History Quiz: Revision |9 May, 2021

Chandragupta’s son Bindusara succeeded him as emperor in 297 BCE in a peaceful and natural transition.

• We do not know what happened to Chandragupta. He probably renounced the world.
• According to the Jain tradition, Chandragupta spent his last years as an ascetic in Chandragiri, near Sravanabelagola, in Karnataka.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

One of the major events of Ashoka’s reign was the convening of the Third Buddhist sangha (council) in 250 BCE in the capital Pataliputra.

• Ashoka’s deepening commitment to Buddhism meant that royal patronage was extended to the Buddhist establishment.
• An important outcome of this sangha was the decision to expand the reach of Buddhism to other parts of the region and to send missions to convert people to the religion.

• Buddhism thus became a proselytizing religion and missionaries were sent to regions outlying the empire such as Kashmir and South India.
• According to popular belief, Ashoka sent his two children, Mahinda and Sanghamitta, to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism. It is believed that they took a branch of the original bodhi tree to Sri Lanka.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

Justice was administered through courts, which were established in all the major towns. Two types of courts are mentioned.

• The dharmasthiya courts mostly dealt with civil law relating to marriage, inheritance and other aspects of civil life.
• The courts were presided over by three judges wellversed in sacred laws and three amatyas (secretaries).

• Another type of court was called kantakasodhana (removal of thorns), also presided over by three judges and three amatyas.
• The main purpose of these courts was to clear the society of anti-social elements and various types of crimes, and it functioned more like the modern police, and relied on a network of spies for information about such antisocial activities.
• Punishments for crimes were usually quite severe. The overall objective of the judicial system as it evolved was to extend government control over most aspects of ordinary life.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

The Cholas controlled the central and northern parts of Tamil Nadu. Their core area of rule was the Kaveri delta, later known as Cholamandalam.

• Their capital was Uraiyur (near Thiruchirapalli town) and Puhar or Kaviripattinam was an alternative royal residence and chief port town.
• Tiger was their emblem. Kaviripattinam attracted merchants from various regions of the Indian Ocean.
• The Cheras controlled the central and northern parts of Kerala and the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu.
• Vanji was their capital and the ports of the west coast, Musiri and Tondi, were under their control.

• Vanji is identified with Karur, while some scholars identify it with Tiruvanchaikkalam in Kerala.
• There are many other Chera coins with their bow and arrow emblem but without any writing on them.
• The Pandyas ruled from Madurai. Korkai was their main port, located near the confluence of Thampraparani with the Bay of Bengal.
• It was famous for pearl fishery and chank diving. Korkai is referred to in the Periplus as Kolkoi. Fish was the emblem of the Pandyas.
• Their coins have elephant on one side and a stylised image of fish on the other. They invaded Southern Kerala and controlled the port of Nelkynda, near Kottayam.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

Another Indo-Greek king whose name is remembered is Antialcidas (or Antialkidas), c. 110.

• He is known to us primarily because his emissary, Heliodorus, who was sent to the court of King Bhagabhadra erected a pillar or garudadhvaja with its capital adorned by a figure of Garuda, in honour of God Krishna (Vasudeva).
• Heliodorus had evidently become a follower of Vishnu. (The pillar stands in isolation in the middle of an open ground in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.)

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

The best known of the Kushana kings was Kanishka, who is thought to have ruled from 78 CE till 101 or 102 CE.

• Ironically, 78 CE is held to be the beginning of the “Saka era” in the Indian calendar.
• Historians are, hence, divided about Kanishka’s period. His rule is said to have started anywhere between 78 and 144 CE.
• Kanishka was an ardent follower of Buddhism and hosted the fourth Buddhist mahasangha or council (the third council had been held in Pataliputra during Asoka’s reign).
• By now Mahayana Buddhism had become the dominant sect, and Kanishka supported the missions sent to China to preach Buddhism.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

The expansion of overseas trade and shipping brought foreign merchants and sailors to the Tamil region.

• Because of the seasonal nature of the monsoon winds, and the prevailing levels of technology, long voyages necessitated long periods of stay in host countries.
• Yavana merchants lived in especially ear-marked residential quarters in the harbour area.

• Though they were allowed to trade freely, and were noted for their attractive goods, there was a good deal of reserve in the attitude of the local Tamils to foreign merchants who were considered an alien, barbaric people, who spoke a harsh-sounding language.
• Other yavanas also came with the merchants. The fortress of Madurai was guarded by yavanas carrying large swords.
• There are also references to yavana metal workers and carpenters, who were described as “hard-eyed” probably because they had grey or blue eyes.
• All these may not have been strictly of Greek origin, as implied by the term yavana, which had become a generic word to denote persons from the eastern Mediterranean regions.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board. 

Dharmapala proved to be a great patron of Buddhism.

• He founded the Vikaramasila monastery in Bhagalpur district in Bihar, which developed into a great centre of Buddhist learning and culture.

• He built a grand vihara at Somapura in modern Paharapura (presentday Bangladesh).
• Dharmapala also built a monastery at Odantapuri in Bihar.
• He patronised Harisbhadra, a Buddhist writer.

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.

Distinctions are made between amatyas and mantrins. While a mantri is generally understood to be a diplomat, amatya is a counsellor.

• Mantri Mandala was a council of ministers. Rahasyadhikrita was a private secretary of the king.
• Manikkappandaram-Kappan was an officer in charge of the treasury (Manikka – valuables; Pandaram – treasury; Kappan – keeper).
• Kodukkappillai was the officer of gifts. They were central officers under the Pallava king.
• Kosa-adhyaksa was the supervisor of the Manikkappandaram-kappan.

• Judicial courts were called Adhikarna Mandapa and judges called Dharmadhikarins.
• Fines are mentioned in the Kasakudi plates of Nandivarman Pallava as Karanadandam (fine in superior/ higher court) and Adhikaranadandam (fine in district level).

Source: Tamil Nadu state board.