Explanation:
The Shaishunaga dynasty (IAST: Śaiśunāga, literally "of Shishunaga") is believed to have been the third ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire of ancient India. According to the Hindu Puranas, this dynasty was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, succeeding Nagadashaka of the Haryanka dynasty.
Shaishunaga dynasty
413 BCE–345 BCE
Approximate extent of the Shaisshunaga dynasty.[1]
Approximate extent of the Shaisshunaga dynasty.[1]
Capital
Rajgir (primary)
Vaishali (secondary)
later Pataliputra
Common languages
Sanskrit
Magadhi Prakrit
Other Prakrits
Religion
Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism[2]
Government
Monarchy
• 413–395 BCE
Shishunaga
• 395–367 BCE
Kalashoka
• 367-355 BCE
Nandivardhana
• 355–345 BCE
Mahanandin
History
• Established
413 BCE
• Disestablished
345 BCE
Preceded by Succeeded by
Haryanka dynasty
Nanda Empire
Image of the Shaishunaga period.
Shishunaga, the founder of the dynasty, was initially an amatya or "minister" of the last Haryanka dynasty ruler Nāgadāsaka and ascended to the throne after a popular rebellion in c. 421 BCE.[3] The capital of this dynasty initially was Rajgir; but later shifted to Pataliputra, near the present day Patna, during the reign of Kakavarna. According to tradition, Kakavarna was succeeded by his ten sons.[4] This dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda Empire in c. 345 BCE.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1972|p=201}
