Who was the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty, whose assassination led to the establishment of the Shunga dynasty?

Introduction / Context:
The Maurya dynasty, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, was one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient India. After reaching its peak under Ashoka, the empire gradually declined. Eventually, the last Mauryan ruler was killed by one of his own generals, leading to the rise of a new dynasty. This question asks you to identify that last Mauryan ruler.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The dynasty in question is the Maurya dynasty.
• We know that the Shunga dynasty succeeded the Mauryas in Magadha.
• The last Mauryan ruler was murdered by Pushyamitra Sunga, his commander-in-chief.
• The options list several prominent ancient Indian rulers.

Concept / Approach:
We must recall the sequence of Mauryan rulers after Ashoka. After several lesser-known successors, the last ruler was Brihadratha. According to historical tradition, he was assassinated during a military parade by Pushyamitra Sunga, who then established the Shunga dynasty. Therefore, we need to connect the end of the Mauryas with the name Brihadratha.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire, followed by Bindusara and then Ashoka.2. After Ashoka's death, the empire weakened, passing through the hands of several little-known rulers.3. Brihadratha is recorded in tradition as the last Mauryan ruler.4. Pushyamitra Sunga, the commander-in-chief, killed Brihadratha at a military review and took power.5. Pushyamitra thus became the founder of the Shunga dynasty, not a Mauryan ruler himself.6. Therefore, the last Mauryan king was Brihadratha.

Verification / Alternative check:
Basic ancient Indian history texts consistently present the narrative that Brihadratha was the last Mauryan emperor and that his assassination marked the formal end of the Maurya dynasty. Pushyamitra Sunga is always described as the founder of the Shunga dynasty, not as a Mauryan king. Ashoka and Bindusara, though important rulers, lived earlier; Harsha belonged to a much later dynasty altogether.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Pushyamitra Sunga: He killed the last Mauryan ruler and founded the Shunga dynasty; he was not himself a Mauryan king.
• Ashoka: One of the greatest Mauryan rulers but not the last; he ruled earlier and was followed by several successors.
• Harsa: Harshavardhana (Harsha) ruled in the seventh century CE, many centuries after the Mauryas, and belongs to a different dynasty.
• Bindusara: Son of Chandragupta and father of Ashoka, who reigned before Ashoka, not at the end of the dynasty.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse the founder of the successor dynasty with the last ruler of the earlier dynasty, leading them to wrongly choose Pushyamitra Sunga. Others may mistakenly choose Ashoka simply because he is the most famous Mauryan. Always pay attention to the words 'last ruler' and relate them to the transition from Maurya to Shunga rule in Magadha.

Final Answer:
The last ruler of the Maurya dynasty was Brihadratha.