The Sunga Empire or Shunga Empire is a royal Indian dynasty from Magadha that contros vast areas of the Indian Subcontinent from around 185 to 73 BCE.
The dynasty is established by Pusyamitra Sunga, after the fall of the Maurya Empire.
Its capital is Pataliputra, but later emperors such as Bhagabhadra also hold court at Besnagar, modern Vidisha in Eastern Malwa.
Pushyamitra Sunga rules for 36 years and is succeeded by his son Agnimitra.
There are ten Sunga rulers.
The empire is noted for its numerous wars with both foreign and indigenous powers.
They fight battles with the Kalingas, Satavahanas, the Indo-Greeks, and possibly the Panchalas and Mathuras.Art, education, philosophy, and other forms of learning flower during this period including small terracotta images, larger stone sculptures, and architectural monuments such as the chaitya at Bhaja Caves, the Stupa at Bharhut, and the renowned Great Stupa at Sanchi.
The Sunga rulers help to establish the tradition of royal sponsorship of learning and art.
The script used by the empire is a variant of Brahmi and is used to write the Sanskrit language.The Sunga Empire plays an important role in patronizing Indian culture at a time when some of the most important developments in Hindu thought are taking place.
Patanjali`s Yoga Sutras and Mahabhasya are composed in this period.
Panini composes the first Sanskrit gramma, Ashtadayai, during the reign of the Sunga dynasty.
Artistry also progresss with the rise of the Mathura school of art.
Thereafter, there is a downfall of the dynasty and Kanvas succeed around 73 BCE.
