Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty: Map & History
The Shaishunaga dynasty was possibly the second ruling dynasty of Magadha.
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The Shaishunaga dynasty was possibly the second ruling dynasty of Magadha. According to the Buddhist text Mahavamsa, this dynasty was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, succeeding Nagadashaka of the Haryanka dynasty. The Hindu Puranas have given a different list with different chronology of the Shaishunaga dynasty kings, whereas Jain texts do not mention this dynasty.
Modern Countries Once Part of Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty
At its mapped extent, Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty covered territory in 2 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty in Depth
History
Shishunaga was the founder of the dynasty. He was initially an amatya or "minister" of the last Haryanka dynasty ruler Nāgadāsaka and ascended to the throne after a popular rebellion in c. 413 BCE.
The capital of this dynasty initially was Vaishali; but later shifted to Pataliputra, near the present day Patna, during the reign of Kalashoka.
According to tradition, Kalashoka was succeeded by his ten sons. This dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda dynasty in c. 345 BCE.
Jain texts have skipped over the Shaishunaga dynasty. They mention instead that Udayin (of the preceding Haryanka dynasty) was killed by an assassin of rival kingdom. Being childless, he was succeeded by Nanda who was selected by his ministers.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Shaishunaga dynasty (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty: Key Facts
| Capital | Rajgir |
|---|---|
| Religion | Jainism |
| Founded | 413 BCE |
| Dissolved | 345 BCE |
Preceded by
- Haryanka dynasty
- Pradyota dynasty
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q972165 (CC0).
Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 797,305 km² in 336 BCE.
Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty exist?
The Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty is dated to 404 BCE – 334 BCE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of the Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty?
The capital of the Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty was Rajgir (primary), Vaishali (secondary), later Pataliputra.
How large was the Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty at its peak?
At its peak in 336 BC the Magadha - Shaishunaga dynasty covered about 797,305 km².