Which dynasty succeeded the Muaryas? A. Shunga B. Gupta C. Sisunaga D. Chola
A
Understanding Ancient Indian Dynasties: Successors to the Mauryas
The question asks which dynasty came into power immediately after the decline of the great Maurya Empire. To answer this, we need to look at the historical timeline of ancient India.
The Decline of the Maurya Empire
The vast Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya and famously ruled by Ashoka, began to decline after Ashoka's death. The last Mauryan ruler was Brihadratha.
The Rise of the Shunga Dynasty
Historical sources indicate that the Maurya Empire was brought to an end by its own commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga. Around 185 BCE, Pushyamitra Shunga assassinated Brihadratha and established his own dynasty, known as the Shunga dynasty. This event marked the transition of power from the Mauryas to the Shungas in Magadha and surrounding areas.
Let's briefly consider why the other options are not correct:
- Gupta Dynasty: The Gupta Empire arose much later, in the 4th century CE, centuries after the fall of the Mauryas and the rule of the Shungas (and other dynasties like the Kanvas and Kushanas).
- Sisunaga Dynasty: The Sisunaga dynasty ruled in Magadha before the Nanda dynasty, which in turn preceded the Maurya dynasty. So, the Sisunagas ruled much earlier than the Mauryas.
- Chola Dynasty: The Chola dynasty was a prominent South Indian dynasty. While they existed during various periods of ancient and medieval Indian history, they were not the immediate successors to the Maurya Empire in the core Mauryan territory in North India.
Therefore, based on historical records, the dynasty that succeeded the Mauryas was the Shunga dynasty.
| Period (Approximate) | Dynasty |
|---|---|
| c. 6th - 4th Century BCE | Haryanka, Sisunaga, Nanda |
| c. 321 - 185 BCE | Maurya |
| c. 185 - 73 BCE | Shunga |
| c. 73 - 28 BCE | Kanva |
| c. 4th - 6th Century CE | Gupta |
The transition from the Maurya Empire to the Shunga dynasty is a significant event in the history of ancient India, marking the end of a vast, centralized empire and the beginning of a new era with different political and cultural dynamics.
Revision Table: Maurya Successors
| Key Dynasty | Period | Successor Dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| Maurya Empire | c. 321 - 185 BCE | Shunga Dynasty |
Additional Information on Shunga Dynasty
- Founder: Pushyamitra Shunga.
- Capital: Pataliputra (initially), later possibly Vidisha.
- Religion: Often associated with a revival of Brahmanism, although Buddhism also coexisted.
- Notable Rulers: Pushyamitra Shunga, Agnimitra.
- Territory: Primarily controlled Magadha and parts of central India and Punjab.
- Art and Architecture: Period saw developments in art, including the expansion of the Sanchi Stupa and the construction of gateways (toranas).
Important Questions from Chola Empire Cheras Pandyas
Who among the following was the founder of the Chola dynasty?
Vetti was a tax collected in the form of forced labour by the ______ rulers.
Name the Chola inscription that provided details of the way in which the sabha was organised in the local administration in the Chola empire.
Who was the last emperor of the Pallava dynasty?
During which prominent South Indian dynasty were 'vetti' (forced labour, often without wages, for public works like building temples or roads) and 'kadamai' (land revenue, typically a share of the produce) among the primary forms of taxation, indicative of a highly organized agrarian economy and a strong central administration?
