Shunga Empire

Indian empire (184 BCE-75 BCE)

Sunga Empire was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga who betrayed his master Brihadratha Maurya and defeated him in a war. He killed the Mauryan emperor and destroyed the Mauryan empire completely. Its capital was Pataliputra.[1] Pushyamitra Shunga ruled for 36 years and was succeeded by his son Agnimitra. There were ten Shunga rulers. But after Agnimitra's death, the empire begun to broke up. [2]

The dynasty is noted for its numerous wars with both foreign and native powers (empires).They fought against the Kalinga, the Satavahana dynasty, the Indo-Greek Kingdom and possibly the Panchalas and Mathuras.[3]

Art, education, philosophy, and other forms of learning flourished (developed) during this period.Patanjali's Mahābhāṣya was composed in this period.The Kanva dynasty succeeded the Shungas around 73 BCE.

List of Shunga Emperors

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Emperor Reign
Pushyamitra Shunga 185–149 BCE
Agnimitra 149–141 BCE
Vasujyeshtha 141–131 BCE
Vasumitra 131–124 BCE
Bhadraka (aka Ardraka or Odruka) 124–122 BCE
Pulindaka 122–119 BCE
Ghosha (aka Ghoshavasu) 119-108 BCE
Vajramitra 108-94 BCE
Bhagabhadra (aka Bhagavata) 94-83 BCE
Devabhuti 83–73 BCE

Reference

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  1. Stadtner, Donald (1975). "A Śuṅga Capital from Vidiśā". Artibus Asiae. 37 (1/2): 101–104. doi:10.2307/3250214. JSTOR 3250214.
  2. K.A. Nilkantha Shastri (1970), A Comprehensive History of India: Volume 2, p.108: "Soon after Agnimitra there was no 'Sunga empire.'"
  3. "New world encyclopedia".