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Revision as of 21:41, 4 September 2004 by Per Honor et Gloria (talk | contribs) (Category)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Sungas designate an Indian dynasty, which ruled in the eastern part of India from around 185 to 28 BCE.
The dynasty was established when, about 50 years after Ashoka's death, the last of 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.
The Sungas are known for their hostitlity and persecution towards the Buddhist faith. From around 180 BCE their territory was invaded by the Greco-Bactrian ruler Demetrius, who established an Indo-Greek kingdom in the northern and northwestern part of India until the end of the 1st century BCE, under which Buddhism was able to flourish. In particular the Indo-Greek "saviour king" Menander I (Pali: Milinda) was a strong benefactor of the Buddhist faith at that time.
The last of the Sunga king was Devabhuti.
See also:
References:
"Dictionnary of Buddhism" by Damien KEOWN (Oxford University Press, 2003)
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