1.

Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the Post-Mauryan period.

Answer»

Solution :In the post Mauryan age, the idea of kingship got monarches with divine theory of state. Now, the monarchs began to talk about divine sanction to rule the people . Kushan rulers propagated the idea of the same at the unprecented scale. They ruled from central Asia to western India.
(i) Kushana king: Kushana king called themselves Devaputra (son of god). Possible inspired by Chinese rulers who called themselves sons of heaven. Kushan rulers have been FOUND installed ina shrine at Mat near Mathura . Historians feel this INDICATE that the Kushanas considered themselves God like. Some of the tribal republican states reveal that they came to be headed by their gods in whose name the coins were issued.
(ii) (a) Gupta Rulers: Second development of kingship is during Gupta dynasty . It was a period of large-sized states such states were dependent on samantas eho sometimes became powerful enough to usurp the power of kings too.
(b) The Guptas added other eipthetsclaiming for themselves super human qualities which raised them almost to the level of gods. In fact in the Allahabad pillar inscriptionSamudragupta is referred to as a God Dwelling on earth.
(c) The reasons for the king who belong to small monarchy and chieftaniship, the Satavahanas claimed divine status in post Mauryan period.
(iii) Literature, coins and INSCRIPTIONS helped us in creating history of those days. Very often POETS would describe the monarch often to praise them but giving insight into the history and kingship too. A good example is of Harisena who praised Samudragupta, the GREAT Gupta ruler.


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