Sushmajee
Dictionary Of Hindu Religion | History
| History | |
| 13-History-India-AD-1 |
13-Indian History-AD-1 (001-650 AD) India has a continuous civilization since 2500 BC. During the 2nd millennium, Aryan speaking tribes migrated from northwest into the Indian subcontinent. The following material has been taken from "A New History of India", by Stanley Wolpert. 2004. The Classical Age - 320 BC-647 AD Kushaan, Shak, and Hoon The northwest region of Bactria declared its independence from Seleucid around 250 BC. By 190 BC, Greco-Bactrian invaders recaptured Peshaavar, and a decade later took the control of Panjaab. These people minted coins with their own gods' heads. The last of these kings ruled the Panjaab from his capital Sagalaa (modern Siyaalkot) around 150 BC and was converted to Buddhism by the monk Naagsen whose dialogs with the King are preserved in the "Milind-paanho" (questions of Milind) - an Indianized name of Menander. A number of inscribed columns with the mention of Bactrian conquest have survived, the most famous of which is the "Garud" pillar at Besnagar (Bhilasaa), which was erected by a Greek ambassador Heliodorus, who proclaimed himself as the worshipper of Vaasudev (identified with Krishn, black), to the 5th Shung king of Magadh Bhagabhadra. Krishn was a pre-Aarya local god of northwest India. Krishn was Aaryanized as an Avataar of Vishnu. The Vaidik Sun god gradually emerged as one of the two great gods of Hindu theism. Krishn was incorporated into a later portion of the Mahaabhaarat sometime around 200 BC as the Divine charioteer of Arjun. He revitalized the fallen spirit of Arjun in Bhagavad Geetaa (Song of the Blessed One). Vishnu would eventually have 10 Avataar including Krishn, Raam and Buddha. Kushaan Kings-127-345 AD (218 years) Revolt by Eucratides, at about 175 BC, brought a second line of Greco-Bactrian monarchs to power. They moved from Kaabul valley to Takshshilaa, dominating the Gaandhaar for more than a century. At about 50 BC Scythians (Shak) were displaced from their homeland in central Asia by the Kushaan. Shak were thus first among a number of Central Asian nomads who came to South Asian peninsula during these 50 years. China expanded its borders, so barbarians moved toward west. According to the account in the Apocryphal version of the Acts, when the apostles divided this world for preaching the word of Christ, India fell to Thomas. Thomas protested that he was too weak to go so far away. The then a certain merchant appeared before them and said that he needed a carpenter. That convinced Thomas, and the legend says that he died in South India (Goaa - there is a church there in which his body is kept). Kushaan invaded India about the middle of the 1st century AD, when the last king of Pallav was defeated by these nomads and Shak were driven deeper into India settling in Maalavaa region around Ujjain. Shak people adopted Kshatriya names and cast their horoscopes by Braahman. Such infusion of Central Asian blood helped to generate a unique regional culture in Raajasthaan and in Central India. Many Hindu warriors, who were the fiercest opponents of Muslim invasions a 1000 years later, were descendents of these Shak and Kushaan and later Hoon, only. The first Kushaan prince, Kujulaa Kadphises was the first Kushaan Emperor who united the Empire during the 1st century AD. His son was Vimaa Kadphises and his grandson of Kanishk I. Kushaan King Kanishk - (c 127-140 AD) - 13 years
His wealth and wisdom attracted many artists, poets, musicians. The greatest of these was a Sanskrit poet-dramatist Ashwaghosh, a Buddhist who converted the king himself. He wrote "Buddha Charit" in Sanskrit poetry. Chinese Buddhist travelers have mentioned about the magnificent architecture in his times - a 14-storied wooden tower, more than 600 feet high, which was burned down unfortunately after 6th century; a beautiful silverwork casket, only 8" high, was unearthed in 1908 in Peshaavar borne with Kanishk's name. He was killed by his own lieutenants. after his death, Kushaan dynasty ruled for more than a century, only to be overthrown about 240 AD by Sassanians. Perhaps he was succeeded by Huvishk in c 140-187 AD and remained on the throne until the last great Kushaan ruler Vaasudev I came 50 years later, 191-225 AD. This Vaasudev was the first king named after an Indian God. He converted to Hinduism during his reign. Vaasudev was succeeded by Kanishk II c 200-222 AD. He was succeeded by Vashishk Gupt Period Samudragupt (reigned, 335-375 AD) - 40 years Chandragupt II (reigned, c 375-415 AD) - 40 years After Chandra Gupt defeated Shak in 409 AD, his direct control was over the ports of Arabian Sea. By marrying his daughter Prabhaavatee to Rudrasen II, Chandra Gupt II extended his empire to south of Vindhya mountains. Chandra Gupta II himself married Kuber, a queen of the Naag race and thus extended his power toward east. Of Kaalidaas' seven