Early types of historic documentation include metal coins with an indication of the ruler, or at least the dynasty, at the time. These Punch-marked coins were issued around 600s BCE and are found in abundance from the Maurya Empire in 300s BCE.
There are also stone inscriptions and documentary records from foreign cultures from around this time. The main imperial or quasi-imperial rulers of North India are fairly clear from this point on, but many local rulers, and the situation in the Deccan and South India has less clear stone inscriptions from early centuries. Main sources of South Indian history is Sangam Literature dated from 600s BCE. Time period of ancient Indian rulers is speculative, or at least uncertain.
Greatest emperor of dynasty. His son Kunala was blinded and died before his father. Ashoka was succeeded by his grandson. Also known for Kalinga war victory.
Gonanda III founded a new dynasty. (I.191) He belonged to Rama's lineage, and restored the Nāga rites
Vibhishana I
53 years, 6 months
1147 BCE
Indrajit
35 years
1094 BCE
Ravana
30 years, 6 months
–
A Shivalinga attributed to Ravana could still be seen at the time of Kalhana.
Vibhishana II
35 years, 6 months
1058 BCE
Nara I (Kinnara)
40 years, 9 months
1023 BCE
His queen eloped with a Buddhist monk, so he destroyed the Buddhist monasteries and gave their land to the Brahmins. He tried to abduct a Nāga woman, who was the wife of a Brahmin. Because of this, the Nāga chief burnt down the king's city, and the king died in the fire.
Siddha
60 years
983 BCE
Siddha, the son of Nara, was saved from Nāga's fury, because he was away from the capital at the time. He was a religious king, and followed a near-ascetic lifestyle.
Utpalaksha
30 years, 6 months
923 BCE
Son of Siddha
Hiranyaksha
37 years, 7 months
893 BCE
Son of Utpalaksha
Hiranyakula
60 years
855 BCE
Son of Hiranyaksha
Vasukula (Mukula)
60 years
795 BCE
Son of Hiranyakula. During his reign, the Mlechchhas (possibly Hunas) overran Kashmir.
Mihirakula
70 years
735 BCE
According to historical evidence, Mihirakula's predecessor was Toramana. Kalhana mentions a king called Toramana, but places him much later, in Book 3.[10] According to Kalhana, Mihirakula was a cruel ruler who ordered killings of a large number of people, including children, women and elders. He invaded the Sinhala Kingdom, and replaced their king with a cruel man. As he passed through Chola, Karnata and other kingdoms on his way back to Kashmir, the rulers of these kingdoms fled their capitals and returned only after he had gone away. On his return to Kashmir, he ordered killings of 100 elephants, who had been startled by the cries of a fallen elephant. Once, Mihirakula dreamt that a particular stone could be moved only by a chaste woman. He put this to test: the women who were unable to move the stone were killed, along with their husbands, sons and brothers. He was supported by some immoral Brahmins. In his old age, the king committed self-immolation.
Vaka (Baka)
63 years, 18 days
665 BCE
A virtuous king, he was seduced and killed by a woman named Vatta, along with several of his sons and grandsons.
Kshitinanda
30 years
602 BCE
The only surviving child of Vaka
Vasunanda
52 years, 2 months
572 BCE
"Originator of the science of love"
Nara II
60 years
520 BCE
Son of Vasunanda
Aksha
60 years
460 BCE
Son of Nara II
Gopaditya
60 years, 6 days
400 BCE
Son of Aksha. Gave lands to Brahmins. Expelled several irreligious Brahmins who used to eat garlic (non-Sattvic diet); in their place, he brought others from foreign countries.
Gokarna
57 years, 11 months
340 BCE
Son of Gopaditya
Narendraditya I (Khingkhila)
36 years, 3 months, 10 days
282 BCE
Son of Gokarna
Yudhisthira I
34 years, 5 months, 1 day
246 BCE to 167 BCE
Called "the blind" because of his small eyes. In later years of his reign, he started patronizing unwise persons, and the wise courtiers deserted him. He was deposed by rebellious ministers, and granted asylum by a neighboring king. His descendant Meghavahana later restored the dynasty's rule.
Pratapaditya's dynasty (c. 167 BCE – 25 CE)
No kings mentioned in this book have been traced in any other historical source.[10] These kings ruled Kashmir for 192 years.[9]
Shared the administration with his queen. The couple sheltered their citizens in the royal palace during a severe famine resulting from heavy frost. After his death, the queen committed sati. The couple died childless.
Vijaya
8 years
67 BCE
From a different dynasty than Tungjina.
Jayendra
37 years
59 BCE
Son of Vijaya: his "long arms reached to his knees". His flatters instigated him against his minister Sandhimati. The minister was persecuted, and ultimately imprisoned because of rumors that he would succeed the king. Sandhimati remained in prison for 10 years. In his old age, the childless king ordered killing of Sandhimati to prevent any chance of him becoming a king. He died after hearing about the false news of Sandhimati's death.
