Shaishunaga dynasty

Shishunaga Dynasty
413 BCE–345 BCE
Approximate extent of the Shisshunaga dynasty.[1]
Capital	Rajgir (primary) Vaishali (secondary) later Pataliputra
Common languages	Sanskrit Magadhi Prakrit Other Prakrits
Religion	Hinduism[2] Buddhism Jainism
Government	Monarchy
Raja
• 413–395 BCE	Shishunaga
• 395–367 BCE	Kalashoka
• 367–355 BCE	Nandivardhana
• 355–345 BCE	Mahanandin
History
• Established	413 BCE
• Disestablished	345 BCE
Preceded by Succeeded by Haryanka dynasty Nanda Dynasty

The Shishunaga dynasty (IAST: Śaiśunāga, literally "of Shishunaga") was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire in ancient India. According to the Hindu Puranas, this dynasty was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, succeeding Nagadashaka of the Haryanka dynasty.

Shishunaga, the founder of the dynasty, 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.^[3] 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.^[4] This dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda dynasty in c. 345 BCE.^[5]