The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c30.36

v1.c30.36

Underlying such legends we may no doubt recognise certain historical facts. Pushyamitra was regarded as a champion of the Brāhman reaction which set in after the triumph of Buddhism during Açoka's reign. He was remembered as a king of Magadha and as suzerain over dominions in the Punjab which had owned the sway of his Maurya predecessors. The subsequent fate of his chief capital, Pāṭaliputra, is obscure; but Çākala was soon—within his own lifetime as it would seem—to be wrested from the Çuṅgas by the Yavanas and to become the capital of king Menander (p. 549).