Sandhimati
47 years
22 BCE to 25 CE
Sandhimati was selected by the citizens as the new ruler. He ascended the throne reluctantly, at the request of his guru Ishana. He was a devout Shaivite, and his reign was marked by peace. He filled his court with rishis (sages), and spent his time in forest retreats. Therefore, his ministers replaced him with Meghavahana, a descendant of Yudhishthira I. He willingly gave up the throne.
Meghavahana was the son of Yudhisthira I's great-grandson, who had been granted asylum by Gopaditya, the king of Gandhara. Meghavahana had been selected the husband of a Vaishnavite princess at a Swayamvara in another kingdom. The ministers of Kashmir brought him to Kashmir after Sandhimati proved to be an unwilling king. Meghavahana banned animal slaughter and compensated those who earned their living through hunting. He patrnozed Brahmins, and set up a monastery. His queens built Buddhist viharas and monasteries. He subdued kings in regions as far as Sinhala Kingdom, forcing them to abandon animal slaughter.
Shreshtasena (Pravarasena I / Tungjina II)
30 years
59 CE
Son of Meghavahana
Hiranya
30 years, 2 months
89 CE
Son of Shreshtasena, assisted by his brother and co-regent Toramana. The king imprisoned Toramana, when the latter stuck royal coins in his own name. Toramana's son Pravarasena, who had been brought up in secrecy by his mother Anjana, freed him. Hiranya died childless. Several coins of a king named Toramana have been found in the Kashmir region. This king is identified by some with Huna ruler Toramana, although his successor Mihirakula is placed much earlier by Kalhana.[10]
Matrigupta
4 years, 9 months, 1 day
120 CE
According to Kalhana, the emperor Vikramditya (alias Harsha) of Ujjayini defeated the Shakas, and made his friend and poet Matrigupta the ruler of Kashmir. After Vikramaditya's death, Matrigupta abdicated the throne in favour of Pravarasena. According to D. C. Sircar, Kalhana has confused the legendary Vikramaditya of Ujjain with the Vardhana Emperor Harsha (c. 606–47 CE).[12] The latter is identified with Shiladitya mentioned in Xuanzang's account. However, according to M. A. Stein, Kalhana's Vikramaditya is another Shiladitya mentioned in Xuanzang's account: a king of Malwa around 580 CE.[13]
Historical evidence suggests that a king named Pravarasena ruled Kashmir in the 6th century CE.[10] According to Kalhana, Pravarasena subdued many other kings, in lands as far as Saurashtra. He restored the rule of Vikramaditya's son Pratapshila (alias Shiladitya), who had been expelled from Ujjain by his enemies. Pratapshila agreed to be a vassal of Pravarasena after initial resistance. He founded a city called Pravarapura, which is identified by later historians as the modern city of Srinagar on the basis topographical details.[14]
Yudhishthira II
39 years, 8 months
185 CE
Son of Pravarasena
Narendraditya I (Lakshmana)
13 years
206 CE
Son of Yudhishthira II and Padmavati
Ranaditya I (Tungjina III)
42 years
219 CE
Younger brother of Narendraditya. His queen Ranarambha was an incarnation of Bhramaravasini. The Chola king Ratisena had found her among the waves, during an ocean worship ritual.
Vikramaditya
42 years
267 CE
Son of Ranaditya
Baladitya
36 years, 8 months
309 to 345 CE
Younger brother of Vikramaditya. He subdued several enemies. An astrologer prophesied that his son-in-law would succeed him as the king. To avoid this outcome, the king married his daughter Anangalekha to Durlabhavardhana, a handsome but non-royal man from Ashvaghama Kayastha caste.
Kuru II was the ruler of
Puru dynasty after whom the dynasty was named Kuruvāmshā and the kingdom was renamed from Puru dynasty to Kuru Kingdom. He had three sons, namely Vidhuratha I who became the ruler of Pratisthana, Vyushitaswa who died at a very young age, and Sudhanva, who became the ruler of Magadha. So Vidhuratha I became the king of Hastinapura.
There were 52 Janaka (kings) ruled Videha dynasty of Mithila-[21]
Mithi - (founder of Mithila and the first Janaka)[22]
Udavasu
Nandivardhana
Suketu
Devarata
Brihadvrata
Mahavira
Sudhriti
Dristaketu
Haryasva
Maru
Pratindhaka
Kritiratha
Devamidha
Vibhuta
Mahidhrata
Kirtirata
Mahorama
Swarnorama
Hrisvaroma
Seeradhwaja
Bhaanumaan
Shatadyumn
Shuchi
Oorjnaamaa
Kriti
Anjan
Kurujit
Arishtnemi
Shrutaayu
Supaarshwa
Srinjaya
Kshemaavee
Anenaa
Bhaumarath
Satyarath
Upagu
Upagupt
Swaagat
Swaanand
Suvarchaa
Supaarshwa
Subhaash
Sushrut
Jaya
Vijaya
Rit
Sunaya
Veetahavya
Dhriti
Bahulaashwa
Kriti - last King of Videha or Janaka dynasty, Kirti Janak was atrocious ruler who lost control over his subjects. He was dethroned by public under leadership of Acharyas (Learned Men).
