CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF SUNGAS

Glorious Era in the annals of Indian History

Rulers saved the country from foreign invasions

Resisted foreign attacks and thus liberty and unity of the country could be safe in their hands

Greatest contribution is in the domain of culture

Every aspect of culture – religion, art and literature flourished

Religion: Revived Brahmanism in place of Buddhism

Sunga rule was the result of Brahmanic revolt against the weak and Buddhist monarchy of the

Mauryas

Pushyamitra – staunch follower of Brahmin religion

Performed two “Ashvamedha Yajnas” >> re-established Brahmins religion

Change in the religious faith of the people

People started worshipping : Karthikeya – The God of War

Ideals of Brahmanism were contained in “Manusmrithi”

Pushyamitra – Hindu >> contributed for the development of Hinduism

Beginning of revival of Hinduism reached its extreme limits under Gupta Dynasty

Literature: Sufficient progess in the field of literature

Rulers were able patrons of literature and learning

Patanjali – “Mahabhashya” provided fresh stimulus to study of Sanskrit literature

“Manusmrithi” - Sumathi Bhargava ->> some portions of Ramayana and Mahabharatha -

composed during this period

Vatsayana – “Kamasutra” > imp literary achievement

Progress of Art: Remarkable progress in the field of Art

Every aspect of art – architecture, sculpture, painting etc. flourished

Railing with the height of 2.13 mts was constructed round the stupa

4 beautiful gates to the wall was constructed

The beauty of Bharhut was enhance due to wall and gates

Stupa of Sanchi was also enlarged by Sunga rulers

Ashoka built Sanchi stupa – sungas increased height of this stupa to 16.5 mts and

diameter to 36 mts

Stone was used in place of bricks and wood

Art of painting was also in advanced stage

Picture of trees, birds and animals painted on the gateways of the stupas prove that the artists

not only loved the living creatures but also had love and regard for the entire humanity and

nature

Art of Sunga period was different from that of the Mauryan period

Firstly, wood and bricks were used in the construction of buildings and stupas during Mauryan

period but these were replaced by stone during the reign of Sungas

Secondly, Mauryan art was dominated by religious zeal and the Mauryan rulers gave patronage

to it, while the art of Sunga period was free of Sectarianism