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📕📕Important Questions📕📕 1. भारत में खोजा गया सबसे पहला पुराना शहर कौन-सा था? – हड़प्पा 2. ‘स्वराज मेरा जन्म सिद्ध अधिकार है’ किसने कहा था? – बाल गंगाधर तिलक 3. महात्मा गाँधी के राजनीतिक गुरु कौन थे? – गोपाल कृष्ण गोखले 4. उत्तरी भारत की प्रथम मुस्लिम महिला शासक/दिल्ली पर राज करने वाली प्रथम महिला शासक कौन थी? – रजिया सुल्तान 5. सिंधु सभ्यता का पत्तननगर (बंदरगाह) कौन-सा था? – लोथल 6. भारतीय राष्ट्रीय काँग्रेस के संस्थापक कौन थे? – ए.ओ. ह्यूम 7. महात्मा बुद्ध द्वारा दिए गए प्रथम उपदेश को कहा जाता है? – धर्मचक्रप्रवर्तन 8. किस वेद की रचना गद्य एवं पद्य दोनों में की गई है? – यजुर्वेद 9. भारत में पहला समाचारपत्र किसने शुरू किया था? – सैयद अहमद खाँ 10. किसके शासनकाल में बौद्ध धर्म दो भागों-हीनयान तथा महायान में बँट गया? – कनिष्क 11. लोदी वंश का अंतिम शासक कौन था? – इब्राहिम लोदी 12. प्रथम जैन संगीति कहाँ आयोजित की गई थी? – पाटलिपुत्र 13. दिल्ली के किस सुल्तान को इतिहासकारों ने ‘विरोधों का मिश्रण’ बताया है? – मुहम्मद-बिन-तुग लक 14. ऋग्वैदिक समाज की सबसे छोटी इकाई क्या थी? – कुल या परिवार 1...

Indo-Greek Rule The Bactrian Greeks moved into the south of the Hindu Kush area by the early 2nd century BCE. Indo-Greeks are these groups of these Bactrian Greeks that ruled over north-western India between the 2nd century BCE and early 1st century CE.  Indo-Greek Rule After the decline of the Mauryas, northern India was split into several kingdoms. In the Magadha region, the Sungas came to power in about 185 BC. After that, the Kanvas came to power who were defeated by the Satavahanas originally from the Deccan. Northwest India was constantly under attack from powers in Central Asia and northwest. The Indo-Greek or the Graeco-Indian Kingdom has established around 180 BC when the Graeco-Bactrian king Demetrius invaded the Indian subcontinent. Indo-Greeks – Initial presence of Greeks in India After Alexander invaded the northwest part of the subcontinent, one of his generals, Seleucus Nicator, founded the Seleucid Empire. In Seleucus’s conflict with the mighty Chandragupta Maurya, ...

Kushan Empire - Origin, Achievements & Kanishka's Rule Kushans or Kuei-Shang were one of the five Great Yueh-chi (tribes) principalities. In the 1st century CE, Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I) brought together these five principalities and founded the Kushan Empire. The Kushans movement in India can be traced back to the first century CE during Kadphises I time. Kushan Empire Origin Kushanas are considered to be one of the five branches of the Yuezhi tribe who lived in the Chinese frontier or central Asia. They are known as Guishuang in Chinese sources. They eventually acquired dominance over the other Yuezhi tribes. They moved eastward towards India defeating the Parthians and the Sakas in the 1st century AD. Kushan Empire – Ruler Kujula Kadphises or Kadphises I [AD 30-AD 80) Kujula Kadphises was the first Yuezhi chief to lay the foundation of the Kushana Empire in India. He established his supremacy over Kabul, Kandahar and Afghanistan. He was succeeded by his son Vima Taktu o...