During this period of fall of Videha dynasty, the famous republic of Licchavi was rising in Vaishali and Mithila region came under control of Licchavi clan of Vajji confederacy in around eight century BCE.[23]
Ajamida II had a son named Rishin. Rishin had two sons namely Samvarana II, whose son was Kuru and Brihadvasu whose descendants were Panchalas.[24][25][26]
List of Panchala Kingdom rulers are-
Rishin
Brihadbhanu, (son of Brihadvasu)
Brihatkaya
Puranjaya
Riksha
Bramhyaswa
Aramyaswa
Mudgala, Yavinara, Pratiswan, Maharaja Kampilya - (founder of Kampilya capital of Panchala Kingdom)
Nepavirya, (after this King's name the country was named Nepaldesh)
Samara
Sadashva
Ruchiraswa
Pruthusena
Prapti
Prthaswa
Sukrthi
Vibhiraja
Anuha
Bramhadatta II
Vishwaksena
Dandasena
Durmukha
Durbuddhi
Dharbhya
Divodasa
Sivana I
Mitrayu
Maitrayana
Soma
Sivana II
Sadasana
Sahadeva
Somaka, (Somaka's eldest son was Sugandakrthu and youngest was Prishata. But in a war all sons died and Prishata Survived and became the king of Panchala)
According to Mahabharata and some Puranas, the prince 'Kalinga' founded the Kalinga Kingdom, in the current day region of coastal Odisha, including the North Sircars.[27][28] The Mahabharata also mentions one 'Srutayudha' as the king of the Kalinga kingdom, who joined the Kaurava camp.[29] In the Buddhist text, Mahagovinda Suttanta, Kalinga and its ruler, 'Sattabhu', have been mentioned.[30]
This dynasty is mentioned in Chullakalinga Jataka and Kalingabodhi Jataka. The last ruler of First Kalinga dynasty is said to have broken away from the Danda kingdom along with the kings of Asmaka and Vidarbha as its feudal states, and established rule of Second Kalinga dynasty.
Other or late Kalinga rulers according to Dāṭhavaṃsa are-
This was probably another dynasty or late rulers of Second Kalinga dynasty, which is mentioned in Dāṭhavaṃsa.
Known rulers are-
Brahmadatta (c. 6th – 5th century BCE)
Sattabhu
Kasiraja
Sunanda
Guhasiva
Suryavamsha of Kalinga (c. 350 – 261 BCE)
Known rulers are-
Brahmaadittiya (c. 4th century BCE)
His son, prince 'Soorudasaruna-Adeettiya' was exiled and as per Maldivian history, established the first kingdom Dheeva Maari and laid the foundation of the Adeetta dynasty.[31]
After Kalinga War (261 BCE), Kalinga Kingdom became a part of Mauryan Empire, after which Kalinga Kingdom was succeeded by [[Mahameghavahana dynasty
|Mahameghavahana Empire]] between 230 and 190 BCE which ruled until 350 CE.[33]
During the 15th century, the Pandyans lost their traditional capital city Madurai because of the Islamic and Nayaks invasion, and were forced to move their capital to Tirunelveli in southern Tamilakam and existed there as vassals.
Son of Amangai Devi Chola, daughter of Rajendra I, and Rajaraja Narendra, ruler of Eastern Chalukya dynasty. Kolothunga's reign started the period which was known as Chalukya-Chola dynasty or simply Later Cholas.
Last Chola ruler, defeated by the Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I of the Pandya dynasty. After the war, the remaining Chola royal bloods were reduced to the state of being chieftains by the Pandyan forces.
The beginning of the Satavahana rule is dated variously between 230 BCE to 100 BCE and lasted until the early 3rd century CE.[35] Satavahanas dominated the Deccan region from 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE.[36] The following Satavahana kings are historically attested by epigraphic records, although the Puranas name several more kings.
S. Nagaraju relies on the Puranic lists of 30 kings, and gives the following regnal dates:[37]
Mahamegha Vahana was the founder of the Kalingan Chedi or Cheti Dynasty.[38][39] The names of Sobhanaraja, Chandraja, Ksemaraja also appear in context.[40] But, Kharavela is the most well known among them. The exact relation between Mahamegha Vahana and Kharavela is not known.[38]
The Kingdom of Kuninda was an ancient central Himalayan kingdom documented from around the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, located in the southern areas of modern Himachal Pradesh and far western areas of Uttarakhand in North India.
