Sunga Dynasty: History, Origin, Rulers and Decline ( UGC NET History Notes)

From approximately 187 to 75 BCE, the Shunga Empire (IAST: Śuṅga) ruled over most of the northern Indian subcontinent from its capital, Magadha. After assuming the throne of Magadha from the Mauryas; Pushyamitra founded the Shugna dynasty. Following the Maurya Empire was the ancient Indian kingdom known as the Shunga Dynasty. The Shunga kings were renowned for restoring temples and promoting Hinduism. During their time; they were also significant in art and culture.

Sunga Dynasty is a vital topic to be studied for the management related exam such as the UGC NET History.

In this article the readers will be able to know about the following:

• Origin of Sunga Dynasty 
• History of Sunga Rulers

• Sunga Dynasty Art Work 
• Script Used during Sunga Dynasty (Language used) 
• List of Shunga Emperors (instead of Sunga Dynasty ruler) in h2
• Sunga Dynasty Cultural contribution
• Legacy about Sunga Dynasty 

Origin of Sunga Dynasty 

After the Maurya Empire began to decline in the second century BCE, the Sunga Dynasty was born. Pushyamitra Sunga, a general under Brihadratha, the final Mauryan emperor, founded it. The Sunga Dynasty began when Pushyamitra killed Brihadratha during a military procession in 185 BCE, ending Mauryan rule. As the Sungas actively promoted Hinduism, particularly Brahmanism, over the once-dominant Buddhism of the Mauryan period, the rise of the Sungas reflected the resurgence of Brahmanical traditions and the growing influence of regional powers. During a period of political upheaval and change, the Sunga Dynasty was essential in protecting Indian culture and fending off foreign invasions, especially those from the Indo-Greeks.

Fig: Shunga Dynasty

Following the fall of the Maurya Empire in the second century BCE, the Sunga Dynasty came into being. It was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga, a general under Brihadratha, the final Mauryan emperor. When Pushyamitra killed Brihadratha in a military procession in 185 BCE, he proclaimed himself king, ending Mauryan rule and ushering in the Sunga Dynasty. With the dynasty actively promoting Hinduism, particularly Brahmanism, over the once-dominant Buddhism of the Mauryan period, the Sungas' rise reflected the resurgence of Brahmanical traditions and the growing influence of regional powers. During a period of political disintegration and change, the Sunga Dynasty was essential in protecting Indian culture and fending off foreign invasions, especially those from the Indo-Greeks.

Sunga Dynasty Art Work 

Following the fall of the Mauryan Empire, ancient India underwent a period of cultural renewal and change that is reflected in the art of the Sunga Dynasty (c. 185–73 BCE). Especially in Buddhist and Hindu contexts, Sunga art is distinguished by its elaborate stone railings, intricate terracotta sculptures, and emphasis on decorative and religious motifs.

Terracotta Art

One of the Sunga period's most notable forms of artistic expression, terracotta art flourished during that time. Artists created exquisitely detailed clay figurines with elaborate hairstyles and exaggerated features, frequently featuring women, animals, and deities. These figures, which represent both artistic ability and everyday life under Sunga rule, were mostly used for religious worship, home decoration, and perhaps as toys. 

Stone Sculpture and Architecture

Significant advancements in stone sculpture and architectural ornamentation, particularly in the vicinity of Buddhist stupas, were made during the Sunga period. The intricately carved stone railings and gateways (toranas) at locations like Bharhut and Sanchi are among the most prominent examples. These buildings were lavishly embellished with geometric and floral patterns, as well as narrative reliefs depicting scenes from the Jataka stories, demonstrating both artistic mastery and religious storytelling. The groundwork for later classical Indian art forms was established by these contributions.

