Shishunaga

Shishunaga (or Shusunaga) (c.413 - 395 BCE [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|p=201] ) was the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty of the Magadha Empire in the present day northern India. Initially, he was an "amatya" (official) of the Magadha empire under the Haryanka dynasty. He was placed on the throne by the people who revolted against the Haryanka dynasty rule. The Puranas tells us that he placed his son at Varanasi and himself ruled from Rajagriha. He was succeeded by his son Kakavarna Kalashoka [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|pp=193-5]

Early life

According to the "Mahavamsatika", Shishunaga was the son of a Licchavi raja of Vaishali. He was conceived by a "nagara-shobhini" and brought up an officer of state. At the time of revolt, he was a viceroy at Varanasi of king Naga-Dasaka, the last ruler of the Haryanka dynasty. [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|pp=193-5]

The reign

Initially, his capital was Rajagriha and Vaishali was his second royal residence. Later he shifted his capital to Vaishali. His most significant achievement was the destruction of the 'glory' of the Pradyota dynasty of the Avanti kingdom. Most probably the king of Avanti whom Shishunaga humbled was Avantivardhana. The Magadhan victory mus have been helped by the revolution that placed Aryaka on the thone of Ujjayini. [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|pp=193-5]

Notes

References

#Harvard reference
Surname1 = Raychaudhuri
Given1 = H.C.
Year = 1972
Title = Political History of Ancient India
Publisher = Calcutta: University of Calcutta
Loc = Calcutta.