Kanva dynasty was an ancient Indian dynasty which ruled from 72 BC to 28 BC in parts of eastern and central India. The founder of the dynasty was Vasudeva who brought an end to the Shunga (also spelt Sunga) kingdom by ordering the killing of its last ruler Devabhuti or Devabhumi of whom the former was a minister. This has been attested by 7th-century Sanskrit author Bana, who describes how Devabhuti fell prey to an assassination plot by Vasudeva and was eventually killed by a slave girl dressed in the guise of a queen.
According to the Puranas, Vasudeva ruled for 9 years and was succeeded by his son named Bhumimitra who ruled for 14 years. Next in the line of the Kanvas was Bumimitra’s son Narayana who ruled for 12 years. The fourth and last ruler of the dynasty was Narayana’s son Susarman who reigned for 10 years. Susarman was killed by the Satavahana (Andhra) ruler and with this the Kanva dynasty came to an end. Kanva dynasty is also known as Kanvayanas.
Like the Shungs, the Kanvas were also brahmanas.