Vasumitra

Vasumitra (or Sumitra, according to the d manuscript of the Matsya Purana) (; died 124 BCE) was the fourth Shunga Emperor, who reigned from 131 to 124 BCE. He was the son of Emperor Agnimitra by his empress-consort Dharini and the brother or half-brother of Emperor Vasujyesththa and the step son of Empress Mālavikā, the third wife of Emperor Agnimitra.

Life Early life

In the Mālavikāgnimitram, act 5, verse 14, Kālidāsa tells us that Vasumitra guarded the sacrificial horse let loose by his grandfather Pushyamitra Shunga and he defeated a cavalry squadron of the Yona (Indo-Greeks) on the banks of the Indus River. At the news of the victory of her son Vasumitra, Dharini promises to reward Mālavikā, gives her to the King and gladly consents to their union. Vasumitra's victory played a vital role in the union of his father Agnimitra and Mālavikā.

After this happy termination of the course of the royal love, the play ends with the customary Bharatavakya which here takes the form of an expression of general peace and happiness among the King's subjects. Reign According to Sailendra Nath Sen, he (Vasumitra) "After becoming king, gave himself up to pleasure". Sensing an opportunity, enemies began plotting.