Saturday, September 14, 2019
Sunga Dynasty:
The Sunga dynasty was an ancient Indian dynasty that ruled over a significant part of the Indian subcontinent from around 185 BCE to 73 BCE. The founder of the Sunga dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga, who is said to have been the commander-in-chief of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.
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Key Points about the Sunga Dynasty:
1. Founder of Sunga Dynasty:
Pushyamitra Sunga is believed to have overthrown the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, and established the Sunga dynasty around 185 BCE.
The overthrow of the Mauryan Empire marked the end of the Mauryan rule in India.
2. Pushyamitra Sunga:
Pushyamitra Sunga was a Brahmin and is said to have been a staunch supporter of Brahmanism.
He is often associated with the persecution of Buddhists and the destruction of Buddhist monasteries, although the extent of these actions is debated among historians.
3. Extent of Rule:
The Sunga dynasty ruled over a significant part of northern and central India, with its capital initially at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) and later shifted to Vidisha.
4. Buddhism and Brahmanism in Sunga Dynasty:
The Sunga period witnessed a shift in patronage from Buddhism to Brahmanism. Pushyamitra Sunga, being a Brahmin, is believed to have been less supportive of Buddhism.
5. Cultural and Artistic Developments:
Despite the political upheaval during the transition from the Mauryan to the Sunga dynasty, there were cultural and artistic developments.
The Sunga period is associated with the creation of the Yaksha statues at Bharhut and the Stupa at Bharhut, which are important examples of early Indian art.
6. Decline:
The decline of the Sunga dynasty occurred in the early 1st century BCE.
Various factors, including external invasions and internal strife, contributed to the weakening of the Sunga rulers.
7. Successors of Sunga Dynasty:
After the decline of the Sunga dynasty, the subsequent dynasties that followed included the Kanva dynasty, which ruled briefly before being overthrown by the Satavahanas.
The Sunga dynasty played a transitional role in Indian history, marking the period following the Mauryan Empire. Despite being a relatively short-lived dynasty, it contributed to the cultural and artistic heritage of ancient India. The shift in patronage from Buddhism to Brahmanism during this period is a notable aspect of the Sunga rule.