The Nature of Pusyamitra Sunga’s Rule
By Dasharatha Sharma
Summary
This brief article revisits the debated question of whether Puṣyamitra Śuṅga, who overthrew the last Maurya emperor, ruled directly or installed a puppet king. The author reviews Puranic lists, the Ārya‑manuṣya and Kālidāsa’s play Mālavikāgnimitram, noting that these sources describe Puṣyamitra as king and credit him with performing Vedic sacrifices and patronizing Brahmins. Critics who imagine that he placed a Maurya scion on the throne base their view on ambiguous passages and ignore the abundant testimony that Puṣyamitra established the Śuṅga dynasty in his own right. The article argues that the performance of the Aśvamedha sacrifice and the issuing of coins in Puṣyamitra’s name support his sovereignty. Although the political circumstances of the coup are obscure, there is no compelling evidence that he acted as regent rather than monarch. The author thus concludes that Puṣyamitra was a sovereign ruler who founded a new dynasty, and that later literary traditions depicting him as a usurper reflect sectarian biases rather than historical fact. This reassessment contributes to understanding the transition from Maurya to Śuṅga rule and the dynamics of early Hindu revival.
Conclusion
Drawing on Puranic texts, Mālavikāgnimitram and numismatic evidence, the article argues that Puṣyamitra Śuṅga ruled as an independent monarch rather than a regent. His performance of the Aśvamedha and the striking of coins in his name indicate sovereignty. The view that he placed a puppet Maurya on the throne lacks supporting evidence and reflects later sectarian biases. The author thus affirms Puṣyamitra’s status as founder of the Śuṅga dynasty.