6.Chapter 14.Early History of Deccan.History

Chapter 14

Early History of Deccan and South India

14 MEGALITHIC CULTURE Though Megalithic Culture spread over the whole of India, its main concentration was in the Deccan, South India, the North - East and Kashmir.  Till the second century BCE, this region was the home of people who buried their dead and erected big pieces of stones called Megaliths around the graves.  Hence, they were known as Megalith Builders.  Large number of huge stone monuments have been found mostly in granite areas.  Very often an entire site was marked by placing huge, round stones in a circle.  These 'stone circles were the first indication of megalithic culture in South India.  The remains of skeletons of that period show that the megalith people had a strong build with broad bones, thick skulls and protruding teeth.  The discovery Megalith of the remains of pottery and iron objects at burial sites believed that they believed in life after death.  Such sites have been discovered at many places in Deccan and South India along with Khalpa, Naikund, Mahurjhari in Maharashtra and Brahamgiri, Hardanhalli, Takalghat and Maski in South India.  Earlier the archaeologists believed that the megalith people were nomadic hunters and food gatherers but the discovery of ax, hammer, ploughshare and sickle revealed that they were agriculturists.  Though agriculture was not much advanced, they probably grew ragi and paddy in small fields on the hill slopes as the plains were covered with dense forests.  The megalith people are also used weapons like dagger, spear knife and sword.  A trident (trishul has also been discovered. Do you know? Discoveries of iron tools at many 9 The differentiation in the mortuary practices indicates sites have proved that the Megalith that the Megalithic population of South India was people were the first iron users of organized into  a ranked society, South India. They used tron ​​to make their tools, weapons and utensils

(The remains of pottery of the megalith people believed that the pots were well - baked and well fired. They were clearly made on the potter's wheel. The remains of the pottery that have been found are mainly in black and red colors. Some pots still  retain a shiny polish. The pottery pieces are also fine inscriptions which may be the trademarks of the potters.) Some archaeologists believe that the megalithic people of South India and Deccan were invaders from West Asia.  Their culture closely resembles that of megalithic people of Ireland.  The megalithic culture gave rise to the Satavahana culture.  The archaeological evidences considering that the megalithic people came from Ireland to India by the sea - route.  This whole route is marked by similar megaliths.  It is quite probable that the ancestors of the Marathas, Kannada, Telugu and Tamils ​​are the megalithic people.  102 Megalithic iron tools Do You Know?  In some areas, large number of funeral urns filled with ashes and charred bones have been discovered it is strange that inspite of the use of iron, megalithic people did not attempt to clear the forests.  EARLY HISTORY the region to the south of Vindhya and Narmada, called the Deccan, was known as Dakshinapatha in earlier times.  The Satavahanans emerged as a powerful kingdom in Deccan.  They were highly influenced by the political system of the Mauryans.  His rule continued from third century BCE to first century BCE, for about 400 years, (King Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana kingdom. Gautmiputra Satkarni was the greatest Satavahana ruler, He conquered large territories and extended the Satavahana kingdom. 119

Sialkot FM Pushkar Gange SAP His son Vasishthiputra Pulumavi set up his capital at Pratishthana (now Paithan in Maharashtra Yajnasari Satakarni was the last great ruler of Satavahana dynasty The Satavahana rulers believed in the divine powers of the kings'. They divided the territory in provinces for  efficient Khotane administration. They GANDHARA KINGDOM OF SATAVAHANAS were the followers Tokshashita of Hinduism. They worshipped Vishnu and Shiva. Many Buddhist Chaityas (temples) and Viharas Mathura. Gorakhpur (monasteries) were SIND Prayag: MALWA Gange Mandason Patliputra also built during this Bodsao Samath  The rock - cut GUJARAT Ujjayini Brpach chaitya hall (cave) Bhrigukachchha Amravati Mithunad at Karle in Pune is a MUMBAIO fine example of cave BAY OF BENGAL architecture. ARABIAN also built beautiful Salavahanas SEA stupas. The stupa at INDEX Amravati has carved  CHOLAS • Ancient Towns CHENNAI Modern Chies panels depicting - Present Extemal  Boundary of 1 India scenes from the life of Madurai Buddha.  SRI The Satavahana Indian LANKA OCEAN rulers built roads and Satavahana Kingdom Nam Tap Soparin, Nasik Kalinga Godwart they are Cauvery Pondicherry Thanjavur PANDYAS ships to encourage internal and external trade.  They had trade relations with Rome, Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Burma and Malaya.  They traded in wine, copper, tin, precious stones, etc.  The great Satavahana dynasty came to an end in 220 CE.  The empire came into the hand of Rashtrakutas in Maharashtra, the Pallavas in Kanchi and the Ikshwakus in Andhra region.  120

