Shishunaga Dynasty (413BC - 345BC)

 

SHISHUNAGA (413BC-395BC)

He was a son of the Lichhavi ruler and a concubine. He was denied the royal treatment because of his birth. However he managed to get an officer’s post at Magadha Kingdom. He soon became amatya of Nandivardhana / Nagadarshaka, the last Haryanka King. During the revolt against the king, he killed his master and established Shishunaga dynasty at Pataliputra.

 

Shishunaga, conquered Avanthi Kingdom by killing Nandivardhana, the last ruler of Pradyota dynasty. This brought to an end, the hundred year old rivalry between Magadha and Avanti. Both became a part of Shishunaga Kingdom. He attacked on Licchavi Kingdom and conquered it. He had two capitals at Rajgriha and Vaishali to manage the vast kingdom.

 

Kalashoka (395BC-367BC)

He was also known as Kalavarna. He was the Governor of  Varanasi province during his father’s reign. He succeeded his father & ruled the kingdom peacefully. The first Buddhist council was held at Rajgir during the reign of Ajatashatru, Haryanka ruler.

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Kalashoka organised 2nd Buddhist Council and Nearly 700 monks attended the council at Vaishali. He Shifted the capital from Vaishali to Pataliputra

 

Kalashoka divided his kingdom equally between his 10 sons

Bhadrasana, Korandavarna, Mangura, Sarvanjaha, Jalika, Ubhaka, Sanjaya, Koravya, Panchamukha & Nandivardhana.

 

He was killed by a dagger thrust into his throat, during a public gathering in his capital Pataliputra

 

NANDIVARDHANA (367BC-355BC)

Son of Kalashoka. He ruled the region of Pataliputra, as it was distributed to him by his father.

 

MAHANANDI (355BC-345BC)

Succeeded his father Nandivardhana. He killed all his uncles & annexed their territories to his kingdom and ruled the entire empire. He was killed by Mahapadma Nanda, his own son who was born to a shudra wife