The Sungas and Kanvas in the North
The break-up of Mauryan Empire resulted in the invasions of Sakas, Scythians, Parthians, Indo-Greeks or Bactrian Greeks and Kushanas from the north-west. In the south, Satavahanas became independent after Asoka’s death. There were Sungas and Kanvas in the north before the emergence of Gupta dynasty. Chedis (Kalinga) declared their independence.
It has to be noted here that, though Magadha ceased to be the premier state of India, it continued to be a great centre of Buddhist culture.
Sources
I.Archaeological Sources
i.Inscriptions
* Ayodhya Inscription of Dana Deva
* Persepolis, Nakshi Rustam Inscriptions
* Moga(Taxila copper plate)
* Junagadh/Girnar Inscription
* Nasik Prasasti
* Inscription of Darius I
ii.Coins
* Coins of Satavahanas
* Coins of Kadphises II
* Roman coins
iii.Literary Sources
* Puranas
* Gargi Samhita
* Harshacharita of Banabhatta
* Mahabhasya of Patanjali
* Brihastkatha of Gunadhya
* Madhyamika Sutra of Nagarjuna
* Buddhacharita of Asvaghosha
* Malavikagnimitra of Kalidasa
iv.Foreign Notice
* Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese Buddhist monk and traveller
The Sungas and Kanvas in the North
The Sungas
The last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his own general, Pushyamitra Sunga, who established his Sunga dynasty in Magadha. Pushyamitra made Pataliputra as his capital.
Pushyamitra’s kingdom extended westward to include Ujjain and Vidisha. He successfully repulsed the invasion of Bactria king, Menander. But Menander managed to keep Kabul and Sindh.
Pushyamitra thwarted an attack from the Kalinga king Kharavela. He also conquered Vidarba. He was a staunch follower of Vedic religion. He performed two Asvamedha yagnas (horse sacrifices) to assert his imperial authority.
During the Sunga period, stone was replaced by wood in the railings and the gateways of the Buddhist stupas as seen in Bharhut and Sanchi.
Pushyamitra was succeeded by his son Agnimitra. This Agnimitra is said to be the hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitra. The drama also refers to the victory of Vasumitra, Agnimitra’s son, over the Greeks on the banks of the Sindhu river.
The weak successors of Sungas constantly faced threats from the Indo-Bactrians and Indo-Parthians. The Sunga dynasty lasted for about one hundred years. The last Sunga king was Devabhuti. He was killed by his own minister Vasudeva Kanva. Vasudeva established the rule of Kanva dynasty in Magadha.
Importance of the Sunga Period
The Sungas played an important role in defending the Gangetic Valley from the encroachments of the Bactrian Greeks. Pushyamitra, and then his successors, revived Vedic religious practices and promoted Vaishnavism. Sanskrit gradually gained ascendancy and became the court language.
Patanjali, the second grammarian in Sanskrit, was patronized by Pushyamitra.
Though Pushyamitra persecuted Buddhists, during his reign the Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi were renovated and further improved. The Great Stupa of Sanchi and the railings, which enclose it, belong to the Sunga period.
King Kharavela of Kalinga was a contemporary of the Sungas. We get information about Kharavela from the Hathigumba Inscription.
The Kanvas
The Kanva dynasty produced four kings and their rule lasted only for 45 years.The history of Magadha after the fall of the Kanvas is devoid of any significance until the emergence of the Gupta dynasty.
The Kanva rulers were
* Vasudeva
* Bhumi Mitra
* Narayana
* Susarman
The last Kanva ruler Susarman was assassinated by his powerful feudatory chief of Andhra named Simuka, who laid the foundation of the Satavahana dynasty.
FAQs
1. What were the main consequences of the break-up of the Mauryan Empire?
The decline of the Mauryan Empire led to invasions from the northwest by Sakas, Scythians, Parthians, Indo-Greeks, and Kushanas. In the south, the Satavahanas became independent, while in the north, the Sungas and Kanvas ruled before the rise of the Gupta dynasty.
2. Did Magadha remain an important region after the Mauryan period?
Yes, even though Magadha ceased to be the premier political power, it remained a significant center of Buddhist culture.
3. What are the major sources of information about this period?
The primary sources include:
- Archaeological Sources – Inscriptions like Ayodhya Inscription of Dana Deva, Junagadh/Girnar Inscription, and coins of various rulers.
- Literary Sources – Texts like the Puranas, Harshacharita, Mahabhasya, and works of Kalidasa.
- Foreign Accounts – Records from Chinese Buddhist traveler Hiuen Tsang.
4. Who was the founder of the Sunga dynasty?
Pushyamitra Sunga, a general of the last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha, assassinated his ruler and established the Sunga dynasty.
5. What were the key achievements of Pushyamitra Sunga?
- Successfully defended against the Bactrian Greek king Menander.
- Repulsed attacks from Kharavela of Kalinga.
- Conquered Vidarbha.
- Performed two Ashvamedha Yagnas to assert his authority.
- Patronized Sanskrit and revived Vedic traditions.
6. How did the Sungas contribute to architecture and religion?
The Sungas played a crucial role in the construction and renovation of Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi. They also revived Vedic traditions and promoted Vaishnavism.
7. Who succeeded Pushyamitra Sunga?
Pushyamitra was succeeded by his son Agnimitra, who is also the protagonist of Kalidasa’s play Malavikagnimitra.
8. What led to the fall of the Sunga dynasty?
The weak successors of the Sunga dynasty faced constant threats from Indo-Bactrians and Indo-Parthians. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti, was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva, who established the Kanva dynasty.
9. Who were the rulers of the Kanva dynasty?
The Kanva rulers were:
- Vasudeva
- Bhumi Mitra
- Narayana
- Susarman
10. How did the Kanva dynasty come to an end?
The last Kanva ruler, Susarman, was assassinated by Simuka, a powerful Andhra chief, who then founded the Satavahana dynasty.
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