Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Kanishka was the greatest king of the Kushan dynasty that ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region. He was a great patron of Buddhism. He issued many coins during his rule that depicted Hindu, Buddhist, Greek, Persian and Sumerian-Elemite images of gods, showing his secular religious policy.

Charak was one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda and is chiefly known for being the author of Charak Samhita. He is regarded as "Father of Indian Medicine". He lived during the reign of Kanishka, the king of the Kushan dynasty that ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region.

Bimbisara(546-494 B.C.): He belonged to the Haryanka dynasty, ruled magadh, a follower of Jainism and was the contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautam Budhha.

Mahapadma Nanda: (400-329 B.C.): He was the powerful ruler of Nanda dynasty. He destroyed kshatriyas and assume the title of ‘ekrat’. Hathigumpha inscription of Kharvela Kalinga talks about conquests of Nandas.

Kanishka (78-120 A.D.): He was the famous ruler of Kushana dynasty. Founder of Saka era from 78 A.D. Mahayana Buddhism came into vogue during his times.

Skandgupta (455-467 A.D.): He was considered the last great Gupta ruler, he ascended the throne after Kumaragupta and saved the empire by defeating Huns.

Kushan dynasty ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region. Vima Kadphises was a Kushan emperor from approximately 90–100 CE. He was the Kushan emperor to first introduce gold coinage. Vima Kadphises was a Kushan emperor from approximately 90–100 CE. 

Nahapana was an important ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, a descendant of the Indo-Scythians, in northwestern India, was a great conqueror, was said to have gained fame by being well versed in grammar, polity, logic, music furthermore he had taken a vow not to kill men except in battle. 

Vima Kadphises, was a Kushan emperor from approximately 90–100 CE. He was the Kushan emperor to first introduce gold coinage, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage.

There are two phases of growth of composite culture as follows:

The Kandariya Mahadeva temple dedicated to Shiva was constructed in 999 AD by King Dhangadeva. Around 900 sculptures are carved into this sandstone temple which is built on granite foundation.

The Kabdariya Mahadeva tample dedicated to Shiva was constructed in 999 century  by the King Dharngadeva of the Chandela dynasty. The temples were decorated with elaborately carved sculptures.

Rajarajeshvara tample, An inscription mentions that it was built by King Rajarajadeva for the workship of his god. The Rajarajeshvara temple at Thanjavur had the tallest shikhara amongst temples of its time.

The Brihadeshwara temple, located in Thanjavur, was constructed by the Chola king Rajaraja I in the early 11th century.

The monolithic Ratha temples at Mahabalipuram were commissioned by the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I, also known as Mamalla.

Temples were destroyed by invading rulers as they were a large store of treasure and riches. Thus, temples were viewed as targets that were to be attacked in the course of battles.

In the early ninth century, when the Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka and defeated the king, he removed all the valuables like The statue of the Buddha made entirely of gold in the Jewel Palace and the golden images in the various monasteries.

The blow to the pride of the Sinhalese (Srilankan) ruler had to be avenged and the next Sinhalese ruler, Sena II ordered his general to invade Madurai the Pandyan capital.

Chandrasen Rathore also known as a forgotten hero was a ruler of Marwar, which is currently known as Jodhpur.  He defended his kingdom for nearly two decades against attacks from the Mughal Empire. He was succeeded by Udai Singh.