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Shishunaga Dynasty

413 BCE–345 BCE
Approximate extent of the Shisshunaga dynasty.
Approximate extent of the Shisshunaga dynasty.
Capital Rajgir (primary)
Vaishali (secondary)
later Pataliputra
Common languages Sanskrit
Magadhi Prakrit
Other Prakrits
Religion
Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism
Government Monarchy
King  
• 413–395 BCE
Shishunaga
• 395–367 BCE
Kalashoka
• 367–355 BCE
Nandivardhana
History  
• Established
413 BCE
• Disestablished
345 BCE
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Haryanka dynasty
Nanda Dynasty

The Shishunaga dynasty (IAST: Śaiśunāga, literally "of Shishunaga") was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire in ancient India. According to the Hindu Puranas, this dynasty was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, succeeding Nagadashaka of the Haryanka dynasty.

Shishunaga, the founder of the dynasty, was initially an amatya or "minister" of the last Haryanka dynasty ruler Nāgadāsaka and ascended to the throne after a popular rebellion in c. 413 BCE. The capital of this dynasty initially was Vaishali; but later shifted to Pataliputra, near the present day Patna, during the reign of Kalashoka. According to tradition, Kalashoka was succeeded by his ten sons. This dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda dynasty in c. 345 BCE.

History

Establishment

According to Buddhist tradition, Shishunaga was amatya in Haryanka kingdom, who revolted and became the king.

Rulers

Shishunaga

Shishunaga founded his dynasty in 413 BCE with its capital in Rajgir and later Pataliputra (both in what is now Bihar). Buddhist sources indicate that he had a secondary capital at Vaishali, formerly the capital of Vajji, until it was conquered by Magadha. The Shaishunaga dynasty ruled one of the largest empires in the Indian subcontinent. Shishunaga ended the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti, ending the centuries old rivalry between their kingdoms and annexing Avanti into Magadha.

Kakavarna/Kalashoka

According to the Puranas, Shishunaga was succeeded by his son Kakavarna and according to the Sinhala chronicles by his son Kalashoka. On the basis of the evidence of the Ashokavadana, Hermann Jacobi, Wilhelm Geiger and Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar concluded that both are the same. During Shishunaga's reign, he was the governor of Varanasi. The two most significant events of his reign are the Second Buddhist council at Vaishali in 383 BC and the final transfer of the capital to Pataliputra. According to the Harshacharita, he was killed by a dagger thrust into his throat in the vicinity of his capital. According to Buddhist tradition, he had nine or ten sons, who were ousted by Ugrasena Nanda.

Later rulers

According to Buddhist tradition, ten sons of Kalashoka ruled simultaneously. The Mahabodhivamsa states their names as Bhadrasena, Korandavarna, Mangura, Sarvanjaha, Jalika, Ubhaka, Sanjaya, Koravya, Nandivardhana and Panchamaka. Only one of them is mentioned in the Puranic lists, Nandivardhana.

The Puranas list Nandivardhana as the ninth Shaishunaga king and his son Mahanandin as the tenth and the last Shaishunaga king. Mahanandin was killed by Mahapadma, his illegitimate son .

Magadha kingdom coin Circa 350 BC AR Karshapana
Coins during the Shaishunaga dynasty of Magadha.

Decline

According to Puranas, Shaishunagas were followed by the Nanda dynasty, which was founded by Mahanandin's son Mahapadma Nanda.

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