Agnimitra Shunga

Agnimitra was the second king of Shunga dynasty and the son of the founder Pusyamitra, who reigned from 149 to 141 BC. Kalidasa in Malavikagnimitram mentioned that Agnimitra belonged to Baimbika family. Agnimitra was assigned as viceroy of Vidisa during his father Pushyamitra`s reign. The Vayu and Brahmanda Purana mention that Pusyamitra ruled for eight years. Matsyapurana says that Agnimitra was succeded by his son Vasujyeshtha but the Vayu, Brahmanda, Vishnu and Bhagabhata Purana mention the name of his successor as Sujyeshtha.

There was also a mention of warfare between Agnimitra and his neighbor Vidarbha in Malavikagnimitram of Kalidasa. Vidarva became independent when a Mauryan minister put his brother-in-law Yajnasena on the throne. The Sungas captured the Mauryan minister and prisoned him. Madhavasena was the cousin of Yajnasena and they had enmity between them. He tried to leave Vidarva and take shelter in neighbor Vidisa but before he could do so, Yajnasena captured and imprisoned him. Agnimitra demanded for the release of Madhavasena while Yajnasena asked for the release of the Mauryan minister. So battle started and Agnimitra sent his mighty army to Vidarva, As a consequence of the war Vidarva was divided between two cousins and both accepted the sovereignty of Agnimitra.

From Malavikagnimitram it is known that Agnimitra had two queens namely Dharini and Iravati. Later Agnimitra married the Vidarbha princess, Malavika.