Q. Pushyamitra Sunga, who killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and founded the Sunga dynasty, was a:
(a) Prime Minister of the Mauryas
(b) General of the Mauryas
(c) Both (a) and (b) above
(d) Feudatory ruler
Ans: (b) General of the Mauryas
Explanation: Pushyamitra Sunga, who killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and founded the Sunga dynasty, was (b) a General of the Mauryas.
Pushyamitra Sunga served as a general in the Mauryan Empire under the reign of Brihadratha. Following a military coup, he overthrew Brihadratha and established the Sunga dynasty, ruling from approximately 185 BCE to 73 BCE. He did not hold the position of Prime Minister or a high-ranking administrative role during the Mauryan Empire.
It is worth noting that while Pushyamitra Sunga’s coup led to the end of the Mauryan dynasty, he did not immediately become a feudatory ruler. He established his own dynasty and assumed the role of ruler, rather than being a subordinate ruler under another authority.
Please keep in mind that the information provided is based on historical knowledge up until September 2021, and specific details about ancient Indian history may require further research for a comprehensive understanding.
