The Sunga Dynasty came into power after the decline of the Mauryan Empire in around 185 BCE. The Sunga Empire included territories from the river Ganga up to the Narmada Valley, Vidisha, and parts of Northern India. Initially, the capital of the empire was Patliputra but later it was shifted to Vidisha. 

Major Highlights

• The Sunga Dynasty ruled East India from 185 BCE to 73 BCE.
• This dynasty succeeded the Mauryas in the Magadha region.
• The major reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire were the death of Ashoka, Foreign invasions in North West, Regional powers such as Kalinga became independent.
• Sunga belonged to the Brahmin family of the Bharadvaja clan.
• They held the viceroyship of the Ujjain region during Mauryan rule.
• The Sunga empire included Ganga valley up to Narmada River, Parts of Northern India, and Vidisha.
• The capital of the Sunga dynasty in the initial period was Pataliputra.
• Later the capital was changed to Vidisha.
• The major cities of the Sunga Dynasty included Ujjain, Saket, Sanchi, Mathura, and Kapilavastu.
• The information about the Sunga dynasty can be found in Gargi Samhita, Patanjali’s Mahabhasya, Divyavadana, Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram, and Bana’s Harshacharita.

Important Rulers

Pushyamitra Sunga:

• The founder of the Sunga Dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga.
• He was a Brahmin and army chief under Brihadratha, the last Mauryan King.
• After defeating Brihadratha in an internal revolt, Pushyamitra established Sunga Empire in 180 BC with its capital at Pataliputra.
• Pushyamitra encountered attacks from Greek kings Menander and Demetrius and emerged victorious in the battles.
• The details of these battles are found in Gargi Samhita and Malavikagnimitram.
• He also defeated Kharavela, Kalinga king in a battle.
• Pushyamitra also conquered the Vidarbha region.
• Divyavandana’s book describes Pushyamitra as the destroyer of Buddhist monasteries and their places of worship.
• Pushyamitra Sunga was a follower of Buddhism. Although some historians portray him as anti-Buddhist, there is no authoritative evidence to the claims made.
• He renovated Buddhist stupas at Sanchi and Barhut and also built a stone gateway at Sanchi.
• He was known to perform Vedic sacrifices like Vajapeya and Rajasuya. Also, as per the Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva, he performed Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice.
• Patanjali, a Sanskrit grammarian, was patronized by Pushyamitra Sunga.
• Puranas state that Pushyamitra Sunga’s reign lasted for 36 years.

Agnimitra:

• Agnimitra was the son of Pushyamitra Sunga.
• He ruled the Sunga Empire from 149 BC to 141 BC.
• By the time Agnimitra succeeded to the throne, the Vidarbha region broke away from the Sunga empire and became independent.
• He is mentioned in Kalidasa’s most acclaimed poem Malavikagnimitram.
• After Agnimitra, his son Sujyeshta and his son Vasumitra succeeded to the throne.

Later Rulers:

• The details of Vasumitra successors are not known.
• Historians came up with different names such as Andhraka, Vajramitra, Ghosha, and Pulindaka, etc.
• Heliodorus, the Greek ambassador stayed at the court of King Bhagavat.
• Bhagavat was identified with Kasipurra Bhagabhadra of Vidisha pillar inscription.
• Devabhuti was the last known Sunga King. As per Bhanabhatta, he was killed by his minister, Vasudeva Kanva.
• Thus, after the decline of the Sunga dynasty, the Kanva dynasty was established at Magadha that ruled from 73 to 28 BC.
• Canvas rule lasted only for four generations.
• The fall of Kanvas rule was followed by the rise of independent regions such as Ayodhya, Mathura, Kausambi, and Ahichchhstra.

Influence of Sunga Dynasty

• Sungas revived Brahmanism and Bhagavatam.
• Along with the rise of Brahmanas, the caste system was also revived under Sungas. This is evident in Manusmriti, where Brahmin’s position is reassured in the 4 fold society.
• The major development of Sungas was the emergence of mixed castes and the integration of foreigners into Indian society.
• During the Sunga period, the Sanskrit language gained prominence and became the language of the court. Most of the Buddhist works were also composed in Sanskrit.
• There was an increase in the use of human figures and symbols in art and architecture during the Sunga period.
• Sunga art replaced Mauryan’s usage of wood with stone in the railings and gateways of Buddhist stupas.
• Bharhut inscription exhibits the life of Indians and their attitude towards the world.
• Temple building has begun during Sungas. One such notable example is the Vishnu temple at Vidisha.