Religious Influence in Art

Religious themes had a significant influence on art during the Sunga Dynasty, with Buddhism continuing to be supported and Brahmanical traditions experiencing a strong resurgence. Numerous carvings and sculptures feature Buddhist symbols like the lotus, dharma wheel, and Bodhi tree, as well as Hindu deities like Vishnu and Shiva. The Sunga rulers' attempts to support various faiths and the pluralistic character of Indian society at the time are reflected in this dual religious representation, which heightens the period's spiritual and artistic diversity.

Impact and Legacy

Ancient India's visual culture was greatly influenced by the artistic accomplishments of the Sunga Dynasty. They helped close the artistic divide between the Mauryan and classical eras with their innovations in stonework and terracotta, which had an impact on later dynasties like the Kushans and Guptas. The persistence of religious themes, stylistic components, and craftsmanship in Indian art over centuries is a clear indication of the Sunga art tradition.

Script Used During Sunga Dynasty (Language used) 

Brahmi, the oldest and most widely used script in ancient India, was the main script used during the Sunga Dynasty (c. 185–73 BCE). It served as the basis for numerous subsequent Indian scripts and was used for inscriptions on terracotta, metal, and stone. During the Sunga period, Prakrit—a group of Middle Indo-Aryan vernacular languages that were easier for the general public to understand and less complex than classical Sanskrit—was the language most frequently used in official inscriptions. But Sanskrit also started to gain popularity again, particularly in academic and religious settings, which was indicative of the dynasty's resurgence of Brahmanical customs. Thus, the linguistic culture of the Sunga era was characterized by the use of Prakrit and Brahmi script, as well as the growing use of Sanskrit.

List of Shunga Emperors

Ancient Indian history was shaped by several of the Shunga Dynasty's rulers. After the Mughals they were the ones to take forward the culture and heritage of India which established their importance in history.

Pushyamitra Shunga 

The Shunga Dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Shunga. He had come to the throne after the fall of the great Mauryan Empire. He was known for leadership skills and his advocacy of Hinduism. He helped in the restoration of temples and promoted Indian culture while in power.

Agnimitra

Agnimitra was the dynasty's second king. He was the son of Pushyamitra Shunga. He had ruled over a large part of India. He fought several wars to protect his kingdom. Agnimitra was well known for his bravery and leadership skills. He was also a supporter of the arts and culture at the time.

Pushpamitra Shunga II

Pushpamitra Shunga II was another ruler of the Shunga Dynasty. He continued his father's work to protect the empire and promote Hinduism. However, there were challenges while he was in power, like attacks from outside enemies. He did everything he could to keep the dynasty strong during his rule.

Devabhuti

The last ruler of the Shunga Dynasty was Devabhuti. He was weak and was unable to defend the kingdom against enemies. The Kanva dynasty took over after him. This led to the fall of the Shunga Empire.

Pushyamitra Sunga

The Shunga Dynasty in ancient India was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga. Following the fall of the Mauryan Empire; he ascended to the throne and ruled from approximately 185 BCE. Strong-willed and pro-Hindu; Pushyamitra rebuilt numerous temples. During his rule; he also worked to preserve Indian culture and safeguard the kingdom.

Agnimitra

Agnimitra was the second king of the Shunga Dynasty. He was the son of Pushyamitra Shunga. He dominated a sizable portion of India and was renowned for his valor. Agnimitra waged wars to keep the peace and defend his realm. During his reign; he also promoted culture and the arts.

Last of the Sunga Kings

King Devabhuti was the final ruler of the Shunga Dynasty. Because of his weakness he was unable to defend his kingdom from adversaries. The Shunga Empire suffered greatly and weakened under his rule. The Shunga rule came to an end when the Kanva dynasty eventually overthrew Devabhuti.

Sunga Dynasty Cultural Contribution

The Sunga Dynasty made significant cultural contributions that influenced Indian civilization in the areas of literature, art, religion, and education. One of their greatest achievements was the revival and spread of Brahmanical traditions after the Buddhist-leaning Mauryan period. Hinduism, particularly the worship of Shiva and Vishnu, saw a resurgence as a result of the Sungas' encouragement of the practice of Vedic sacrifices and rituals. But they also permitted a certain amount of religious tolerance, which helped Buddhism endure and even flourish in some places.

