Ancient History of Madhya Pradesh: History of Madhya Pradesh dates back to the pre-historic times of the evolution of the Earth, even older than the Himalayas. This central region of India belongs to the Gondwana land. As Madhya Pradesh occupies geographically the central position in the country, thus it is regarded as the heart of India. This region was ruled by most of the major dynasties of India.
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Ancient History of Madhya Pradesh
The ancient history of Madhya Pradesh dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE). The region was home to a number of important Indus Valley Civilization sites, including Eran, Kayatha, Maheshwar, Nagda, and Navadatoli.
After the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, the region was ruled by a number of different dynasties, including the Nandas, the Mauryas, and the Guptas. The Nandas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over most of northern India in the 4th century BCE. The Mauryas were one of the most important empires in Indian history. They ruled over most of the subcontinent in the 3rd century BCE, including Madhya Pradesh. The Guptas were another important empire that ruled over Madhya Pradesh in the 4th and 5th centuries CE.
The ancient period was a time of great cultural and religious development in Madhya Pradesh. The region was a major center of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The Sanchi Stupa, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most important Buddhist monuments in India.
Here are some of the key events and developments from the ancient history of Madhya Pradesh:
3300-1300 BCE: Indus Valley Civilization flourishes in the region.
4th century BCE: Nandas rule over most of northern India, including Madhya Pradesh.
3rd century BCE: Mauryas rule over most of the subcontinent, including Madhya Pradesh.
2nd century BCE: Satavahanas rule over parts of Madhya Pradesh.
1st century CE: Ujjain becomes a major center of trade and learning.
4th-5th centuries CE: Guptas rule over Madhya Pradesh.
The ancient history of Madhya Pradesh is a rich and diverse one. It is a period of time that saw the rise and fall of empires, the development of new religions and cultural movements, and the construction of some of the most iconic monuments in India.
Archaeological Sites
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
- Sanchi Stupa
- Ujjain Observatory
- Mandu Fort
- Bagh Caves
Dynasties
- Maurya
- Gupta
- Vardhana
- Pratihara
- Pala
Buddhist Monuments
- Sanchi Stupa
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
- Bagh Caves
Hindu Temples
- Khajuraho Temples
- Omkareshwar Temple
- Mahakal Temple
- Jagannath Temple
Ancient Universities
- Vikramashila
Ancient Trade Routes
- Silk Road
- Spice Route
- Incense Route
Languages
- Prakrit
- Sanskrit
- Pali
Festivals
- Diwali
- Holi
- Navratri
- Rath Yatra
- Makar Sankranti
Philosophers
- Gautama Buddha
- Mahavira
- Adi Shankara
- Kanada
- Gautama Akshapada
Poets
- Kalidasa
- Bharavi
- Bhavabhuti
Ancient History of Madhya Pradesh
The history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the time of Stone Ages. There are many important stone age sites found in Madhya Pradesh viz. Eran, Jatkara, Jabalpur, Damoh, Nandgaon, Hata, Hoshangabad, etc. From the various caves found here, a continuous history of man from Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic to Chalcolithic ages is proved.
1. Ancient History of Madhya Pradesh
– Pre History of Madhya Pradesh
Pre-history is the time when human life is based on stone tools for their survival. The pre-history age is divided into the Stone Age and Chalcolithic Age.
The important Stone Age sites are Eran, Garhi-Morela, Kundam, Jatkara, Bhulue, Busiga, Munai, Artuiji, Jabalpur, Damoh, Nandgaon, Hata and Hoshangabad.
– Chalcolithic Culture (Bronze Age)
This period was contemporary to the times of Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilizations of Indus valley. In and around Malwa, various Chalcolithic sites were excavated which are as follows:
- Kaytha (Ujjain)
- Eran (Sagar)
- Navadatoli (Khargone-Nimar)
- Avara (Mandsaur)
- Dangwada (Ujjain)
- Nagda (Ujjain)
- Khedinama (Hoshangabad)
- Azad Nagar Musakhedi (Indore)
- Rulghat (Dhar)
Archaeologists related to Excavation in Madhya Pradesh
Site Archaeologist
Narmada valley Sukhilya, Supekar, RB Joshi, BB Lal, Petersen, Khatri
Son valley Nisar Ahmad
Rewa – Satna GR Sharma
Chambal valley and Chalcolithic sites Vakankar
– Ancient History of Madhya Pradesh
Ancient period in Madhya Pradesh can be divided in the following periods.
