Shunga Empire facts for kids

The Shunga Empire was an ancient Indian kingdom. It was started by Pushyamitra Shunga around 185 BCE. He was a general who took over from the last ruler of the Mauryan Empire, Brihadratha Maurya. The capital city of the Shunga Empire was Pataliputra.

Pushyamitra Shunga ruled for 36 years. After him, his son Agnimitra became the ruler. There were ten Shunga rulers in total. However, after Agnimitra passed away, the empire started to become weaker.

The Shunga Empire was known for fighting many wars. They battled against different kingdoms and powers. These included the Kalinga, the Satavahana dynasty, and the Indo-Greek Kingdom. They might have also fought against the Panchalas and Mathuras.

During the Shunga period, many good things happened in art, education, and philosophy. People learned a lot and new ideas developed. A famous book called Mahābhāṣya by Patanjali was written during this time. The Kanva dynasty took over from the Shungas around 73 BCE.

Shunga Rulers

The Shunga Empire had a line of ten emperors. Here is a list of them and how long they ruled:

Art and Architecture

The Shunga period was important for art and building. Many famous structures and sculptures were made. The stupa at Sanchi was greatly expanded during this time. The Shungas added stone coverings and railings to it.

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  A Shunga period stupa at Sanchi.
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  East Gateway and Railings of the Bharhut Stupa, made in the 2nd century BCE.
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  The Great Stupa at Sanchi, showing how the Shungas made it much bigger.
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  The Heliodorus pillar in Vidisha, built around 100 BCE.

Images for kids

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  Man on a relief, Bharhut, Shunga period.

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  Shunga royal family, West Bengal, 1st century BCE.

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  Shunga horseman, Bharhut.

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  Shunga period stupa at Sanchi.

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  East Gateway and Railings, Red Sandstone, Bharhut Stupa, 2nd century BCE. Indian Museum, Kolkata.

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  The Great Stupa under the Shungas. The Shungas nearly doubled the diameter of the initial stupa, encasing it in stone, and built a balustrade and a railing around it.

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  Vedika pillar with "Yavana" Greek warrior. Bharhut, Madhya Pradesh, Shunga Period, c. 100-80 BC. Reddish brown sandstone. Indian Museum, Calcutta.

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  The Yavanarajya inscription, dated to "year 116 of Yavana hegemony", probably 70 or 69 BCE, was discovered in Mathura. Mathura Museum.

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  The Heliodorus pillar was built in Vidisha under the Shungas, at the instigation of Heliodorus, ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas. The pillar originally supported a statue of Garuda. Established circa 100 BCE.

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  Shunga balustrade and staircase.

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  Shunga stonework.

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  Shunga vedika (railing) with inscriptions.

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  Deambulatory pathway.

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  Summit railing and umbrellas.

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  Elephant and Riders.

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  Balustrade post with Lakshmi.

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  Balustrade post with Yaksha.

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  Pillar with elephants supporting a wheel.

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  Personage.

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  Lotus.

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  Floral motif.

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  Foreigner on a horse, circa 115 BCE.

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  Relic boxes found inside the stupa.

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  Stairway and railing.

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  Lotus medallions.

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  Floral designs.

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  Post relief.

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  Relics of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana.

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  Shunga masculine figurine (molded plate). 2nd–1st century BCE.

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  Shunga mother figure, with attendant. 2nd–1st century BCE.

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  Baluster-holding yakṣa, Madhya Pradesh, Shunga period (2nd–1st century BCE). Guimet Museum.

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  Royal family, Shunga, West Bengal 1st century BCE.

See also

In Spanish: Imperio Śuṅga para niños