Vasudeva Kanva ( c. 75 – c. 66 BCE) was the founder of the Kanva dynasty. ^[1] He was originally an Amatya (minister) of last Shunga ruler Devabhuti. Vasudeva killed the last Shunga ruler and established Kanva dynasty. ^[2] Bana's Harshacharita informs us that he came to power after the death of Devabhuti by a daughter of his servant woman disguised as his empress. He was succeeded by his son Bhumimitra. ^{[3] [4]}

Ascension to power

He was originally an Amatya (minister) of last Shunga ruler Devabhuti. Vasudeva killed the last Shunga ruler and established Kanva dynasty. ^[2] Bana's Harshacharita informs us that he came to power after the death of Devabhuti by a daughter of his servant woman disguised as his empress. ^{[5] [4] [6]}

Reign

He was a Vaishnavite (worshipper of Lord Vishnu). ^[6] Most of the taxes collected during his reign were used for temples. He was one of the famous patrons of arts. ^{[7] [4] [6]} During his reign, the Indo-Greeks invaded, but he managed to keep his throne. ^[6] He was succeeded by his son Bhumimitra. ^{[8] [4] [6]}

See also

• Devabhuti
• Kanva Dynasty

References

Citations

Sources

• Thapar, Romila (2013), The Past Before Us, Harvard University Press, ISBN  978-0-674-72651-2

Further reading

• Lahiri, Bela: Indigenous States of Northern India (circa 200 B.C. - 320 A.D.), University of Calcutta, 1974.