Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

The Mahayana sect of Buddhism emerged during the reign of Kanishka (c. 78-144 CE), who ruled the Kushan Empire. He convened the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana (Kashmir) where Mahayana Buddhism was formally recognized as a distinct path.

The Saka era began in 78 AD with the accession of Kanishka, the great Kushan ruler. This calendar system was widely used in ancient India and continues in some contexts today. Ashoka (3rd century BC) and Chandragupta II (4th century AD) lived in different periods. Harsha came much later (7th century AD). Kanishka's reign marked the beginning of this important chronological marker in Indian history.

The Maurya dynasty (322-185 BC) is the oldest among the options listed. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, it preceded the Kushan dynasty (1st-3rd century AD), the Gupta dynasty (4th-6th century AD), and the Kanva dynasty (1st century BC). The Mauryan Empire was India's first great empire, reaching its peak under Ashoka. Chronologically: Maurya → Kanva → Kushan → Gupta.

The Indo-Greek or Bactrian kings were the first rulers to issue coins bearing their names and portraits. This practice began around the 2nd century BCE. The Mauryas issued coins but did not typically bear the ruler's name, while Scythians and Kushans adopted this practice later.

Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus Nicator (Seleucus I) around 305-303 BCE. After this defeat, Seleucus ceded territories of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and eastern Persia to Chandragupta, and received 500 war elephants in return. Alexander died years before Chandragupta's rise, and Porus was defeated by Alexander, not Chandragupta.

Bana Bhatta was the court poet of Harshvardhana (Harsha) in the 7th century CE. He wrote the Harshacharita (biography of Harsha) and Kadambari. Pulakesin II was a Chalukya ruler. Samudragupta was a Gupta emperor. Tashovarman (possibly Harsha's contemporary) ruled Kanauj, but Bana served Harsha at Thanesar and later Kanauj.

Magadha was the most powerful kingdom of the sixth century BC.

The city of New Rajagriha was built by Bimbisara.

Malla was not a Monarchial state of the Mahajanpada period. It was a republican state.

The founder of Haryanaka Dynasty was Bimbisara.

Mahapadma laid the foundations of the Nanda Dynasty in 344 BC.

Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty.

Udayin laid the foundation of the city of Patliputra and made it his capital instead of Rajagriha.

Bimbisara and Ajatshatru were two powerful rulers of Magadha.

Battle of Vitasta was fought between Alexander and Porus.