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    Sunga Dynasty

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    Priya
    1. The Sunga dynasty was founded in 185 BC by Pushyamitra Sunga after he overthrew and killed the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha. 2. Pushyamitra Sunga established his capital at Pataliputra and ruled for 36 years, fighting off foreign invaders and expanding his kingdom. 3. Under the Sunga dynasty, Hinduism was revived and the caste system was reinforced, with Sanskrit becoming the primary language.

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    Sunga Dynasty

    Uploaded by

    Priya
    231 views2 pages
    1. The Sunga dynasty was founded in 185 BC by Pushyamitra Sunga after he overthrew and killed the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha. 2. Pushyamitra Sunga established his capital at Pataliputra and ruled for 36 years, fighting off foreign invaders and expanding his kingdom. 3. Under the Sunga dynasty, Hinduism was revived and the caste system was reinforced, with Sanskrit becoming the primary language.

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    1. The Sunga dynasty was founded in 185 BC by Pushyamitra Sunga after he overthrew and killed the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha. 2. Pushyamitra Sunga established his capital at Pataliputra and ruled for 36 years, fighting off foreign invaders and expanding his kingdom. 3. Under the Sunga dynasty, Hinduism was revived and the caste system was reinforced, with Sanskrit becoming the primary language.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    231 views2 pages

    Sunga Dynasty

    Uploaded by

    Priya
    1. The Sunga dynasty was founded in 185 BC by Pushyamitra Sunga after he overthrew and killed the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha. 2. Pushyamitra Sunga established his capital at Pataliputra and ruled for 36 years, fighting off foreign invaders and expanding his kingdom. 3. Under the Sunga dynasty, Hinduism was revived and the caste system was reinforced, with Sanskrit becoming the primary language.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Sunga Dynasty

    The Sunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga after the decline of the Mauryan
    Empire. After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan rulers formed independent kingdoms out of the
    Mauryan Empire.
    During this period, foreign invasions occurred in the Northwest that resulted in the
    independence of Kalinga. At the same time, Satavahanas rose their power in the southern
    region, and Sunga replaced the Mauryas in the Gangetic plains by forming the Shunga Dynasty.

    Founder of Sunga Dynasty - Pushyamitra Shunga


    Pushyamitra Shunga was the Brahmin army chief of the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha. He
    killed Brihadratha during a military parade and established his rule over the kingdom in 185 or
    186 B.C. His attack is often considered the first revolt against the Mauryan Empire, the reason
    being the increasing influence of Buddhism over the empire.

    However, certain historians believe that the internal revolt against the last Mauryan king, arose
    because of the Brahminical reaction. Pushyamitra Sunga ruled the throne for 36 years and died
    in 151 BC.

    Achievements of Pushyamitra Sunga


    Pushyamitra Shunga was a powerful king who won many battles in history. The significant
    achievements of Pushyamitra Sunga are as follows-
    • Pushyamitra Sunga formed his capital at Pataliputra.
    • He fought against two Greek kings, Demetrius and Menander and successfully
    countered the attacks.
    • He was successful in thwarting the attack from Kharavela, Kalinga king.
    • Pushyamitra Sunga conquered Vidarbha.

    Cultural Achievements of Pushyamitra Sunga


    Pushyamitra Sunga was a follower of Brahminism. Specific incidents in history have portrayed
    him as the persecutor of Buddhists. However, there has been no authoritative evidence, yet it is
    believed that he destroyed stupas and killed the last Mauryan king because of his interest in
    Buddhism.

    He renovated Barhut and Sanchi Stupas and built stone sculpture gateways at Sanchi. He
    patronized Patanjali (Sanskrit grammarian) and performed Vedic sacrifices like Vajapeya,
    Rajasuya, and Ashvamedha.

    Successors of Pushyamitra Sunga


    The reign of Pushyamitra Sunga lasted for 36 years, and he was succeeded by his son,
    Agnimitra. He ruled the throne from 149 to 141 BC. During his reign, Vidarbha broke away from
    the Shunga dynasty. He was a master in Malavikagnimitram (poem of Kalidasa). He was
    succeeded by his son, Vasumitra. History doesn't hold a clear account of the kings after the
    Vasemitra reign. Perhaps Andhraka, Pulindaka, Vajramitra and Ghosha are considered the
    layer Sunya kings.

    Devabhuti was the last king of the Sunga dynasty. He was killed by Vasudeva in 73 B.C., which
    marked the beginning of the Kanva dynasty at Magadh till 28 B.C.

    Effects of the Shunga Dynasty


    Sunga kings were believers in Brahminism. Under Sunga's rule, Hinduism was revived. With the
    rise of Brahmanas during the Sunga Dynasty, the caste system was also revived in the post-
    Mauryan period.
    • The integration of foreigners and mixed castes arose in Indian society. During this time,
    Sanskrit became the primary language, and even Buddhists composed some work in the
    Sanskrit language.
    • The kings were also in support of the fine arts. They patronised the art and architecture
    of that time and increased the use of symbols and human figures.

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