Alias The Great Saviour. His empire covered northwestern Gandhara and greater Bactria towards China, where Kushan presence has been asserted in the Tarim Basin. Under his reign, embassies were also sent to the Chinese court.
The first great Kushan emperor. He introduced gold coinage, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage. Most of the gold seems to have been obtained through trade with the Roman Empire.
He was the last great Kushan emperor, and the end of his rule coincides with the invasion of the Sassanians as far as northwestern India, and the establishment of the Indo-Sassanians or Kushanshahs from around 240.
Following is the list of Nagvanshi rulers according to Nagpuri poem "Nagvanshavali" written by Beniram Mehta and book "Nagvansh" written by Lal Pradumn Singh. The list of Kings and chronology varies in these books. 57th Nagvanshi king Dripnath Shah (c.1762–1790 CE) submitted list of Nagvanshi kings to Governor general of India in 1787.[46]
His title Maharajadhiraja ("king of great kings") suggests that he was the first emperor of the dynasty. It is not certain how he turned his small ancestral kingdom into an empire, although a widely accepted theory among modern historians is that his marriage to the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi helped him extend his political power.
Defeated several kings of northern India, and annexed their territories to his empire. He also marched along the south-eastern coast of India, advancing as far as the Pallava kingdom. In addition, he subjugated several frontier kingdoms and tribal oligarchies. His empire extended from Ravi River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to central India in the south-west; several rulers along the south-eastern coast were his tributaries.
Continued the expansionist policy of his father Samudragupta: historical evidence suggests that he defeated the Western Kshatrapas, and extended the Gupta empire from the Indus River in the west to the Bengal region in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the Narmada River in the south.
It is stated that he restored the fallen fortunes of the Gupta family, which has led to suggestions that during his predecessor's last years, the Empire may have suffered reverses, possibly against the Pushyamitras or the Hunas. He is generally considered the last of the great Gupta Emperors.
Ruled under regency of his mother (daughter of Chandragupta II). The regency coincided with the zenith of the Gupta Empire, which also extended influence into the Vakataka realms.
Indravarman I is earliest known Independent king of the dynasty. He is known from the Jirjingi copper plate grant.[53][54] Founder of the Eastern line of the family, which is probable to be descended from the Western one.
According to Gangavansucharitam written in sixteenth or seventeenth century, Bhanu Deva IV also known as Kajjala Bhanu founded a new small princedom in southern Odisha at Gudari in modern Rayagada district after he was toppled from power by his general Kapilendra Deva.[55]
Brother of Kirtivarman. Expanded the Chalukya power in present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra after defeating the Kalachuri king Buddharaja. He also consolidated his rule in the Konkan coastal region of Maharashtra and Goa after conquering Revati-dvipa from the rebel Chalukya governor Svamiraja. His reign ended when he lost a war of succession to his nephew Pulakeshin II, a son of Kirttivarman I.
Son of Kirtivarman I, he overthrew his uncle Mangalesha to gain control of the throne. Suppressed a rebellion by Appayika and Govinda, and decisively defeated the Kadambas of Banavasi in the south. Consolidated the Chalukya control over the western coast by subjugating the Mauryas of Konkana. He was victorious against the
powerful northern emperor Harsha-vardhana. He also achieved some successes against the Pallavas in the south, but was ultimately defeated, and probably killed, during an invasion by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I.
His long reign was marked by general peace and prosperity. Vijayaditya also built a number of temples. He fought against the Pallavas and extracted tributes from Parameshwar Varma V.
Conducted successful military campaigns against their enemy, the Pallavas of Kanchipuram, in three occasions: the first time as a crown prince, the second time as an emperor and the third time under the leadership of his son and crown prince Kirtivarman II.
His reign was continuously troubled by the growing power of the Rashtrakutas and Pandyas. He finallt succumbed to the Rashtrakutas, who ended the power of the family in Badami.
First son of Danarnava. Returned from exile and recovered his throne. Now free from the usurper, however Eastern Vengi dynasty lost some of the independence they have gained some generations ago. Begin of the growing Chola influence in Vengi kingdom.
He had to fight on many fronts, against the Cholas of Tanjore in the south and the Paramara dynasty in the north, to protect his kingdom. His rule however was an important period of development of Kannada literature. He saw his cousins in Vengi fall firmly into the hands of the Cholas who would use their marital relations with the Eastern Chalukyas and their over lordship over Vengi to frustrate and threaten the Western Chalukyas from two fronts, from the east and from the South. But, at the same time, he consolidated more firmly the Western Chalukya power in the Deccan.
