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