SHUNGA DYNASTY (185-75 BCE)

 INTRODUCTION

The Shunga OR Sunga rule, extending a little over a century, is in interlude in the history of India. There is nothing extraordinary about the political events associated with the Shungas. The significance of their history, on the other hand, primarily consists in the place they occupy in the social and cultural history of India.

After the Kalinga war, Asoka became a monk and engaged in expansion of Buddhism. None of the Mauryas were efficient to protect the throne. The Mauryan empire slowly began to disintegrate under weak successors. Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmin general usurped the throne after slaying the last Maurya king and presided over a loosely federal polity. He established Shunga Dynasty in the year 185 BC (1216 BCE as per recent translations).  The Capital of Shunga Dynasty Was Pataliputra and its major centers were Ujjain, Mathura, Saket, Sanchi, and Kapilvastu. Later kings such as Bhagabhadra also held court at Vidisa, modern Besnagar in Eastern Malwa. In South India, the contemporary of Shungas were Saatvahanas, Pandyas, Cheras and Cholas.

Pushyamitra performed Ashvamedha and brought much of North India under his rule. But he constantly faced invasion problems from inside the country and foreign invasions. He conducted several campaigns against the Yavanas, Indo-Greeks, who were trying to dethrone Shunga empire.

Origins and History

In 185 BC (1216 as per recent translations)  Military General Pushyamitra Shunga Killed Brihadratha, the last ruler of Maurya Empire and started Shunga Dynasty. Shunga Dynasty was a Brahmin dynasty. Pushamitra extended his empire to the Narmada River in the south, controlled Jalandhar and Sialkot in the Punjab region in the northwest and the city of Ujjain in Central India.

Pushamitra ruled Shunga empire for 36 years. He was succeeded by his son Agnimitra. Agnimitra was a hero of one of the famous drama written by Kalidasa. He was a viceroy of Vidisha in the play.

After the rule of Pushamitra Shunga, the Shunga history is largely uncertain. It was said that there were only 10 Shunga emperors. The Shungas were succeeded by the Kanva dynasty around 73 BCE (916 BCE as per recent translations).

Pushyamitra shunga

He ruled for 36 years and died in 151 BC. He was a Brahmin (A priest class of India) by caste and ruled the central and eastern part of Maurya empire. But some scholars believed that he was of a worrier (Kshatriya) by caste while others believed him to be a low caste (shudra) King. Pushyamitra Shunga was succeeded by Agnimirta who was his son. The empire started disintegrating soon after Agnimitra’s death.

Shunga dynasty’s reign is described in many texts such as Harshacharita by Banabhatt, Mahabhasya by Patanjali who was the high priest during the time of Pushyamitra Shunga’s reign, Malvika-Agnimitra by Kalidas has shown Agnimitra as the main protagonist.

Divyavadan, a Buddhist text, described Pushyamitra Shunga as a Maurya ruler and the enemy of Buddhism. The text mentioned that he prosecuted Buddhist monks and destroyed the monuments built by Mauryan rulers. Scholars are divided on this as some argued that most of the monuments are still around. They described that perhaps Divyavadan mentioned it because Shunga dynasty was Hindu by religion and it stopped sending tributes to Buddhism which had been consistent in the Mauryan Empire and perhaps it irked Buddhist monks. Other suggested that perhaps Buddhist supported Indo-Greeks in the wars when they started conquering Indian regions and fought with the Shunga rulers.

Indo-Greek attacked India for the first time in this period when Demetrius I conquered the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan. and Indo-Greek’s second attack on India was done by King Menander (named Milind in pali language) who adopted Buddhism and conquered Panjab. Milindpanha ( a Buddhist text), the questions of the king Menander, written by Nagasena, a Buddhist monk, was the conversation of Menander and Nagasena.

There were a total of 10 rulers of this empire. and the last ruler of this dynasty Devbhuti shunga was killed by Vasudev Kanva, his minister, and founded the Kanva kingdom.

Agnimitra

• Agnimitra (149 – 141 BCE) was the second king of the Shunga dynasty of northern India. He succeeded his father, Pushyamitra Shunga,
• By his era, Vidarbha broke away from the empire.
• Agnimitra is the hero of Kalidasa’s poem, Malavikagnimitram.
• Kalidasa’s romantic play, Malavika-Agnimitram, presents an image of Shunga rules.
• His son Vasumitra succeeded him as king.

Administration of Shunga Dynasty:

Shungas administrated their kingdom with admirable decisions. They understand the problems of the people and supported them at every level. Sungas concentrated on irrigation projects and collected less amount of tax from the farmers. They primarily valued the development of cultural and social development. During their time Hinduism started emerging into the society and showed a wide impact on the people. Buddhism started declining and the king’s withdrawal of royal patronage. During Shungas the Buddhists were procured so that the Buddhist scriptures mentioned Shungas, an exaggerated account of their troubles. Another important event during the Shungas rule, they revived the caste system in the society and advocated about the social supremacy of Brahmins.

