Mauryan Period and Yaudheya Republic

Mauryan Period:

Haryana under Mauryans (324-232 BC):

• Archaeological findings in Kurukshetra indicate Haryana's inclusion in the Mauryan Empire.
• Chandragupta Maurya, a powerful ruler, ascended to the throne in 324 BC.
• He expanded his influence by defeating Dhanananda, the ruler of the Nanda dynasty.
• Bindusara succeeded Chandragupta, and later, Asoka succeeded Bindusara.

Asoka's Reign (Topra, Thanesar):

• Asoka's reign is evidenced by seven inscriptions in Topra, Ambala district.
• A Buddhist Stupa built by Asoka is found in Thanesar, Haryana.
• Thanesar is considered Asoka's ancestral kingdom.

Decline of Mauryan Empire:

• Asoka's successors were ineffective, leading to the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
• The people of Haryana gradually reinstated the republican system.
• Governance evidence includes artifacts like Northern black shiny pottery, Thanesar stupas, and pillars from Hisar and Topra.

Yaudheya Republic:

Establishment and Name (5th Century BC):

• Yaudheyas succeeded the Mauryans, establishing the largest republic in India.
• The term "Yaudheya" dates back to the 5th century BC and is mentioned in various ancient texts.

Haryana as Bahudhanyaka:

• During the Yaudheya period, Haryana was known as Bahudhanyaka.

Coin Discoveries:

• Cunnigham discovered Yaudheya coins in the 19th century.
• Coins found in Sonipat, Hisar, Sirsa, Rohtak, Gurugram, Karnal, etc., with a prominent one from Rohtak in 1916.

Geographical Coin Finds:

• Coins of Yaudheya clan found in Hansi, Kharkhoda, and Jaijaivati (Jind) in 1938-39.
• Yaudheya coins kept at the Haryana Archaeological Museum, Jhajjar.

Minting Significance (Rohtak):

• Birbal Sahni emphasized the significance of the material obtained from Rohtak for minting coins.
• Mints found in Naurangabad, Bhiwani, with coins and molds of Yaudheyan clan.

Yaudheyan Republic Expansion:

• After the Mauryan Empire's decline, Yaudheyan Republic included Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Punjab.
• Prakritanak Nagar (Naurangabad - Bamla) served as the capital.

Kushana Influence:

• Kushana rulers' coins found in Yaudheya Republic suggest their rule in the region.
• Struggle with Kushanas during Vima Kadphises' reign; control by Kanishka and Huvishka.

Yaudheya Independence:

• Yaudheyas made themselves independent during Kushana ruler Vasudeva's time.
• Yaudheyas defeated Kushanas, forming a union with republics like Kunind and Arjunayan.

Victorious Coinage:

• Yaudheyas issued special coins commemorating victory with inscriptions like 'Yaudheya Ganasya Jai.'

End of Kushana Rule:

• Absence of coins from the last Kushana rulers in the area indicates Yaudheyas' liberation from Kushana rule.