Shishunaga(413BC) was the founder of this dynasty.He was an amatya 0r minister of King Nagadasaka.Nagadasaka is  often referred as the weaker and incapable king of Haryanka dynasty. Shishunaga was also called as Sisunaka.There was a civil revolt  during Nagadasaka rule due to his inefficient administration and crime rise.At the time of revolt ,he was the minister at Varanasi.He led the coup and after its successful completion,he became the King of Magadha.He sent his son Kalasoka to Varanasi and himself ruled from Rajagriha.Vaishali was his second royal residence.He ruled for almost 18 years.The main causes of Haryanka dynasty fall were:-

(1) Injustice

(2)Incapability Of Nagadasaka

(3)Instability and

(4)Crime rise.

Shishunaga was the fighter,capable and efficient administrator.He captured Kosala,Kasi and Avanti Pradesh.He was born in the Lichchavi Royal family.He was succeeded by his son Kalasoka(395 BC).Vayu Puran refers him as Kakaverna.But according to Ashokavadna, Herman Jacobi and Ram Krishna Gopal Bhandarkar both Kalasoka and Kakaverna is same.Sri Lankan script called him Kalasoka.He was the governor of Varanasi.During his reign the Second Buddhist Council  at Vaishali was held.The meeting was called by a Buddhist monk Yasa.The meeting was presided by Sabakami.The overcrowded capital at Rajagriha was shifted to Patliputra.

Magadha ancient silver coins were roughly 7.6 gm in weight and had a single  6 arm punch.The second issue of coins were 5.5 gm in weight and had single 6 arm punch on it.The coins were thinner and flan type. The third issue retained the similar thin and flan type shape having 6 arm punch with additional three punches on the center.These silver coins were issued by Haryanka dynasty.The weight varied from 5.43 gm to 4.73 gm.The dimensions varied from 22mm*23mm to 27mm*23 mm.These silver coins were called Karshapana.The marks on the coins hypothetically describes the military power,unity,affluence,democracy and status of rising Magadha.

The denomination(25 to 20 Mashakas) of Haryanka Dynasty was replaced by light weight 3.5 gm silver coins or Karshapana. The four punches on coins remained the same but additional one punch was added on it.The weight varied from 3.05 gm to 3.50 gm.The dimensions of coins varied from 14mm*21mm to 20mm*27mm.The size of the coins became smaller and thicker.The trade and commerce was very well developed in the new capital of Patliputra.Craftsmen and traders established  a system of money lending and banking.

Kalasoka ruled for 28 years.His ten sons(Bhadrasena, Korandavarna, Mangura, Sarvanjaba, Jalika,Ubhaka,Sanjaya,Koravaya,Nandivardhana and Panchmaka)simultaneously ruled the dynasty.This dynasty in its era was one of the largest empire of ancient Indian Subcontinent.

The Shishunaga dynasty came to an end in 347 BC.The rulers of Shishunaga Dynasty were Buddhist.Kalasoka was murdered by a sharp knife which cut his throat.Out of the 10 rulers,Mahanandin was prominent ruler.He later on killed by his illegal son Mahapadma Nanda.

During the Haryanka and Shishunaga Dynasty political position was stable and developed. A regular army with advanced weapons  were present for the the security of the kingdom.Two  great religions(Buddhism and Jainism) were widespread , followed by kings and consequently the vedic rituals were weakened.The art and architecture of temples,numismatics,performing arts,construction of Buddhist monasteries and hospitals were very well developed. So many public utility institutions were constructed.

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