works, "Abhigyaan Shaakuntalam is the most beautiful work, neither of Kaalidaas' other plays match Shakuntalaa's beauty, but his other work "Meghdoot" (the Cloud Messenger) is another literary gem. Shoodrak was another contemporary poet. His "Mrichchh-katikaa" (Little Clay Cart), is the realistic story of a poor Braahman, Chaarudatt who falls hopelessly in love with a courtesan Vasantsenaa. It is the only Sanskrit drama to include a legal trial scene. Many temples were erected during his period - one temple to one god. Initially they were of modest size - a little more than the sanctuary, entered through a much larger square hall (Mandap) with a porch outside. They increased in large numbers after the 8th century. Cave art also flourished during this period - Ajantaa caves. Graceful human figures whose opulent jewelry and lavish hair styling reflect Gupt's courts - earthly paradise, worthy of preservation as scenes from Mahaayaan Buddhist Heaven. Yashodharaa's 5th century commentary on the Kaam Sootra includes a detailed discussion of the "six limbs" of painting. The Hindu kingdom of Fu-naan (south Vietnaam) was by now a prosperous state ruled by a Braahman named Kaundinya. Chandra Gupt II died in 415. Kumaar Gupt
I (reigned, 415-455 AD) - 40 years Skand Gupt (reigned, 455-467 AD) - 12 years He was succeeded by his half brother Puru Gupt, who in turn was followed by his son Narasinh Gupt, who was followed by his son Kumaar Gupt II, reigned in 473 AD Vardhan Period
Prabhaakar Vardhan
When they were giving the kingdom to each other, they heard the King of Maalavaa Devagupt killed their brother-in-law (Raajyashree's husband Grihavarman) and made Raajyashree prisoner. Baan Bhatt has described this news in his "Harsh Charit" in the following words - "Hearing this news Raajya Vardhan left the idea of renouncing the world and made up his mind to destroy the dynasty of the Maalavaa King. He immediately set out to defeat the Maalavaa King. Raajya Vardhan fought with the king of Maalavaa to avenge the death of his brother-in-law, but Shashaank, the king of the Gaud killed him treacherously." It is stated by
Shankar in a commentary on Harsh Charit written in the 14th century that
Shashaank "allured Raajya Vardhan to his camp with a promise of giving his
daughter in marriage to him. When Raajya Vardhan, was enjoying the feast there
along with his attendants, he was murdered by Shashaank in disguise." Harsh
Vardhan deeply loved his sister Raajyashree, so he saved her from becoming Satee. Harsh Vardhan (606-647 AD) - 41 years He also followed Buddhism
as Ashok. He was a poet too along with being a war king. as his kingdom expanded, he
shifted his capital to Kannauj. According to Baanbhatt,
he was the descendent of Pushpbhooti who founded the kingdom of Sthaaneshwar (modern
Thaanesar near Delhi), one of the 51 Shakti Peeth. The Chinese monk Huaan Tsaang states
that he was a Vaishya. During his reign, the
classical form of worship grew in popularity. Devotees brought their own fruits,
sweets and other delicacies to the icons of god, as well as by the performance of
a number of secret rituals associated with female power (Shakti) that have come
to be called Taantrik. Taantrism spread throughout the subcontinent transforming
Buddhism as well as Hinduism, possibly from Bangaal. Vajrayaan (Vehicle of the
Thunderbolt) Buddhism also emerged here in the 7th century. It introduced most
powerful a number of female Divinities in Buddhism, called Taaraa(s) - the consorts
of weaker Buddha and Bodhi Sattwa.
The third form of Buddhism subsequently became most important in Nepaal and Tibbat
(Tibet). The Taantrik Hinduism and Buddhism both exalted female power as the highest
form of Divine strength. True worship of the Mother through sexual intercourse was
regarded as Divine ritual. But since the traditional Braahman and Buddhist did not
permit this, it relegated to secret sites. Taantrik ritual is intimately connected
to the practice of Yog. Since control of the body and breath are central to the proper
performance of the intercourse, Yog was pursued first of all along 8-fold path of Raaj
Yog ("Royal Yog") through self-control, observance of the proper conduct,
practice of posture (Aasan) as well as breath (Praan) exercises, organic restraint
and mind steadying, to the perfect achievement of deep meditation (Samaadhi) and the
absolute freedom "Kaivalya" (Moksh). [Harshvardhan
is famous for conducting a religious conference in which approximately
1,000 people participated including Chinese visitor to India - Huen
Saang. Huen Saang's lecture on Mahaayaan (a branch of Buddhism) annoyed
a lot of followers of Heenyaan Buddhism and they tried to physically
harm him, but Harshvardhan protected him. This conference lasted for 21
days. This conference annoyed Braahman also who tried to kill the king
but their attempt failed.] After Harshvardhan,
the succeeding period is very obscure and badly documented.
