Vasumitra

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Vasumitra (also called Sumitra) was the fourth Shunga emperor, ruling roughly from 131 to 124 BCE. He was the son of Emperor Agnimitra and Empress Dharini, and the brother or half-brother of Vasujyeshtha. He was the step-son of Mālavikā, the third wife of Agnimitra.

In Kalidāsa’s Mālavikāgnimitram, Vasumitra is said to have guarded the sacrificial horse released by his grandfather Pushyamitra Shunga and defeated a cavalry unit of the Indo-Greeks along the Indus. This victory helps the marriage of Agnimitra and Mālavikā, and the play ends with general peace among the king’s subjects.

According to some sources, after becoming king he gave himself to pleasures, and the Shunga dynasty began to decline during his reign. Enemies plotted, and Banabhatta’s Harshacharita states he was killed by Mitradeva (Muladeva in some manuscripts) while watching a drama. Muladeva is regarded as the founder of an independent Kosala.

The secession of Kosala weakened Shunga control west of Magadha and encouraged other rulers to rebel, in places such as Panchala, Kausambi, and Mathura. He was succeeded by Andhraka, Antaka, Bhagabhadra, or Bhadra, depending on the source.