Brihadratha Maurya
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| Brihadratha Maurya | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reign | c. 187 – c. 180 BC | ||||
| Predecessor | Shatadhanvan | ||||
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| Dynasty | Maurya Empire | ||||
| Religion | Buddhism[citation needed] | ||||
| Maurya Kings (322 BC – 180 BC) | |
| Chandragupta | (322–297 BC) |
| Bindusara | (297–272/268 BC) |
| Ashoka | (272/268–232 BC) |
| Dasharatha | (232–224 BC) |
| Samprati | (224–215 BC) |
| Shalishuka | (215–202 BC) |
| Devavarman | (202–195 BC) |
| Shatadhanvan | (195–187 BC) |
| Brihadratha | (187–180 BC) |
| Pushyamitra (Shunga Empire) |
(180–149 BC) |
Brihadratha Maurya (Sanskrit; IAST: Bṛhadratha Maurya) was the last ruler of the Maurya Empire. He ruled from c. 187–180 BC. He was killed by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga, who went on to establish the Shunga Empire.
Reign
According to the Puranas, Brihadratha succeeded Shatadhanvan and ruled for seven years.[1] Mauryan territories, centred on the capital of Pataliputra, had shrunk considerably from the time of Ashoka when Brihadratha came to the throne.
Invasion of Demetrius I
In 180 BC, northwestern India (parts of modern day Afghanistan and Pakistan) were attacked by the Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius. He established his rule in the Kabul Valley and parts of the Punjab region. The Yuga Purana says that the Yavana army led by King Dharmamita (Demetrius) invaded the Mauryan territories during Brihadratha's reign and after occupying Panchala region and the cities of Saket and Mathura, they finally captured Pataliputra. But soon they had to leave for Bactria to fight a fierce battle (probably between Eucratides I and Demetrius).[2]
Usurpation of power by Pushyamitra Shunga
He was killed in 180 BC and power usurped by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga, who then took over the throne and established the Shunga Empire. Bāṇabhaṭṭa's Harshacharita says that Pushyamitra, while parading the entire Mauryan army before Brihadratha on the pretext of showing him the strength of the army, crushed his master.[3]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lahiri, B. (1974). Indigenous States of Northern India (Circa 200 B.C. to 320 A.D.) , Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp.22-4
- ↑ Lahiri, B. (1974). Indigenous States of Northern India (Circa 200 B.C. to 320 A.D.) , Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp.24-5
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Brihadratha Maurya
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| Preceded by | Maurya Emperor 187–180 |
Succeeded by Pushyamitra (Shunga Empire) |
| Succeeded by Demetrius I (Indo-Greek Kingdom) |
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