Que. The period of Indian History from 3rd century B.C.E. to 5th century C.E. was the period of innovation and interaction. How will you react? [UPSC CSE-2017]
Approach:
(1) Introduce with given statement.
(2) Mention why 3rd century B.C.E. to 5th century C.E. was the period of innovation and interaction.
(3) Conclude on balanced footing.
Introduction:
From the period of the Mauryan Empire to the Gupta era, the Indian subcontinent underwent many changes. Politically, it was a period of empire-building. Cities and state-based societies spread to new areas during this period, arts and crafts proliferated. Many of them were inspired by cross- cultural interactions. Sartorial and gastronomic innovations occurred in this period of 800 years.
Period of Innovation and Interaction:
Political Innovation:
(1) Mauryan Period: The Mauryan Empire has been presented as a new form of government marked by centralized control and planning over people, produce and resources. The political unity was achieved for the first time in Indian history under the Mauryan reign. The republic and oligarchy form of government came to an end and Monarchy reached excellence under the Mauryas.
(2) Post Mauryan: With the collapse of the Mauryan empire in 187 BC, a new phase started in Indian history. The influx of groups from West and Central Asia played an important role in this phase and led to a westward shift in the political power from Magadha region. Indo- Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas and Satavahanas left significant marks during this phase. The Kushans adopted the pompous title of ‘king of kings’, which indicates that they collected tributes from numerous small princes. The Shakas and Kushans strengthened the idea of the divine origin of kingship. The Satrap system of administration was highly innovative and successful.
(3) Guptas: The time period of 3rd to 6th century AD was the period of Gupta and Vakatakas. Guptas mainly ruled in the northern part of India and created one of the largest empires of Indian history, while Vakataks ruled from the Deccan after the decline of Satavahanas. The Vakataks were contemporaries of the Guptas. The Gupta period in ancient India is referred to as the “Golden Age” because of the numerous achievements in the field of arts, literature, science and technology. It also brought about the political unification of the subcontinent.
Social Interaction:
(1) Varna System: Society was clearly divided into a four-fold Varna system. Society was divided into a number of castes and sub-castes which were generally based on some profession or occupation. Megasthenes talks about 7-fold social divisions. As per the Jataka tales untouchables like Chanadala, Nishad, Shabar etc. existed and were treated inhumanely. However, according to historian D N Jha, the economic distinction between Shudras and Vaishyas tended to be blurred.
(2) Marriage: ‘Varna-Shankar Vivah’ or inter-varna or inter-caste marriages too are reported; these were of two kinds, namely, ‘Anulom’ (groom of higher varna/caste) and ‘Pratilom’ (bride of higher varna/caste).
(3) Position of Women: The position of women gradually degraded in the period of 800 years. In the Mauryan empire, women were allowed to get education, employed as royal bodyguards and widow remarriage was permitted. In the post-Mauryan period, great emphasis was placed on obedience and chastity of women. In the Gupta period, the status further deteriorated. Eran’s inscription provides the first epigraphical evidence of Sati.
Economic Innovations:
(1) Agriculture: the period between 3rd century BC to 5th century AD was the period of expansion of agriculture. Arthashastra mentions state assistance for increase in production. Soldiers were instructed not to damage standing crops. Satavahanas started the process of land grant for expansion of agriculture. In the Gupta and post Gupta age, feudalism gained ground.
(2) Arts and Crafts: The archaeological evidence gives very specific information on craft activity in the various regions of the subcontinent. Kodumanal gives important evidence of the beginnings of literacy and the development of centres of craft production.
Donative inscriptions from sites such as Sanchi, Bharhut, and Mathura record the pious gifts of various kinds of artisans-potters, weavers, masons, goldsmiths, carpenters, sculptors, and ivory workers.
Those from the western Deccan mention occupational groups such as: jewellers (manikara), goldsmiths (suvanakara), blacksmiths (kamara), ironmongers (loha-vanij), perfumers (gadhika).
