The Sunga dynasty ruled the Sunga empire of Northern India from 185 BCE to around 73 BCE. The last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty was Brhadrata. He was killed by his own commander-in-chief Pusyamitra Sunga in 185 BCE.

With the fall of Mauryas, India lost its political unity. Pushyamitra Sunga became the ruler of the Magadha and neighbouring territories. The north-western regions comprising Rajputana, Malwa and Punjab passed into the hands of the foreign rulers. The kingdom of Pushyamitra was extended up to Narmada in the south, and controlled Jalandhar and Sialkot in the Punjab in the north-western regions.

Pushyamitra died after ruling for 36 years (187-151 BCE). He was succeeded by son Agnimitra. This prince is the hero of a famous drama by one of India's greatest playwright, Kalidasa. Agnimitra used to hold his court in the city of Vidisa, modern Besnagar in Eastern Malwa. The power of the Sungas gradually weakened. It is said that there were ten Sunga kings.

Main rulers

• Pusyamitra Sunga (185 - 149 BCE)
• Agnimitra (149 - 141 BCE), son and successor of Pushyamitra
• Vasujyeshtha (141 - 131 BCE)
• Vasumitra (131 - 124 BCE)
• Andhraka (124 - 122 BCE)
• Pulindaka (122 - 119 BCE)
• Ghosha
• Vajramitra
• Bhagabhadra
• Devabhuti (83 - 73 BCE)

Ruling clans of India | Ruling Hindu clans

Shunga-Dynastie