Post-Mauryan Age: Trade, Religion & Cultural Transformation (Part-3)

The Post-Mauryan Age (200 BCE – 300 CE) represents a significant phase in Indian history, marked by remarkable growth in foreign trade and notable religious developments. This period, often referred to as the Mercantile Age, witnessed extensive maritime and overland commercial exchanges with China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Roman Empire, which contributed to the subcontinent’s economic prosperity. Simultaneously, important religious transformations occurred, including the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism, the revival of Vedic traditions under post-Mauryan dynasties, and the rise of the Bhagavata cult, which emphasized devotion as a central religious practice. Thus, the Post-Mauryan era stands as a crucial link between the decline of imperial Mauryan authority and the consolidation of new cultural and economic patterns in ancient India.

• Trade with China: In the 2nd century CE, the Greek scholar Ptolemy wrote in his Geography about the routes connecting India and China. From China, silk textiles and porcelain were imported into India. Chinese coins belonging to the 2nd century BCE have been found in the Mysore region.

• Trade with Southeast Asia: Ancient Indian literature refers to Southeast Asia as Suvarnabhumi (Land of Gold) or Suvarnadvipa (Island of Gold). The Tamil classic Silappadikaram mentions ships arriving from Southeast Asia with sandalwood and spices, which were then re-exported to the Roman Empire.

• Trade with Africa: Literary evidence suggests that goods from India were exported to Egypt and Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

• Indo-Roman Trade: Among all foreign connections, trade with the Roman Empire—which controlled much of Europe—was the most significant. Two foreign texts provide valuable details about this trade:

  1. Pliny’s “Natural History” (1st century CE): It describes India’s exports, such as muslin cloth from Chola and Satavahana regions, spices from the Chera kingdom, and pearls from the Pandya kingdom. In exchange, massive quantities of gold and silver coins were imported into India, causing alarm to Pliny, who lamented the outflow of Roman wealth. Archaeological excavations in India have unearthed large hoards of Roman coins.

  2. The “Periplus of the Erythraean Sea” (1st century CE): Written by an anonymous Greek sailor from Alexandria (Egypt), this text mentions several Indian ports:

     • Barygaza (Baruch, Gujarat)

     • Kalliena (Kalyan, Maharashtra)

     • Suppara (Sopara, Maharashtra)

     • Tyndis (Calicut, Kerala)

     • Muziris (Cochin, Kerala) – Roman trading settlements existed here.

     • Poduke (Arikamedu, Pondicherry) – also had Roman trading settlements.

     • Masulipatnam (Andhra Pradesh)

     • Tamralipti (Bengal)

Factors for the Flourishing of Trade:

• In 46 CE, the Greek sailor Hippalus discovered the monsoon winds, which revolutionized navigation.

• The famous Silk Route, connecting China to the Roman Empire, passed through India. Silk from China reached India by land and was then shipped by sea to the Roman Empire.

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Religious Developments in the Post-Mauryan Age

Several important religious changes took place in this period:

• Buddhism: The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir in the 1st century CE. This council marked the split into Hinayana and Mahayana sects. With the rise of Mahayana, idol worship became an important feature of Buddhism.

• Revival of Vedic Religion: The Shungas, Kanvas, and Satavahanas supported Vedic traditions. Rituals like yajnas and sacrifices, which had declined under the Mauryas, were revived.

• Emergence of the Bhagavata Cult: A new religious movement, the Bhagavata religion, emerged. It rejected Vedic sacrifices and emphasized bhakti (devotion). It promoted the worship of five deities (Pancharatra or Panchavira worship):

  1. Vasudeva Krishna – References to Krishna appear in texts like the Chandogya Upanishad, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, Ghatta Jataka, and Patanjali’s Mahabhashya. Jain texts also mention Krishna as a contemporary of Arishtanemi, the 22nd Tirthankara.

  2. Samkarshana (Balarama) – Krishna’s brother

  3. Samba – Krishna’s son

  4. Pradyumna – Krishna’s son

  5. Aniruddha – Krishna’s grandson

  The Greek ambassador Heliodorus, at the court of the Shunga king Bhagabhadra, converted to the Bhagavata faith. His Besnagar inscription refers to Krishna as “Deva-deva” (God of Gods) and describes himself as a “Paramabhagavata” (supreme devotee). This shows the attraction of even foreigners to this cult.