Gujaratno Rajkiya Ane Sanskritik Itihas Part 02 Mauryakalthi Guptakal

This Jain text, "Gujaratno Rajkiya ane Sanskritik Itihas Part 02 Mauryakalthi Guptakal" (Political and Cultural History of Gujarat Part 02: From Maurya to Gupta Period), authored by Rasiklal C. Parikh and Hariprasad G. Shastri, and published by B. J. Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan, is a comprehensive scholarly work detailing the political and cultural landscape of Gujarat during a significant period of ancient Indian history.

The book is part of a larger series aiming to present a complete history of Gujarat. This second volume specifically covers the period from the Maurya era (starting around the 4th century BCE) to the Gupta era (ending around the 5th century CE).

Here's a summary of its key aspects, based on the provided pages:

Overall Objective and Scope:

• The work aims to provide a thorough and updated history of Gujarat, integrating political and cultural aspects.
• It intends to cover the history of Gujarat from the prehistoric age up to 1960, divided into nine volumes. This particular volume (Volume 2) focuses on the Maurya period (starting circa 322 BCE) to the Gupta period (ending circa 470 CE), approximately eight centuries.
• The authors acknowledge the importance of regional history within the broader context of Indian history.
• The publication is supported by the Gujarat Government, highlighting its significance in preserving and disseminating regional historical knowledge.

Methodology and Content Structure:

• The book emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating findings from archaeological evidence (excavations, site surveys), epigraphy (inscriptions on stone and metal), numismatics (coins), and literary sources (ancient texts, chronicles, traditions).
• The history is presented chronologically, with each volume dedicated to a specific period.
• Within each volume, the structure generally follows a pattern:
  • Political History: Covering ruling dynasties, administrative systems, significant rulers, conquests, and territorial extent.
  • Cultural History: Discussing social and economic conditions, language and literature, script development, and religious sects and practices.
  • Archaeology: Detailing findings from site excavations, architectural monuments, sculptures, and art.
• The authors are committed to rigorous scholarly methods, including critical analysis of sources, cross-referencing, and presenting findings with citations.
• They acknowledge the potential for differing interpretations and speculative conclusions by various scholars but strive for a coherent and well-supported historical narrative.

Specific Focus of Volume 2 (Maurya to Gupta Period):

• Political History:
  • The book begins by establishing Girnar (Girnagara) as a historically significant and likely the first capital city of Gujarat during this period.
  • It details the Mauryan period, highlighting Ashoka's rock edicts at Girnar as primary evidence of their rule. The administrative structure under the Mauryas, including the role of governors like the Yavanas (Greek governors) and the construction of the Sudarshana Lake, is discussed.
  • The post-Mauryan period is covered, which includes the history of Western Kshatrapas (Shaka rulers). This section is particularly detailed, discussing their dynasties (Kshaharat and Kardamaka), coinage, inscriptions, political expansion, and eventual decline. The significance of the Shaka era (starting around 78 CE) for dating historical events is noted.
  • The Gupta period is also covered, mentioning rulers like Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I, and Skandagupta. The book discusses their administration in Gujarat, the continuation of Kshatrapa-style coinage (with modifications), and significant events like the reconstruction of the Sudarshana Lake under Skandagupta.
• Cultural History:
  • Social and Economic Conditions: The text delves into aspects like social structures, clothing, warfare techniques, agriculture, trade, maritime activities, economic conditions, and the influence of Roman trade.
  • Language and Literature: The evolution of languages like Prakrit and Sanskrit, and the literary activities during this period, are discussed. The importance of inscriptions in understanding the language of the time is highlighted.
  • Script: A detailed analysis of the development of the Brahmi script during the Maurya, Kshatrapa, and Gupta periods is provided, noting its various stages and regional variations. The absence of Kharoshthi and Greek scripts after the 3rd century CE is also mentioned.
  • Religious Sects: The book covers the prevalence and interaction of Brahmanism (Shaivism and Vaishnavism), Jainism, Buddhism, and possibly Ājīvika traditions. The influence of these religions on society, art, and architecture is noted. Jainism's significant presence and the compilation of its canonical texts in Valabhi are highlighted. The Pāśupata sect, its origins in Gujarat with Lakulish, and its spread are discussed. The presence of Buddhism is evidenced by cave excavations and stupas.
• Archaeological Findings:
  • Site Surveys and Excavations: The book references findings from key sites like Girnar (Junagadh), Vadnagar, Sambhalaji, Devni Mori, Rampur, Dhank, and Khapra-Kodia caves.
  • Architectural Monuments: It details the architecture of rock-cut caves (like Bavapara, Uparkot, Khambhalida, Talaja, Dhank, and the remains of Buddhist stupas and monasteries like Devni Mori), the Sudarshana Lake, and the mention of temples.
  • Sculptures: The evolution of sculpture from the Maurya period to the Gupta period is discussed, highlighting influences and regional characteristics, with specific examples from Sambhalaji and other sites.
  • Material Culture: Pottery (different types like black-and-red ware, NBP ware), coins (especially the extensive discussion of Western Kshatrapa coinage), seals, beads, and other artifacts are analyzed to understand daily life, trade, and economic conditions.

Key Highlights:

• Girnagara: The text establishes Girnagara (modern Junagadh) as a crucial administrative center, especially during the Maurya and Kshatrapa periods, with significant construction projects like the Sudarshana Lake.
• Western Kshatrapas: A substantial portion of the book is dedicated to the Western Kshatrapas, detailing their origin, rulers, the evolution of their coinage (particularly the introduction of dated coins), their political influence, and their territorial extent. The analysis of their coins is crucial for establishing the chronology of this period.
• Brahmi Script: The detailed discussion on the evolution of the Brahmi script from the Maurya period through the Kshatrapa and Gupta eras provides valuable insights into the development of writing systems in the region.
• Religious Syncretism and Tolerance: The text hints at the religious tolerance and syncretism prevalent in Gujarat, with the mention of multiple faiths coexisting and influencing each other.
• Interconnectedness: The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of Gujarat's history with that of neighboring regions like Rajasthan, Malwa, Maharashtra, and even the broader Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia (through trade).

In essence, "Gujaratno Rajkiya ane Sanskritik Itihas Part 02" offers a meticulously researched account of Gujarat's formative years under major empires and local dynasties, providing a deep dive into its political structures, societal norms, economic activities, and artistic expressions, all grounded in extensive archaeological and literary evidence.