Shungas administrated their kingdom with admirable decisions. They understand the problems of the people and supported them at every level. Shungas concentrated on irrigation projects and collected less amount of tax from the farmers. They primarily valued the development of cultural and social development. During their time Hinduism started emerging into the society and showed a wide impact on the people. Buddhism started declining and the king’s withdrawal of royal patronage. During Shungas the Buddhists were procured so that the Buddhist scriptures mentioned Shungas, an exaggerated account of their troubles. Another important event during the Shungas rule, they revived the caste system in the society and advocated about the social supremacy of Brahmins.

List of Shunga kings

• Pusyamitra Sunga (185-149 B.C.E.)
• Agnimitra (149-141 B.C.E.)
• Vasujyeshtha (141-131 B.C.E.)
• Vasumitra (131-124 B.C.E.)
• Andhraka (124-122 B.C.E.)
• Pulindaka (122-119 B.C.E.)
• Ghosha
• Vajramitra
• Bhagabhadra
• Devabhuti (83-73 B.C.E.)

Foreign Invasions

The time of Pushyamitra saw some foreign invasions which endangered northern India. These invaders were usually termed in Indian literature as the Yavanas’. But, it is ascertained from historical evidences that they were, in fact, the Bactrian Greeks. From Patanjali’s writings it is understood that these foreigners from the North-West penetrated into the Gangetic Valley and advanced as for as Ayodliya. In the writings of Kalidasa also are seen references to battles between the invading Yavanas and the Sunga armies.

It is not clear who was the leader or king of the foreign invaders during the Sunga period. While some historians tried to identify that invader as King Demetrius, some others think of him as Menandar. Whosoever might have been the king of the invading forces, he was not able to conquer the Sunga territory. Evidences suggest that a grandson of King Pushyamirta led the royal army against the enemies, defeated the Indo-Greek forces, and drove them out from the Sunga Kingdom.

 

Hinduism and Caste System:

The Manusmriti also brought into the social life of the people and discussed the reassures the position of the Brahmins in the society. During the Shungas Dynasty, society changes itself and the impact of the Buddhism on the society started melting. Revived cast system lead to the emergence of mixed castes. The Indian society also started mixing with the foreigners. When the cast system interrupted into the society, the Brahmanism gradually transformed as the direction of hinduism.

the first Brahmin emperor was Pushyamitra Shunga, and is believed by some historians to have persecuted Buddhists and contributed to a resurgence of Brahmanism that forced Buddhism outwards to Kashmir, Gandhara and Bactria. Buddhist scripture such as the Asokavadana account of the Divyavadana and ancient Tibetan historian Taranatha have written about persecution of Buddhists. Pushyamitra is said to have burned down Buddhist monasteries, destroyed stupas, massacred Buddhist monks and put rewards on their heads, but some consider these stories as probable exaggerations.

Cultural contributions

Shungas not only brought the revive of caste system but also concentrated on Art, Education and Philosophy. During the Shunga dynasty, the debates among the people rose on the religious politics and changed entire attitude of society towards Hinduism. The Kings cooperated the eminent persons to flourish the philosophical thoughts among the people. So that the famous Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Mahabhashyas composed during the Shunga dynasty. The famous magnum opus Malavikaagnimitra also composed by kalidasa in the early period of Sunga Dynasty.

 

Achievements of Pushyamitra Shunga

Pushyamitra Sunga was finally succeeded by his son Agnimitra and ruled for eight long years. According to the Malavikagnimitra, a war broke out between the Shungas and neighboring Vidarbha kingdom during Agnimitra’s reign.

Prior to the rise of the Shungas, Vidarbha had become independent from the Mauryan Empire when a former Mauryan minister put his brother-in-law Yajnasena on the throne. Madhavasena, a cousin of Yajnasena, sought help from Agnimitra in overthrowing his cousin but was captured while crossing the border of Vidarbha and imprisoned.

 The Importance of the Sunga Dynasty:

The rule of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha, for more than a century, was important in many aspects. It checked the further disintegration of the Magadha empire and atleast kept its central part intact. It also checked the further intrusion of the Greeks in the mainland of India. Besides, the process of revival of Brahamanical religion and the Sanskrit language started with the rule of the Shungas.

The great grammarian Patanjali was a contemporary of Pushyamitra. The Manu-Smiriti the Vishnu-Smiriti and the Yagvavalka-Smiriti were compiled during this age. The Mahabharat was also written at this time. Dr K.M. Panikkar has expressed the view that the great Sanskrit scholar.

