Brihadratha Maurya facts for kids

Brihadratha was the ninth and final emperor of the Mauryan Empire. He ruled from about 187 BCE to 185 BCE. During his time, the Mauryan Empire had become much smaller than it was under Emperor Ashoka. Brihadratha was eventually overthrown and killed by his own general, Pushyamitra Shunga. After this, Pushyamitra Shunga started a new empire called the Shunga Empire.

Brihadratha's Rule

According to ancient Indian texts called the Puranas, Brihadratha became emperor after his father, Shatadhanvan. He ruled for three years.

How Brihadratha Lost His Throne

In 185 BCE, Brihadratha Maurya, the last Mauryan Emperor, was killed. His general, Pushyamitra Shunga, took over the throne and started the Shunga Empire. A book called Harshacharita by Bāṇabhaṭṭa tells us how it happened. It says that Pushyamitra gathered the entire Mauryan army. He told Brihadratha it was to show him how strong the army was. But instead, Pushyamitra used this chance to kill the emperor right in front of his soldiers. This is how Pushyamitra became the new ruler.

Invasion from the West

Around 185 BCE, shortly after Brihadratha was killed, a king named Demetrius from the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom invaded parts of northwestern India. This area is now in modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Mauryans had friendly ties with the Greeks, so the Greco-Bactrians might have seen them as allies.

An old chronicle from Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, called the Paramparapustaka, mentions an interesting detail. It says that Brihadratha married Demetrius's daughter, Berenice. Her name in the Pali language was Suvarnnaksi. The Greco-Bactrians might have invaded India to protect Greek people already living there. Demetrius took control of the Kabul Valley and parts of the Punjab region. However, they soon had to leave India to fight a big battle back in Bactria. This battle was likely between Demetrius and another king named Eucratides I.

An ancient text called the Yuga Purana talks about a possible invasion of Pataliputra by the Yavanas, which means Indo-Greeks. It describes King Dharmamita's campaign:

47. Then, having approached Saketa, together with the Panchalas and Mathura, the Yavanas (Indo-Greeks), wicked and valiant, will reach Kusumadhvaja ("The city of the flower-standard", Pataliputra).
48. Then, once Puspapura (Pataliputra) has been reached, [and] its celebrated mud[-walls] cast down, all the realms will be in disorder, there is no doubt.
49. There will then finally be a great war, of wooden weapons, and there will be the vilest of men, dishonourable and unrighteous.

See also

In Spanish: Brijadratha para niños

• Magadha
• Maurya Empire
• Shunga Empire

References

Sources