Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder of which dynasty?

Shunga Dynasty

Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga Dynasty after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. He had been a Mauryan military commander and is traditionally described as having overthrown the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, around the second century BCE. He then established his own rule in northern India. The Shunga period is therefore placed in the post-Mauryan phase of Indian history, before the later rise of the Gupta Empire.

The easiest way to answer is to match the ruler’s name with the dynasty he established: Pushyamitra Shunga belongs to the Shunga Dynasty. The Nanda Dynasty came before the Mauryas, while the Gupta and Pala dynasties appeared much later and were founded by different rulers. The word ‘Shunga’ in the ruler’s name is also a useful memory clue, although the historical sequence is the stronger reason. Therefore, option B is correct.

This is a Class 10 General Knowledge question. Chapter: Indian History. Topic: Famous Indian Rulers.