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 servant woman disguised as his empress. He was succeeded by his son Bhumimitra.[3][4]

Vasudeva Kanva
Kanva emperor
Reignc. 75 – c. 66 BCE (9 years)
PredecessorDevabhuti
SuccessorBhumimitra
IssueBhumimitra
DynastyKanva

Ascension to power edit

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 servant woman disguised as his empress.[5][4][6]

Reign edit

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 edit

References edit

Citations edit

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c d e 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 edit

Further reading edit

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


Preceded by Kanva dynasty
c. 75 BCE
Succeeded by
Bhumimitra