Who was the Last Ruler of the Maurya Dynasty? 

The Maurya Dynasty was one of India’s greatest empires. This empire stretched from the Himalayas to the Deccan plains. The empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya (322 BC) is considered the ancient jewel of India. Later, the empire was led by emperors like Ashoka the Great, and finally by Brihadratha Maurya, the last ruler of Maurya dynasty. Do you want to know how the legendary empire fell? In this blog, you will learn in detail about the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty. You will also learn some fascinating facts about Brihadratha Maurya, the last emperor.

Brihadratha Maurya – The Last Ruler of Maurya Dynasty 

Brihadratha Maurya was the last ruler of Maurya dynasty.During 187 BC, he ascended the throne and inherited the empire. 

Unlike his ancestors, Chandra Gupta Maurya, Bindusara, and Ashoka, he inherited the throne when the empire was at its stage of decline. His reign is considered to have been weak. Therefore, it resulted in the loss of political power. He lost his empire to his military commanders.

Challenges Faced by the Last Ruler of Maurya Dynasty – Brihadratha Maurya

When Brihadratha came to power, the empire was already in ruins. Moreover, the power was in the hands of the Military. The territorial losses, economic strain and the administrative inefficiencies all made him just a figurehead. Therefore, he was less of a ruler and more of a figure representing the country. The challenges he faced led to the weakening of the empire.

Who Ruled the Mauryan Empire after Ashoka?

After Ashoka the Great died (232 BC), the Mauryan empire saw its decline. His successor, Dasharatha Maurya, along with rulers like Devavarman, Samprati, and Shatadhanva, were unable to maintain the unity.  Their inability to maintain the unity led to Brihadratha’s ascension at a time of political instability.

Name of Rulers after Ashoka in Maurya Dynasty	Reigning Period	Key Description
Dasharatha Maurya (Ashoka’s grandson)	232 – 224 BCE	Ruled a divided empire; focused on maintaining core territories.
Samprati Maurya	224 – 215 BCE	A Jain ruler who tried to revive the empire but failed.
Shalishuka, Devavarman, Shatadhanvan	187 – 215 BCE	Ineffective rulers, the empire kept shrinking.
Brihadratha Maurya (Last Ruler)	187 – 185 BCE	Overthrown by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga.

Also Read: Ashoka: The Great Ruler of the Mauryan Empire

The Decline of the Maurya Empire – Main Factors

Several factors led to the fall of the Maurya Empire. Some of these factors are as follows. These problems were already present when the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty took the throne.

1. Economic and Military Decline

One of the problems faced was the expenses. Maintaining the large army and the bureaucracy was expensive. Besides this, the over-taxation and lack of interest in military affairs left the empire vulnerable.

2. External Invasions and Internal Revolts

Another problem faced was the invasions by neighbouring powers. For example, the Greco-Bactrian forces. Besides this, the internal rebellions left the empire unstable.

Rise of Pushyamitra Shunga and Fall of the Maurya Dynasty

The final blow faced by the last ruler of Maurya dynasty was the military parade. General Pushyamitra Shunga had become very powerful and decided to seize the opportunity. 

1. A Military Parade of Deception– When a grand review of the army was held, he orchestrated a plan to have a military parade.
2. The assassination of the last ruler-  He declared Brihadratha Maurya as being unfit to rule and assassinated him in front of his assembled troops.
3. Rise to power– After Brihadratha’s assassination, he took over power and established the Shunga Dynasty. This was the end of the Mauryan rule.

How Pushyamitra Shunga Terminated the Maurya Dynasty?

The fall of the last ruler of Maurya dynasty was due to the coup held by Pushyamitra. Pushyamitra Shunga believed that the Maurya empire was weak. 

Moreover, he desired to establish a strong military and administrative regime. His rise to power brought about a religious shift was well. The emphasis shifted from Buddhism to Hindu traditions. He promoted the Hindu traditions after coming to power.

Pushyamitra Shunga’s Role is Reshaping the History of India

After the fall of the last ruler of Maurya dynasty, the Shunga Dynasty took hold of power. Pushyamitra Shunga’s rule left a lasting impact on India. For example, 

1. The coup led by Pushyamitra Shunga led to the end of the Mauryan empire.
2. The promoted Hindu traditions. Therefore, the emphasis shifted from Buddhism to Hinduism.
3. He emphasised military strengths and left his impact in the upcoming kingdoms.
4. Following the end of the Maurra empire, the unified power became more decentralized. The empire split into smaller kingdoms.
5. Despite the political upheaval, the era saw advancements in philosophy, art, and literature.

Was Brihadratha Maurya a Weak Ruler?

As per the historical accounts, Brihadratha Maurya was a weak ruler. He lacked the qualities required to govern a large empire. His inability to govern can be attributed to the administrative inefficiencies, internal problems, and consolidated military power. These things left him vulnerable. Consequently, it resulted in the fall of the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty and the end of the Mauryan empire.

10 Interesting Facts about the Last Ruler of the Maurya Dynasty

These are ten interesting facts about the Brihadratha Maurya, the last ruler of Maurya Dynasty.

1. Brihadratha Maurya ruled only for a brief period of time before the dramatic downfall of this dynasty.
2. By the time he took hold of the throne, the empire was already shrinking 
3. Although he was an emperor, he was just in name only. He was only a ceremonial leader. The real power was in the hands of military commanders.
4. He was publicly executed during a military parade led by General Pushyamitra Shunga.
5. His downfall marked the end of the Mauryan rule of 137 years 
6. The coup that was led by his general showcases the internal struggles of the empire.
7. Moreover, his reign saw the fall of the administrative system that was able to govern vast territories.
8. His predecessors, like Ashoka and Chandragupta, are well known. Therefore, his legacy was overshadowed by them.
9. The fall of Brihadratha showcases the culmination of decades of decline faced by the empire.
10. His death meant a dramatic shift in power and the rise of the Shunga Dynasty.

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These were the facts about the last ruler of Maurya Dynasty. If you find it fascinating and wish to read more such interesting facts, then stay tuned to the General Knowledge page of Leverage Edu.