๐ Chapter 6 โ The Age of Reorganisation
Class 7 ยท Tapestry of the Past ยท Short Notes
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"By continuous living tradition and a vital power of rejuvenescence, this land has readjusted itself through unnumbered transformations." โ Jagdish Chandra Bose (1917)
๐ Why Called "Age of Reorganisation"?
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๐After Ashoka's death (~232 BCE), Maurya Empire weakened rapidly
โ๏ธLast Maurya emperor killed (~185 BCE) โ Empire broke into many smaller kingdoms
๐Northwest became vulnerable โ foreign invaders entered: Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Pahlavas
๐Called "Age of Reorganisation" โ existing regions constantly reorganised into new kingdoms
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๐ช Ancient coins โ evidence of multiple kingdoms and trade
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๐จ Diverse art styles from this era of many kingdoms
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๐ Foreign Rulers Who Became Indian
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๐ Cultural confluence โ foreigners assimilating into Indian society
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๐ฟ Art showing fusion of styles from different cultures
๐๏ธ Indo-Greeks
โFrom Bactria (modern Afghanistan)
โMenander (Milinda) = famous ruler, embraced Buddhism
โSpread Greek art styles โ Gandhara art
๐พ Shakas (Scythians)
โFrom Central Asia โ ruled western & northern India
โAdopted Indian culture, patronised Sanskrit
๐๏ธ Kushanas
โKanishka = most famous ruler
โGreat patron of Buddhism, art & trade
โControlled Silk Route trade!
๐ก Cultural Confluence
Foreigners who came to India didn't just rule โ they became part of Indian society! They adopted Indian customs, religion, language & culture. In return, they brought new art styles, coins & ideas. This mixing of cultures is called Cultural Confluence ๐โจ
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๐ South India โ Sangam Age
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๐ South Indian art & culture from the Sangam Age
๐Sangam Age = period of great Tamil literature (~300 BCE โ 300 CE)
๐ญ"Sangam" = assembly of poets โ produced thousands of poems about love, war, nature & life
โThree kingdoms: Cholas (east), Pandyas (south), Cheras (west) โ active sea trade
๐Traded with Rome, Southeast Asia, Arabia โ pepper, pearls, gems, ivory in exchange for gold!
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โ Ancient South Indian port โ gateway for maritime trade with Rome & Southeast Asia
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โญ Quick Summary
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๐ Key Points
๐After Mauryas fell (185 BCE) โ Age of Reorganisation โ many new kingdoms emerged
๐Foreign rulers (Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas) entered but got absorbed into Indian culture
๐จCultural confluence = fusion of Indian + foreign art, religion & customs
๐Sangam Age = golden era of Tamil literature; Chola-Pandya-Chera trade with Rome