Shishunaga

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox royalty Shishunaga (IAST: Śiśunāga, or Shusunaga) (c. Template:Trim – 395 BCE) was the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty of the Magadha Empire in the present day northern India. Initially, he was an amatya (official) of the Magadha empire under the Haryanka dynasty. He was placed on the throne by the people who revolted against the Haryanka dynasty rule. According to the Puranas, he placed his son at Varanasi and himself ruled from Girivraja (Rajagriha). He was succeeded by his son Kalashoka (Kakavarna).

Early life

According to the Mahavamsatika, Shishunaga was a son of a Licchavi ruler of Vaishali.Template:Sfn He was conceived by a nagara-shobhini and brought up an officer of state. At the time of the revolt, he was a viceroy at Varanasi of king Nagadasaka, the last ruler of the Haryanka dynasty.Template:Sfn

Reign

Shishunaga ruled from 413 BCE to 395 BCE.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Initially, his capital was Rajagriha and Vaishali was his second royal residence. Later he shifted his capital to Vaishali. He conquered Avanti kingdom by defeating Nandivardhana or Avantivardhana, the last king of Pradyota dynasty.Template:Sfn The Magadhan victory must have been helped by the revolution that placed Aryaka on the throne of Ujjayini.Template:Sfn

The Puranas tell us that he placed his son at Varanasi and himself ruled from Girivraja (Rajagriha).Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Expansion

He destroyed Pradyota dynasty of Avanti and conquered kingdoms of Kosala and Vatsa.Template:Sfn

Successor

He was succeeded by his son Kalashoka (Kakavarna).Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

See also

• Avanti-Magadhan Wars