Post-Mauryan Period (c. 185 BCE – 300 CE)

09/02/2026

36 3 minutes read

The Post-Mauryan Period started with the fall of the Mauryan Empire in the end of 185 BCE and lasted until the first centuries of the Common Era.
It was characterized by the lack of a single imperial power and the emergence of multiple local kingdoms all over the Indian subcontinent.
Decentralisation of politics at this time promoted local identities and administrative innovations.
Simultaneously, more foreign contacts were made which resulted in cultural interactions which lifted the Indian society.
This era then, is regarded to be a transition between the Mauryan era and the classical Gupta era.

It was in the dynasty of Shunga that was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga, the successor of the Mauryas in Magadha.
Brahmanical practices were supported by Shunga rulers, and they made Vedic sacrifices, which shows the change in the policies of the Mauryan rule.
The Kanvas succeeded the Shungas but only wielded power in the area briefly therefore causing even more political unrest in the area.

Cultural assimilation was manifested by the introduction of the elements of the Hellenistic culture and the issue of the bilingual coins by Indo-Greek rulers.
The Shakas created the system of Kshatrapas that assisted in the administration of the region and collection of revenue.
Parthians had a minor yet a major role of both trade and cultural contacts between the western world and India.

The Satavahanas became a great dynasty in the Deccan who controlled the commercial routes connecting the north and the South.
They were the patrons of Buddhism and also promoted Brahmanical traditions which were indicative of religious tolerance.
Their rule was comparatively stable and was favorable to economic prosperity.

This period was the era of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas who ruled Tamil.
These kingdoms continued to have effective administration and promoted overseas trade with Southeast Asia and Roman world.

Post-Mauryan Period was more decentralised than the Mauryan system of administration.
Kingship was inherited and the rulers were dependent on the local officials and feudatories to govern them.
Administerial diversity is noted by inscriptions in various languages including Prakrit, Sanskrit, Greek and Tamil.
The tradition of giving land to Brahmanas and institutions started signifying ancient feudal inclination.

The iron tools and improved irrigation facilities like tanks and wells helped to promote agricultural growth.
There was growth in agricultural surplus, which led to population increase and urbanisation.

Trade was greatly developed, both on the subcontinent and with the outside world, such as Roman Empire.
Spices, textiles, pearls, and ivory were exported by Indian merchants with gold and silver entering India.
The organised guilds of mergers and artisans had a significant role in the regulation of trade and production.

Monetised economy is evidenced by the popularity of coins made out of gold, silver, copper and lead.
The tradition of the Indo-Greek rulers to use portrait and bilingual coins shaped the Indian coinage tradition in the future.
Roman coins are common in the country which were evidence of thriving Indo-Roman trade.

The varna system became more rigid, though economic prosperity allowed some social mobility.
The rise of traders and artisans led to the emergence of new social groups.
Guilds also functioned as social institutions, providing support and protection to their members.

Buddhism and Jainism were still enjoyed by the royalties and traders.
There was a lot of construction of stupas, monasteries and viharas, particularly in the trade routes.

There was a revival of Brahmanism and more emphasis was placed on rituals and social norms.
Devotion was growing in importance as indicated by the growth of Bhagavata cult and early Vaishnavism.

Sculptures and images of the Buddha were made in the Gandhara and Matthra schools of art that thrived.
Rock cut caves like those at Karla, Bhaja, Nasik and Ajanta show that there was development in architecture and that religion was being promoted.

Sanskrit slowly became the language of the higher culture and administration.
Inscriptions and Buddhist texts were still made in Prakrit.
The Tamil Sangam literature can give a lot of information about the life of South India both social and political.