The Age of Reorganisation 7 Social Science Chapter 6 CBSE Notes 2025-26

In the centuries following the decline of the Maurya empire, India experienced a phase often called the 'Age of Reorganisation.' 

During this period, the once-unified Mauryan realm broke into several smaller kingdoms. The last Maurya ruler was overthrown around 185 BCE by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga dynasty.

Many of the new kingdoms were previously under Mauryan rule as tributaries but now emerged as independent powers. The northwestern part of the subcontinent became especially vulnerable to invasions, leading to a series of cultural and political changes.

Political Changes and New Kingdoms Different regions saw the rise of prominent dynasties such as the Shungas, Chedis, Satavahanas, Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas. 

Some of these originated from within the subcontinent, while others, such as the Indo-Greeks, Shakas (Indo-Scythians), and Kushanas, came from outside. 

The competition for control often resulted in both warfare and peaceful alliances, including matrimonial alliances among royal families to strengthen partnerships and border security.

The Shunga Dynasty Pushyamitra Shunga ruled parts of north and central India. He revived Vedic traditions and famously performed the ashwamedha yajna, asserting his status as a powerful king. 

Though the Shunga empire was smaller than the Mauryan, Pushyamitra maintained its integrity and resisted invasions. 

Sanskrit flourished as a language for philosophy and literature, with Patanjali compiling the Yoga Sutras during this time. The Shungas also encouraged art and architecture, as seen in the decorative railings and story panels of the Bharhut Stupa.

The Satavahanas and Deccan Prosperity South of the Shunga domain, the Satavahanas (sometimes called Andhras) ruled a vast region including present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra from the 2nd century BCE. 

Trade and agriculture flourished under their rule, especially along the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Coins often depicted ships, symbolizing their strong maritime trade with places as distant as the Roman Empire. The Satavahana rulers issued coins found along India’s east and west coasts, highlighting vibrant internal and external trade.

In Satavahana tradition, sons were named after their mothers, such as Gautami Putra Satakarni. Influential women like Gautami Balashri donated land to Buddhist monks, reflecting women’s roles in politics and religion. 

Inscriptions in caves like Naneghat mention the donations of queens and Vedic rituals, providing early examples of numeral writing that predate modern numbers. 

The Satavahanas supported Vedic, Jain, and Buddhist institutions and granted tax-free land to scholars and monks.

Art, Architecture, and Society This era saw the creation of rock-cut monuments and cave temples in Maharashtra (like Karla and Pitalkhora caves) and Odisha (such as the Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves developed by the Chedis). 

Skilled artisans could work in multiple crafts, as shown by inscriptions crediting a goldsmith for a stone sculpture. 

Such rock-cut architecture revealed advanced stone-carving techniques and a rich tradition of patronage for religions and the arts.

Rise of Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas in South India Southern India witnessed the emergence of the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kingdoms, which remained outside Mauryan control. These dynasties often competed but also contributed greatly to culture and trade. 

The Cholas, known for rulers like Karikala, undertook major projects such as the Kallanai (Grand Anicut), an irrigation dam that made the Kaveri delta highly fertile.

The Pandya kingdom, with its capital at Madurai, and the Cheras in Kerala, became prominent exporters of pearls, spices, timber, and ivory, maintaining extensive trade links with the Roman world.

The Sangam Age derives its name from prominent assemblies (sangams) of poets in the Tamil region. Their poems and epics, like Silappadikaram, offer rich insights into the social values of love, heroism, justice, and generosity, and portray a society shaped by trade and cultural synthesis.

Chedis and the Jain Influence After Mauryan power faded in Kalinga (modern Odisha), the Chedi dynasty rose to prominence under King Kharavela. Known as a devout Jain, he respected all religious sects and constructed the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves for Jain monks. 

The Hathigumpha inscription records his many achievements, including military victories and benevolent rule, emphasizing the king’s effort to support all religious traditions—a theme common to the period.

Foreign Invaders and Cultural Fusion The period also saw several invasions. After Alexander’s withdrawal, Indo-Greek rulers took charge in the northwest, blending Greek and Indian traditions in art, coinage, and governance. 

The famous Heliodorus pillar at Vidisha shows an Indo-Greek ambassador honoring Vasudeva (Krishna), reflecting religious syncretism. Indo-Greek coins often featured both Greek deities and Indian gods like Krishna and Lakshmi. 

The Indo-Scythians or Shakas supplanted the Indo-Greeks, and their lasting legacy includes the Shaka Samvat, now the Indian national calendar.

The Kushana dynasty entered India from Central Asia, ruling large areas of northern India and Central Asia in the 2nd century CE. Their most famous king, Kanishka, was known as "King of Kings" and promoted both Buddha and Shiva on his coins, reflecting religious diversity. 

The Kushanas controlled key segments of the Silk Route, boosting trade between India, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean.

Artistic Development: Gandhara and Mathura Schools Kushana rule led to the flourishing of the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art. Gandhara art blended Indian themes with Greco-Roman techniques, producing realistic Buddha statues with detailed drapery. 

Mathura art, characterized by red sandstone, depicted Hindu and Buddhist deities in fuller and traditional Indian forms. Both styles set the stage for later temple architecture.

Despite political instability, the era fostered wide-ranging cultural exchange. New forms of art, literature, currency, and administration developed. 

Major Sanskrit texts like the Mahabharata and Ramayana gained importance. Trade, both inland and overseas, thrived, leading to prosperity in many regions. The period’s greatest legacy is perhaps the assimilation and blending of various traditions, which became a hallmark of Indian civilization.

• Post-Maurya India was marked by political fragmentation and reorganization into multiple kingdoms.
• Dynasties such as the Shungas, Satavahanas, Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas, and Kushanas shaped politics, trade, and culture.
• Religious tolerance and patronage of Buddhist, Jain, and Vedic traditions were common among rulers.
• Sanskrit and Tamil literature blossomed, with notable works in both northern and southern India.
• The era is renowned for the development of unique art styles and monumental architecture, as well as increased maritime and overland trade.

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 6 Revision Notes – The Age of Reorganisation (Tapestry of the Past): Key Points for Quick Study

These revised notes for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 6 offer a clear summary of the Age of Reorganisation, helping students quickly understand the main dynasties, cultural changes, and key events after the Mauryan Empire. Each section is organized for easy recall, supporting exam preparation and project work alike.

By reviewing these important points and timelines, learners can strengthen their grasp of historical developments, such as the rise of new kingdoms and the spread of art, literature, and trade. Effective revision with these notes builds confidence for answering questions and connecting different topics within Social Science.