Son of Vimaladitya, had support in the throne from the Cholas, whose influence grew significantly. He supported Cholas against his cousins, the Western Chalukyas. His own son managed to succeed in the Chola Empire, in 1070, as Kulottunga I, beginning the Later Cholas period, in which the Chola Empire was ruled by a branch of the Eastern Chalukyas renamed Chola, which inherited Narendra's kingdom. It's possible, then, that the following rulers were governors for the Chola Emperor ruling Eastern Chalukya territory:
Shaktivarman II (1061-1062);
Vijayaditya VII (1062-1075), also son of Vimaladitya, but half-brother of Rajaraja Narendra. Ascended with support from Western Chalukyas.
Rajaraja (1075-1079)
Vishuvardhana VII (1079-1102), last known Chalukya ruler of Vengi.
His several military successes in Central India made him a formidable ruler of a vast empire. During his rule, the Chalukyan empire extended to Gujarat and Central India in the north.
Second son of Someshvara I. Under his reign, the Western Chalukya Empire reached its zenith. He is noted for his patronage of art and letters. His court was adorned with famous Kannada and Sanskrit poets. Intervened in Chola politics, sitting his brother-in-law, Athirajendra Chola, on the Chola Empire throne.
He was a noted historian, scholar, and poet, and authored the Sanskrit encyclopedic text Manasollasa touching upon such topics as polity, governance, astronomy, astrology, rhetoric, medicine, food, architecture, painting, poetry and music: making his work a valuable modern source of socio-cultural information of the 11th- and 12th-century India.
His rule saw the slow decline of the Chalukya empire with the loss of Vengi entirely, though he was still able to control the Hoysalas in the south and the Seuna and Paramara in the north.
His rule was completely overshowded by the emergence of the Southern Kalachuris under Bijjala II who took control of Kalyani. He had to escape to the Banavasi region.
Recovered his capital, by defeating the Kalachuris, but failed to prevent his old allies, Seuna, Hoysala and the Kakatiya dynasty, who, after deposing Someshvara by 1200, divided his empire among themselves.
R. C. Majumdar, on the other hand, assumed a period of 25 years for each generation, and placed him in c. 550 CE. The following is a list of the dynasty's rulers (IAST names in brackets) and estimates of their reigns, assuming a period of 25 years.
Harichandra (Haricandra) alias Rohilladhi (r. c. 550 CE), founder of dynasty
Rajilla (r. c. 575 CE)
Narabhatta (Narabhaṭa) alias Pellapelli (r. c. 600 CE)
During reign of Rawal Ran Singh (1158–1168), the Guhil dynasty got divided into two branches.
First (Rawal Branch)
Rawal Khshem Singh (1168–1172), son of Ran Singh, ruled over Mewar by building Rawal Branch.
Second (Rana Branch)
Rahapa, the second son of Ran Singh started the Rana Branch by establishing Sisoda bases. Later Hammir Singh of Sisoda base started main Sisodia or Mewar dynasty in 1326 CE.
Rana branch rulers (c. 1168 – 1326 CE)
"Rahapa", a son of Ranasimha alias Karna, established the Rana branch. According to the 1652 Eklingji inscription, Rahapa's successors were:
He Attacked Chittor in 1326 and re-took it from the Khiljis after the family lost it in 1303. Defeated Muhammad Bin Tughluq in SSingolitaking the sultan himself a prisoner of war.
Hammir's son, he captured Madalgarh and Bundi, completely annexed Ajmer. He also defeated Amin Shah of Malwa at the "Battle of Bakrole" and inflicted heavy casualties. His death can actually by as late as 1405.[70]
Khsetra's son, he was defeated multiple battles by Zafar Khan of Gujrat, but the territories were recovered. He rebuilt temples and shrines destroyed by Allaudin Khilji.[71]
Lakha's son, he defeated the Sultan of Nagaur and Gujrat. Later the sultan of Gujrat invaded Mewar and during this invasion. He was assassinated by his uncles Chacha and Mera.[72]
Mokal's son, he first attacked and killed his fathers assassins. Defeated the Sultans of Nagaur, Gujarat and Malwa. Mewar became the strongest kingdom in North India. Built multiple strong forts in Mewar.[73]
Raimal's son, defeated the Sultan of Gujrat, Malwa and Delhi. Under his rule Mewar reached its pinnacle in power and prosperity. Eventually defeated by Babur.[77][78]
Jagat's son, fought and defeated Mughals many times. Regained territory and increased the wealth of the kingdom. Fought against Aurangzeb. Eventually poisoned by Aurangzeb's loyalists.[87][88][89]
Sangram's son, started paying Chauth to the Marathas. Heavily invested in placing Sawai Madho Singh on the throne of Jaipur, eventually bankrupting Mewar.
Hamir's brother, under him Mewar was repeatedly raided by Pindaris, Marwar and Jaipur fought for his daughter Krishna Kumari. Accepted sub ordinance of East India Company.
