Shunga

Shunga Dynasty

Shunga dynasty (180BC-75BC)

Shunga dynasty was the first of four Brahmin dynasties recorded during the ancient history of India. Others were Kanva, Satavahana and Vakataka dynasties.

The rulers of Shunga dynasty were staunch followers of Vedic Dharma, although they patronized all religions. The Script used by Shunga rulers was a variant of Brahmi and was used to write the Sanskrit language. It was an intermediary between Mauryan & Kalingan Brahmi Scripts.

In both art and literature, the Shunga period left significant impressions on Indian history comparable to the glory of the Guptas. The Bharhut stupa is the most important structure of the Shunga Period. The Viharas and Chaityas were built at many places by Shunga kings. Stupas at Bhaja Caves(Pune) and Amaravati are standing examples of Shunga period. The highlight of Shunga art was construction of railings and Toranas for Sanchi and Vidisha stupas. Besides these, the artistic activity kept flourishing in Mathura and Bodhgaya.

The dynasty is noted for its numerous battles with foreign and indigenous powers. They fought the Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kalinga, the Satavahana dynasty, the Indo-Greek Kingdom and possibly the Panchalas and Mitras of Mathura. Eventually the dynasty was occupied by Kanvas.

Pushyamitra Shunga (180BC-149BC):

Mauryan Emperor Brihadratha while on hunt, found a young boy taking head-on with a wild tiger to protect the king. Brihadratha promptly decided to recruit him in his army. The boy Pushyamitra rose to become Senapathi of Mauryan Empire from an ordinary soldier. The Senapati was extremely cautious against the possible attack by Yavans, who were creating havoc in the north western part of India. Brihadratha, instead of preparing for possible conflict with yavanas, he was busy in his pleasurable amusement. In order to save his country from possible Yavana invasion, Pushyamitra took control over the military and administration by killing the weak Brihadratha in front of the whole army during a military parade.

The people decided to be with Pushyamtira, as they wished to save their country from any foreign invasion. Thus Pushyamitra became ruler establishing the “Shunga Dynasty”, the first Brahmin Dynasty recorded in the Indian History.

After capturing the throne from the Mauryan ruler, Pushyamitra performed Ashwamedha at which Patanjali, the author of Mahabhashya, was the priest. In his first Ashwamedha, he had to fight with yavanas for the first time at the north western border of the empire.

War with Greeks:

The Bactrian Greeks under Demetrius I had occupied up to Sindhu river and were ready to enter India through Punjab. Pushyamitra pushed back the Greeks from Punjab to Sakala in present day Pakistan. His territory extended upto Sakala or Sialkot.

War with Vidarbha:

During Brihadratha’s rule, Vidarbha was governed by Yajnasena, who was brother in law of a Mauryan minister and Avanthi was governed by Agnimitra, the son of Pushyamitra. After the change of power at the capital, Yajnasena declared independence. Eventually his father in law was imprisoned at Pataliputra by Pushyamitra. Madhavasena, the cousin brother of Yajnasena, a friend of Agnimitra wanted a share in the kingdom which was not accepted by his cousin the ruler. Madhavasena, seeking help from his friend Agnimitra, secretly planned to travel to Vidisha, however at the border he was caught and imprisoned by Vidarbha soldiers. Agnimitra sent a letter to Yagnasena requesting the release of his friend; In return, yajnasena demanded the release of his father in law from the prison. Due to the failure of negotiations, Agnimitra attacked Vidarbha and Yajnasena was defeated. Pushyamitra divided Vidarbha between the cousins as both accepted his suzerainty. The dominion of Pushyamitra, extended to the Narmada, bordering the Satavahana Kingdom.

Second Ashwamedha:

In his later years, Pushyamitra was attacked by Greeks when he performed Ashwamedha for a second time and Vasumitra, grand son of Pushyamitra was the commander of Ashwamedha army and defended the horse. The greek army headed by their ruler Menandar I, was defeated and pushed back to Taxila by the young prince Vasumitra. After the war, Pushyamitra is said to have met his death at Sakala, by a Bactrian Greek.

Anti-Buddhist?

