History of Maharashtra : from vedic age to gupta period
The state of Maharashtra, as on the present day map of India, has a long pre and proto-historic past as this land has been inhabited by humans since time immemorial. The name Maharashtra entered the recorded history in the 2nd century B.C. with the construction of its first Buddhist caves.The name Maharashtra first appeared in the 7th century in the account of a contemporary Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang who visited the land during AD 640-641 and called it Mo-holo-cha (Moholesh) and was perhaps the first person to discuss the region and its people.
However, the historical past of Maharashtra begins from around 6th century B.C. Marathi, which evolved from Maharashtriprakrit, has been the Lingua-Franca of the people of this area from 10th century onwards. And in the course of time, the term ‘Maharashtra’ was used to describe a region which consisted of Aparanta (Northern Konkan), Vidarbha, Mulak, Bhogavaradhana, Ashmak, and Kuntal. The tribal communities of Nags, Munds and Bhills inhabited this area, also known as Dandakaranya in ancient times. They were joined by the Aryas, the Shakas and the Huns, who came from the north, as well as by foreigners, who arrived by sea. Maharashtra with more or less present boundaries emerged in 12th – 13th century A.D; when it included both the Godavari valley and Vidarbha as is evident from the Mahanubhava literature.
During this period Maharashtra emerged as ‘Maharashtra’ with distinct regional identity mainly due to the development of the Marathi language and the efforts of saints like Dnyaneshwar, Chakradhara Swami etc. Thus Maharashtra, as understood today, has evolved over a long period of time.
One cannot neglect the various ruling dynasties right from the ancient times. This land of Maharashtra, according to various sources of history like literary texts-such as Sanskrit and Prakrit texts on different subjects, inscriptions of the contemporary period and coins of various ruling dynasties, has been ruled by a number of powerful families during different periods of history; many a times as semi- independent chiefs. The political and administrative boundaries, however, were not always clearly defined and often overlapped between two contemporary ruling families. However, the recent past is clearer than the ancient past as the more definite and authentic sources are available for the recent period.
According to the definite history of the region the first wellknown rulers of Maharashtra were the Satavahanas (230 B.C.-236 A.D.) with Pratishthana (Paithan) as their capital. They ruled for about 450 years over not just Maharashtra but over a major part of the peninsula. The dynasty founded by Simmuk Satavahan represents a significant phase in the political, cultural and social history of Maharashtra. Hala, the 7th ruler of the Satavahans compiled the famous Gatha ‘Saptashati’, a Maharastriprakrit collection of poems. The Satavahanas inaugurated the Shalivahana Shaka of the Hindus. The empire crumbled because of internal feuds among its vassals.
According to the puranas, after the fall of the mighty Satavahana empire several small kingdoms appeared in different parts of the state, many of which had been the subordinates of the Satavahanas. These include-Shriparvatiyas, Abhiras, Gardabhilas, Sakas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Murundas, and Hunas.
During the post -satavahana period the rule of the Vakatakas (250 AD-500 AD), the contemporaries of mighty Guptas, Maharashtra witnessed an overall development in the fields of learning, the arts and religion with their munificent patronage. The best known of the Ajanta Caves 16, 17, and 19 belong to this period. Fresco painting reached at its high level-mark during this time.
After the fall of the Vakatakas minor dynasties vizTraikutakas (during the 5th to the second half of the 6th century AD) Kalachuris (during 2nd half of the 6th century AD), and the early Rashtrakuta family came to prominence in different parts of Maharashtra; from the dynastic capital at Mahishmati.
The Chalukyas, the next important dynasty of Maharashtra from AD 550- 760 (Badamichalukyas) and then again from AD 973- 1180 (Kalyanichalukyas) became important in the service of the later Satavahanas and their successors. They were the devout Hindus, who extensively sponsored temple construction. Ellora caves was under the control of Kalyanichalukyas and Yadavas of Devagiri. The Kalyanichalukyas continued to rule parts of Maharashtra upto AD 1189, when the Yadavas of Devagiri took over, whose supremacy lasted till AD 1310.
MPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for MPSC Prelims and MPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by MPSC Notes are as follows:-
- MPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program
- MPSC Prelims Exam 2020- Test Series and Notes Program
- MPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program
- MPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes