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| The '''Sungas''' designate an Indian dynasty, which ruled in the eastern part of India from around ] to ]. | The '''Sungas''' (or '''Shungas''') designate an Indian dynasty, which ruled in the eastern part of ] from around ] to ]. Their capital was at ]. | ||
| ===End of the Mauryan dysnaty (185 BCE)=== | |||
| The dynasty was established |
The '''Sunga''' dynasty was established in ], about 50 years after ]'s death, when the last of the ] rulers was brutally murdered by the then commander-in-chief of the Mauryan armed forces, ], while he was taking the Guard of Honour of his forces. Pusyamitra Sunga then ascended the throne. | ||
| ===Persecution of Buddhism=== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ], a ], is known for his hostility and persecution towards the ]. He is recorded to have "destroyed monasteries and killed Monks" (Divyavadana, p429-434), and to have destroyed 84.000 buddhist ]s which had been built by the ] king ] (R. Thaper). A large number of Buddhist monasteries (]s) were converted to ] temples, in such places as ], ], ] or ]. | |||
| ===Conflict with the Indo-Greeks (180 BCE- )=== | |||
| ⚫ | From around ] the western part of the Sunga territory was invaded as far as ] by the ] ruler ], with the long-term effect of confining the Sungas to the eastern part of India. Demetrius established an ] kingdom in the northern and northwestern part of India, which was to last until the end of the ], and under which Buddhism was able to flourish. In particular, one of the successors of Demetrius, the Indo-Greek "Saviour king" ] (''Pali'': Milinda) was a strong benefactor of the Buddhist faith at that time. | ||
| ===Later Sunga realizations=== | |||
| During the historical Sunga period (] to ]), Buddhist activity also managed to survived somewhat in central India (]) as attested by some expansions that were done at the ]s of ] and ], originally started under King Ashoka. These stupas however are located quite far from the Sunga center of power, and it is doubtfull whether these works were due to an absence of control of the Sungas in these areas, or a late sign of tolerance on their part. | |||
| The last of the Sunga king was ]. | The last of the Sunga king was ]. | ||
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| ==='''References:'''=== | ==='''References:'''=== | ||
| "Dictionnary of Buddhism" by Damien KEOWN (Oxford University Press, 2003) | * "Dictionnary of Buddhism" by Damien KEOWN (Oxford University Press, 2003) <br> | ||
| * "Ashoka and the decline of the Mauryas" Romila Thaper (London 1961). | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| {{stub}} | |||
Revision as of 13:29, 7 September 2004
The Sungas (or Shungas) designate an Indian dynasty, which ruled in the eastern part of India from around 185 to 73 BCE. Their capital was at Pataliputra.
End of the Mauryan dysnaty (185 BCE)
The Sunga dynasty was established in 185 BCE, about 50 years after Ashoka's death, when the last of the Mauryan rulers was brutally murdered by the then commander-in-chief of the Mauryan armed forces, Pusyamitra Sunga, while he was taking the Guard of Honour of his forces. Pusyamitra Sunga then ascended the throne.
Persecution of Buddhism
Pusyamitra Sunga, a Brahmin, is known for his hostility and persecution towards the Buddhist faith. He is recorded to have "destroyed monasteries and killed Monks" (Divyavadana, p429-434), and to have destroyed 84.000 buddhist stupas which had been built by the Mauryan king Ashoka (R. Thaper). A large number of Buddhist monasteries (viharas) were converted to Hindu temples, in such places as Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Sarnath or Mathura.
Conflict with the Indo-Greeks (180 BCE- )
From around 180 BCE the western part of the Sunga territory was invaded as far as Pataliputra by the Greco-Bactrian ruler Demetrius, with the long-term effect of confining the Sungas to the eastern part of India. Demetrius established an Indo-Greek kingdom in the northern and northwestern part of India, which was to last until the end of the 1st century BCE, and under which Buddhism was able to flourish. In particular, one of the successors of Demetrius, the Indo-Greek "Saviour king" Menander (Pali: Milinda) was a strong benefactor of the Buddhist faith at that time.
Later Sunga realizations
During the historical Sunga period (185 to 73 BCE), Buddhist activity also managed to survived somewhat in central India (Madhya Pradesh) as attested by some expansions that were done at the stupas of Sanchi and Bharhut, originally started under King Ashoka. These stupas however are located quite far from the Sunga center of power, and it is doubtfull whether these works were due to an absence of control of the Sungas in these areas, or a late sign of tolerance on their part.
The last of the Sunga king was Devabhuti.
See also:
History of Buddhism
History of India
References:
- "Dictionnary of Buddhism" by Damien KEOWN (Oxford University Press, 2003)
- "Ashoka and the decline of the Mauryas" Romila Thaper (London 1961).