The Shunga dynasty was founded by:

The Shunga dynasty was founded around 185 BCE by Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmin general (senapati) of the last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha. According to the "Harshacharita" of Banabhatta, Pushyamitra killed Brihadratha during a military parade (review of the army) and seized the throne. This marked the end of the Mauryan Empire.

The Shungas ruled over central and north India, with Pataliputra as their capital, and Vidisha as an important centre. Their rule lasted about 112 years, until around 73 BCE.

Important facts about the Shungas:

Pushyamitra performed two Ashvamedha (horse) sacrifices to assert his power. The grammarian Patanjali, who wrote the "Mahabhashya", a commentary on Panini's grammar, is believed to have been his priest at these sacrifices.

Pushyamitra fought against the Indo-Greeks (Yavanas), who invaded from the north-west. His grandson Vasumitra defeated them on the banks of the Sindhu river, as described in Kalidasa's play "Malavikagnimitram", which has his son Agnimitra as its hero.

Buddhist texts describe Pushyamitra as a persecutor of Buddhism, but historians debate this, since important Buddhist monuments such as the Bharhut Stupa and the stone railings of the Sanchi Stupa were built or enlarged during the Shunga period.

The Heliodorus Pillar (Garuda Pillar) at Besnagar, near Vidisha, was erected around 113 BCE by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas, at the court of the Shunga king Bhagabhadra. Heliodorus described himself as a devotee of Vasudeva (Vishnu).

The Shungas revived Brahmanical traditions and Sanskrit.

The last Shunga ruler, Devabhuti, was killed by his minister Vasudeva Kanva, who founded the Kanva dynasty (about 73-28 BCE). The Kanvas were overthrown by the Satavahanas.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Vasudeva Kanva founded the Kanva dynasty.
• ✗Simuka founded the Satavahana dynasty in the Deccan.
• ✗Kharavela was the Chedi king of Kalinga, known from the Hathigumpha inscription.