Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

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KALINGA FROM AśOKA TO KĀŅVA RULE 225 the Kalinga country. It is, hence, reasonable to surmise that Kalinga also threw off the Magadha regime. ŚUNGA PERIOD
It seems certain that Pushyamitra Sunga succeeded to a realm already much diminished during the weak rule of Asoka's successors. The regions, which were once known as 'the king's dominions' and 'border peoples', are no longer under the immediate rule or under the direct or indirect control of any one power.
The dominions of Pushyamitra covered only the central portions of the Maurya empire. It extended to river Narmada and included the cities of Patliputra, Ayodhya, Vidiśa, and if the author of the Divyāvadāna and Tārānātha are to be believed, possibly jālandhara and Śākala in the Punjab. Merutunga, the Jaina writer, includes Avanti also. Patliputra continued to be the capital city, and it may have been due to this fact that the Śungas were still called the Imperial Power. There is, however, no evidence to the fact that the territory held by Pushyamitra was ultimately handed down to his successors safely and without any break or loss. There is, however, no mention found anywhere in literature or inscriptions that Kalinga was included in the Sunga empire. The conclusion, hence, is irresistible that the Kalingas (and also the Andhras) had already asserted their independence. The very fact that certain scholars? place Khāravela of Kalinga as a contemporary ruler with
1. The city of Sakala (Modern Sialkot) is however called as the capital city of Menander, the Indo-Greek ruler, belonging to the House of Euthydemus. Milinda paha, Trans. Rhys Davids, SBE, XXXV, pp. 6-7; CHI, Vol. I, p. 519.
2. Qtd. PHAI, pp. 371-2; AIU, pp. 95f, 3. Cf. K. P. Jayaswal and R. D. Banerji in JBORS Volumes.
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