Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

The southern Indian dynasties, including the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas, were all known for their maritime prowess, extensive naval trade, and encouragement of overseas exploration.

In the fifth century CE King Kashyap ahd caves dug out at aplace called 'Sigiriya'. The wall paintings in these caves bear a resemblance to the paintings in the Ajanta Caves.

The Ananda Temple in Bagan was built during the reign of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Kingdom around 1105 AD.

Rajaraja Chola I is historically credited with the naval expedition and conquest of the Maldives during his reign.

Parantaka I 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).

The Pallava’s rule continued upto the ninth century A.D. However their authority during the ninth century was no longer that of a major power. The last of the Pallavas, Aparajita Varma was defeated by Aditya Chola I by the early tenth century A.D.

 Durvinita was a famous king of this dynasty. He was a brave warrior and scholar. He ruled for a long period and gained control of Punnata in order to strengthen his Kingdom. The Nallala copper inscription reveal that he constructed many lakes for the purposes of irrigation. He was a lover of Literature and wrote creative works in Sanskrit and Kannada. He even translated the Prakrit work ‘Vaddakatha’ of Gunadya into Sanskrit. 

The earliest coins which were in use were punch marked coins. They have been given this name because the designs were punched on to the metal — silver or copper.

The Halmidi inscription was written during the reign of King Kakutsavarma.

The earliest deciphered epigraphic inscriptions are the Edicts of Ashoka of the 3rd century BCE, written in forms of Prakrit in the Brahmi script. The inscriptions and edicts of Asoka refer to a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Asoka, as well as boulders and cave walls. They are spread over modern-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Ashoka was born to Mauryan King Bindusara and his queen Devi Dharma in 304 B.C. Ashoka was the third ruler of the illustrious Maurya dynasty and was one of the most powerful kings of the Indian subcontinent in ancient times. His reign between 273 BC and 232 B.C. was one of the most prosperous periods in the history of India.

Junagad was a princely state in Saurashtra.It was ruled by the Muslim Babi or Babai dynasty in British India. It merged with India in February 1948 mainly due to the wishes of the people to be a part of India despite the Nawab wanting it to accede to Pakistan. 

Bimbisara, the king of Magadha, was a contemporary of both Mahavira and the Buddha and is known to have been a patron or supporter of both.

Lord Mahavira belonged to the Jnatrika tribe. His father was the chief of the Jnatrika clan, an indigenous oligarchical tribe.

Bimbisara (1) and Pradyota (4) are historically noted for their friendly relations with both Mahavira and the Buddha, often hosting them or providing support.