1. Nomadic Tribes of Central Asia
1.1. Indo-Greeks emerged after Alexander’s satraps declared independence.
1.2. Central Asian nomadic tribes attacked Bactria, leading to migrations into India.
1.3. Pahalavas (Parthians) & Shakas (Scythians) attacked northwestern India (2nd century B.C.E.).
1.4. Yuezi tribes from China displaced the Shakas and established kingdoms.
1.4.1. they were pastoralists who established their own kingdoms after vanquishing local kings
2. Indo-Greeks [yavanas]
2.1. Their objective: establish their dominance in the region of Mediterranean Sea and to strengthen the hold over trade in west and central Asia.
2.1.1. Demetrius (180 B.C.E.) conquered Takshashila; Eucratides established another kingdom.
2.1.2. Greek satraps in the northwest, with Bactria as a stronghold.
2.1.3. 40 Indo-Greek kings ruled; their coins provide historical evidence.
2.2. Indo-greek Kings
2.2.1. Seleucus Nicator – Indo-Greek king from Bactria.
2.2.2. Demetrius (180 B.C.E.) – Attacked India, conquered Takshashila, and made Sakal (Sialkot) his capital.
2.2.3. Eucratides – Established an independent Indo-Greek kingdom.
3. During the Same Period
4. Shakas:
4.1. Originated from Central Asia, expelled Bactrian Greeks, and formed Shakasthan (Shistan).
4.2. Maues (Moga) was the first Shaka king in India, ruling Gandhara and Punjab.
4.3. Pahalava king Gondophernes defeated weak Shaka successors and took control.
4.4. Western India saw continued Shaka rule with a structured administration:
4.4.1. Mahakshatrapa (military governor) appointed for each controlled provinces (Satrapies).
4.4.1.1. Strapaties futher divided into sub-section.
4.4.1.1.1. A Satrapa was appointed to each. They could issue coins and inscriptions.
5. Kushanas
5.1. Originated from Central Asia, overthrew Indo-Greek kingdoms and shakas in the south.
5.2. Mentioned in Chinese, Greek, and Roman sources; called ‘Tukhar’ or ‘Tushar’ in Indian texts.
5.3. Kujula Kadphises [Leader]
5.3.1. self declares himself as the bactria king
5.3.2. the Yuezi groups came together and Kujula Kadphises brought them to northwest India from the Hindukush mountains.
6. Under his leadership
7. Kushana Empire
7.1. Adopted the Shaka Satrap system establishing their satrapis. Kshatrapas (military officer appointed on satrapies) under a supreme king.
7.1.1. King was the cheif of all satrapas
7.2. Kings assumed titles like ‘Rajadhiraj’ and ‘Maharaj’.
7.3. Kanishka became emperor after defeating Shaka rulers.
7.3.1. attacks china twice
7.3.1.1. difficult to administer over a far extend
7.3.2. His empire stretched from Kabul to Pataliputra and Kashmir to Malwa.
7.3.3. Kanishka established two capitals, Purushpur (Peshawar) and Mathura.
7.3.4. Organizes the 4th buddhist council in vihara @ kundalvan, kashmir
7.4. Kushanas adopted Indian culture; last king Vasudeva had an Indian name.
7.5. The empire declined in the 4th century C.E., and Satrapas gained independence.
8. Hence creates an intermediate administrative centre by doing this
9. Gupta Empire
9.1. Founder: Srigupta – Title Maharaj, indicating he was a feudatory.
9.2. Ghatotkach (Son of Srigupta) – Also held the title Maharaj, indicating the Guptas were still feudatories during his time.
9.3. Chandragupta I – Expanded Gupta rule into an empire; took the title Maharajadhiraj.
9.3.1. Married Kumaradevi of the Lichchhavi clan – Strengthened political status.
9.3.2. Ruled over Magadha, Saket (Ayodhya), and Prayag.
9.4. Samudragupta – Most powerful ruler, aimed for an unified India.
9.4.1. Took the title Sarvarajochchheta (Annihilator of all kings).
9.4.2. Conquered North India and led expeditions to the South, but couldn’t defeat the Vakatakas.
9.4.3. Performed Ashwamedha Yajna to proclaim himself Chakravarti (Universal Emperor).
9.4.4. Shakas, Kushanas, and Sri Lankan kings accepted Gupta suzerainty.
9.4.5. A patron of art, depicted playing a Veena on coins.
9.5. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) – Defeated the Shakas and expanded Gupta rule westward.
9.5.1. Conquered Malwa, Gujarat, and Kathewar, securing western trade routes.
9.5.2. Crossed Hindukush, bringing Northwest India under control.
9.5.3. Married daughter Prabhavati to Vakataka king Rudrasena II, strengthening southern ties.
9.5.4. Patronized Navratnas (Nine Gems), including Kalidasa, Varahamihira, and Dhanvantari.
9.5.4.1. Dhanvantari (physician),
9.5.4.2. Kshapanak(astrologer),
9.5.4.3. Amarsinha (lexicographer),
9.5.4.4. Sanku (architect),
9.5.4.5. Vatal Bhatt (magician),
9.5.4.6. Ghatkarpura (architect/author),
9.5.4.7. Kalidasa (great poet),
9.5.4.8. Varahamihira (astronomer)
9.5.4.9. Vararuchi (grammarian).
9.6. Kumaragupta (Son of Chandragupta II) – Defended against initial Huna invasions.
9.7. Later Gupta Kings – Weak rulers; kingdom disintegrated into small states.
10. State Administration and Social Life During the Gupta Period
10.1. Classical Age of Indian History – The Gupta period is considered a Golden Age.
10.1.1. Administration
10.1.1.1. King was the central authority.
10.1.1.2. Prince often served as Viceroy for provincial administration.
10.1.1.3. Amatya (ministers) and advisors assisted the king.
10.1.1.4. Provinces were divided into Vishayas, administered by Vishayapati.
10.1.1.5. Kumaramatya – Provincial officers.
10.1.1.6. Ayuktak – District-level officials.
10.1.1.7. Decentralized governance, with many decisions taken at the local level.
11. Human Developement
11.1. Characteristics of Development
11.1.1. 1] Follows a Specific Pattern
11.1.2. 2] takes place in a specific direction
11.1.2.1. a] Cephalocaudal principle
11.1.2.1.1. head -> toe
11.1.2.2. b] Proximodistal principle
11.1.2.2.1. centre of body -> outwards spinal cord -> arms -> hand
11.1.3. 3] Continuous Development
11.1.4. 4] General -> Specific
11.1.5. 5] Individual difference
11.1.6. 6] Rate of development differs for each body parts
11.1.7. 7] Development Leads to Integration
11.1.8. 8] Problems are normal
11.1.9. 9] It is predictable
11.1.10. 10]Child -> unified whole