Book Title: Samipya 2007 Vol 24 Ank 01 02
Author(s): R P Mehta, R T Savalia
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan
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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Pushyamitra Founder of Śung Empire
Dr. R. P. Mehta*
'Pushyamitra was regarded as a champion of the Brahman reaction which set in after the triumph of Buddhism during Aśoka's reign. he was remembered as a king of Maghdha and as suzerain over dominions in the Punjab which had owned the sway of his Maurya predecessors.'- Prof. E.J. Repson' mentioned Pushyamitra's contribution to the Indian history.
Manuscripts usually read Pushpamitra. But Pushymitra is the correct from [Bühler ind. Ant. ii. 362]. According to Mr. Fleet', who quotes Professor Weber as agreeing with him, the name should be spelled Pushyamitra.
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Pushyamitra, the commander-in-chief, (f) having slain his master Brahadratha Maurya, and imprisoned the minister, usurped the vacant throne, and established himself as sovereign of the now contracted Maurya dominions; thus founding a dynasty known to history as that of the Sungas.
Pushyamitra's (c. 187-151 B.C.)5 dynastic name Sunga is obscure."
(i) According to one theory, the Sungas were Iranians, worshippers of the Sun
(Mithra).
(ii) Others regarded them as Brāhmaṇas.
Second opinion is more plausible. Bhramaṇa origin of the Mauryan Genral, Pushyamitra, ia referred to in many works.
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The beginning of the Bhārahut inscriptions is during the reign of the sungas. According to Pāņini, an affix 37 comes after the Sungas only when the sense is a descendant of the family of Bharadvāja.
Evidence from the Purāņas, relating to the genealogy of the sungas does furnish a uniform table, though there are slight variations in the length of reign, and occasionally, in names as well. Pargiter considered for the Pushyamitra in this table
*
Pushyamitra-The commander in chief and the uprooter of Bṛhadratha, 36 years." Pushyamitra slew his master and regioned in his stead. If chronology of the Purānas may be trusted, this event happened 137 years after the occasion of Chandragupta, i.e. c. 187 B.C. and the reign of Pushyamitra lasted for Thirty-six years, i.e. c. 151 B.C. The dominions of Pushyamitra extended to the river Narmada and included the cities of Pataliputra, Ayodhya, Vidiśa, Bhārahuta and if Taranatha" is to be believed
Director, B.J.Institute of Learning and Research, H. K. Arts College Compound, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-9
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