- Shishunaga
Shishunaga (or Shusunaga) (c.413 - 395 BCE [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|p=201] ) was the founder of the
Shishunaga dynasty of theMagadha Empire in the present day northernIndia . Initially, he was an "amatya" (official) of the Magadha empire under theHaryanka dynasty . He was placed on the throne by the people who revolted against the Haryanka dynasty rule. The Puranas tells us that he placed his son at Varanasi and himself ruled from Rajagriha. He was succeeded by his son Kakavarna Kalashoka [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|pp=193-5]Early life
According to the "Mahavamsatika", Shishunaga was the son of a Licchavi raja of
Vaishali . He was conceived by a "nagara-shobhini" and brought up an officer of state. At the time of revolt, he was a viceroy atVaranasi of kingNaga-Dasaka , the last ruler of the Haryanka dynasty. [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|pp=193-5]The reign
Initially, his capital was Rajagriha and Vaishali was his second royal residence. Later he shifted his capital to Vaishali. His most significant achievement was the destruction of the 'glory' of the Pradyota dynasty of the Avanti kingdom. Most probably the king of Avanti whom Shishunaga humbled was Avantivardhana. The Magadhan victory mus have been helped by the revolution that placed Aryaka on the thone of Ujjayini. [harvnb|Raychaudhuri|1972|pp=193-5]
Notes
References
#Harvard reference
Surname1 = Raychaudhuri
Given1 = H.C.
Year = 1972
Title = Political History of Ancient India
Publisher = Calcutta: University of Calcutta
Loc = Calcutta.
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