Did Pushyamitra Shunga Really Destroy Buddhism? The Truth of Post-Mauryan India

Was Pushyamitra Shunga truly responsible for Buddhism’s fall, or did history rewrite a political transition as religious conflict?

The name Pushyamitra Shunga often appears in history books with controversy attached to it. Many people believe that he destroyed Buddhism after overthrowing the Mauryan Empire. This belief is repeated again and again, especially in popular narratives, without carefully examining historical evidence. To understand the truth, we must look beyond emotion and study the political, religious, and social realities of post-Mauryan India.

History is not a courtroom where one side is always right and the other always wrong. It is a space where memory, belief, and power interact. The story of Pushyamitra Shunga and Buddhism is a perfect example of this complexity.

Pushyamitra Shunga and the End of Mauryan Rule

Pushyamitra Shunga was not born a king. He was a powerful senapati (army general) under the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha. Around 185 BCE, during a military ceremony at Pataliputra, Pushyamitra assassinated Brihadratha and took control of the throne. With this single act, the mighty Mauryan Empire came to an end and the Shunga dynasty began.

This event is often misunderstood as a religious conflict. In reality, it was a political coup, a common feature of ancient monarchies. Dynasties rose and fell through military strength, not religious debates. Brihadratha was weak, the empire was shrinking, and foreign threats like the Indo-Greeks were pressing at the borders. Pushyamitra acted as a general seeking stability and power, not as a religious executioner.

Pushyamitra Shunga and the Revival of Brahmanism

One undeniable aspect of Pushyamitra Shunga’s rule was his strong support for Brahmanical traditions. He performed two Ashvamedha yajnas, which symbolized royal authority and political legitimacy. These rituals are mentioned in Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitra and supported by inscriptional evidence from Ayodhya.

However, supporting Brahmanism does not automatically mean opposing Buddhism. Ancient Indian rulers often favored one tradition while allowing others to exist. Religion in that era was not rigid or exclusive. Temples, monasteries, and philosophical schools often coexisted within the same political boundaries.

Pushyamitra Shunga: Where Did the Accusations Come From?

The claim that Pushyamitra Shunga destroyed Buddhism mainly comes from Buddhist literary sources, especially the Divyavadana and later Tibetan historian Taranatha. These texts describe Pushyamitra as a cruel ruler who demolished monasteries, destroyed stupas, and rewarded those who killed Buddhist monks.

At first glance, these descriptions appear shocking. But historians caution us to read them carefully. These texts were written centuries after Pushyamitra’s death. They reflect the emotions and fears of Buddhist communities during later periods rather than providing direct eyewitness accounts.

Archaeological Evidence Tells a Different Story

When we turn from texts to archaeology, the story changes significantly. Major Buddhist sites such as Sanchi and Bharhut were not destroyed during the Shunga period. Instead, they were expanded and beautified. The stone railings, sculptures, and inscriptions found at these sites date back to the Shunga era.

Several inscriptions even record donations by officials and common people during this period. This clearly suggests that Buddhism was not only alive but actively practiced. If the state had truly adopted a policy of Buddhist destruction, such large-scale religious activity would not have been possible.

In Bihar, places like Bodh Gaya continued to remain sacred and functional. Pataliputra itself remained a multi-religious city where Brahmins, Buddhists, and Jains lived side by side.

Decline of Royal Patronage Is Not Religious Persecution

The real change after the Mauryas was not religious violence, but loss of royal patronage. Under Emperor Ashoka, Buddhism enjoyed direct state support. After his death, this special position slowly declined.

For Buddhist monks who had once enjoyed imperial protection, this decline felt like an injustice.

Over time, this emotional loss was remembered as persecution. Many historians believe that the image of Pushyamitra as an enemy of Buddhism emerged from this psychological and institutional setback, not from widespread physical violence.

How the Idea of a Buddhist Killing a Brahmin King Emerges

The question of how a Buddhist could kill a Brahmin king is often raised in reverse narratives and symbolic interpretations. Historically, there is no clear evidence that Brihadratha was killed because of religion. Nor is there proof that Pushyamitra’s actions were motivated by hatred toward Buddhism.

Ancient Indian politics was harsh. Generals killed kings. Ministers overthrew dynasties. Religion rarely decides loyalty. Later generations often added religious meaning to political events because it helped them explain decline and suffering.

This transformation of political violence into religious storytelling shows how history slowly turns into memory, and memory into belief.

Buddhism After Pushyamitra Shunga: Survival and Growth

If Pushyamitra had truly destroyed Buddhism, it would not have survived in India. Yet, Buddhism continued to flourish in many regions. Later rulers like Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty openly patronized Buddhism. Buddhist philosophy, art, and institutions continued to develop for centuries.

This survival itself is strong evidence that Pushyamitra Shunga did not attempt to erase Buddhism from Indian society.

The Shunga period marked a shift from large centralized empires to regional powers. Religious institutions had to depend more on merchants, local rulers, and the public rather than imperial orders. This change affected Buddhism more because it had been closely linked with state patronage under the Mauryas.

Conclusion: A Ruler, Not a Religious Villain

So, did Pushyamitra Shunga really destroy Buddhism? Historical evidence suggests that he did not. What he did was restore Brahmanical rituals, strengthen political authority, and rule according to the realities of his time.

The image of Pushyamitra as a destroyer of Buddhism comes mainly from later religious texts written during times of uncertainty. Archaeology, inscriptions, and historical logic present a calmer and more balanced picture.

Pushyamitra Shunga was neither a hero nor a villain. He was a ruler navigating a difficult transition in Indian history.