Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

The Rashtrakutas overthrew the last Chalukya king, Keertivarma II, effectively ending the Badami Chalukya dynasty and establishing their own power.

Chalukyas ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. The earliest Chalukyas were called Badami Chalukyas. Their last ruler Keerthivarman II was defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga in 753. Dantidurga established the Rashtrakuta dynasty that ruled the Deccan and neighbouring areas of India from about 755 to 975 CE.

Kodagu was ruled by many dynasties. Haleri Dynasty ruled Kodagu from seventeenth century. Bidanuru was their capital. Doddaveerappa is the most famous king of this dynasty. Chikkaveeraraj was the last ruler. He was very weak. The British took advantage of this and took over the administration. Kodagu remained an independent state after Indian independence. In 1956, it got integrated into then Mysuru State. 

Kodagu was ruled by many dynasties. Haleri Dynasty ruled Kodagu from seventeenth century. Bidanuru was their capital. Doddaveerappa is the most famous king of this dynasty. Chikkaveeraraj was the last ruler. He was very weak. The British took advantage of this and took over the administration. Kodagu remained an independent state after Indian independence. In 1956, it got integrated into then Mysuru State. 

The coastal area of Karnataka is called Tulunadu. Alupa Dynasty ruled over Tulunadu that includes the present Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts from 7th century to 14th century. Udyavara, Banavasi, Huncha and Mangalapura were the capitals of Alupas at different times. 

After the death of Baji Rao, Balaji Baji Rao become the Peshwa of Maratha kingdom. Under his period Maratha kingdom reached highest mark of expansion.

After the death of Shivaji Maharaj, he's eldest son Sambhaji bhosale become the ruler of Maharastra.He was called the 2nd Chhatrapati.He ruled over for 9 years.Sambhaji was captured and executed by the Mughals and then succeeded by Rajaram Chhatrapati.

Balaji Vishwanath is widely regarded as the second founder of the Maratha Kingdom. He consolidated the empire and established the Peshwa office as the dominant political force after a period of internal instability.

• Vinayaditya, the son and successor of Nripa Kama II was  an able Jain king of the Hoysala Empire, who distinguished himself as an able feudatory of the Kalyani Chalukyas during his long reign.
• He helped bring many small Malnad chiefs like the Kongalvas, Chengalvas, Santharas of Humcha Shimoga and the Kadambas of Bayalnadu (Vainadu) under control.

The founder of this dynasty, Sala, on the order of a Jain monk, Sudatta, fought with a tiger and, killed it. It inspired the people to exclaim 'Hoysala!' and he established his empire. The Hoysala kings made significant contributions to literature, education, art, architecture and irrigation.

Hoysala dynasty ruled in India from about 1006 to about 1346 CE in the southern Deccan and for a time in the Kaveri (Cauvery) River valley. The last ruler of the dynasty was Ballala III. He was killed at the battle of Madurai in 1343 after which the territories of his empire were merged with areas administered by Harihara I, the founder of Vijayanagar empire.

Megasthenes was a Greek diplomat who visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra and wrote the famous account 'Indica'.

The adoption of titles like 'Devaputra' (Son of God) by Kushana kings clearly indicates the assumption of divine kingship. The use of high-sounding titles was a common practice to assert authority, but the specific mention of 'Devaputra' is the primary indicator of divine status.

Kanishka ruled from Purushpura (city of men) or modern-day Peshawar in pakistan. The Kushana king had two capitals. Purushpura was his summer capital and the second one was Mathura.