Shaishunaga dynasty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shishunaga Dynasty
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| 413 BCE–345 BCE | |||||||||
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Approximate extent of the Shisshunaga dynasty.
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| Capital | Rajgir (primary) Vaishali (secondary) later Pataliputra |
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| Common languages | Sanskrit Magadhi Prakrit Other Prakrits |
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| Religion | Hinduism Buddhism Jainism |
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| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| King | |||||||||
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• 413–395 BCE
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Shishunaga | ||||||||
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• 395–367 BCE
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Kalashoka | ||||||||
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• 367–355 BCE
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Nandivardhana | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
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• Established
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413 BCE | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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345 BCE | ||||||||
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The Shishunaga dynasty was an important ruling family in ancient India. They were the second dynasty to rule the powerful empire of Magadha. This happened after the Haryanka dynasty ended.
The dynasty was started by a man named Shishunaga. He was a minister for the last Haryanka ruler. Shishunaga became king around c. 413 BCE after people rebelled. The first capital city was Vaishali. Later, the capital moved to Pataliputra, which is near modern-day Patna. The Shishunaga dynasty was replaced by the Nanda dynasty around c. 345 BCE.
Contents
History of the Shishunaga Dynasty
How the Dynasty Started
According to old Buddhist stories, Shishunaga was a minister in the Haryanka kingdom. He led a revolt and became the new king. This marked the beginning of the Shishunaga dynasty.
Important Rulers
King Shishunaga
Shishunaga founded his dynasty in 413 BCE. He first made Rajgir his capital, and later Pataliputra. Buddhist writings also say he had a second capital in Vaishali. Vaishali used to be the capital of the Vajjika League, which Magadha had conquered.
The Shishunaga dynasty ruled over a very large empire in India. Shishunaga also defeated the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti. This ended a long rivalry between their kingdoms. He then added Avanti to the Magadha empire.
King Kalashoka
After Shishunaga, his son Kalashoka became king. During his father's rule, Kalashoka was the governor of Varanasi. Two big events happened during his time as king. The Second Buddhist council was held in Vaishali in 383 BCE. Also, the capital city was permanently moved to Pataliputra.
Stories say that Kalashoka was killed near his capital city. Buddhist traditions mention that he had ten sons. These sons were later removed from power by Mahapadma Nanda.
Later Kings
Buddhist stories say that Kalashoka's ten sons ruled together. Only one of them, Nandivardhana, is mentioned in other historical records.
The Puranas, which are ancient Hindu texts, list Nandivardhana as the ninth Shishunaga king. His son, Mahanandin, was the tenth and last king of the dynasty. Mahanandin was killed by his son, Mahapadma Nanda.
End of the Dynasty
After the Shishunaga kings, the Nanda dynasty took over. This new dynasty was started by Mahapadma Nanda, who was the son of the last Shishunaga king, Mahanandin.
