Important Dynasties of Ancient India

KASI Dynasty:
* One Of its ruler ASHRASENA was the father of 23rd Jain Thirthangara PARASAVANATH who lived 250 years before Mahavira

* Annexed by Kosala
HARYANKA Dynasty:
BIMBISARA:

* His Foreign Policy is Matrimonial Alliance

* He married Koshala Devi, Sister of Kosala Ruler PARSENAJIT and got Kasi as dowry
AJATASHATRU:

* Father: Bimbisara

* Mother: Chellana, Lichchhavi Princes

* First Buddhist Council @ Rajgir (483 BC-Prez: Makasappa)

* Conquered Vajjis Confederation after a prolonged struggle
UDAYIN:

* Found a city called PATALIPUTRA and made it as capital

* Killed by his minister SHISUNAGA
SHISUNAGA Dynasty:
SHISUNAGA: Annexed Avanthi
KALASOKA:

* Second Buddhist Council @ Vaishali (383 BC-Prez: Sabhagami)

* Killed by his minister MAHAPADMANANDA
NANDHA Dynasty:
MAHAPADMANANDA:

* Famously called Ugrasena (Terrible Army)

* Annexed Kalinga before Asoka (source: Hathigumba Inscription, Hathigumba, Orissa during period of Kalingan King KARAVELA)
DHANANANDHA:

* Last Ruler

* Alexanders Invasion (326BC) during his period, but he did not fight with Alexander

* Defeated by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of a Brahmin named Vishnu Gupta / Chankya / Kautilya

MAURYAN Dynasty:
CHANDRA GUPTA MAURYA:

* Meet Alexander @ Taxila; Followed Jainism

* Defeated Indo Greek ruler SELEUCUS NICADOR(his ambassador was MAGASTHANESE whose work are compiled as book called INDICA)

* Because of 12 year famine in gangetic plain he abdicated the throne to his son and came to Mysore (Chandragiri) to spread Jainism in South (lead by: BHADRABAHU who fasted unto death and died->called SALLEKANA->to obtain moksha)
BINDUSARA:

* Famously called Amitra Kartha (Slayer of foes); Followed Ajivikaism

* Recieved a Greek (Syria) ambassador DERMAELUS sent by the ruler ANTIOCHUS. Bindusara requested him to sent wine, fig and a philosopher or a sophist but Antiochus sent only wine and fig as per their custom.
ASOKA:

* His concept was Dharma or Dhamma

* To propagate it, he issued edict or inscriptions---Pillar and Rock(Minor and Major(14)).These edicts tell about the Kings Life.

* Among the 14, 2nd and 13th edicts are important

* 2nd->Asoka planted trees and laid roads & sent medical missionaries to neighbouring countries viz Chera, Chola, Pandiyas

* 13th->Fought Kalinga War in 201BC; Sent Buddhist missionaries to neighbouring countries; Also used the word Andrakas

* Third Buddhist Council @ Pataliputra (250BC-Prez: Mokaliputta Tissa)
BRCHARTHRAKA:

* Last Mauriyan Ruler Killed by his minister PUSHYAMITHRA SUNGA
SUNGA Dynasty:
PUSHYAMITHRA SUNGA:

* He was a Brahmin->So Brahmin revivalism took place

* Great grammarian or Father of Yoga PATHANJALI lived in his court
AGNIMITHRA:

* He was the hero or central play of Kalidasas book MALAVIKA AGNIMITHRA
BHAGAMITHRA/BHAGAVATHA GUPTA:

* Visit of Greek Ambassador Heliodorous (he was converted into Bhagavathism){source: Besanagar Inscription, Madhya Pradesh}
DEVABHUTI:

* Last Sunga Ruler; Killed by his minister VASUDEVA KANVA
KANVA Dynasty:
VASUDEVA KANVA: First Ruler
SUSARMAN: Was defeated and killed by SATAVAHANA ruler PULAMAYI I
SATAVAHANA Dynasty:

* They were Andhra People; Language: Prakrit; Founder: Simuka; Capital: Pratisthan/Python on the bank of river Godavari

* Issued a typical Coin called Potin (made of tin)
HALA: Wrote a book called GATASAPTASATI/SATHASI->says about love and lust
GAUTMIPUTRA SATAKARANI: Gave importance to woman
PULAMAYI IV: Last Ruler
GUPTA Dynasty:
CHANDRA GUPTA: Married Lichchavi Princess Kumaradevi; Issued Kumaradevi type of coin
SAMUDRA GUPTA: Called as Indian Napolean; Son of Chandra Gupta; Veena Player; Achievements are mentioned in Allahabad Inscription written by his commander HARISENA
CHANDRA GUPTA II: Achievements mentioned in Iron Pillar in Meruli (Old Delhi); Visit of Chinese traveller FA-HIEN (But he never met King); Took the title Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya
KUMARA GUPTA: Built Nalanada University @ Bihar; First Invasion of Huna (But got defeated)
SKANDHA GUPTA: Repeated Invasion of Huna Rulers but got defeated
VISHNU GUPTA: Last Ruler of Gupta Empire
by Abilash R K
Reference: NCERT