Chapter Nine Post Mauryan India
Chapter Nine Post Mauryan India
Magadha was the first empire of India. A stable and systematic administration was set up during the Mauryan period. After Emperor Ashoka, due to the internal conflicts, this empire became weak. After Brihadratha, the last Mauryan emperor, Pushyamitra Shunga came on the throne.
Shunga Empire
Shunga Empire
The Shunga Empire was spread from Magadha in the east to Siyalkot, Punjab, in the west, as well as Himalayas in the North to Vidarbha in the south.
Pataliputra was the main capital of this empire; Pushyamitra established a second capital at Vidisha.
Later he conquered the lost provinces of Magadhan empire up to Siyalkot.
He courageously repelled the attack of the Greek King Demetrius.
His victory over Demetrius is mentioned in 'Malavikagnimitram', a play written by Kalidasa.
Pushyamitra twice performed the Ashwamedha sacrifice to proclaim himself as a powerful king.
Pushyamitra revived the Vedic sacrificial system which had lost its significance during the Mauryan period.
The Garuda pillar of Heliodorus at Besnagar, Vidisha, indicates that there were some Greek followers of Vaishnavism.
Literature in Sanskrit language was encouraged during the Shunga period.
To review the changes in Sanskrit language, Patanjali wrote the 'Mahabhashya' based on Panini's 'Ashtadhyayi'.
According to some scholars, there were many new additions made in the original text of Mahabharata during this period.
The Manusmruti was composed during this period.
The stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut, Garuda pillar at Besnagar are excellent examples of art during this period.
The last king of Shunga dynasty, Devbhuti, was not an efficient king.
His minister, Vasudeva, killed him and established the Kanva dynasty.
This incident is described in the Harshacharita by Banabhatta.