history of the Sungas

Sungas

The founder of the Sunga dynasty was Pushyamitra Sunga,
who was the commander-in-chief under the Mauryas. He
assassinated the last Mauryan ruler and usurped the throne. The
most important challenge to the Sunga rule was to protect north
India against the invasions of the Bactrian Greeks from the northwest.
The Greeks advanced up to Pataliputra and occupied it for
sometime. However, Pushyamitra succeeded in regaining the lostterritory. He also fought a campaign against Kharavela of Kalinga
who invaded north India.

Pushyamitra was a staunch follower of Brahmanism. He

performed two asvamedha sacrifices. Buddhist sources refer him

as a persecutor of Buddhism. But there is enough evidence to show

that Pushyamitra patronised Buddhist art. During his reign the

Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi were renovated and

further improved.

After the death of Pushyamitra, his son Agnimitra became the

ruler. The last Sunga ruler was Devabhuti, who was murdered by

his minister Vasudeva Kanva, the founder of the Kanva dynasty.

The Kanva dynasty ruled for 45 years. After the fall of the Kanvas,

the history of Magatha was a blank until the establishment of the

Gupta dynasty.

The rule of the Sungas was important because they defended the

Gangetic valley from foreign invasions. In the cultural sphere, the Sungas

revived Brahmanism and horse sacrifice. They also promoted the growth

of Vaishnavism and the Sanskrit language. In short, the Sunga rule was

a brilliant anticipation of the golden age of the Guptas.

Satavahanas

In the Deccan, the Satavahanas

established their independent rule after the

decline of the Mauryas. Their rule lasted

for about 450 years. They were also known

as the Andhras. The Puranas and

inscriptions remain important sources for

the history of Satavahanas. Among the inscriptions, the Nasik and

Nanaghad inscriptions throw much light on the reign of Gautamiputra

Satakarni. The coins issued by the Satavahanas are also helpful in

knowing the economic conditions of that period.The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuka. He was

succeeded by Krishna, who extended the kingdom up to Nasik in

the west. The third king was Sri Satakarni. He conquered western

Malwa and Berar. He also performed asvamedha sacrifices. The

seventeenth king of the Satavahana dynasty was Hala. He reigned

for a period of five years. Hala became famous for his book

Gathasaptasati, also called Sattasai. It contains 700 verses in Prakrit

language.

The greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty was Gautamiputra

Satakarni. He ruled for a period of 24 years from 106 to 130 A.D.

His achievements were recorded in the Nasik inscription by his

mother Gautami Balasri. Gautamiputra Satakarni captured the whole

of Deccan and expanded his empire. His victory over Nagapana,

the ruler of Malwa was remarkable. He patronized Brahmanism.

Yet, he also gave donations to Buddhists.

Gautamiputra Satakarni was succeeded by his son

Vashishtaputra Pulamayi. He extended the Satavahana power up to

the mouth of the Krishna river. He issued coins on which the image

of ships was inscribed. They reveal the naval power and maritime

trade of the Satavahanas. The last great ruler of Satavahanas was

Yajna Sri Satakarni.

Economic Condition

There was a remarkable progress in the fields of trade and

industry during the Satavahana rule. Merchants organized guilds to

increase their activities. The craft guilds organized by different

craftsmen such as potters, weavers and oil pressers also came into

existence. Silver coins called Karshapanas were used for trade.

The Satavahana period also witnessed overseas commercial activity.

Ptolemy mentions many ports in the Deccan. The greatest port of

the Satavahanas was Kalyani on the west Deccan. Gandakasela

and Ganjam on the east coast were the other important seaports.Cultural Contributions

The Satavahanas patronized Buddhism and Brahmanism. They

built chaityas and viharas. They also made grants of villages and

lands to Buddhist monks. Vashishtaputra Pulamayi repaired the old

Amaravathi stupa. Their architecture in Nagarjunakonda was also

notable. Brahmanism was revived by the Satavahanas along with

the performance of asvamedha and rajasuya sacrifices. They also

patronized the Prakrit language and literature. Hala’s Sattasai is an

excellent piece of Prakrit literature.