Image Source Jul 06, 2021 15:30 IST · 1 min read
India has a very interesting history which has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties. Here is a list of Important Dynasties and Kingdoms of India, their Founder and Capital.
| Dynasty | Place | Founder | Capital | Famous King | Last king | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haryankas (544-413 BCE) |
Magadha | Bimbisara | Rajgir (Girivraja), Patliputra | Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Udayin | Nagasaka | The capital shifted to Pataliputra, The 1st Buddhist Council |
| Shishunaga (413-345 BCE) |
Magadha | Shisunaga | Rajgir | Shishunaga and Kakavarna Kalasoka | Mahanandin | Destruction of Avanti and the 2nd Buddhist Council |
| Nanda (345-321 BCE) |
Magadha | Mahapadma Nanda | Pataliputra | Mahapadma Nanda, Dhana Nanda | Dhana Nanda | Alexander invaded India |
| Maurya (321-185 BCE) |
Magadha | Chandragupta Maurya | Pataliputra | Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Ashoka | Brihadratha | Defeated the invasion led by Seleucus Nikator, a 3rd Buddhist counci |
| Indo-Scythians Kingdom (The Shaka) (150 BCE-400 CE) |
Magadha | Maues alias Moga | Sigal, Taxila, Mathura | Rudradaman, Vikramaditya | Repaired Sudarsan Lake, Junagarh inscription | |
| The Kushans/ Yeuchi (30-375 CE) |
Magadha | Yuezhi | Bamiyan, Peshawar, Taxila, Mathura | Kanishka | Issued gold coins, 4th Buddhist council | |
| Shunga (185-75 BCE) |
Magadha | Pushyamitra shunga | Pataliputra later Vidisha | Agnimitra, Bhagabhadra and Devbhuti | Devbhuti | |
| Kanva (73 -26 BCE) |
Magadha | Vasudeva Kanva | Pataliputra | Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susharman | Susharman | |
| Gupta (240-550 CE) |
Sri Gupta | Pataliputra | Vishnu Gupta | |||
| Pandyan (550-1350 CE) |
Tamil Nadu and Southern region | Koon Pandiyan(south Pandya) Kadunkoen(Central Pandya) |
Korakai, Madurai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli | Nedujadaiyan | Jatavarman Parakrama Pandyan | Trade with roman empire and sent embassies to Emperor Augustus |
| Chola (300s BC-1279 CE) |
Northeast of Pandya Kingdom | Vijayalaya Chola | Poompuhar, Urayur, Tiruvarur, Pazhaiyaarai, Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram | Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola, Virarajendra Chola and Kulothunga Chola I | Rajendra Chola III | Annexed Sri Lanka |
| Satavahana (271 BC-220 BC) |
Deccan region | Simuka | Pratistanapuram, Amaravathi | Gautamiputra Satakarni | Yajna Sri Satakarni | Issued coins made up of lead, copper, and bronze |
| Ikshvaku dynasty | Kosala kingdom to the banks of Sarayu river | Ikshavaku | Saketa, Ayodhya | Kusha, Nala II |
Executed the Manusmriti | |
| Kushan (80-125) | Kajula Kadaphis | Bagram, Peshawar, Taxila, Mathura |
Kipu Nanda | |||
| Pallavas (272-885) |
South Indian region and some parts of Sri Lanka | Bappadevan | Kanchipuram | Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I | Aparajita Varman | Visit of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang |
| Chera Dynasty (3rd century BCE-12th century CE) |
Kongunadu and some parts of Present Kerala | Vanavaramban | Mahodayapuram, Quilon, Karuvur | Perumchottu Uthiyan Cheralathan, Cheraman Kudako Ilancheral Irumporai | Foreign trade | |
| Chalukya (543-753) |
South Indian region and central India | Pulakeshin 1 (Deccan Chalukyas) |
Badami | Pulakesin II, Vikramaditya II | Kriti Varman | Art and architecture flourished in South India |
| Rashtrakutas (735-982) |
Central and West India | Danti Durga | Manyakheta | Indra IV | ||
| Slave (1206-1290) |
Delhi Sultanate | Qutub-ud-din Aibak | Delhi, Lahore, Daulatabad | Qutb ud-Din Aibak (1206-1210), Iltutmish (1211-1236), Razia Sultana (1236-1240), Ghiyas ud din Balban (1266-1287) | Muizuddin Qaiqabad | |
| Khilji (1290-1320) |
Delhi sultanate | Jalal-ud-din | Delhi | Jalal ud din Khalji (1290-1296), Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316) | Khusro Khan | |
| Thuglaq (1320-1413) |
Delhi sultanate | Ghiyas-Ud-Din | Delhi | Ghiyas-Ud-Din Tughluq (1321-1325), Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325-1351), Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) | Feoza sha | |
| Lodhi (1451-1526) |
Bahlo | Delhi | Bahlul Khan Lodi (1451-1489), Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517), Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526) | Ibrahim | ||
| Mughal (1526-1857) |
Babur | Delhi | Bahadur Shah II | |||
| Sur Empire (1540-1556) | Northern part of the Indian subcontinent | Sher Shah Suri | Sasaram | Sher Shah Suri (1540-45) | Adil Shah Suri |