Yog
The 24 forms of matter evolve from "Prakriti",
Purush stands alone, however, there are an infinite number of such
"men", all equal, each of which unites with the feminine gender
"Prakriti". The ultimate salvation of Purush lies in his
recognition of separateness and distinction from Prakriti, allowing the
Spirit or soul to cease suffering and attain freedom. Four Other Philosophies Nyaaya means analysis and it is the Hindu system of logic which teaches salvation through knowledge of some 16 categories of reasoning and analysis, including syllogism, debate, refutations, disputations and argument of every sort. This Nyaaya system is more elaborate than the Greek, its typical 5-part example being - (1) the hill is on fire, (20 because it is smoky, (3) whatever is smoky is on fire, as in kitchen, (4) so with the hill, (5) therefore, the hill is on fire. Not only do Hindu logicians insist on a middle example, they also caution against no fewer than five kinds of fallacious middles, making Nyaaya the world's most intricate and elaborate system of logical analysis. The Vaisheshikaa (individual characteristics) school of Hindu philosophy is sometimes called India's "atomic" system, for its basic premise is the unique character of each element of nature. The material universe emerges from the molecular interaction of the atoms that make up Earth, water, air, and fire. There are, however, There are, however, non-atomic Dravya ("substances") as well, such as soul and mind, or time and space, to help explain whatever the atomic theory may leave inexplicable. Salvation in this school, is achieved through perfect knowledge, following which the "self" is released from matter and rebirth. The Poorv-Meemaansaa (early inquiry) school was based entirely on the study of Rig Vaidik ritual and sacred texts. For these Hindu fundamentalists, salvation was equated with the precise performance of the Som sacrifice, since everything prescribed in the Ved must be taken literally as eternal truth. This system attracted fewer and fewer adherents over time. Vedaant (end of Ved) derives its inspiration from Upanishad speculation rather than Rig Vaidik sacrifice, and is alternately called "Uttar-Meemaansaa" (later inquiry). It has been Hinduism's most influential philosophical system, developing many subsidiary branches and attracting people of all ages, of all places, and of all religions. Through the monistic principle of Brahm, Vedaant philosophy seeks a reconciliation of all seeming differences and conflicts in Hindu scriptures. The greatest Vedaant teacher was Shankar (c 780-820), a South Indian Braahman whose school of unqualified monism developed the idea of our world as Maayaa (illusion), the one reality being Brahm, whose name was also Aatmaa. During his brief career, he wandered from his home, Keral, to the Himaalaya, established many Math (religious centers) and became a saintly teacher, only second to Buddha. The other one was Raamaanuj (c 1025-1137) who viewed Brahm as a Divine being. Rejecting Maayaa, he stressed the importance of Bhakti, by which he meant intense love, devotion and meditation to God, as the sure path to Moksh. This movement became the most important in South India during this era. Tamil poet-saints, whether Shaivite (Naayanaar) or Vaishnavite (Alavaar) sang of their intense devotion. It affected North India also Pallav Dynasty in South India - 7th Century AD - Mahaabalipuram During the rule of his son Narasinh Varmaa I (c 640-668), beautiful monolithic Rath (chariots) were carved at the Pallav seaport of Mahaabalipuram, south of Madraas (Chennai) and near the mouth of the Palar River, some 40 miles up the capital Kaancheepuram. Hewn from granite rocks, the "seven Pagoda" of Mahaabalipuram (only one of which remains now), are among the earliest and finest examples of Dravidian architecture and South Indian rock sculpture. Although drifting sands and shifting tides have long since altered the coastline leaving it a deserted port village, still the remains of an elaborate tank and canal system attest its once-flourishing prosperity. Then came Raaj Sinh, and then Mahendra Varmaa III (c 700) saw the development of the temple, both at Mahaabalipuram and Kaancheepuram. The Shiv and Vaikunth Peroomal Temples at Kaancheepuram were the highpoints of Pallav art and the beginning of the Draavidian temple style - with its truncated pyramidal tower (Shikhar) rising over the central shrine.
Raashtrakoot Kings in South India - 8th Century AD - Kailaash Naath Temple at Ellora
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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on
05/04/13