Indo-Greek contribution to Indian Social and Culture – 1
January 21, 2019 | No Comments
Adopting new culture:
Sakas did not have their own culture for themselves, no script, no written language and no organized religion.
Adopted the components of Indian Culture and became an integral part of Indian society. Hence contributed to the Indian society.
New Elements in Indian Society:
Came as conquerors and completely absorbed in Indian Society as warrior class as Kshatriyas.
Considered as second class Kshatriyas.
In no other period such a large scale assimilated to Indian Society.
3. Religious Developments:
Some rulers adopted Vaishnavism and worshiped Vishnu God of protection and preservation.
Some rulers adopted Buddhism
Menander – the Greek ruler became Buddhist by Nagasena
Kushans worshipped Siva and Buddha are seen in the Kushan coins.
4. Origin of Mahayana Buddhism:
Post Mauryan period witnessed religious change because of Central Asia contact.
Buddhism welcomed Foreigners as they were non vegetarians.
Hence certain changes occurred in Buddhism and known as Mahayana Buddhism or the Great vehicle.
Certain symbols worshipped in Buddhism were replaced by images.
The rise of Mahayana Buddhism the old puritan school of Buddhism came to be known as Hinayana Buddhism or Lesser vechile.
5. Polity:
Central Asian conquerors adopted the little ‘king of kings’ which indicates that they collected tribute from numerous small princes.
Shaka and Kushan strengthened the idea of “divine Origin of kingship”
Asoka’s time the term Devanampiya was famous, it means beloved to Gods
Kushans – Sons of God – it was adopted from Chinese who said: son of heaven
Manu-brahmanical lawmaker – asks people to respect king even if he is a child because God rules in the form of human being.
Shakas adopted Satrap system continued in Kushan period also empire divided into numerous Satrapies and was headed by Satrap.
Dual rule existed to rulers – father and son ruling at the same time.
Less centralization unlike the period of the Maurayas.
Greeks introduced the practice of military governorship – Governor called Strategos.
6. Better Calavry:
They introduced better cavalry and also use of riding horse on a large scale. Sakas and Kushans are excellent horsemen.
Their passion for horsemanship is proved through terracotta figures of Kushan period discovered from Begram and Afghanisthan.
Horseman fought with spears and lances.
Sakas and Kushanas introduced turban, tunic, trousers and heavy long coat.
Afghans and Punjabis wear turban even now
Sherwani is the successor of long coat
Central Asians brought in cap, helmet and boots used by warriors
These advantages only made them win against Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indians. .
7. Trade and Agriculture:
Central Asian contacts was intimated with India by the arrival of Indo-Greeks
Gold received from Roman Empire
Kushans controlled the silk route which started from China passed through their empire Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran and Western Asia.
This source gave them substantial income and build a prosperous empire on the tolls levied from traders.
Kushans were first to issue Gold coin on a large scale.
Kushans promoted agriculture. Earliest Archaeological trace for large-scale irrigation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Western Central Asia date back to Kushan period
The Indian social system, art, architecture, language, and literature have been profoundly shaped by centuries of interaction with foreign ethnic groups, including the Greeks, Scythians (Shakas), Hunas, and Turks. These groups did not just conquer, but settled, assimilated, and contributed to the synthesis of Indian culture.
1. The Greeks (Indo-Greeks)
Art and Architecture: The most significant contribution was the Gandhara School of Art, which combined Hellenistic (Greek) realism with Indian Buddhist themes, resulting in the first human representations of the Buddha. Greek influence is seen in the use of Corinthian capitals in Buddhist stupas and the depiction of Vajrapani as Herakles.
Language and Literature: The Greeks introduced new scientific terms and influenced Indian astronomy (e.g., Horasastra from Greek horoscopos). The Milinda-Panho, a dialogue between King Menander (Milinda) and a Buddhist monk, is a key work of literature.
Social System/Administration: They introduced the practice of military governorship (Strategos/Satrap) and initiated the use of inscribed, portrait-bearing, and gold coinage.
Other: The term Yavanika (curtain) used in Indian theater is derived from Yavana, the Sanskrit term for Greeks.
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2. The Scythians (Shakas)
Social System: The Shakas introduced new social customs, including horse worship, and brought Central Asian attire like tunics, trousers, and heavy cloaks to India. They adopted the Satrap system, a form of provincial administration that was later adopted by Indian kings.
Art and Architecture: They supported the development of the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art and used Greek-Kharoshthi scripts on coins, facilitating a cultural synthesis.
Language: They promoted the use of Sanskrit for administrative purposes, with the Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman I being a notable example.
Other: They were instrumental in controlling the Silk Road trade routes, fostering economic links between India and Central Asia.
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3. The Hunas
Social System: Their invasion led to significant racial admixture and the weakening of the Gupta Empire, leading to the rise of regional feudal powers. Many Hunas merged into the Indian population and are considered ancestors of some Rajput clans and the Gurjaras.
Art and Architecture: They initially destroyed many Buddhist monasteries but later became patrons of Hindu art, particularly Shaivism, as evidenced by coins of Mihirakula.
