Sushima
Sushima (सुशिम) was the crown prince of the Maurya Empire of ancient India and the eldest son and heir-apparent of the second Mauryan emperor Bindusara. He was next in line for his father's throne,[1] but was defeated in a succession conflict by his younger half-brother, Ashoka, who eventually succeeded Bindusara as the third Mauryan emperor.
Variants
- Susima (सूसिम)
Birth and family
Susima was the eldest son of the second Mauryan emperor, Bindusara. Not only was Susima the crown prince, but also his mother, Charumitra or Charumati, was a princess as opposed to Ashoka's mother, Subhadrangi, who was a commoner.[2] He had two wives Chanda and Rupa and a son Nigrodh by Chanda.
Life
Susima was born to Bindusara and his chief queen, Charumitra. He had several younger half-siblings, including Ashoka, born to Bindusara's second wife, Subhadrangi. Susima was well-educated and trained in the arts of war and statecraft. He was also a skilled archer and horseman.
When Bindusara fell ill in 273 BC, Susima was the clear heir to the throne. However, Ashoka was a popular figure among the army and the people. In supposed contrast to Susima, who was known to be rowdy and arrogant. He also had the support of Bindusara's chief minister, Radhagupta and Susima's guru Khallataka.
After Bindusara's death, a succession conflict broke out between Susima and Ashoka. Ashoka defeated Susima's forces and claimed the throne for himself. Susima was defeated in the fighting.
The death of Susima was a major turning point in the history of the Maurya Empire. Ashoka went on to become one of the greatest emperors in Indian history. He is best known for promoting Buddhism and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence. [citation needed] as his brother susima died naturally. He was a double sided man whose intentions were never clear to anybody.
History
Buddha Prakash[3] writes....Towards the end of the reign of Bindusara the people of the Panjab were again seized by discontent and revolt on account of the tyranny of Maurya officials. On that occasion prince Sushima was sent to quell the insurrection. But this time it was so deep that he failed to allay it. Hence Ashoka was again thought of. But, in the meantime, the emperor died and Ashoka was embroiled in the affairs at Pataliputra.
References
- ↑ Singh, Upinder (2009), A history of ancient and early medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century (3rd impr. ed.), New Delhi: Pearson Longman, p. 331, ISBN 9788131716779
- ↑ Gupta, Subhadra Sen (2009). "Taxila and Ujjaini". Ashoka. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-8184758078.
- ↑ Buddha Prakash:Evolution of Heroic Tradition in Ancient Panjab, IX. The Contribution to the Maurya and Sunga Empires, p.94
Back to The Rulers/ Jat Kingdoms in Ancient India/The Ancient Jats