Ancient India Set – 2

The Ajanta Caves, a series of Buddhist rock-cut caves in Maharashtra, were primarily built during the Gupta period. They date from the 2nd century BCE to around 480 CE.

The Arthashastra was authored by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, who was a contemporary and advisor to Chandragupta Maurya. It serves as a treatise on governance, economics, and military strategy.

Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador at the Mauryan court of Chandragupta Maurya. His work ‘Indica’ provides valuable insights into the Mauryan society and governance.

The Panchatantra, a collection of animal fables, was compiled by Vishnu Sharma in ancient India. These stories, teaching moral and practical lessons, are significant in Indian and world literature.

Ravikirti, a Jain scholar, was patronized by Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. He composed the Aihole inscription, which records the achievements of Pulakeshin II.

Vardhaman Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is regarded as the founder of Jainism in India. His teachings promoted principles like non-violence, truth, and asceticism.

The Aryans earliest settlements in India were in the Sapta Sindhu region, an area with seven rivers including the Indus. This region was significant in the Vedic age for the development of early Vedic culture.

The Thalavaipuram Copper Plates document the land system and measurements of the Second Pandyan Empire, providing insights into ancient land governance.

Varahamihira was an ancient Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer from Ujjain in the 6th century. He contributed significantly to Indian science and was part of the Navaratnas at Vikramaditya’s court.

Pulakeshin II, the Chalukya ruler of South India, was a contemporary of Harshavardhana. He famously defeated Harsha’s forces, marking a major event in Indian history.

During the reign of Bindusara, there was unrest in Taxila due to administrative issues. Ashoka, Bindusara’s son, was sent to restore peace and order in the region.

During the Gupta period, the silver coin known as Rupyaka was issued. This currency was primarily used for larger transactions and was based on the Saka coinage system of Ujjaini.

Varahamihiras Pancha Siddhantham is a renowned work on astronomy, summarizing earlier astronomical systems. This treatise marked a significant scientific achievement in ancient India.

The Rashtrakutas are remembered for their contributions to Kannada literature, especially the works of Pampa, Ponna, and Ranna, and for the construction of the Kailasa Temple at Ellora.

Agriculture was the backbone of the Indus Valley Civilizations economy. The civilization was advanced in farming techniques, primarily cultivating wheat and barley.

Amoghavarsha I, the Rashtrakuta king, authored ‘Kavirajamarga,’ an important Kannada literature text. This book served as an early guide to Kannada poetics and literature.

In 2014, Pakistan requested India to return the famous ‘Dancing Girl’ statue, a 10.8 cm bronze artifact from the Indus Valley Civilization. This statue, which is currently in the National Museum in New Delhi, dates back to around 2500 BCE.

The 6th century B.C. was an age of religious ferment, witnessing the rise of Buddhism and Jainism in India. This period was marked by spiritual and philosophical awakening globally.

R. Rama Shastri discovered and edited the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft attributed to Kautilya, and published its Sanskrit and English translations.

The term ‘Buddha’ in Sanskrit and Pali means ‘Enlightened one’ and is used to refer to Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha after attaining enlightenment.

Lothal, located in Gujarat, was a major dockyard site for the Indus Valley Civilization, indicating advanced knowledge of trade and maritime architecture in ancient India.

The Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora was constructed by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century CE. This temple, carved from a single rock, is a marvel of Dravidian architecture.

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty. Known for his military prowess, he defeated several rivals and expanded the empire significantly.

In Rock Edict XIII, Ashoka reflects on the causalities of the Kalinga War, expressing remorse and declaring his commitment to non-violence and Dharma. This edict marks a major shift in his policies.

The Government of India adopted the Lion Capital of Ashoka from Sarnath as its national emblem. This symbol is associated with peace and the teachings of Buddhism.