Inscriptions and Empires: Reconstructing the History of the Sunga Dynasty through Epigraphic Evidence – By Cdr Alok Mohan
Introduction
The Sunga dynasty (c. 185–73 BCE) succeeded the Mauryan Empire and played a pivotal role in shaping India’s political, religious, and cultural landscape. Founded by Pushyamitra Sunga, a former Mauryan general, the dynasty is chiefly known through both literary traditions and archaeological–epigraphic evidence. Inscriptions from this period provide vital, contemporary testimony concerning territory, rulers, religion, and art, helping reconstruct the Sunga era with greater precision.
1. Historical Context & Pushyamitra’s Rise
Pushyamitra, a Brahmin general under the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha, usurped the throne around 185 BCE. Known for his patronage of Brahmins and revival of Vedic rituals—particularly the Ashvamedha sacrifice—he is often credited with restoring Brahminical traditions, potentially at the expense of Buddhism’s earlier prominence under the Mauryas. However, inscriptions suggest Shunga royal support for a pluralistic religious ecosystem that included Buddhism and Jainism.
2. Religion, Ritual & Political Legitimacy
Epigraphic records confirm Pushyamitra’s performance of two Ashvamedha sacrifices—a powerful symbol of sovereign legitimacy. Notably, the Ayodhya Inscription of Dhana‑deva describes Dhana as the “sixth descendant” or “sixth son” of Pushyamitra, and explicitly states Pushyamitra performed two Ashvamedha rites.
This not only links local rule in Kosala (Ayodhya) with the Sunga lineage but also underscores how ritual helped legitimize and project authority across regions.
3. Epigraphic Sites and Their Significance
While seven notable inscriptions are linked to the Sunga period, the most significant include:
3.1 Bharhut Buddhist Pillar Inscription
An inscription on the railings or gateway pillars mentions “Suganam raje”, interpreted by many scholars as “during the rule of the Shungas.” This epigraphic reference firmly associates the Bharhut stūpa—with its elaborate stone carvings dated roughly 125–75 BCE—with Shunga-era patronage. The artistic style bridges Mauryan simplicity and later classical Buddhist art.
3.2 Ayodhya Stone Inscription of Dhana‑deva
This stone inscription from Ayodhya, in Sanskrit (written in Brahmi script), ties the local king Dhana‑deva to Pushyamitra, naming him as descendant and noting memorial construction for his father Phalgudeva. Most importantly, it records the two Ashvamedhas and establishes Sunga-era influence in northern Kosala.
3.3 Barli Stone Inscription (Bhagavata)
Found in Ajmer district, the Barli inscription refers to a “Bhagavata,” read by some as a Shunga-era ruler from the 2nd–1st century BCE (sometimes called King Bhagavata)—though its fragmentary nature and ambiguous paleography leave the identification debated.
3.4 Hathibada–Ghosundi Inscriptions (Sarvatata)
These inscribed Brahmi Sanskrit fragments (circa 2nd–1st century BCE) mention King Sarvatata, son of a Parasaragotra woman, who performed the Ashvamedha and built a Narayana‑vatika (enclosed Vaishnavite shrine) for worship of Samkarshana‑Vāsudeva. Though likely post-Shunga (maybe Kanva era), they reflect continuation of Brahminical and Vaishnava ritual traditions from the Sunga period.
4. Geographic Reach & Territorial Influence
Sunga control extended across large parts of northern and central India, though it lacked the vast territorial breadth of the Mauryas. Evidence from Ayodhya, Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh), and Rajasthan shows reach into Kosala, Vidisha, and beyond. The Dhanadeva inscription affirms Shunga-linked vassal or suzerain presence in Ayodhya, while Bharhut’s epigraphy demonstrates patronage over Buddhist monuments in central India.
5. Art & Architecture: The Inscription–Art Nexus
The Bharhut carvings—especially the gateway and railings—are among the earliest stone sculptural ensembles to bear labelled panels identifying Buddhist narratives, an innovation of the Shunga period. These appear directly alongside inscriptions referencing Shunga rule, underscoring the integration of political authority, epigraphy, and religious-artistic expression. This era initiated a paradigm that shaped future Buddhist architecture and iconography.
6. Decline and End of the Dynasty
The last Sunga ruler, Devabhuti, fell circa 73 BCE amid Indo-Greek incursions led by Demetrius II, which eroded Sunga political stability and precipitated dynastic collapse roughly a century after its foundation. The later Kanva dynasty took over in Magadha, but the Sunga legacy endured through religious and artistic influences.
7. Synthesis: Epigraphy as a Window on Sunga Rule
Epigraphic evidence from Ayodhya, Bharhut, Barli, and other sites offers concrete anchors for reconstructing Sunga history. They illuminate:
Pushyamitra’s political rise and ritual legitimacy via Ashvamedha
Shunga-era territorial autonomy and local governance (e.g., in Kosala)
Continuity of Brahminical and Vaishnavite practices
The intertwined development of stone sculpture and inscriptions under Sunga patronage
Interaction and coexistence with Buddhist institutions despite ideological tilt toward Hindu revivalism
Conclusion
Inscriptions associated with the Sunga dynasty allow reconstruction of a nuanced historical narrative that goes beyond literary tradition. They highlight how the dynasty used ritual, regional rule, and artistic patronage to assert legitimacy, influence religious landscapes, and leave a lasting cultural heritage. Combining epigraphic study with archaeological and textual analysis offers a rich, multidimensional view of the post-Mauryan transition and the formative Sunga centuries.
References & Further Reading
Ayodhya Inscription of Dhana‑deva and its paleographic, political significance (
Bharhut pillar inscriptions and their dating in relation to Shunga rule
Barli inscription interpretation and debates
Hathibada–Ghosundi inscriptions fragment analysis and religious context
Kindly visit
The Sunga Dynasty