Mola Ram the 18th century painter, poet, historian and diplomat of Garhwal wrote the historical work Garhrajvansh Ka Itihas (History of the Garhwal royal dynasty) which is the only source of information about several Garhwal rulers.[98][99]
Rulers of Garhwal - Panwar clan of Garhwali Rajputs
Mallabhum kingdom or Bishnupur kingdom was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur, primarily in the present Bankura district in Indian state of West Bengal.[100] (also known as Mallabhoom),[101]
Defeated One Lakh Army of Delhi Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq under Khusrau Malik in his Qarachil Expedition
Abhay Chand
1344–1374
Garur Gyan Chand
1374–1419
Established authority over Bhabar and Terai; later lost them to nawab of Sambhal, Recaptured it by defeating Turkish Nawab of Sambhal under General Nilu Kathait
The period of certain Katyuri rulers, is generally determined as below, although there is some ambiguity in respect to exact number of years ruled by each King[104]
Various historical texts provide different lists of the Tomara kings:[107]
Khadag Rai's history of Gwalior (Gopācala ākhyāna) names 18 Tomara kings, plus Prithvi Pala (who is probably the Chahamana king Prithviraja III). According to Khadag Rai, Delhi was originally ruled by the legendary king Vikramaditya. It was deserted for 792 years after his death, until Bilan Dev [Veer Mahadev or Birmaha] of Tomara dynasty re-established the city (in 736 CE).
The Kumaon-Garhwal manuscript names only 15 rulers of "Toar" dynasty, and dates the beginning of their rule to 789 CE (846 Vikram Samvat).
Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari (Bikaner manuscript, edited by Syed Ahmad Khan) names 19 Tomara kings. It places the first Tomara king in 372 CE (429 Vikram Samvat). It might be possible that the era mentioned in the original source used by Abul Fazl was Gupta era, which starts from 318 to 319 CE; Abul Fazl might have mistaken this era to be Vikrama Samvat. If this is true, then the first Tomara king can be dated to 747 CE (429+318), which is better aligned with the other sources.
As stated earlier, the historians doubt the claim that the Tomaras established Delhi in 736 CE.[108]
List of Tomara rulers according to various sources[109][110]
Most of the Pala inscriptions mention only the regnal year as the date of issue, without any well-known calendar era. Because of this, the chronology of the Pala kings is hard to determine.[111] Based on their different interpretations of the various epigraphs and historical records, different historians estimate the Pala chronology as follows:[112]
Earlier historians believed that Vigrahapala I and Shurapala I were the two names of the same person. Now, it is known that these two were cousins; they either ruled simultaneously (perhaps over different territories) or in rapid succession.
AM Chowdhury rejects Govindapala and his successor Palapala as the members of the imperial Pala dynasty.
According to BP Sinha, the Gaya inscription can be read as either the "14th year of Govindapala's reign" or "14th year after Govindapala's reign". Thus, two sets of dates are possible.
Second branch ruled South Konkan (between 765 and 1029 CE)
Third branch ruled in modern districts of Kolhapur, Satara and Belgaum (between 940 and 1215 CE) after which they were overwhelmed by the Yadavas.[117]
The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti were a dynasty in Central India. They ruled much of the Bundelkhand region (then called Jejakabhukti) between the 9th and the 13th centuries.
Based on epigraphic records, the historians have come up with the following list of Chandela rulers of Jejākabhukti (IAST names in brackets):[120][121]
According to historical 'Kailash Chand Jain', "Knowledge of the early Paramara rulers from Upendra to Vairisimha is scanty; there are no records, and they are known only from later sources."[123]
The Paramara rulers mentioned in the various inscriptions and literary sources include:
The following is a list of Paramara rulers of Chandravati, with approximate regnal years, as estimated by epigraphist H. V. Trivedi.[125][126] The rulers are sons of their predecessors unless noted otherwise:
Abdicated the throne in favour of his son, but retained power through his minister Haladhara
Kalasha (Ranaditya II)
26 Years
1063 CE
Rebelled against his parents, leading to the suicide of his father Ananta, followed by sati-suicide by his mother. His son Harsha revolted against him, and was imprisoned.
Utkarsha
22 days
1089 CE
Second son of Kalasha. His half-brother Vijaymalla rebelled against him, and got Harsha released from prison. Utkarsha was imprisoned and committed suicide
In his early years, he was a sagacious king, and a patron of art and literature. The later years of his reign were marked by unsuccessful military campaigns, resulting in excessive taxation and plundering of temples. Revolts by his generals Uchchala and Sussala (of Lohara family) ended his reign. His son Bhoja was killed, and Harsha himself was killed by Uchchala's men while hiding in a village.
Made his brother Sussala the ruler of Lohara. Murdered by Radda.
Radda (Shankharaja)
Usurped the throne, claiming to be a descendant of Yashaskara
Salhana
Uchchala's step-brother; became the king after Radda's death. The real power lay in the hands of a noble named Gargachandra. Salhana was deposed and imprisoned.
Sussala
Uchchala's brother; ascended throne with Gargachandra's support
Bhikshachara
Harsha's grandson, who had escaped Uchchala's revolt. Brought up by Naravarman, the king of Malava. Deposed Sussala.
