The disintegration of the mighty Mauryan empire began upon Ashoka’s death around 233–232 BC. After him, the empire continued to last for another half-century before giving way to the Śungas whose founder Pushyamitra overthrew Brihadratha, the last Mauryan emperor, by way of a palace revolution in about 183 BC.
After the death of Asoka, the territory of Mauryan empire was divided into the eastern and western parts. Sampriti and Dasaratha succeeded Asoka in the western and eastern parts respectively.
Samprati had embraced Jainism. He was converted to the religion by Jain monk Suhastin.
His contribution to Jainism is similar to that of Asoka to Buddhism. After a rule of nine years Samprati was followed by his son Salisuka who ruled for 13 years.
The other eastern half of the Mauryan empire with Pataliputra as the capital came under the control of Dasaratha who is known to have dedicated three caves in the Nagarjuni Hills (in Bihar) to the Ajivikas.
According to Kalhana's 12th century Kashmiri chronicle, Rajatarangini, Jalauka, also spelled Jaluka, was Asoka's successor.
The last two Mauryan rulers were Satadhanvan and Brihadratha who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga.
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