Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Harshavardhana is often praised for his administrative efficiency and military prowess, similar to Samudragupta, while also being noted for his benevolence and religious tolerance, which draws comparisons to Ashoka.

After the downfall of the Gupta Empire in the middle of the 6th century, North India was split into several independent kingdoms. The northern and western regions of India passed into the hands of a dozen or more feudatory states. Prabhakara Vardhana, the ruler of Sthanvisvara, who belonged to the Vardhana family, extended his control over neighbouring states. Prabhakar Vardhana was the first king of the Vardhana dynasty with his capital at Thaneswar. After Prabhakar Vardhana's death in 605, his eldest son, Rajya Vardhana, ascended the throne. Harsha Vardhana was Rajya Vardhana's younger brother. This period of kings from the same line has been referred to as the Vardhana dynasty or Pushyabuthi dynasty in several sources.

Historical tradition credits King Harshavardhana with the organization of the Kumbh Mela at Prayag (Allahabad) during his reign, as part of his quinquennial charity assemblies.

Harshavardhana is historically recognized as the last great Hindu emperor of northern India before the onset of the medieval period and the rise of regional powers.

The Maukharis ruled from Kannauj, the Pusyabhutis (Vardhans) were based in Thaneshvar, Sasanka ruled from Bengal (Gauda), and the Maitrakas were based in Valabhi, Gujarat.

Rajya Vardhanas and Harshas sister Rajyashri had been married to the Maukhari king, Grahavarman. This king, some years later, had been defeated and killed by king Devagupta of Malwa and after his death Rajyashri had been cast into prison by the victor. Harsha's brother, Rajya Vardhana, then the king at Thanesar, could not stand this affront on his family, marched against Devagupta and defeated him. But it so happened at this moment that Shashanka, king of Gauda in Eastern Bengal, entered Magadha as a friend of Rajyavardhana, but in secret alliance with the Malwa king. Accordingly, Shashanka treacherously murdered Rajyavardhana. On hearing about the murder of his brother, Harsha resolved at once to march against the treacherous king of Gauda and killed Shashanka in a battle.

The Cholas, the Cheras, and the Pandyas were the three prominent ancient Tamil kingdoms. But The Hoysalas were basically a Kannadiga empire, which ruled a large part of modern-day Karnataka and some parts of Andhra Pradesh between the 10th and the 14th centuries. They contributed much to the growth of Kannada language and literature.

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, was the Brahmin advisor who helped Chandragupta Maurya establish the Mauryan Empire.

There were twelve ruler in Dakshinapatha. They surrendered to Samudragupta after being defeated and he then allowed them to rule again. 

Prayaga (the old name for Allahabad), Ujjain and Patliputra (Patna) were important centres of the Gupta rulers.

Chandragupta II, a powerful Gupta emperor, adopted the title 'Vikramaditya' after defeating the Shakas.

King Vishnugopa of Pallava dynasty was defeated and then liberated by Samudra Gupta, the emperor of Magadha, about the middle of the 4th century CE during Samudragupta's southern conquests. 

The Gupta empire was an ancient Indian empire founded by Sri Gupta that lasted from 240 to 590 CE. At the beginning of the 4th century, the Guptas established and ruled a few small Hindu kingdoms in Magadha and around modern-day Bihar and covered most of North-central India. Their period of reign was called Golden Age of India. Chandragupta II had the title of Vikramaditya. He is often characterized as an ideal king because of his generosity, courage, and patronage of scholars.

Samudragupta was the second emperor of the Gupta dynasty. His brilliant leadership and victories earned him the title of ‘Napoleon of India’. He was a great patron of art. He had renowned poet Harisena in his court who inscribed the king’s bravery on the famous Allahabad Pillar.