Dynasties of Ancient India

Indo Greeks

First to invade India were the Greeks who were called Indo-Greeks.

The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menanderwith his Capital at Sakala in Punjab (Modern Sialkot)

The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India.

Menander was converted into a Buddhist by Buddhist monk Nagasena (Nagarjuna)

Demitrius, the king of Bacteria invaded India about 190BC. He is considered as Second Alexander (But the Indian ruler who accepted the name second Alexander (Sikandar-i-sani) was Alauddin Khilji) Indo-Greeks were the first to introduce military
governorship in India.

Kushan Empire

Kujula Kadphises is considered to be the founder of Kushan Empire. He established the kingdom by unifying the disparate Yuezhi tribes of ancient Bactria in the early 1st century AD and expanded its territory of present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, southern Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

He established the capital of Kushan Empire near Kabul.

During the period of first to mid-third centuries AD, Kushan expanded rapidly and represented as a major power in Central Asia and northern India.

The most famous Kushana ruler was Kanishka. He became the ruler in 78 AD and started Saka Era in 78 AD.

The Capital of Kanishka was Peshawar or Purushapura. Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council in Kashmir.

The Gandhara School of Art received royal patronage under the Kushans. Kanishka patronised Mahayana form of Buddhism.

The first month of Saka era is Chaithra and the last month is Phalguna.

Vasudeva was the last great king of Kushana Dynasty.

Kushana school of art is also referred to as the Mathura school.

Sunga Dynasty

Sunga dynasty was established by Pusyamitra Sunga in 185 BC after assassinating the last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha.

The capital of Sunga Dynasty was Pataliputra of ancient Magadha.

Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitram is about the love story of Pushyamitra’s son Agnimitra and

Last King of sunga dynasty was Devabhuti. he ruled the kingdom from 83 to 73 BC

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and Mahabhasya were composed in this period. The ancient Sanskrit grammar, Ashtadayayi by Panini was composed during the period of Sunga Period.

Kanva Dynasty

Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva in 72 BC after defeating the last Sunga ruler Devabhuti.

This dynasty ruled for a period of 45 years.

Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susuman were the rulers of Kanva dynasty.

Satavahana Dynasty

Satavahanas were the most powerful ruling dynastyafter the Mauryas.

Satavahanas were also known as Andhras.

Satavahanas were the Indian rulers who prefixed their mother’s name along with their names.

Most important Satavahana ruler was Gautamiputra Satakarni. Satavahanas were Brahmanas.

Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati in Andhrapradesh became important seats of Buddhist culture under the Satavahanas.

The two common structures of Satavahanas were the temple called Chaitya and the monastery called Vihara.

The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit

The Cholas

Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola empire. He was a feudatory of the Pallavas of Kanchi.

Raja Raja I (985 - 1014) adopted the titles of Arumudivarman, Mammudichodadeva, Jaykonda, Marthanda Chola, Mamudichola etc. He built the Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjavur. which is called the RajaRajeswara temple.

Rajendra I led an expedition to North India, defeated the Pala ruler Mahipala I and adtoped the title, Gangaikondachola and established a new Capital, Gangai Konda Cholapuram. Cholas maintained a well established local – self government system. Ur, Sabha or Mahasabha - and Nagaram were the assemblies for local administration.

The Uttaramerur inscription of Dantivarman Pallava gives details about the local self government.