Kanva dynasty (75 BC – 30 BC)

Kanva was the successor dynasty of the Shungas in Magadha. The rulers are known as Kanvayanas. They were of Brahmin origin and considered themselves as descendants of Rishi Kanva. They ruled for a very short duration of 45 years.

 

Vasudeva Kanva (75BC-66BC)

Vasudeva Kanva was the founder of the dynasty. He was a minister in the court of Devabhuti, the last Shunga ruler. He killed his master and ascended the throne.

During his reign Yavanas invaded India and occupied Punjab region. Although Vasudeva Kanva established his rule in Magadha killing Devabhuti Shunga, he allowed Shunga descendants to rule in a small region of Vidisha. Satvahanas, the Vassals of Kanvas, tried to become independent in the south but were forced to be under the suzerainty of Vasudeva Kanva.

 

Bhumimitra (66BC-52BC)

He was the second king of the Kanva dynasty and son of Vasudeva Kanva. He fought many wars against Satavahanas, all were victorios. Satavahanas continued to rule as vassals of Kanvas.

 

Narayana (52BC-40BC)

Bhumimitra was succeeded by his son Narayana who ruled for 12 years. During his last years Satavahanas tried an unsuccessful mission to become free from Kanvas.

 

Susharman (40BC-30BC)

He was the son of Narayana. He was attacked and killed by Satavahana rulers. The Kanva kingdom was annexed to the Satavahana Empire. This put an end to the Kanva dynasty.

 

 

Deva dynasty (2nd Century BC – 1st Century BC)

After the fall of the Mauryan empire, the Deva dynasty carved out a kingdom and ruled independently for some time. Their capital was Saket, near Ayodhya.

The dynasty became a Vassal state under Pushyamitra Shunga. He recognized Muladeva as his vassal of Saket region.

 

Muladeva was succeeded by his son Mitradeva. Mitradeva tried to become free from Shunga rule and attacked many times on his master. Finally he killed Vasumitra, the ruler of Shunga empire in 124 BC and declared himself independent ruler of Saket.

 

Mitradeva was succeeded by his son Vayudeva. The successor of Vayudeva was his son Phalgunadeva. Phalgunadeva was succeeded by his son Dhanadeva. The Ayodhya inscription related to Dhanadeva, gives the information about the Shunga dynasty and Pushyamitra’s Ashwamedha. He ruled during 50BC.

 

The last ruler of the dynasty was Vishakhadeva, son of Dhanadeva. The Deva dynasty ended with the killing of the last ruler Vishakhadeva by the Datta Dynasty ruler.  Hence Saket was annexed by the Datta Dynasty ending the reign of Deva Dynasty.

  

Datta dynasty (1st Century BC – 1st Century CE)

The Datta dynasty ruled for a short period after replacing the Deva Dynasty of Saket. Their capital was Mathura and the kingdom was extended up to Ayodhya.

 

Sheshadatta was the first recorded ruler of the dynasty. His successor Ramadatta had issued coins which had the impression of goddess Laxmi on it. The third ruler of the dynasty was Sisuchandradatta.

The last ruler of the dynasty was Sivadatta, during his reign the kingdom was attacked and annexed by Mitra Dynasty of Mathura with the help of Indo-Greek army during the beginning of  of 1st century CE

 

Mitra dynasty

After the decline of Mauryans, the Shunga dynasty lost control over Kosambi, Mathura and Ayodhya regions. Mitras are said to be descendants of Pushyamitra Shunga established independent kingdoms in three regions separately.

 

Mitra dynasty of Mathura (150BC-50BC)

This branch of Mitras ruled as vassals under Indo-Greeks of Taxila from the times of Menandar I.

The rulers of this dynasty were Gomitra I, Gomitra II, Brahma Mitra, Dridha Mitra, Surya Mitra, Vishnu Mitra and Satya Mitra.

Satya Mitra attacked the Datta Dynasty and annexed it with the help of Yavanas. Eventually the kingdom was annexed by Yavanas, their masters in 50BC.

 

Mitra dynasty of Saket / Ayodhya (100BC-350CE)

This branch of Mitras ruled in Saket or Ayodhya region during the last rulers of Shunga dynasty. They ruled as independent sovereigns till the occupation of their kingdom by Kushans.

Initial independent rulers of the dynasty were Sanghamitra and Vijayamitra.

Satyamitra, the next king accepted the suzerainty of Kanishka and his successor Devamitra also remained vassal of Kushan Empire.

After the death of Kanishka, Aryamitra, the successor of Devamitra declared independence. Kumudasena and Ajayavarma were the next rulers. Samudra Gupta annexed the Mitra kingdom during his campaign.

 

Mitra dynasty of Kosambi (100BC-350CE)

Initial rulers of this branch of Mitras ruled simultaneously with Shungas. Their capital was Prayag and during the reign of Vasumitra, it was shifted to Rajgriha in Magadha.

The first recorded ruler of the dynasty was Sungavarma. He was succeeded by his son Viswadeva.

Agaraja was the next ruler. Dhanabhuti, accepted the friendship with Shungas. Agimitra was son of Dhanabhuti. Jyeshtamitra and Vasumitra were Agimitra’s sons, who ruled the Kingdom one after the other.

Brihaspatimitra was the next ruler and he is mentioned in the Hathigumpa inscription of Kharavela of Mahameghavahana Dynasty. He was defeated at his capital Rajgriha by Kharavela. The next rulers Radhamitra and Sarpamitra ruled till the end of 1st century CE and issued coins.

Finally the dynasty ended during the campaign of Samudra Gupta in 350CE.