Ancient History Notes for UPPCS: Complete Guide (Prelims + Mains)
Complete Ancient Indian History notes for UPPCS Prelims & Mains — Indus Valley, Vedic period, Mahajanapadas, Mauryas, Guptas, key facts, PYQ tips and a free PDF.
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Chapter 6: Post-Mauryan Period
After the Mauryas, several powers rose:
- Shungas in the north; Satavahanas in the Deccan.
- Indo-Greeks (introduced fine coinage) and the Kushanas — under Kanishka, who patronized Buddhism and the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art.
- In the south, the Sangam Age flourished (Chera, Chola, Pandya kingdoms and rich Tamil literature).
Chapter 7: The Gupta Empire — India's "Golden Age"
- Key rulers: Chandragupta I, Samudragupta (the great conqueror, "Indian Napoleon"), and Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
- Golden Age: advances in mathematics and astronomy (Aryabhata), literature (Kalidasa), and learning (Nalanda university flourished later in this tradition).
- Decline: invasions by the Hunas and internal weakening.