Kanva dynasty
Also called: Kanvas · Topic: Post-Mauryan India: Shungas to Kushanas · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Kanva dynasty was a small, short-lived ruling family in north India. Its founder, Vasudeva Kanva, was a minister of the last Shunga king, and he killed that king in c. 73 BCE. The Kanvas ruled from Magadha for only about 45 years. The Satavahanas of the Deccan ended their rule in c. 28 BCE. This dynasty shows how often power changed hands after the Mauryas fell.
Example
Vasudeva Kanva killed the Shunga king Devabhuti in c. 73 BCE and set up Kanva rule. According to the Puranas, the last Kanva king, Susharman, was overthrown by a Satavahana ruler.
Don't confuse with
- Vasudeva (Krishna): a god worshipped in this period, for example on the Heliodorus pillar. Vasudeva Kanva was a human king with the same name.