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CHAPTER VI. THE ŚUNGA (9) EMPIRE AND
THE BACTRIAN GREEKS.
SECTION I. THE REIGN OF PUSHYAMITRA. Satatam kampayāmāsa Yavanāneka eva yah balapаurushasampannān kritāstrānamitaujasal yathāsurān Kālakeyān devo vajradharastathā.
-Mahābhārata. 1
Audbhijjo bhavitā kaśchit senānih Kāšyapo dvijah aśvamedham Kaliyuge punah pratyaharishyati.
-Harivamsa?
The Mauryas had done much for Indian unity by bringing the greater part of the country under "one umbrella,” by defending it against the generals of Alexander and Seleukos, by establishing a uniform system of administration, by using Prākrit for official purposes throughout the length and breadth of the empire and attempting to knit together the different sections of its composite population by the strong tie of a common Dharma. With the fall of the dynasty Indian history for the time being loses its unity. The command of one single political authority is no longer obeyed from the snowy heights of the Hindukush to the verdant plains of Bengal and the Upper Carnatic. Hordes of outlanders pour through the north-western gates of the country and establish aggressive monarchies in Gandhāra, Western Mālwa and neighbouring regions. The Pañjāb is seized by foreigners and the Deccan by local dynasts. The political connection of the Madhyadeśa with the valleys
1 2
II. 4. 23. III. 2. 40.
