramoorvasiyam and Kumarasambhava- Kalidasa
 Gupta Age:
• Astronomy:
– Aryabhatta- Surya Siddhanta, Aryabhattiyam and
use of zero
– Varahamihira- Panchasiddhantika and
Brihatsamhita- Moon moves around earth and
earth along with moon moves around the Sun
– Brahmagupta- law of gravitation in Brahma
siddhanta
– Vagabhatta- physician, Dhanvantri- Ayurveda,
RomakaSiddhanta- Astronomy
Harsha Period:
 The Harsha Period:

• He belongs to Pushyabhuti or Vardhana

dynasty
• He ruled from Thaneshwar and a feudatory of
Guptas
• Prabakar Vardhana was the first important
ruler succeeded by Rajya Varhdana
• Rajya vardhana was killed by Shashanka in 606
AD
 The Harsha Period:
• Harsha Vardhana (606-647 AD):
– Also known as Siladitya attended the throne in
606 AD and Harsha era began
– He made Kannauj as Capital
– He is called the last great Hindu emperor
– In east India he faced opposition from Shaivite
king Shashanka ( cut off the Bodhi tree)
– He defeated Dhruvasena II Maitraka ruler of
Vallabhi
 The Harsha Period:
– He was defeated by Pulakesin-II in Deccan, a
Chalukyan king of Vatapi
– Administration is more feudal and decentralised
– The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited India during
his period
– The revenue was divided into 4 parts like King,
Scholar, Officer and for religious purpose
– He celebrated Prayag festival every five years
– After his death the throne was usurped by
Arunashva, his minister.
 Tripartite Struggle:
• For the possession of Kannauj at the end of 8th
century
• Between Palas , Prathiharas and Rashtrakutas
Other Dyansties:
 Other Dynasties:
• Palas:
– Eastern India- Capital- Pataliputra and Gaur
– Founder- Gopala
– Famous:
• Dharma Pala revived Nalanda university and founded
Vikramashila University , won kannauj
• Devapala won Assam and Orissa
• Mahipala defeated Rajendra Chola
• They traded with South East Asia and replaced Senas of
Bengal
 Other Dynasties:
• Prathiharas:
– Rajasthan- Capital- Jodhpur and Malwa
– Founder- harichandra
– Famous:
• Mihir Bhoja- Worshipped Lord Vishnu and adopted
title- Adi Varaha
 Other Dynasties:
• Vakatakas:
– Deccan and Central India
– Capital- Vatsagumla and Paunar
– Founder- Vindhya Shakti
– Famous:
• Pravara Sena I performed four Ashvameda Sacrifice
• Prabhavati Daughter of Chandra gupta II married
Vakataka Prince
 Other Dynasties:
• Eastern Gangas of Orissa:
– Capital- Kalinganagar and Cuttack
– Founder- Ananta Varman and Chodagong Deva
– Famous:
• Narashima Deva I built Sun temple at Konark
• Anantavarman built Jagannath temple at Puri
 Other Dynasties:
• Western Gangas:
– Capital- Kolar and Talakal
– Founder- Konganivarman Madhava
– Famous:
• Constructed Jain temple at Sravanabelagola
 Other Dynasties:
• Senas of Bengal:
– Capital-Vikrampura and Vijaypura
– Founder- Vijay Sena
 Other Dynasties:

• Hoysalas:
– Capital- Dwarasamudra
– Founder- Vishnu Vardhan
– Famous:
• Hoysala art and architecture
 Other Dynasties:
• RashtraKutas:
– Capital- Manyakhet
– Founder- Dantidurga
– Famous:
• Amogavarsha gave patronage and wrote a Kannad
poem Kavi Rajmarg and Prashnottar Mallika
• Krishna II built Kailashnath temple at Ellora in Dravidian
style
• Krishna III set up Victory pillar at Rameswaram
 Other Dynasties:
• Pallavas:
– Capital- Kanchi
– Founder- Simha Vishnu
– Famous:
• Narashimavarman I occupied Vatapi and assumed the
title Vatapikonda
• Orthodox Brahmanical Hindus
• Tried establishing supremacy between krishna and
Thungabhadra against Chalukyas
 Other Dynasties:
• Chalukyas of Badami:
– Capital- Vatapi
– Founder- Pulakesin I
– Famous:
• Pulakesin II kept a check on Harsha and was defeated by
Narashima Varman I
• Hiuen Tsang visited his Kingdom
• Vesara style developed
• Ajanta and Ellora Cave painting were completed
• Perfected the art of Stone building of temples
 Other Dynasties:
• Chalukyas of Kalyani:
– Capital- Kalyani
– Founder- Tailap II
– Famous:
• Somevara I shifted capital from Manyakhet to Kalyani
• Vikramaditya IV started Vikram-Chalukya Era
• Bilhana wrote Vikramadevacharitam
• Mitakshara wrote Yagyavalkya Smriti
 Other Dynasties:
• Yadavas:
– Capital- Devagiri
– Founder- Bhillana
– Famous:
• Ramachandra was defeated by Malik Kafur
External Conquest:
 External Conquest:

• Mohammad Bin Qasim (712 AD):

– First muslim to invade India from Iraq
– He defeated the ruler of Sind , Dahir and the
province was given to Ommayat Khilafat
Mohammad Bin Qasim
 External Conquest:
• Mahmud of Ghazni:
– Ascended the throne in 998 AD
– He was plunderer and Destroyer of temples and made
17 visits to India
– 6th expedition Battle of Waihind between Ghazni and
Anadpala in 1001 AD
– Plunder of Somnath temple in 1025 AD during his 16th
expedition
– He died in 1030 AD
– He patronised Firdausi, Al beruni and Utbi
Mahmud of Ghazni
 External Conquest:
• Muhammad Ghori:
– In 1178 AD, he attempted to penetrate Gujarat but was
rooted by Gujarat ruler
– He realised the necessity of strong base in Punjab
– At the same time Chauhans were growing powerful and
Prithvi Raj ascended throne at Ajmer at the age of 11
– During first Battle of Terrain(1191 AD) Ghori was rooted
by Prithviraj
– Ghori defeated Prithviraj in Second Battle of Terrain in
1192 AD
Muhammad Ghori
 External Conquest:
• Causes for Turkish Success:
– Political disunity among Rajputs and internal
rivalry
– Unguarded frontiers
– No Central government
– Organised military and ambitious Turkish invaders