Pushyamitra

Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder of the Shunga Empire, which ruled over a vast portion of ancient India from around 185 to 150 BCE. He was initially a commander-in-chief of the Mauryan army under the last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha. Pushyamitra seized power by assassinating Brihadratha during a military parade, thereby ending the Mauryan dynasty.

His reign is historically significant for several reasons. Pushyamitra is often credited with initiating the Brahmanical revival in India, with some scholars attributing the decline of Buddhism and the rise of Hinduism to his policies. However, the extent of his anti-Buddhist actions remains a subject of debate among historians, with some sources suggesting he patronized Buddhist sites while others accuse him of persecuting Buddhists and destroying stupas.

Pushyamitra is also known for defending his empire against invasions. He is recorded as having fought against the Yavanas (often identified with the Indo-Greeks) and successfully repelled them. He performed two Ashvamedha sacrifices, a grand Vedic ritual, which symbolized his imperial authority and military prowess. The capital of the Shunga Empire under Pushyamitra was Vidisha. His reign laid the foundation for the Shunga dynasty, which continued to rule for several more generations, contributing to the cultural and political landscape of ancient India.