Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Kanishka the Great expanded the Kushana Empire significantly, holding territories that extended into Central Asia beyond the Pamir mountains.

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.

Menander I, also known as Milinda, was a famous Indo-Greek king who ruled the Indo-Greek Kingdom and famously converted to Buddhism, as recorded in the Buddhist text Milinda Panha. The other options do not share this historical distinction regarding Buddhism.

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.

The Shekhawat sub-clan of Kachwaha dynasty ruled for more than 400 years in the region of Shekhawati. It was founded by Rao Shekha who declared himself as an independent and established an independent province. This sub-clan has built several forts and palaces in the province of Shekhawati. 

The Sisodiya dynasty of Mewar, led by Maharana Pratap, famously refused to submit to the Mughal Emperor Akbar, maintaining their independence despite significant pressure.

Vijayalaya's grandson Parantaka I  became the king after Vijayalaya's death. He was an ambitious ruler and engaged himself in wars of conquest from the beginning of his reign. He conquered Madurai from the Pandya ruler Rajasimha II. He assumed the title of Maduraikonda (captor of Madurai).

Rajendra Chola's army marched up to the east coast of India, through Orissa, and up to the Ganga river. Rajendra Chola himself led the army up to the Godavari. The Chola army defeated Mahipala, king of Bengal. To commemorate this victory, he adopted the title of Gangaikonda and built a new capital called Gangaikonda-Cholapuram. 

Rajendra I was a Chola emperor who is considered one of the greatest rulers and military generals of India. He succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I in 1014 CE. During his reign, he extended the influence of the Chola empire to the banks of the river Ganga in North India and across the Indian ocean to the West, making the Chola Empire as one of the most powerful empires of India.

Rajaraja was aware of the importance of controlling the sea. He decided to show his strength along the coasts of South India. So, he took out a naval expedition and attacked both Sri Lanka and the Maldive Islands. However, he did not succeed in controlling them.