Shunga Empire

Indian empire (184 BCE-75 BCE)
(Redirected from Sunga dynasty)

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 change

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 change

  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".