Vasudeva Kanva

Vasudeva Kanva
Emperor of Magadha
Reign	c. 75 – c. 66 BCE (9 years)
Predecessor	Devabhuti
Successor	Bhumimitra
Issue	Bhumimitra
Dynasty	Kanva

Vasudeva Kanva (c. 75 – c. 66 BCE) was the founder of the Kanva dynasty.[1] He was originally an Amatya (minister) of last Shunga ruler Devabhuti. Vasudeva killed the last Shunga ruler and established Kanva dynasty.[2] Bana's Harshacharita informs us that he came to power after the death of Devabhuti by a daughter of his slave woman disguised as his empress. He was succeeded by his son Bhumimitra.[3][4]

Ascension to power

He was originally an Amatya (minister) of last Shunga ruler Devabhuti. Vasudeva killed the last Shunga ruler and established Kanva dynasty.[2] Bana's Harshacharita informs us that he came to power after the death of Devabhuti by a daughter of his slave woman disguised as his empress.[5][4][6]

Reign

He was a Vaishnavite (worshipper of Lord Vishnu).[6] Most of the taxes collected during his reign were used for temples. He was one of the famous patrons of arts.[7][4][6] During his reign, the Indo-Greeks invaded, but he managed to keep his throne.[6] He was succeeded by his son Bhumimitra.[8][4][6]

See also

• Devabhuti
• Kanva Dynasty

References

Citations

1. Hazra, Rajendra Chandra (1987) [1940], Studies in the Puranic Records on Hindu Rites and Customs, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0422-8
   - Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra (2006), Political History of Ancient India, Cosmo Publications, ISBN 81-307-0291-6
2. Thapar 2013, p. 296.
3. Rao, B.V. (January 2012). World history from early times to A D 2000. Sterling Publishers. p. 97. ISBN 9788120731882.
   - Shankar, Rama (1967). History of Ancient India. Tripathi. p. 189. ISBN 9788120800182.
4. INDIA: Brief History Volume 4. Symist. 7 July 2019.
5. Rao, B.V. (January 2012). World history from early times to A D 2000. Sterling Publishers. p. 97. ISBN 9788120731882.
   - Shankar, Rama (1967). History of Ancient India. Tripathi. p. 189. ISBN 9788120800182.
6. INDIA: Brief History Volume 3 (EBook). Symist. 3 March 2019. p. 34.
7. Kennedy Warder, Anthony (1989). Indian Kavya Literature. Vol. 2. p. 114. ISBN 9788120804470.
8. Rao, B.V. (January 2012). World history from early times to A D 2000. Sterling Publishers. p. 97. ISBN 9788120731882.
   - Shankar, Rama (1967). History of Ancient India. Tripathi. p. 189. ISBN 9788120800182.

Sources

• Thapar, Romila (2013), The Past Before Us, Harvard University Press, ISBN 978-0-674-72651-2

Further reading

• Lahiri, Bela: Indigenous States of Northern India (circa 200 B.C. - 320 A.D.), University of Calcutta, 1974.

Preceded by Devabhuti

Kanva dynasty c. 75 BCE

Succeeded by Bhumimitra