Consider the following statements: 1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga. 2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne 3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhra’s. Which of these statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is D because all three statements accurately describe the historical transitions of power in ancient India. Statement 1 is correct. In 185 BC, the Mauryan Empire ended when the last ruler, Brihadratha, was killed by his military commander, Pushyamitra Sunga, during an army review. This led to the establishment of the Sunga dynasty. Statement 2 is correct. The Sunga dynasty ended around 73 BC when the final king, Devabhuti, was murdered by his minister Vasudeva Kanva. Vasudeva then founded the Kanva dynasty. Statement 3 is correct. The Kanva dynasty was short-lived. Its last ruler, Susarman, was overthrown by the Satavahanas, who are also referred to as the Andhras in Puranic texts. Since all three historical successions are described accurately, 1, 2, and 3 are correct.