The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The post-Mauryan period was characterized by political fragmentation and the rise of new powers. In North and North-West India, a series of invasions by Central Asian tribes occurred, while the Deccan region saw the consolidation of indigenous power under the Satavahanas.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Shakas (Scythians) migrated from Central Asia and established five distinct branches in different parts of the subcontinent. They set up kingdoms in North-West India (Afghanistan and Punjab), Northern India (Mathura), and Western India (where they ruled for the longest duration).
- Statement 2 is Correct: Chronologically, the Shakas were followed by the Parthians and subsequently the Kushanas. The Kushanas established their authority in the north-western and northern parts of the subcontinent around 2000 years ago (circa 1st Century CE).
- Statement 3 is Correct: There was a prolonged struggle for supremacy between the Shakas (specifically the Western Kshatrapas) and the Satavahanas. They fought several battles for control over the fertile regions of Malwa, Gujarat, and the Konkan coast, which were vital for trade.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Satavahanas did not rule over eastern India only. Their empire was primarily located in the Deccan region, covering parts of present-day Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. They were famously known as the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha" (the route leading to the south).
Key Takeaway:
The post-Mauryan era saw the dominance of the Shakas and Kushanas in the North and North-West, while the Satavahanas controlled the Deccan and Western India, engaging in frequent territorial conflicts with the Western Shakas.