Pushyamitra Shunga, born Bharadwaja Gotriya Brahmin, was a significant ruler who completed two Ashwamedhas in his reign. Pushyamitra is believed to have an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the Kakkutarama Monastery. According to Buddhist book Divyavadana, he is mentioned as a persecutor of Buddhists who had killed many Buddhists and destroyed stupas built by Mauryan rulers.

He punished disloyal monks who were caught helping Yavans secretly. The exaggerated stories of the cruel persecution of Buddhists by AshokaVadana & Divyavadana are proved false by many historians. He is credited to have commissioned typical railings in Sanchi and Bharhut stupas which record him as tolerant of Buddhists.

Patanjali, the genius

Pushyamitra’s Guru, Patanajali, was one of the greatest geniuses in Indian history. He was a student of another very famous genius, Panini. Patanjali has written Mahabhashya, a commentary on Panini’s grammar and a very celebrated work on Sanskrit literature. He wrote the famous Yoga sutra which is still followed all over the world. Patanjali is also referred to as the company of five types of artisans – metal workers, masons, architects, cooks and confectioners. Trade and farming were conducted in an organized way. There was prosperity all around during Shunga rule. Vidisha grew into an important center of ivory and stone carving. The teachers were recognized for their intellectual qualities. The Gurukul style of education was continued.

Historical Records:

Pushyamitra Shunga’s history is recorded in the “Harshacharita” authored by Bāṇabhaṭṭa. Besides Harshacharita, “Mahabhashya” by Guru Patanjali, “Malvikagnimitra” by Kalidas. Vayu purana, Matsya Purana, etc are other prominent scriptures which inform us about Pushyamitra Shunga.

Agnimitra Shunga (149BC-141BC)

Agnimitra was son of Pushyamitra Sunga, the founder of the dynasty. He was governor of Avanthi and resided in Vidisha, which became the capital during his reign as the ruler of the Empire.

He had married Dharini and Iravathi. After the campaign of Vidarbha, during his father’s reign, he married Malavika, sister of Madhavasena. Madhavasena was a good friend of Agnimitra. Agnimitra is the hero of Kalidasa’s first play “Malavikagnimitram”, which is based on the love story of Agnimigtra & Malavika.

Vasujyeshta Shunga (141BC-131BC)

He was the eldest son of Agnimitra born to Queen Dharini. He was also called as Sujyeshta. He inherited the vast empire and managed to rule the whole till his death.

He was the Commander in chief of the army during the First Ashwamedha of his grandfather Pushyamitra. The decline of the dynasty started after his death. The Kabul Valley and much of the Punjab passed into the hands of the Yavanas and the Deccan to the Satavahanas.

Vasumitra Shunga (131BC-124BC)

He was the second son of Agnimitra born to Queen Dharini. He succeeded his elder brother. During Pushyamitra’s second Ashwamedha, he was the army head and defeated Greek army along the Sindhu River. He was said to have been killed during a battle by Mitradeva of Saket – Deva dynasty.

The successors of Vasumitra Shunga, without an eventful reign were:

Andhraka (124BC-122BC)

Pulindka (122Bc-119BC)

Ghosha (119BC-116BC)

Vajramitra (116BC-110BC)

Bhagabhadra Shunga (110BC-83BC)

He was the successor of Vajramitra and ruled a relatively small kingdom compared to initial rulers. Although the capital was Pataliputra, he held two courts at Pataliputra and Vidisha. He renovated the stupas of Sanchi and permanently resided at Vidisha.

During the reign of his immediate predecessors Shungas had developed friendship with Indo-Greeks, who were neighbors. The Indo Greek ruler Antialcides had sent an ambassador named Heliodorus to Shunga court at Vidisha. Heliodores was born in the Hellenic family but later converted to Hinduism and worshipped Vishnu. He erected a Garuda Stambh, a pillar having a surmounted figure of a Garuda and dedicated to God Vasudeva (Vishnu) at Besnagar, near Vidisha. The Pillar is now called “Sthambh Baba” by the locals. The inscription on the pillar is regarded as the earliest evidence of Vaishnavism in India.

Devabhuti Shunga (83BC-75BC)

He was the son and successor of Bhagabhadra. He was a weak ruler and spent his time in lavishness and pleasure. He was assassinated by his Prime Minister Vasudeva Kanva, who eventually established the Kanva dynasty.

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