The kingdoms after the Mauryas: Shungas, Satavahanas, Kharavela, the Tamil kingdoms and the Kushanas, the Gandhara and Mathura art styles, and the Shaka Samvat.
Key ideas
After the Mauryan Empire broke up, its regions were reorganised into new, competing kingdoms.
Some dynasties rose within the subcontinent (Shungas, Satavahanas, Chedis); others came from outside (Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas).
The Satavahanas ruled the Deccan and traded with the Roman Empire, sending spices, textiles and pearls.
Kharavela of Kalinga is known mainly from the Hathigumpha inscription.
The three early Tamil kingdoms were the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas; Sangam poems come from this region.
Gandhara art used grey-black schist with Greek and Roman influence; Mathura art used red sandstone in an Indian style.
Indo-Greek coins carry the king’s portrait and name, which help historians date rulers.
Remember
Shunga founder
Pushyamitra Shunga
Kallanai (Grand Anicut)
dam on the Kaveri, linked with the Chola king Karikala
Tamil capitals
Cholas: Puhar or Uraiyur; Cheras: Vanji; Pandyas: Madurai
Kushana ruler
Kanishka
Shaka year
Gregorian year − 78
National Calendar adopted
1957
Watch out
Mixing up the art schools: Gandhara is grey-black schist, Mathura is red sandstone.
Adding 78 instead of taking it away to find the Shaka year.
Mixing up the Tamil capitals: Madurai was the Pandya capital.
Worked example
(a) What is the Shaka year in December 2032? (b) In which year did India adopt the Shaka Samvat as its National Calendar? (c) How many years ago was that from 2032?