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Shishunaga dynasty – ruler of exceedingly large empire in ancient India
There has never been any dearth in the number of regal and reigning dynasties n the length and breadth of Indian subcontinent and the same tradition has been going on in full momentum. However, only a few of them by virtue of own conquests, benevolence or grandiloquent expenses in the realm of art and architecture have found an eternal place in the Indian history. Shishunaga dynasty is surely one of these. But prior to moving any further, an important information must be delivered. Shishunaga dynasty in its time happened to be one of the largest empires of the Indian subcontinent!
In accordance with historical records and also an assortment of anecdotes, Shishunaga dynasty was basically the third reigning dynasty in the realm of Magadha, one of the exceedingly popular kingdoms in the sphere of ancient India. However, there are conflicting opinions as well. As per the Puranas, Shishunaga dynasty happened to be the second ruling dynasty of Magadha an it came after only the Barhadratha dynasty.
This majestic dynasty was established under the auspices of King Shishunaga, who was basically a minister (known as amatya in those days) of King Nagadasaka, the last ruler of preceding Haryanka dynasty. But he could establish his own suzerainty by means of staging a popular rebellion in 413 B.C. Where was the capital of this immensely popular kingdom? During the initial days, it was located at Rajagriha. Nevertheless, it was shifted to Pataliputra, located near present day Patana, in the later days and this did take place during the reign of Kakavarna. As far as ancient traditions go, King Kakavarna was succeeded by no less than ten of his sons. But in 345 B.C. the Nanda dynasty became able to usurp Shishunaga dynasty.
There can’t be any ending to confusions regarding historical records and the same is here as well. In line with Puranas, son Kakavarna did succeed the father Shishunaga. Nonetheless, Sinhala chronicles state, it was none except his other son Kalashoka. It is worthwhile to mention in this context, widely acclaimed scholars like Wilhelm Geiger, Hermann Jacobi and Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, based on evidences of Ashokavadana, did reason out both Kakavarna and Kalashoka are identical. It ahs also come to the knowledge that the same individual, during the reign of Shishunaga, happened to be the governor of Varanasi, holiest city of Hindus across the globe. He was instrumental in two most significant events of his reign too – Second Buddhist council at Vaishali and the final transfer of capital to Pataliputra.
How did such an illustrious person die then? In accordance with Harshacharita, he was killed by means of a dagger thrust into his throat in the neck of the woods of the capital. What did happen after him? According to tradition, ten sons of Kalashoka ruled simultaneously. The Mahabodhivamsa states their names as Bhadrasena, Korandavarna, Mangura, Sarvanjaha, Jalika, Ubhaka, Sanjaya, Koravya, Nandivardhana and Panchamaka.
What is most striking, in spite of having such a vast empire under control, not a great number of ancient relics belonging to the Shishunaga dynasty have been unearthed. Unlike the Gupta Dynasty or Maurya dynasty, this dynasty does not have any impact on modern historiography.
There has never been any dearth in the number of regal and reigning dynasties n the length and breadth of Indian subcontinent and the same tradition has been going on in full momentum. However, only a few of them by virtue of own conquests, benevolence or grandiloquent expenses in the realm of art and architecture have found an eternal place in the Indian history. Shishunaga dynasty is surely one of these. But prior to moving any further, an important information must be delivered. Shishunaga dynasty in its time happened to be one of the largest empires of the Indian subcontinent!
In accordance with historical records and also an assortment of anecdotes, Shishunaga dynasty was basically the third reigning dynasty in the realm of Magadha, one of the exceedingly popular kingdoms in the sphere of ancient India. However, there are conflicting opinions as well. As per the Puranas, Shishunaga dynasty happened to be the second ruling dynasty of Magadha an it came after only the Barhadratha dynasty.
This majestic dynasty was established under the auspices of King Shishunaga, who was basically a minister (known as amatya in those days) of King Nagadasaka, the last ruler of preceding Haryanka dynasty. But he could establish his own suzerainty by means of staging a popular rebellion in 413 B.C. Where was the capital of this immensely popular kingdom? During the initial days, it was located at Rajagriha. Nevertheless, it was shifted to Pataliputra, located near present day Patana, in the later days and this did take place during the reign of Kakavarna. As far as ancient traditions go, King Kakavarna was succeeded by no less than ten of his sons. But in 345 B.C. the Nanda dynasty became able to usurp Shishunaga dynasty.
There can’t be any ending to confusions regarding historical records and the same is here as well. In line with Puranas, son Kakavarna did succeed the father Shishunaga. Nonetheless, Sinhala chronicles state, it was none except his other son Kalashoka. It is worthwhile to mention in this context, widely acclaimed scholars like Wilhelm Geiger, Hermann Jacobi and Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, based on evidences of Ashokavadana, did reason out both Kakavarna and Kalashoka are identical. It ahs also come to the knowledge that the same individual, during the reign of Shishunaga, happened to be the governor of Varanasi, holiest city of Hindus across the globe. He was instrumental in two most significant events of his reign too – Second Buddhist council at Vaishali and the final transfer of capital to Pataliputra.
How did such an illustrious person die then? In accordance with Harshacharita, he was killed by means of a dagger thrust into his throat in the neck of the woods of the capital. What did happen after him? According to tradition, ten sons of Kalashoka ruled simultaneously. The Mahabodhivamsa states their names as Bhadrasena, Korandavarna, Mangura, Sarvanjaha, Jalika, Ubhaka, Sanjaya, Koravya, Nandivardhana and Panchamaka.
What is most striking, in spite of having such a vast empire under control, not a great number of ancient relics belonging to the Shishunaga dynasty have been unearthed. Unlike the Gupta Dynasty or Maurya dynasty, this dynasty does not have any impact on modern historiography.
