Sixteen (16) Mahajanapadas The history of ancient India becomes clearer since the times of Mahavira and Buddha, that is, in the 6th century B.C. North India or the Aryavarta, yet to be consolidated under a paramount power, had sixteen states or Mahajanapadas, as mentioned in the Buddhist Jatakas, Anguttara Nikaya, the Jain Bhagavati…
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Shukracharya Shukracharya ( also Guru Shukra, Acharya Shukra ) was the author of Nitisara and is known as the founder of Arthashastra School of thoughts in India. Although it is difficult to give the exact period of Sukracharya, as also the correct date of his work, Sukranitisara, in the absence of authentic historical…
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Short biography of Harshavardhana The reign of Harshavardhana began in 606 A.D. Bana, his court-poet, has written a colourful biography of his patron. The situation at the time of Harsha’s accession was very critical. His elder brother had been killed by Sasanka, the king of Gauda. The former had gone to avenge the…
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Sena Dynasty | Sena Empire | Senas of Bengal The Sena Dynasty The Sena Dynasty of Bengal belonged to the Brahmana-Kshatriya clan of Karnata in South India. After the palas, Senas became the ruler of Bengal. The remote ancestor of the Sena Dynasty was one Virsena whose name we have found in the…
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Satavahana Dynasty (Satavahana Empire) Introduction The Satavahana dynasty played the most significant role in Indian history in the period between the fall of the Mauryas and the rise of Gupta Empire. With Asoka’s death his descendants lost control over parts of South India. Naturally the local chiefs seized the opportunity and assumed independence. In the first…
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Sasanka Sasanka is the most famous among the Kings of Gauda, but little is known of his early life and circumstances in which he came to acquire the throne of Bengal. It was possible that he started his career as a feudatory either under the later Guptas or under the Maukharis. At any…
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Sasanka – The Ancient King of Bengal Sasanka, the Ancient King of Bengal was a significant ruler of the history of Bengal. During his ruler ship Bengal played a significant role in the North Indian politics. King Sasanka liberated Gauda from the later Guptas sometimes in 606 A.D. and became its king. His…
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Sakya Clan | Sakya Buddhism | Sakyas Sakya Clan : The clan in which Buddha was born The Buddhist records give some details of the Sakya clan. Gautama Buddha was born in the Sakya clan and for that reason the Sakyas were held in great esteem by the Buddhistic writers. They naturally wrote…
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Saka era (Shalivahana era, Sakabda) The zero year of Saka era (also Shalivahana era, Sakabda) began in 78 A.D. Kanishka succeeded to the throne of Kushan Empire in 78 A.D. The Christian year 78 A.D. has been accepted by most historians as the year of the foundation of the Saka Era. For centuries…
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Role and Status of Women in Ancient India The Rig Vedic Women in India enjoyed high status in society. Their condition was good. The women were provided opportunity to attain high intellectual and spiritual standard. There were many women Rishis during this period. Though monogamy was mostly common, the richer section of the society indulged…
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