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 intercourse did exist between the two parts of the country before this period. Some adventurous princes like Rama of Kosala, and those of the Maurya dynasty, had ventured to the south to Vindhiya. Brāhmanas had already migrated and carried their civilization and influence along with them, but the intercourse was not great enough to make the Northerners adopt a definite Sentiment toward people and customs of the South. During the period under consideration, Andhras invaded and conquered a part of the North. This probably was the first attempt of the Southerners to rule the North, since the Rig Vedic immigration. Andhras were waging wars with Kathiawar, and thus exerted a considerable influence in India. They made their language Mahārāshtri a literary tongue and brought it among literary circles, to an importance second to Sanskrit alone. A sentiment in the North regarding the South was in the state of formation, and was to find its expression in their code of dharma doctrines.

Before the beginning of this period Buddhism had already passed the stage of mere theological doctrine and had grown up to a stage of heresy. During the period under consideration it probably was in the way of becoming an independent religion. The inherent Weaknesses of the system, which was fated to disappear and deserved to disappear from the land, were becoming apparent during this period. Still it was a factor