SOUTH INDIA The territory on the south of Rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra extending up to Kanyakumari is known as South India or Carnatic region.  In the later period of Megalith culture, three kingdoms emerged powerful in the southern India.  They were the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Cheras, Sangam interature is the main source of information about this period, though we also find its references in Ashoka's inscriptions, Mahabharata, Jataka Stories and the travel accounts of foreign travelers.  20 Do You Know?  Tamil poems presented by poets at Sangams (assemblies) described the events and conditions of that time.  They were compiled into Sangam literature.  Three Sangams were held at Madurai over a period of three to four centuries.  Do you know?  King Karikala brought 12,000 Prisoners of War (POWs) from Sri Lanka and forced them to build a dam on River Cauvery.  Chalukyas of Vengi The Cholas The Chola kingdom or Cholamandala ruled over south India between Pennar and Velar rivers.  (The extent of their rule was always changing due to defeats or victories in wars with the neighboring regions. The Cholas set - up their capital at Kaveripattam but later they shifted it to Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram. According to the Sangam literature, King Karikala defeated the  Cheras, Pandyas and even Sri Lanka. Karikala followed the Vedic religion. He developed trade and industry. He built a strong army and navy. He gave royal patronage to Tamil literature) Subsequently, the Cheras, Pandyas and later Pallavas conquered the territories of the  Cholas from the weak successors of Karikala.  Rashtrakuta empire Gangas of Talakkad Cholas Quero Mahodayapuram Pandyas of Madurai The Pandyas The kingdom of the Pandyas was limited to southernmost and south - eastern parts of the Indian peninsula.  They set - up their capital at Lambakanna Chola, Pandya and Chera Kingdoms 121

Madurai Nadunjeliam was the most important king of Pandya dynasty, the kingdom of the Pandyas prospered from the trade with the Romans.  The trade of pearls was developed by Pandyas.  The famous assemblies or Sangams held at Madural during the Pandyas rule prove that they were great patrons of literature.  The rule of Pandyas continued uptil the eleventh century CE, when the powerful Chola King Parantaka - 1 captured Madurai and defeated the Pandyas.  Pandya Nayaka Shrine build by Sundara Pandya The Cheras The Chera kingdom or Keralaputra involving a narrow strip of land between sea and the western ghats over Malabar, Cochin and Travancore, parts of modern Kerala and Tamil Nadu.  Vanchi was the capital of Chera kingdom.  Two great rulers of Chera dynasty were Nedunjeral and Senguttavan.  The Cheras had trade relations with Rome and Egypt, Administration in the Southern Kingdoms (The Sangam literature tells us that the territory during the period of southern kingdoms was divided into five geographical zones - 1. Hills and Forests (kurinji), 2. Pastureland (  mullai), 3. Fertile land, 4. Coastal land (neyte) and 5. Arid land. The king was assisted and advised by a Council of Ministers. He maintained a large army of soldiers, horses, elephants, etc. The soldiers patrolled.  the roads to ensure the safety of the merchants. 122

Society and Religion The society of south India was also caste - ridden like north India.  The Brahmins and the Kshatriyas dominated the other castes.  The kings donated large pieces of land to the temples, which were the centers of worship as well as administration, culture and meeting places to solve the problems.  The worship of God Vishnu became popular.  The people living along the sea - coast also worshipped sea - god and God Murugan (Kartikeya in northern India).  Some people also followed Buddhism and Jainism.  The people of south India loved music, dance and poetry.  They celebrated fairs and festivals in their leisure time.  Occupation Agriculture was the main occupation of the people.  They used ploughshare, sickle and some other tools for cultivation.  They grew rice, sugarcane, pulses, spices, etc.  The kings built canals for irrigation.  Land revenue and trade were the most important sources of the state income.  All the three kingdoms had trade relations with many countries like Egypt, Rome, Arabs, Malaya and China.  Small merchants lived along the coast.  Muziris, Kaveripattnam, Korkai were the important trade centers of Cholas, Pandyas and the Cheras respectively.  The main items of trade were Do You Know?  pearls, precious stones, textile and ivory.  The trade contacts helped in the spread of Indian foreign traders brought copper, tin, glass, culture in the countries of south-east Asia.  wine, gold and silver to India.  Keywords inscriptions messages / information engraved on rocks.  • leisure time: unoccupied time.  paddy: rice peninsula: land surrounded by water as to be almost an island.  fagi: a coarse type of grain.  123