Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6, The Age of Reorganisation, explores the vibrant centuries between the Mauryas and the Guptas (c. 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE), when the Shungas, Satavahanas, Chedis, Sangam kingdoms (Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas), Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas reshaped Indian polity, trade and art.
What Class 7 Social Science Chapter 6 Covers
Shungas, Satavahanas & Chedis covers Pushyamitra Shunga, Bharhut and Sanchi stupa railings, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Gautami Balashri and Satavahana maritime trade in the Deccan, Karla/Naneghat caves, and King Kharavela of Kalinga (Hathigumpha inscription).
Kingdoms and Life in the South (Sangam Age) explores the Cholas (Karikala and the Kallanai/Grand Anicut dam), Cheras and Pandyas through Sangam literature and the epic Silappadikaram, along with thriving Indo-Roman spice and pearl trade.
Indo-Greeks, Shakas & Kushanas traces how northwestern rulers like Menander (Milinda), Rudradaman and Kanishka assimilated into Indian culture, controlled Silk Route trade, and fostered the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art.
Exercises in Chapter 6
- Before we move on… chapter takeaways and Questions and activities for revision and map work.
Read Class 7 Social Science Chapter 6 Online
More Chapters
- Previous: Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires
- Next: Chapter 7: The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity
- Hindi medium: Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6 PDF in Hindi (Samaj ka Adhyayan)
- All Social Science chapters and the other Class 7 books: Class 7 NCERT books 2026-27
- All Class 1 to 12 NCERT Textbooks: NCERT Books PDF (Class 1–12)
FAQ
Why is the post-Mauryan period called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’?
Following the breakup of the Mauryan Empire, the subcontinent reorganised into dynamic regional kingdoms—Shungas, Satavahanas, Chedis, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Indo-Greeks and Kushanas—linked by flourishing internal and maritime trade.
What are the key differences between the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art?
Gandhara art (in the northwest, using grey-black schist stone) blended Greco-Roman realistic drapery with Indian themes, while Mathura art (using spotted red sandstone) developed an indigenous Indian style depicting Hindu, Buddhist and Jain deities.