SAISUNAGA DYNASTY

ancient ruling family in the Indian kingdom of Magadha. The Saisunaga line of kings followed the reigns of Bimbasara and Ajatasatru (both contemporaries of the Buddha). The line is generally placed immediately before the Nandas and is dated roughly from the mid-5th to the mid-4th century BC. Sisunaga, or Susunaga, the founder, was of obscure origin and may have initially served as Magadhan viceroy at Kasi (Varanasi). Gradually he came to be associated with the early Magadhan capital Girivraja, or Rajgir, and re-established the city of Vaisali (Basarh in north Bihar). Sisunaga's reign, like that of his Magadhan predecessors, represents a stage in the history of the fast expansion of the Magadhan empire. He successfully fought against Avantivardhana and annexed Avanti to his empire. The reign of Sisunaga's son Kalasoka is known chiefly for two important events: the meeting of the second Buddhist Council at Vaisali and the shifting of the Magadhan capital to Pataliputra. The end of Sisunaga's line is obscure, as is much of the pre-Mauryan dynastic history of Magadha. Kalasoka's sons, according to traditional lists, were 10 in number, but no details about them are known. Kalasoka was brutally murdered, presumably by the founder of the Nanda line, and the Saisunaga dynasty ceased to rule.