Sussala (2nd reign)
Within 6 months of Bhikshachara's ascension, Sussala recovered his capital, leading to a civil war
Jayasimha (Sinha-deva)
Sussala's son. In the early years of his reign, the actual power was held by Sussala. Kalhana's account closes in the 22nd year of his reign.
Cutch was ruled by the JadejaRajput dynasty of the Samma tribe from its formation in 1147 CE until 1948 CE when it acceded to newly formed, India. The Jadeja Rajputs had migrated from Sindh into Kutch in late 12th century and started their kingdom.[152]
He conquered Pali and became the first rao of the Rathore dynasty in Marwar. He died in the battle of Lakha Jhawar (1273) against Sultan Ghaus ud-din Balban.
1226
1273
2
Rao Asthan
Conquered Kher from the Gohils and Idar from the Bhils. He died in battle against Jalaludin Khilji.
1273
1292
3
Rao Doohad
He conquered more than 140 villages. He was killed in battle against the Parihars.
1292
1309
4
Rao Raipal
He avenged his father by killing the ruler of the Parihars. During a famine in Marwar he distributed his own personal grains to the people.
1309
1313
5
Rao Kanhapal
He suffered raids from the Turko-Afgan tribes and was killed in action defending his lands.
1313
1323
6
Rao Jalansi
He defeated the Sodhas. He took the turban of the Sodha chief to mark his supremacy in the region.
1323
1328
7
Rao Chado
1328
1344
8
Rao Tida
He was killed in battle against the sultan of Delhi.
1344
1357
9
Rao Kanha Dev
1357
1374
10
Rao Viram Dev
He died in battle against the Johiyas.
1374
1383
11
Rao Chandra
He conquered Mandore from the Turks in 1406. He further conquered the areas of Nagaur, Sambhar, Khatu, Nadol and Ajmer. He was killed in battle against Salim Shah of Multhan.
1383
1424
12
Rao Kanha
Fought battles with his brothers. Died young in Mandore.
Fought Rana Kumbha and reclaimed his lands. He later founded the city of Jodhpur and made it his capital. He subjugated the states of Jalore and Bundi and annexed Ajmer, Sambhar and Mohilavati.
He was the general of the Marwari forces against Sarbuland Khan and defeated him. In the Battle of Gangwana he defeated a combined army of Mughals and Kachwahas.
The Nayakas were originally military governors under the Vijayanagara Empire. It is unknown, in fact, if these founded dynasties were related, being branches of a major family, or if they were completely different families. Historians tend to group them by location.
Helped his (probable kin?) in the rebellion against the Vijayanagara Empire. Founded a dynasty that became the dominant power in the Telangana region during the late 14th century and 15th century .[190]
He was originally from a village called Pallibailu near Keladi. He was the son of couple Basavappa and Basavamambe, who were into farming.[192] He was the earliest chieftain to rule the area surrounding Shimoga, rose through self capability and acumen and was a feudatory of Vijayanagara Empire.
He was an important ruler in the Vijayanagara Empire and earned the title Kotekolahala from emperor Aliya Rama Raya for his heroics in the battle of Kalyani. The coastal provinces of Karnataka came under his direct rule. He moved the capital to Ikkeri some 20 km. from Keladi.
Opportunistic king who took advantage of the confusion in the Vijayanagara Empire, following its defeat at Tallikota and grabbed a few provinces in Uttara Kannada district.
He is considered by scholars as the ablest monarch of the clan. He completely freed himself from the overlordship of the relocated Vijayanagar rulers of Penugonda. Italian traveller Pietro Della Valle, who visited his kingdom in 1623, called him an able soldier and administrator. In his reign the kingdom expanded so that it covered coastal regions, Malnad regions, and some regions to the east of the western Ghats of present-day Karnataka. He is also known to have defeated the Adilshahis of Bijapur in Hanagal. Though a Virashaiva by faith, he built many temples for Vaishnavas and Jains and a mosque for Muslims. He defeated the Portuguese in 1618 and 1619.[194]
He faced many troubles from the start, including competition from rival Jain chieftains of Malenad for the throne of Ikkeri and invasion by the Sultanate armies of Bijapur. Ikkeri was plundered by the Bijapur army during his time.
He is widely considered as the ablest and greatest of the Keladi rulers. Uncle of his predecessor, Shivappa deposed him. Not only was he an able administrator, but also patronised literature and fine arts. His successful campaigns against the Bijapur sultans, the Mysore kings, the Portuguese, and other Nayakas of the neighbouring territories east of the western ghats helped expand the kingdom to its greatest extent, covering large areas of present-day Karnataka. He gave importance to agriculture and developed new schemes for collection of taxes and revenues which earned him much praise from later British officials. A statue of him and the palace built by him containing many artifacts of his times are reminders of the respect he has earned even from the present generation of people of the region. He destroyed the Portuguese political power in the Kanara region by capturing all the Portuguese forts of the coastal region.[195]
Was once a good administrator, gave up his interest in administration after his association with a dancer named Kalavati. Bharame Mavuta, a relative of Kalavati slow poisoned the king which eventually led to his death.
