Shunga Dynasty (185-75 BC)

By Bharat Choudhary -
The Shunga Empire (185-75 BC) was Brahmin dynasty from Magadha established by Pushyamitra Shunga, after the fall of the Maurya Empire. The capital of Shunga Dynasty was Pataliputra and its major centers were Ujjain, Mathura, Saket, Sanchi, and Kapilvastu. Later Shunga set their capital in Vidisha. The Sunga defended the Gangetic valley from foreign invasions and revived the Brahmanical traditions(Ashwamedha).

Notable Rulers of Shunga Dynasty

 1. Pushyamitra Shunga (185-151 BC):
  • In all literature, he has been mentioned as 'Senapati', which he was of Ujjaini, under the rule of Maurya Bhagabhadra.
  • During his reign, the North-western frontier were facing Bactrian-Greek invasions and the southern parts were under the rule of Satvahans.
  • He repelled the attacks of Greeks
    • 1. Demetrius
    • 2. Meander
  • He took over Vidarbha and repelled the Kalinga's king Kharvela.
  • His period was the revival of Brahminism.
  • Pushyamitra performed two Ashvamedha Yajnas in Ayodhya.
  • Patanjali, writer of 'Mahabhashya' (commentary on Panini's 'Ashtadhyayi', first Sanskrit grammar book) was his priest.
  • Divyavadana mentions him as Stupa destroyer but according to archaeological evidence he built the Stupa of Gaya.
Other Rulers of Sunga Dynasty:
  • Agnimitra Shunga (149-141 BC): He is the hero of drama written by Kalidasa,'Malvikagnimitram'.
  • Bhagabhadra Shunga (114-83 BC): During his period, Greek ambassador Heliodorus visited India and established a 'Garuda Pillar', dedicated to Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu) in Besnagar, Vidisha (MP).
  • Devabhuti Shunga (87-73 BC): He was the last Shunga Ruler. He was killed by his own minister Vasudeva Kanva in around 73 BC.
Bibliography:

1. Ancient India: A Historic Outline by D. N. Jha
2. History and Culture of Ancient India by K. C. Shrivastava
3. Early India by Romila Thapar

ADVT: Click Here To Download 'Ancient Indian History Maps' App from Google Play Store.

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