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The Kushans: Extent of Empire, Regilious Policy, Development of Art, Architecture and Literature

  The Kushans (1st century CE to 3rd centrury CE) Also called Yuechis or Tocharians , the Kushans were nomadic people from the steppes of north Central Asia .  They first occupied Bactria or north Afghanistan where they displaced the Sakas .  They moved to Kabul valley and captured Gandhara by crossing the Hindu Kush . Here, they replaced Greeks and Parthians.  They eventually established their authority over the lower Indus basin and the greater part of the Gangetic basin . The Kushan empire in India was known as the Central Asian Empire . There were two successive dynasties Kushans - the first was founded by house of chiefs who were called Kadphises, and the second was founded by Kanishka.   Kushan ruler - Kadphises-I issued gold coins in the south of the Hindu Kush , while the second ruler Kadphises-II issued gold coins and spread his kingdom to the east of the Indus. Kanishka was the first famous Kushan ruler . Kanishka is known for two reasons -...
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The Lichchavi Kingdom (C 450 CE to C 750 CE)

About The Licchavi Kingdom The Lichchavis were the most powerful of the eight clans of Vajji janapad . Their capital was at Vaishali (Bihar).  They were an Indo-Aryan tribe who conquered the territory of the Maha-Videha kingdom and temporarily occupied the Videha capital of Mithila . Given to rising power of Magadha empire , Lichchavis established their republic in the southern part of Maha-Videha kingdom until the marginal location of Vaishali , which was their largest city and capital. To the south of Vaishali was situated the kingdom of Magadha with which relations of Vaishali were initially good. Chellana , the Lichchavi princes from Vaishali was married to Magadha king Bimbisara . Chellana was the second wife of Bimbisara. She gave birth to Ajatshatru , who did not care about relations and invaded and annexed Vaishali in Magadha empire. Republican Constitution of The Lichchavis According to Panini , the janapadas (territorial states) were generally headed by ekraja or on...
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The Gupta Empire (319 AD - 540 AD): Extension of the Empire; Development of Language and Literature; Art and Architecture.

 The Gupta Empire (319 AD - 540 AD) Gupta empire emerged on the ruins of the Kushan kingdom.  The empire orginated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and expanded in almost whole India excluding interior south and Kashmir.  Prayag was the nerve centre of their administration.  They were originally Vaishyas . The founder of the Gupta empire was Srigupta .  The empire witnessed three most important rulers - Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta and Chandragupta-II .  Extent of the Empire Three Gupta rulers  Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta snd Chandragupta-II Contributed the most to the expansion of the empire. Chandragupta I (AD 319 - 334) Marriage alliance was the tool of Chandragupta I for expansion of the empire. He married a Lichchavi princess from Nepal and strengthened his position. Since he married in a higher clan of kshatriya, he earned prestige.  Samudragupta (AD 335-380) He is given credit for the most of expansions of the empire.  Samudragupta w...
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