- Megalithic Age (1700-1000 BC)
- Vedic Age (1500-600 BC)
- Iron Age (1200-1000 BC)
- Epic Age (1000-600 BC)
- Mahajanapada Period (800-600 BC)
– Ancient Dynasties of Madhya Pradesh
- Nanda dynasty,
- Mauryan dynasty,
- Shunga dynasty,
- Satavahana dynasty,
- Kushana dynasty,
- Vakataka dynasty,
- Gupta dynasty, etc are
New Names of Ancient Mahajanapadas
Ancient Mahajanapada New Name
Avanti (Avantika) Ujjain
Vatsa Gwalior
Chedi Khajuraho
Dasharna Vidisha
Anup Nimar (Khandwa)
Kundalpur Damoh
Nalpur Narwar (Shivpuri)
– Local Dynasties of Madhya Pradesh
Nanda dynasty, Mauryan dynasty, Shunga dynasty, Satavahana dynasty, Kushana dynasty, Vakataka dynasty, Gupta dynasty, etc are some ancient dynasties Madhya Pradesh.
These are discussed below:
- Nanda Dynasty (343-321 BC)
- Mauryan Dynasty (322-185 BC)
- Shunga Dynasty (187-75 BC)
- Indo-Greek Rule (200-50 BC)
- Satavahana Dynasty (50 BC-300 AD)
- Kushana Dynasty (1st Century-375 AD)
- Vakataka Dynasty (150-450 AD)
- Gupta Dynasty (319-550 AD)
- Aulikara Dynasty (4th-6th Century AD)
- Parivrajak Dynasty (5th-6th Century AD)
- Pushyabhuti Dynasty (6th-7th Century AD)
- Shail Dynasty (8th-9th Century AD)
- Rashtrakuta Dynasty (753 to 983 AD)
- Gurjara- Pratihara Dynasty (Mid-8th to 11th Century)
- Guhila Dynasty (8th to 10th Century AD)
- Paramar Dynasty (9th to 14 Century AD)
- Chandela Dynasty (9th to 13th Century AD)
- Kalachuri Dynasty (10th to 12th Century AD)
Local Dynasties of Madhya Pradesh
Karush dynasty, Kshaharatas dynasty, Kardamaka dynasty, Naga dynasty, Magh dynasty, Bodhi dynasty and Chandra Vansh dynasty are local dynasties in Madhya Pradesh.
After the pre historic period, ancient history of Madhya Pradesh consists of Megalithic age, Iron age, Vedic age, Epic age. After Epic age, Mahajanapadas age started. Among 16 Mahajanapadas, Chedi (Bundelkhand) and Avanti (Ujjain) belong to Madhya Pradesh. After this age almost, all ancient dynasties ruled Madhya Pradesh.
This included Nanda dynasty, Mauryan dynasty, Shunga dynasty, Satavahana dynasty, Indo-Greek rule, Kushana dynasty, Gupta dynasty, Vakataka dynasty, Aulikara dynasty, Parivrajak dynasty, Pushyabhuti dynasty, Shail dynasty, Rashtrakuta dynasty, Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, Paramara dynasty, Chandela dynasty, Kalachuri dynasty and Guhila dynasty.
Besides these, there were some local dynasties which also ruled the ancient period of Madhya Pradesh. These local dynasties were Karush dynasty, Chandra Vansh dynasty, Kshaharatas dynasty, Kardamaka dynasty, Naga dynasty, Bodhi dynasty and Magh dynasty. Ancient history of Madhya Pradesh is very rich and significant which portrays the journey of the state from the past to the present.
Modern Name of Ancient Cities
Ancient Name Modern Name Ancient Name Modern Name
Viratpuri Sohagpur Mahishmati Maheshwar
Indrapuri Indore Kuntalpur Kutwar
Ujjaini Ujjain Bhojtal Bhopal
Dharanagar Dhar Bhatha (Bharhut) Rewa
Anchhara Satna Kavya Sanchi
PDF Download – History of Madhya Pradesh
Product details:
| Book Name | History of Madhya Pradesh |
| Author Name | Team MYUPSC |
| Total Page | 50+ |
| Language | English |
| Useful For | Madhya Pradesh State Civil Services (MPPSC) and all other examinations |
| Product type | E-Book / PDF |
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