Śuṅga Dynasty
The Śuṅga Dynasty was established in ancient India by Puṣyamitra Śuṅga, a military officer who seized power through a palace revolt after assassinating the last Mauryan king. A fervent supporter of Vedic traditions, he conducted significant religious ceremonies, including the Vedic horse sacrifice, to assert his authority and promote Vedic culture following a period of Buddhist dominance. Under the rule of Puṣyamitra and his successors, the dynasty witnessed a complex cultural exchange, especially with the arrival of Greek invaders in the northwestern regions, who established diplomatic and trade relations with the Śuṅga court. Notably, the era is recognized for the flourishing of early Buddhist art, which thrived along major trade routes, largely funded by merchant patronage. Prominent examples of this artistic achievement include the stupas at Bharhut and Sanchi, as well as the caitya complexes at Bhaja and Pitalkhora, showcasing significant early iconography. The Śuṅga Dynasty thus represents a pivotal period in Indian history, reflecting the interplay of religious traditions and cultural influences.
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Śuṅga Dynasty
Related civilization: India.
Date: 185-151 b.c.e.
Locale: North India
Śuṅga Dynasty
Puṣyamitra Śuṅga (SHEWN-gah), a military officer who served the last Mauryan king, founded the Śuṅga Dynasty. Assassinating his predecessor, Puṣyamitra staged a palace revolt and seized the throne for himself and his descendants. A Brahman and an ardent advocate of Vedic religion, he had the Vedic horse sacrifice (aśvamedha) performed twice during his reign. The ritual established his suzerainty in his homeland, declared dominion over neighboring kingdoms, and reaffirmed Vedic authority after a long period in which Buddhism had been the preferred religion of the ruling class.
Under Puṣyamitra’s successors, the northwestern sector of the kingdom was taken over by Greek invaders who eventually established diplomatic and trade relations with the Śuṅga court. Heliodorus, an ambassador of the Greco-Bactrian king Antialkidas, left an inscription (c. 120-100 b.c.e.) at Vidiśā declaring his devotion to the Hindu god Vāsudeva (Vishnu or Viṣṇu).
Although its rulers professed allegiance to Vedic religion, the Śuṅga period is noted particularly for the flowering of early Buddhist art. Great centers of Buddhism were established along the trade routes, funded primarily by merchants. The stupas (relic mounds) at Bharhut and Sanchi in the north and the caitya (hall of worship) complexes at Bhaja and Pitalkhora in the western Deccan are noted for the their artistry and important early iconography.
Bibliography
Raychaudhuri, Hemachandra. Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty. Delhi, India: Oxford University Press, 1996.