The Sunga period saw the development of stone railings and gateways, particularly at Bharhut and Sanchi, which were embellished with elaborate carvings and narrative reliefs, as well as the improvement of stupa construction. These pieces demonstrated the artistic talent of early India and contributed to the development of visual storytelling as a significant element of religious expression.

The Sungas also made cultural contributions to the advancement of learning and literature. The use of Sanskrit in academic and religious writings started to resurface. The foundation for later developments in philosophy and education is thought to have been laid by the dynasty's support of educational institutions like Taxila and perhaps Nalanda.

Overall, by bridging the gap between the Mauryan legacy and the subsequent classical age, the Sunga Dynasty was instrumental in maintaining and reshaping Indian cultural identity during a period of political fragmentation.

Legacy about Sunga Dynasty 

During a time of political upheaval, the Sunga Dynasty played a pivotal role in conserving and reviving Indian artistic, religious, and cultural traditions. The Sungas allowed Buddhism to continue and develop while also contributing to the resurgence of Brahmanical Hinduism as a dominant force after the fall of the Mauryan Empire. Future dynasties, particularly the Guptas, carried on many of their traditions thanks to their support of Vedic rituals, temple construction, and religious art.

Through advancements in stone carvings, terracotta sculpture, and the addition of intricate narrative reliefs to Buddhist stupas, such as those found in Bharhut and Sanchi, the Sunga period left a lasting artistic impression. In addition to enriching Indian art, these contributions had a lasting impact on Southeast Asian cultures in subsequent centuries.

The Sungas laid the groundwork for the classical literature and philosophy of the Gupta era by promoting Sanskrit in the fields of education and language and assisting in its reintegration into academic and religious life. The Sunga Dynasty earned a respected position in the historical development of ancient India by maintaining a certain level of stability and cultural continuity in the face of both internal and external threats.

Conclusion

The Shunga dynasty was one prominent Indian dynasty after the Maurya Empire. Pushyamitra Shunga established it around 185 BCE . The Shungas helped to revive Hindu culture and traditions despite having less power than the Mauryas. After roughly a century, the dynasty came to an end, and other Indian kingdoms took its place. 

Shunga Dynasty is a vital topic for several competitive exams. It would help if you learned other similar topics with the Testbook App.

Major Takeaways for UGC NET Aspirants Sunga Dynasty's beginnings: After Pushyamitra Sunga deposed Brihadratha, the final Mauryan emperor, in 185 BCE, the Mauryan Empire came to an end and the Sunga Dynasty was established. The Sunga Rulers' Past: For roughly a century, the Sunga kings ruled over northern India, fostering Hinduism and upholding Indian customs while frequently dealing with internal uprisings and external invasions. Artwork from the Sunga Dynasty: Early narrative reliefs, decorative stone railings, and terracotta sculptures are examples of Sunga art that enhanced Buddhist and Hindu religious architecture. Sunga Dynasty Script (Language used): With Prakrit as the common language and Sanskrit becoming more significant in scholarly and religious contexts, the Brahmi script was widely used. Cultural Contribution of the Sunga Dynasty: By reviving Brahmanical Hinduism, advancing education, and enhancing religious art and architecture, the Sunga Dynasty helped to bridge cultural developments between the Mauryan and Gupta periods. History of the Sunga Dynasty: By upholding Indian religious identity, encouraging artistic developments, and maintaining cultural continuity during a period of political upheaval, the Sunga Dynasty left a lasting legacy.

Shunga Dynasty Previous Year Questions

1. Arrange the following Sunga dynasty rulers chronologically:

Options. A. Puchyamitra

1. Vasumitra
2. Pulindaka
3. Agnimitra
4. Devabhumi

Ans. A; D; B; C; E