Question

Who usurped power from the Maurya after killing the last Mauryan ruler Brihadartha?
A. Pushyamitra Sunga
B. Agnimitra
C. Vasumitra
D.Jyeshthamitra

Answer 1

Hint: He was the founder as well as the first ruler of the Shunga Empire that was present in East India. He was originally a Senapati "General" of the Maurya Empire.

Complete answer: Brihadratha Maurya was the very last ruler of the Maurya Empire. He had his rule from (c. 187 – c. 180 BCE), and was assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga, who was basically a general of the Maurya Empire. He instigated a coup during 185 BCE and went on in order to establish the Shunga Empire.
The Mauryan territories had centered on the capital of Pataliputra which had shrunk considerably from the time of Ashoka to when Brihadratha came to the throne.

Thus, Option A is the right answer.

Note:Pushyamitra is considerably recorded to have performed various Ashvamedha campaigns in order to legitimize his right to rule. The Buddhist texts also state that Pushyamitra cruelly persecuted the Buddhists, although some modern scholars have already expressed skepticism about these claims.