(3) Trade and Commerce: The flourishing long-distance trade of the period c. 300 BCE-500 CE comes alive in many texts and is also documented in archaeology. The coming of the Central Asian people established intimate contacts between Central Asia and India.
The existence of the Kushana empire was a stimulus to trade as it included a section of both silk routes and also because it probably provided a modicum of safety for traders and a reduction of tariff posts and is also documented in archaeology.
The term yavana was initially used in ancient Indian texts to refer to the Greeks, but soon came to refer to all foreigners who came from the regions lying to the west of the subcontinent.
(4) Guilds: People in ancient India following the same occupations and crafts, residing at one place, cooperated with each other and formed guilds. The artisans orgnaised themselves into guilds to encourage their particular crafts.
Kautilya, considers the possibility of guilds as agencies capable of becoming centres of power. During the period c. 200 BCE-300 CE, there was a significant increase in the number of guilds as well as in their scale of activities.
(5) Monetization of Economy: Coins emerged as the tools of transaction during Mauryan age only. Post mauryan age witnessed the launch of a large number of coins of different metals.
Indo-greeks issued die struck coins of silver mainly. On the coin, the name and portrait of the issuer was inscribed.
Kushanas were the first dynasty to launch the highest purity gold coins in large numbers. The coins were jointly issued like vima kadphises and kujala kadphises. Some coins bear the name of cities, rulers, tribes and guilds etc.
Satvahanas issued die struck coins and some cast coins. Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana introduced silver currency in the Nasik area.
The Guptas issued the largest quantity of gold coins. D N Jha says, no other period of ancient Indian history is known for so many varieties of coins.
(6) Banking: Urban economy and Increasing use of money as a medium of exchange gave further impetus to practice of money lending. Megasthenes was wrong in stating that Indians did not borrow or lend money on interest.
Kautilya’s Arthashastra prescribes maximum legal rate of interest on secured loan as 15% and on unsecured upto 60%, without any discrimination to caste, though the rate might go up to 120% to 240% per annum according to the risk involved in special circumstances.
During the Post Mauryan period, there was a significant increase in the number of guilds and inscriptions indicate that guilds functioned as bankers and paid interest on the money invested. For example: Mathura inscription, Junnar inscription, Nashik inscription etc.
According to Manusmiriti, stipulated interest rates beyond the legal rate cannot be recovered, it is a usurious way of lending. Dharmashastra texts of the Gupta and post-Gupta period lay down detailed rules concerning usury, including the drawing up of contracts, the role of local custom in fixing rates of interest, and various kinds of pledges that could be accepted as security for loans.
Science and Technology:
(1) Astronomy: Indian astronomy has a long history and was a Vedanga, an auxiliary discipline associated with the study of the Vedas, dating back to 1,500 BCE or earlier. Varahamihira, Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Brahmagupta and others were astronomers who even mention their scientific instruments.
(2) Mathematics: Mathematics on the Indian subcontinent has a rich history going back over 3,000 years and thrived for centuries before similar advances were made in Europe, with its influence meanwhile spreading to China and the Middle East. As well as giving us the concept of zero, Indian mathematicians made seminal contributions to the study of trigonometry, algebra, arithmetic and negative numbers among other areas. Some famous ancient Indian Mathematicians Mahaviracharya. were Baudhayan, Aryabhatta, Brahmgupta, Bhaskaracharya,
(3) Medicine: Ayurveda is the indigenous system of medicine that was developed in Ancient India. The word Ayurveda literally means the science of good health and longevity of life. This ancient Indian system of medicine not only helps in treatment of diseases but also in finding the causes and symptoms of diseases. It is a guide for the healthy as well as the sick. Charak is called the father of ayurvedic medicine and Susruta the father of surgery. Susruta, Charak, Madhava, Vagbhatta and Jeevak were noted ayurvedic practitioners.
Conclusion:
The period from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE was undoubtedly a time of remarkable innovation and extensive interaction that left a lasting legacy on the cultural, religious, and intellectual facets of Indian history. This era’s dynamism and openness to diverse influences played a pivotal role in shaping India’s rich and pluralistic heritage.
