Post-Mauryan Polities — Kushanas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Trade Routes

What should you study in Post-Mauryan Polities?

• Indo-Greek rulers — Menander (Milinda), bilingual coins
• Kushana empire — Kanishka, Silk Route, Gandhara art
• Satavahanas — ports, trade, Prakrit literature
• Western Kshatrapas, Shaka-Parthian period

How often is Post-Mauryan Polities asked in UPSC Prelims?

Asked in 5 of 10 years, including 3 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: not asked
2. 2017: asked
3. 2018: not asked
4. 2019: asked
5. 2020: not asked
6. 2021: asked
7. 2022: not asked
8. 2023: asked
9. 2024: not asked
10. 2025: asked

About the Prelims GS Paper I paper

General Studies Paper I is the Prelims paper that decides the cut-off: 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks, with negative marking for wrong answers. See all 88 Prelims GS Paper I topics.

Related topics to study next

• Prehistory, Protohistory & Sources of Ancient Indian HistoryHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Indus Valley Civilization — Sites, Features, Trade & DeclineHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Vedic Period — Rigvedic & Later Vedic, Society, Economy & ReligionHigh-yieldasked 4/10 yrs
• Mahajanapadas, Second Urbanisation & Rise of Magadha (600–300 BCE)High-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Buddhism & Jainism — Origins, Councils, Texts, Sites & SpreadHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Mauryan Empire — Chandragupta, Ashoka, Administration & EdictsHigh-yieldasked 6/10 yrs
• Gupta Empire — Administration, Economy, Art, Science & Post-GuptaHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Sangam Age, South Indian Kingdoms & Epigraphy/NumismaticsHigh-yieldasked 6/10 yrs