Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Vidudabha (also spelled Virudhaka) was the king of Kosala who destroyed the independent Shakya clan, which was Buddha's ancestral clan. This happened due to a longstanding grudge. Ajatasatru was a king of Magadha who became Buddha's follower, Prasenajit was also a king of Kosala but was Vidudabha's father, and Alexander had no connection to this event.

Greek writers referred to Chandragupta Maurya as 'Sandrocottus' and his son Bindusara as 'Amitrochates'. This Greek transliteration of Indian names is documented in accounts of Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court.

Vidudabha (or Virudhaka), son of Prasenajit of Kosala, destroyed the Shakya clan - Buddha's clan - in retaliation for being denied royal status in his maternal line. This event is documented in Buddhist traditions. Ajatasatru, Prasenajit, and Alexander did not destroy the Shakya clan.

Heliodorus was a Greek ambassador who served the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas. He erected the Garuda pillar at Besnagar (modern Vidisha) around 113 BCE, as recorded in the inscription on the pillar itself, which declares his devotion to Vishnu.

Maya (or Mayasura), the great architect of the Asuras, built the magnificent 'Maya Sabha' (palace) for the Pandavas at Indraprastha. Vishwakarma is the architect of the Devas, but Maya specifically built this palace as a gesture of gratitude to Arjuna.

Jayamkondar's 'Kalingattuparani' is a poetic work describing Kulothunga Cholan's military campaigns against Kalinga (Odisha). It's a war poem (parani genre) celebrating this Chola king's victories. Rajaraja, Rajendra, and Karikala were other prominent Chola kings but not the subject of this specific work.

Balarama was the elder brother of Krishna, born to Vasudeva and his first wife Rohini. After Vasudeva was imprisoned by Kamsa, Balarama was secretly carried across the Yamuna river to Gokul to be raised by Nandhagopa.

The Hathigumpha inscription is associated with Kharavela, the ruler of Kalinga in the 1st century BCE. It is found in Udayagiri, Odisha and describes his reign and conquests. Ashoka's edicts are found elsewhere, and Harsha ruled much later.

Onam is a major festival in Kerala celebrated in memory of the legendary Asura King Mahabhali (also known as Bali). According to Hindu mythology, Mahabhali was a just and generous ruler whose reign was considered a golden age. The festival commemorates his annual return to visit his subjects.

Emperor Ashoka commissioned the original stupa at Sanchi in the 3rd century BCE. The Sunga dynasty later expanded it. Vikramaditya ruled centuries later, Harsha in the 7th century CE, and Buddha lived before the stupa was built.

Kubera is the Hindu god of wealth and the lord of treasures, serving as the treasurer of the gods. He rules over the mythical city of Alaka and is often depicted as a dwarf with a pot of money. Agni is the fire god, Vayu is the wind god, and Indra is the king of gods but not specifically associated with wealth.

The House of Lac (Lakshagriha) was built by Purochana, a trusted architect of Duryodhana, who constructed it using flammable lacquer materials to burn the Pandavas alive.

The Wodeyar dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Mysore for nearly 550 years, establishing it as a major power in South India with notable cultural and architectural achievements.

Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty conquered Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) in the Kalinga War (around 261 BCE). This conquest was significant because Kalinga had remained independent and had not been captured by any previous ruler in the Mauryan dynasty, including Chandragupta Maurya or Bindusara. The brutal war and its aftermath deeply affected Ashoka, leading to his conversion to Buddhism and adoption of pacifist policies.

Ashoka was called 'Chanda Ashoka' (fierce/terrible Ashoka) because of his brutal path to the throne. According to Buddhist and historical traditions, he killed 99 of his 100 brothers to eliminate rivals, beheading Susima and throwing bodies in a well. The Kalinga war came later, as did his conversion to Buddhism and marriage to Devi. 'Chanda' reflects his cruelty before embracing Buddhism.