STAGES IN THE EVOLUTION OF INDIAN CULTURE (THE SHUNGA – SATAVAHANA – SAKA AGE)

  The mauran emperors were succeeded in Magadha by the Sung a and Kanva rulers, while the Greeks, the parathions, the sakas and the Kushanas ruled the north – west frontier. In the trans – vindhyan India a new power was rising under the Satavahanas. The satavahana rule lasted for nearly three thunder years. Together with these kingdoms a large number of indigenous states also flourished in northern India during the long period of approximately four centuries.

There was an outburst of activity in the realms of religion literature and art. Under the liberal patronage of kanishaka, Buddhism pared far and wide especially in central Asia and China. Bhavata (the cult to Vasudeva – Krishna) and Saiva sects were growing in importance. Many foreigners were convened to Bhangvata religion. The famous Greek ruler Menander embraced Buddhism while Saka rulers embraced the Vedic religion.

The alien rulers in India, the Greeks, the sakes and the Keshena’s were indianite. The missionary activities of the votaries of Buddhism and of Vedic religion outside India enabled the Indians to set up their cultural centres.The presences of aliens, especially the Greeks, restored India’s contact with foreign countries. besides opening avenues for brisk foreign trade. India art and science were also influenced by the Hellenic culture. The rise of the Gandhar School of art testifies to the prevalence o foreign influence on the art of the country.

Inspite of the existence of a large number of sects and creeds, the votaries of different faiths were living in percept harmony. The national art of India underwent a rapid development in this period. The artists took considerable pain in carving and evolved perfect techniques of sculpture. This ws probably on account of the natural growth of an aesthetic progress.

For the first time Indian art became conscious of the socio – economic structure of the society and in view of the social psychology learn “to differentiate between the subtle and the violent shades and emotions of the human heart. The base reliefs of Bharhut, sanchi, Amravati and other places serve the purpose of joy, emotions and movements of the life of the masses.