Other: They introduced a more intense, martial, and nomadic influence to the Indian socio-political landscape.
4. The Turks
Art and Architecture: The Turks introduced the Indo-Islamic style of architecture, characterized by the arch, dome, and minaret. They brought new construction techniques such as mortar, which allowed for larger, more durable, and sophisticated structures (e.g., Qutub Minar).
Language and Literature: They brought Persian as the language of administration, which eventually blended with local dialects, contributing to the development of Urdu.
Social System: The Turkish rule brought changes in administration and military organization, emphasizing cavalry-based warfare.
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5. Other Ethnic Groups and Summary
Persians (Parthians/Pahlavas): Contributed to the administrative and military systems of the Mauryan and post-Mauryan periods.
Kushans: A central Asian tribe that solidified the "divine origin of kingship" and fostered widespread trade.
Assimilation: A defining feature of Indian history is the "melting pot" effect; these groups were gradually assimilated into the Brahmanical or Buddhist social orders, becoming integral parts of the Indian social structure (e.g., as Kshatriyas/Rajputs).
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These groups contributed to a more cosmopolitan society, a more diverse artistic tradition, and a more complex, yet unified, political system in India
Indo-Greek contribution to Indian Social and Culture – 2
January 21, 2019 | No Comments
Art and Architecture
8. Structural Development:
Building activities were started, several layers of constructions were found in excavations.
Use of burnt bricks for flooring and roofing was found.
Construction of brick walls were also found in the excavations.
9. Pottery:
Characteristic of pottery was red ware both plain and polished.
Red pottery tecnic was found in Central Asia in the Kushan culture zones.
10. Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art
Greek and Shakas, Kushans were enthusiastic patrons of Indian art and literature.
They brought together masons and other artisans trained in different schools and countries.
It gave rise to many School of Art. The most important were Gandhara and Mathura.
Indian craftsmen came into contact with Central Asia, Greeks, Romans.
It have rise to new form of art in which Buddha image was made in Graeco-Roman style and the hair was also styled in Graeco-Roman style.
Gandhara art spread in Mathura which was the centre of indigenous art.
Mathura produced beautiful images of Buddha headless erect statue of Kanisha and of Vardhamana Mahavira flourished in Christian (early) era.
The products made of red sand stone found even outside Mathura
The Mathura Museum possess the largest collection of Kushan sculpture in India.
Buddhist caves were constructed out of rock in Maharastra.
In Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda, Amaravati are great centers of Buddhist art and stories associated with Buddha.
Some art forms were found in Bodh-Gaya, Sanchi, Bharhut of 2 century B.C.
11. Language:
Kushans used various scripts and languages in coins, inscriptions in Greek, Kharoshti, Brahmi script also used Prakrit, Sanskrit influenced Prakrit.
Officially recognized 3 scripts and 4 languages.
They patronized and cultivated Sanskrit.
The Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman in Kathiawar in A.D. 150 was the earliest specimen in Kavya style.
12. Literature:
Ashvaghosha wrote Buddhacharitha – the biography of Buddha and also composed Saundarananda an example of Sanskrit kavya
Mahayana Buddhism led to composition of many avadaras (Life history and teaching) in Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit which aimed to teach Mahayana Buddhism to people. Eg: Mahavasta and Divyavadana.
13. Theatre:
Indian theatre had Greek influence – Plan of theatre is Greek origin especially the curtain – hence known as Yavanika (Greek) Yavana. Outdoor and indoor theatre appears in the causes of Ramgarh hill, 160 miles south of Banaras.
In 150 B.C. Patanjali refers to the presentation of certain scenes as Bali or killing of Kansa.
Bharata’s Natyasastra is an important work on dramaturgy.
Example for secular literature is Kamasutra of Vatsayana of 3 century A.D. the earliest work dealing with sex and love making.
14. Science and Technology:
Indian astronomy and astrology profited from Greek contacts.
Terms on movement of planets appear in Sanskrit texts.
Greek term horoscope derived the horashastra means astrology in Sanskrit.
Proper shaped Greek coins replaced the punch marked coins.
Greek term drachama came to be known as drama.
Greek rulers used Brahmi script and made Indian motifs in their coins
Dogs, cattle, spices and ivory pieces exported the Greek.
15. Medicine:
Medicine, Botany and Chemistry were dealt by Charaka and Sushruta (Indians)
Charaka samhita contains names of numerous plants, herbs from which drug was made
The process of pounding and mixing plants shows the knowledge of Indians in Chemistry.
Indian physician relied on plants, the Sanskrit term is Oshadhi as a result medicine came to be known as Aushadhi.
16. Technology:
In the technology also Indians benefited from Central Asia.
Kanishka is seen long boots and trousers.
Introduction of stirrup by Kushans.
Making leather shoes began in their period.
Kushan Copper coins were imitations of Rome.
Kushan Gold coins were imitations of Rome.
Embassies were sent from India to the court of Roman Emperor Augustus 27-28 A.D. and to Trajan of Roman Emperor in 110-20 A.D. Working in glass also was progressing in this period.
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