Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

The Kushan dynasty, particularly under rulers like Vima Kadphises, is credited with introducing gold and silver coins into the Indian economy on a large scale.

The Heliodorus pillar is an ancient Indian stone column erected around 113 BCE by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador to the court of the Shunga king Bhagabhadra.

Pushyamitra Sunga was the founder and first ruler of the Sunga dynasty, which he established after the fall of the Mauryan Empire.

While there is historical debate, Kanishka is traditionally associated with the establishment of the Saka era, which is used in the Indian national calendar.

Lord Mahavira was born in Kundagrama near Vaishali, which was the capital of the Licchavi republic.

The earliest phase of the Ajanta Caves (c. 2nd century BCE) was patronized by the Satavahanas, but the later, more famous phase was under the Vakatakas in the 5th century CE. The question likely refers to the major artistic development phase.

The famous Sanskrit poet Rajasekhara was the court poet of the Pratihara king Mahipala I.

In Gupta inscriptions and literature, gold coins were referred to as 'Dinara', which was derived from the Roman 'denarius'.

In the Vijayanagara Empire, the provincial governors or military commanders who held land grants were known as Nayaks. They exercised significant authority in their respective regions.

Turushkadanda was a tax levied by the Gahadavala dynasty of Kannauj. It is believed to have been a tax collected to defend against Turkic invasions.

The Eastern Chalukyas, a branch of the Chalukyas of Badami, established their kingdom in the Vengi region, making Vengi their capital.

The Indo-Greeks, or Bactrian Greeks, were the first foreign power to invade and establish rule in north-western India following the decline of the Mauryan Empire.

Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was the mentor and advisor who helped Chandragupta Maurya overthrow the Nanda dynasty and establish the Mauryan Empire.