The Shunga Empire - Seventh ruling dynasty of Magadha

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The rise to power

Shunga dynasty was established in 184 BCE, when the emperor Brihadratha Maurya was assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga, the Commander-in-chief. According to many of the historical sources like that of Panini, Shungas are referred to as Brahmans and held a big position in the religious world. In accordance with these chronicles, the later Mauryas were the weak rulers, and the empire was on the peak of disintegration. Further the empire was in the continuous threat faced from the foreign invaders. All these situations forced Pushyamitra, with the help of Gopala to kill the emperor and ascend the throne. 

Pushyamitra became the ruler of the Central territories of the Mauryan empire including Magadha and Ayodhya but was unable to access control of Mathura as Mathura at that time was probably ruled by the Indo-Greeks. During his period, he gained the control over the city of Ujjain but still was in a very serious position where Indo-Greeks had captured the Northern India and Satavahanas were prevalent in the Deccan region. 

Importance of the Shunga period

Historians have referred the Shunga time as the important period in the Indian history. This is considered important in the terms of the culture revivalism. The memorable horse sacrifice conducted by Pushyamitra Shunga twice in his reign marks the sensitivity with regards to the religious rituals that grew from this time to the time of Gupta dynasty. Pushyamitra Shunga has also received the allegations from the historians as the persecutor of Buddhism and the aggressive asserter of Brahmanism. He is considered the one who is responsible for discontinuity of the immense spread of Buddhism in Indian subcontinent. 

But the Pushyamitra’s revival of Brahmanism came out to be as the destruction of the Buddhism. He made his mind to destroy all the teachings of Buddhism and also marched with the army for destroying stupas, burning of monasteries and killing of monks. But it is also noted that Agnimitra, the son of Pushyamitra was engaged in the reconstruction of the Sanchi Stupa.

Further, the other contribution of Shungas is also that they defended the country from the attacks of the Yavanas. If the Shungas had not defended the country from the Yavana attacks, the latter might have been successful in establishing control over the entire North India. 

The Shunga period is also called the new age in the art of buildings. The wooden railings of the Buddhist stupas were replaced by the stone railings. Also the splendid stone gateways developed by them have been marked as exceptional. Some of the important monuments of Shunga period are the Vihara at Bhaja near Poona, a group of rock cut stupas and a large Chaitya hall near the old Vihar at Bhaja, the Vriksha Devata at Bahurat, Garuda pillar at Besnagar, railing at Bodh Gaya, and Chaitya hall at Nasik.

The development of the art during the time of the Shungas was also exceptional. It was somewhat a little different from the Mauryan art which was inspired by the Persian one. The Shunga art is considered as the more indigenous Indian art. Art, education, philosophy, and other learning flourished during the Shunga period. Patanjali, the notable grammarian is also contemporary to the Pushyamitra Shunga. The Mathura School of Art developed from this period which was the more the indigenous counterpart of Greco-Buddhist art of the North-Western part of subcontinent. 

Wars of Shungas

The war of Shungas against the Yavanas has been mentioned in several of the ancient work such as that of Mahabharata and Puranas.

Pushyamitra Shunga had made a big group i.e., Buddhist against him by sending the army for their execution. The execution of Buddhist monks and the destruction of sculptures was not liked by the followers of Buddhism and hence they were against the Shunga rule. Therefore, the Buddhist are said to help the Yavana army to lay an attack on the Shunga Empire.

A Yavana attack was faced by the Shunga capital Patliputra, receiving the help from Buddhists. Till now, the invasion of the fortified city Patliputra was deemed as an impossible task as it had 570 towers and 64 gates. This attack was believed as the result of a prophecy. Yavana attacked the city and stayed there for a short period of time. They had to leave as they faced a civil war in Bactria. 

An account of the direct battle between the Yavanas and the Shungas has been mentioned in the Mālavikāgnimitram, a play by Kālidāsa. The play mentions the battle between grandsons of Pushyamitra – Vasumitra and Yavanas. It is mentioned that Vasumitra defeated the Yavanas with the help of just 100 soldiers. After this the Ashvamedha Yagna by Pushyamitra was completed as the Yavanas were probably the ones who challenged the Ashvamedha Yagna. The battle was fought on the banks of Indus River but the expansion of the Shungas is not verified in the history.

The Shunga Rulers

The founder and the first ruler of Shunga Empire was Pushyamitra Shunga. He was formerly the Commander-in-chief of the Mauryan empire. He took steps for asserting of Brahmanical religion aggressively and became a hurdle in the spread of the Buddhism. His empire extended as far as to the Narmada River and included Patliputra, Ayodhya etc. He also engaged in the battle with the king of Vidarba and got victory. He also occupies the credit for the defeat of Yavana attacks.

The second Shunga ruler was Agnimitra, the son of Pushyamitra. He is referred as the one who managed the administration during the reign of his father as Pushyamita was too aged towards the end of his reign. He was made the viceroy of Vidisha, as per the writing of Kalidasa.

Agnimitra was succeeded by Sujyeshtha, who ruled for about seven years. He was further succeeded by Vasumitra. As the prince, he completed many tasks and accomplished many rewards. He even helped Pushyamitra to complete his Ashvamedha Yagna successfully by having combat with Yavanas. But after becoming the king, he manifested the life of ease and pleasure. As a result of which the empire began to disintegrate. During his time the Governors of Panchala, Kausambu, and Mathura had declared their independent authority. The Shunga empire was now confined to just Magadha and region around it. He ruled for 10 years and then was killed by Muladeva of Kosala while enjoying a concert. 

Vasumitra was succeeded by Vajramitra in 123 BCE. He ruled for nine years and was succeeded by Bhagavata. Bhagavata ruled the empire for about 32 years and was succeeded by Devabhuti. 

Devabhuti, also referred as Devabhumi was the last ruler of Shunga empire and was killed by the Brahmana minister Vasudeva Kanva, who established the Kanva dynasty. 

The Satavahanas further destroyed the last remains of Shunga state in central India.