• The Sunga Dynasty came into power after the decline of the Mauryan Empire in around 185 BCE.
• The Sunga Empire included territories from the river Ganga up to the Narmada Valley, Vidisha, and parts of Northern India.
• Initially, the capital of the empire was Patliputra but later it was shifted to Vidisha.

Sunga Dynasty

• The Sunga Dynasty ruled East India from 185 BCE to 73 BCE.
• This dynasty succeeded the Mauryas in the Magadha region.
• The major reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire were the death of Ashoka, Foreign invasions in North West, Regional powers such as Kalinga became independent.
• Sunga belonged to the Brahmin family of the Bharadvaja clan.
• They held the viceroyship of the Ujjain region during Mauryan rule.
• The Sunga empire included Ganga valley up to Narmada River, Parts of Northern India, and Vidisha.
• The capital of the Sunga dynasty in the initial period was Pataliputra.
• Later the capital was changed to Vidisha.
• The major cities of the Sunga Dynasty included Ujjain, Saket, Sanchi, Mathura, and Kapilavastu.
• The information about the Sunga dynasty can be found in Gargi Samhita, Patanjali’s Mahabhasya, Divyavadana, Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram, and Bana’s Harshacharita.

Sunga Dynasty: Important Rulers

Pushyamitra Sunga

• The founder of the Sunga Dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga.
• He was a Brahmin and army chief under Brihadratha, the last Mauryan King.
• After defeating Brihadratha in an internal revolt, Pushyamitra established Sunga Empire in 180 BC with its capital at Pataliputra.
• Pushyamitra encountered attacks from Greek kings Menander and Demetrius and emerged victorious in the battles.
• The details of these battles are found in Gargi Samhita and Malavikagnimitram.
• He also defeated Kharavela, Kalinga king in a battle.
• Pushyamitra also conquered the Vidarbha region.
• Divyavandana’s book describes Pushyamitra as the destroyer of Buddhist monasteries and their places of worship.
• Pushyamitra Sunga was a follower of Buddhism. Although some historians portray him as anti-Buddhist, there is no authoritative evidence to the claims made.
• He renovated Buddhist stupas at Sanchi and Barhut and also built a stone gateway at Sanchi.
• He was known to perform Vedic sacrifices like Vajapeya and Rajasuya. Also, as per the Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva, he performed Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice.
• Patanjali, a Sanskrit grammarian, was patronized by Pushyamitra Sunga.
• Puranas state that Pushyamitra Sunga’s reign lasted for 36 years.

Agnimitra

• Agnimitra was the son of Pushyamitra Sunga.
• He ruled the Sunga Empire from 149 BC to 141 BC.
• By the time Agnimitra succeeded to the throne, the Vidarbha region broke away from the Sunga empire and became independent.
• He is mentioned in Kalidasa’s most acclaimed poem Malavikagnimitram.
• After Agnimitra, his son Sujyeshta and his son Vasumitra succeeded to the throne.

Sunga Dynasty: Later Rulers

• The details of Vasumitra successors are not known.
• Historians came up with different names such as Andhraka, Vajramitra, Ghosha, and Pulindaka, etc.
• Heliodorus, the Greek ambassador stayed at the court of King Bhagavat.
• Bhagavat was identified with Kasipurra Bhagabhadra of Vidisha pillar inscription.
• Devabhuti was the last known Sunga King. As per Bhanabhatta, he was killed by his minister, Vasudeva Kanva.
• Thus, after the decline of the Sunga dynasty, the Kanva dynasty was established at Magadha that ruled from 73 to 28 BC.
• Canvas rule lasted only for four generations.
• The fall of Kanvas rule was followed by the rise of independent regions such as Ayodhya, Mathura, Kausambi, and Ahichchhstra.

Influence of Sunga Dynasty

• Sungas revived Brahmanism and Bhagavatam.
• Along with the rise of Brahmanas, the caste system was also revived under Sungas. This is evident in Manusmriti, where Brahmin’s position is reassured in the 4 fold society.
• The major development of Sungas was the emergence of mixed castes and the integration of foreigners into Indian society.
• During the Sunga period, the Sanskrit language gained prominence and became the language of the court. Most of the Buddhist works were also composed in Sanskrit.
• There was an increase in the use of human figures and symbols in art and architecture during the Sunga period.
• Sunga art replaced Mauryan’s usage of wood with stone in the railings and gateways of Buddhist stupas.
• Bharhut inscription exhibits the life of Indians and their attitude towards the world.
• Temple building has begun during Sungas. One such notable example is the Vishnu temple at Vidisha.