Kalidas, was a contemporary of Agnimitra though it has not been accepted by other scholars. The period also witnessed the growing influence of the Bhagvata religion and drew converts even from among foreigners particularly the Greeks.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The arts, particularly architecture, also progressed during this period. The stupa of Bharhut, some additions to Buddha-Gaya-Stupa and the gates and boundary wall of the stupa at Sanchi were built during this age, which have been regarded as fine specimens of architecture.

Art has a prominent role in Shunga Dynasty. Several types of arts were privileged during Shungas rule. Art under the Shunga period comprises the large part of the decoration of the stone railings and gateways of Buddhist stupas originally started under king Ashoka, at Sanchi in Bhopal, Barhut in Nagod state and Amravati on the Krishna river. The Mathura school of art flourished during this period as well.

The Mauryan dynasty was disintegrated after Asoka's death in 232 BC. Shungas came replacing the Mauryas in northern part. The period between 2nd century BC and 3rd century AD marked the beginning of the sculptural idiom in Indian sculpture where the elements of physical form were evolving into a more refined, realistic and expressive style. The sculpture strived at mastering their art, especially of the human body, which was carved in high relief and bore heaviness and vigour. These dynasties made advances in art and architecture in areas like construction, stone carving, symbolism and beginning of temple and the monastery constructions.

It is also believed that a new school of architecture grew up at Vidisa which remained the capital of later Shunga rulers. Thus, the rule of the Shungas positively contributed to the betterment of the then Indian polity and culture. 

WAR

The Shunga Empire's wars with the Indo-Greek Kingdom figure greatly in the history of this period. From around 180 BCE the GRECO-BACTRIAN ruler  DEMETRIUS conquered the Kabul Valley and is theorised to have advanced into the trans-Indus to confront the Shungas. The Indo-Greek MENANDER I is credited with either joining or leading a campaign to Patliputra  with other Indian rulers; however, very little is known about the exact nature and success of the campaign. 

The Sunga Empire's wars with the Indo-Greek Kingdom figure greatly in the history of this period. From around 180 B.C.E. the Greco-Bactrian ruler Demetrius, conquered the Kabul Valley and is theorized to have advanced into the trans-Indus. The Indo Greek Menander is credited with either joining or leading a campaign to Pataliputra with other Indian Kings; however, very little is know about the exact nature and success of the campaign. The net result of these wars remains uncertain.

The Hindu text of the Yuga Purana, which describes Indian historical events in the form of a prophecy, relates the attack of the Indo-Greeks on the capital Pataliputra, a magnificent fortified city with 570 towers and 64 gates according to Megasthenes,"The greatest city in India is that which is called Palimbothra, in the dominions of the Prasians  Megasthenes informs us that this city stretched in the inhabited quarters to an extreme length on each side of eighty stadia, and that its breadth was fifteen stadia, and that a ditch encompassed it all round, which was six hundred feet in breadth and thirty cubits in depth, and that the wall was crowned with 570 towers and had four-and-sixty gates."

Pushyamitra is recorded to have performed two Ashvamedha Yagnas and Shunga imperial inscriptions have extended as far as Jalandhar. Scriptures such as the Divyavadhana note that his rule extended even farther to Sialkot, in the Punjab. Moreover, if it was lost, Mathura was regained by the Shungas around 100 B.C.E. (or by other indigenous rulers: The Arjunayanas (area of Mathura) and Yaudheyas mention military victories on their coins ("Victory of the Arjunayanas," "Victory of the Yaudheyas"), and during the first century B.C.E., the Trigartas, Audumbaras and finally the Kunindas also started to mint their own coins). Accounts of battles between the Greeks and the Sunga in Northwestern India are also found in the Mālavikāgnimitram, a play by Kālidāsa which describes a battle between Greek cavalrymen and Vasumitra, the grandson of Pushyamitra, on the Indus river, in which the Indians defeated the Greeks and Pushyamitra successfully completed the Ashvamedha Yagna.

The Indo-Greeks and the Sungas seem to have reconciled and exchanged diplomatic missions around 110 B.C.E., as indicated by the Heliodorus pillar, which records the dispatch of a Greek ambassador named Heliodorus, from the court of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas, to the court of the Sunga king Bhagabhadra at the site of Vidisha in central India.

Fall of the Shungas

Darkness descended on the reigns of the successors of Agnimitra Shunga. It is presumed that his son Vasumitra came to the throne after the death of his father. About this king, only this much is known that as a grandson of Pushyamitra, while a very young prince, he led the Shunga armies against the foreign Yavana invaders and defeated them in battles.

Nothing is known about the successors of Vasumitra. But one fact is certain that there was a King named Brihaspati Mitra who ruled over Magadha when Kharavela led his armies to invade the north. According to the Puranic sources, the Shunga rule in Pataliputra lasted for a period of 112 years. The last king of that Dynasty Devabhuti was driven out from the throne by his minister Basudeva who established a new ruling dynasty known as the Kanva Dynasty.