Mauryan Empire: Reasons For Decline Late stages of the Mauryan Empire After the death of Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire collapsed within five decades. There are many reasons given by historians for this disintegration of a once-mighty empire. At its zenith, the Mauryan Empire stretched from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. It covered almost the whole Indian subcontinent except modern-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. A few years after Ashoka’s death, the weakening of the empire started. The various reasons for the fall of the Mauryan Empire are highlighted below: The partition of the Empire After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire split into two halves – western and eastern parts. This weakened the empire. Kalhana, author of the work Rajatarangini which is an account of Kashmir’s history says that after Ashoka’s death, his son Jalauka ruled over Kashmir as an independent ruler. This partition resulted in invasions from the northwest. Highly centra...

Buddhist Councils and Important Texts There are four Buddhist councils, the first one being held around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru of the Haryanka Dynasty under Magadha Empire. The other three Buddhist councils were held around 383 BCE, 250 BCE, and 72 AD respectively.  List of Buddhist Councils Four Buddhist Councils were held under different kings. First Buddhist Council Conducted under the patronage of King Ajatasatru of Haryanka dynasty. The council was established in order to arrive at a consensus on how the  teachings of the Buddha  could be spread further. It was held in 483 BC just after Buddha’s demise. It was held at Sattapani caves (Sattaparnaguha) in Rajagriha. The monk who presided over the first council was Mahakassapa. Main objective was to preserve the Buddha’s teachings. At this council, Ananda composed the Suttapitaka (Buddha’s Teachings) and Mahakassapa composed the Vinaypitaka (monastic code). Second Buddhist Council Conducted under ...

Ashoka Inscription (The Edicts Of Ashoka) The great Emperor Ashoka, the third monarch of the Maurya dynasty converted to Buddhism after witnessing the horrific effects of war in Kalinga. He became a champion and patron of Buddhism and strove to spread Dhamma throughout his empire and beyond. He erected pillars and edicts all over the subcontinent and even in modern-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan to spread the Buddha’s word. Ashoka Inscription (Rock Edicts) James Prinsep, a British antiquary and colonial administrator was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s edicts.  These Ashoka’s inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that maximum number of people would read them. More than religious discourses, they talk about the moral duties of the people, how to conduct life, Ashoka’s desire to be a good and benevolent ruler, and about Ashoka’s work towards this end. Ashoka inscriptions can be classi...

Ashoka - Life & Dhamma  Early life Son of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and Subhadrangi. Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. His other names were Devanampiya (Sanskrit Devanampriya meaning Beloved of the Gods) and Piyadasi. Considered one of India’s greatest emperors. He was born in 304 BC. His reign lasted from 268 BC to 232 BC when he died. At its zenith, Ashoka’s empire stretched from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. It covered almost the whole Indian subcontinent except present Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and modern-day Sri Lanka. Ashoka built many edicts all over India including in present-day Nepal and Pakistan. His capital was at Pataliputra (Patna) and had provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain. Rise to power Ashoka was not the eldest son of Bindusara and so was not the heir presumptive. Bindusara wanted his elder son Susima to be crowned the next king. But Ashoka was trained in military and weapons and showed great skills as an administrator when he was made th...

Rise & Growth Of Magadha Empire Magadha Empire encompasses the rule of three dynasties over time – Haryanka Dynasty, Shishunaga Dynasty, and Nanda Dynasty. The timeline of the Magadha Empire is estimated to be from 684 BCE to 320 BCE.  Rise of Magadha  The four Mahajanapadas – Magadha, Kosala, Avanti and Vatsa were vying for supremacy from the 6 th  century BC to the 4 th  century BC. Finally, Magadha emerged victoriously and was able to gain sovereignty. It became the most powerful state in ancient India. Magadha is situated in modern Bihar. Jarasandha, who was a descendant of Brihadratha founded the empire in Magadha. Both are talked about in the Mahabharata. Magadha Empire – Haryanka Dynasty The first important and powerful dynasty in Magadha. Bimbisara (558 BC – 491 BC) Son of Bhattiya. He ruled over Magadha from 544 BC to 493 BC. Contemporary and follower of the Buddha. Was also said to be an admirer of Mahavira. Had his capital at Girivraja (Rajgir). Also k...