Sunga Dynasty (185 BC – 73 BC)
Key Rulers
- Pushyamitra Sunga (Founder) → ended Mauryan rule
- Agnimitra (son) → known from literature
- Devabhuti (last ruler) → killed by Vasudeva
Features
- Capital: Vidisha (MP)
- Followed Hinduism but also patronized Buddhism
- Bharhut Stupa → Buddhist site
- Literature:
- Malavikagnimitram (Kalidasa) → story of Agnimitra
- Mahabhashya (Patanjali) → grammar work
Kanva Dynasty (73 BC – 28 BC)
- Founder: Vasudeva
- Capital: Pataliputra
- Short rule → replaced Sungas
Satavahana Dynasty (60 BC – 225 AD)
General
- Region: Maharashtra (Deccan)
- Capital: Paithan / Pratishthan
Rulers
- Simuka (Founder)
- Gautamiputra Satakarni (Greatest)
- Defeated Nahapana (Saka ruler)
- Promoted Brahmanism
Features
- Lead coins introduced → trade system
- Society: Patriarchal + Matrilineal elements
- Land donation system → Brahmins & Buddhist monks
- Language: Prakrit
Culture
- Rock-cut caves → Ajanta & Ellora
- Stupas → Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda
Indo-Greeks (Central Asian Invasions)
Features
- 1st to cross Hindu Kush → Greeks
- Most famous ruler: Menander (Milinda)
- Milindapanho → dialogue with Nagasena
Contributions
- Gold coins introduced
- Coins had king’s image → identity
- Hellenistic Art → Gandhara Art (NW India)
Saka Dynasty (Scythians)
Features
- Had 5 branches, ruled western India
- Capital: Ujjain
Key Ruler
- Rudradaman I
- Junagarh (Girnar) inscription
- Repaired Sudarshan Lake
Important Event
- 57 BC → Vikramaditya defeated Sakas
- Started Vikram Samvat
Parthians
- Came after Sakas → short rule
Kushan Dynasty (1st – 3rd Century AD)
General
- Also called Yuezhi / Tocharians
- Capital: Peshawar → Mathura
Rulers
- Kadphises → early ruler
- Kanishka (Greatest) → “2nd Ashoka”
Features
- Patronized 4th Buddhist Council (Mahayana)
- Issued pure gold coins
- Controlled Silk Route → trade boost
Society & Culture
- Introduced: Horse riding, Turban, Sherwani
- Pottery: Red Ware
Administration
- Kshatrapa system → military governors
Religion
- Worship of Shiva & Buddha
Literature & Science
Literature
- Buddhacharita – Ashvaghosha
- Mahavastu, Divyavadana
- Kamasutra – Vatsyayana
Science
- Charaka Samhita (Charaka) → medicine
- Sushruta → father of surgery
🔥 Memory Tricks
- “SKS = Sunga → Kanva → Satavahana”
- “GSMK = Greeks → Sakas → Parthians → Kushans”
- “Kanishka = Gold + Silk Route + Buddhism”