Widow of Somashekara I. She was an able ruler who some scholars claim was allied with the Maratha Shivaji and later his son Sambhaji to defeat all rival claimants to the throne. She gave shelter to Chhatrapathi Rajaram when he fled from the Mughal army. Chennamma of Keladi is well remembered by local people through tales of her bravery.
She was defeated by Hyder Ali, who merged the Keladi kingdom with the Kingdom of Mysore. The queen was captured by Hyder Ali and was kept in confinement along with her son in the fort of Madugiri.[198] They were however rescued in 1767 when Madhavrao I of the Maratha Empire defeated Hyder Ali in the battle of Madugiri. Later, they were sent to Pune the capital of the Maratha Empire for protection.[198]
According to historian Makhan Jha, the rulers of the Oiniwar dynasty are as follows:[203]
Nath Thakur, founder of dynasty in 1325 CE
Atirupa Thakur
Vishwarupa Thakur
Govinda Thakur
Lakshman Thakur
Kameshwar Thakur
Bhogishwar Thakur, ruled for over 33 years
Ganeshwar Singh, reigned from 1355; killed by his cousins in 1371 after a long-running internecine dispute
Kirti Singh
Bhava Singh Deva
Deva Simha Singh
Shiva Simha Singh (or Shivasimha Rūpanārāyana), took power in 1402, missing in battle in 1406[204][205]
Lakshima Devi, chief wife of Shiva Simha Singh, ruled as regent for 12 years. She committed sati after many years of waiting for her husband's return.[204]
Padma Simha Singh, took power in 1418 and died in 1431[204]
Viswavasa Devi, wife of Padma Singh, died in 1443
Hara Singh Deva, younger brother of Deva Singh
Nara Singh Deva, died in 1460
Dhir Singh Deva
Bhairva Singh Deva, died in 1515, brother of Dhir Singh Deva
Names in Muslim chronicles and vernacular literature
Vīrasiṃha-deva
1375–1400 CE or (c. 1394–1400 CE)
Virsingh Dev, Bir Singh Tomar, Bar Singh (in Yahya's writings), Har Singh (in Badauni's writings), Nar Singh (in Firishta's and Nizamuddin's writings).[211]
Uddharaṇa-deva
1400–1402 CE
Uddharan Dev, Usaran or Adharan (in Khadagrai's writings)[212]
Virāma-deva
1402–1423 CE
Viram Dev, Biram Deo (in Yahya's writings), Baram Deo (in Firishta's writings)
To be the first to be granted the title "Maharaja" by Emperor Aurangzeb. Served in the Deccan campaign at Salher in 1672, Bijapur in 1675, and the siege of Golconda in 1687. He was administrator of Aurangabad from 1677 to 1678, 'Hakim' of Adoni in 1678, Imtiazgarh and Adoni from 1689 to 1693, and of Nusratabad and Sukkar from 1693 to 1698 CE.
Ordered to attend Emperor Aurangzeb in the Deccan, where he remained for ten years. Faced invasions from Maharaja Abhai Singh of Jodhpur and Maharaja Bakht Singh of Nagaur, but successfully repulsed both.
13
Rao Zorawar Singh
1735
1746
14
Rao Gaj Singh
1746
1787
The first of his line granted permission to mint his own coinage by Emperor Alamgir II.
15
Rao Rai Singh II (Raj Singh)
1787
1787
16
Rao Pratap Singh
1787
1787
Reigned under the Regency of his uncle Surat Singh who poisoned him to assume the throne.
17
Rao Surat Singh
1787
1828
He incurred huge debts due to his military adventures which had reduced his state to near anarchy. Entered the protection of the East India Company with a subsidiary alliance on 9 March 1818.
18
Rao Ratan Singh
1828
1851
Received the hereditary title of Narendra Maharaja from Emperor Akbar Shah II and assisted the British by furnishing them with supplies during the First Afghan War of 1841.
19
Rao Sardar Singh
1851
1872
Assisted the British during the Indian Uprising of 1857 and served in person during many of the battles. Removed the name of the Mughal Emperor from his coinage, replacing the words with Aurang Arya Hind wa Queen Victoria.
Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Bikaner, 1952–1977. On 28 December 1971, India amended its Constitution to remove the position of the rulers of princely states and their right to receive privy-purse payments, thus making him the last ruler of Bikaner. Imperial Conferences and at the League of Nations.
Veerakerala Varma, nephew of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, is supposed to have been the first king of Cochin around the 7th century. But the records we have start in 1503.[citation needed]
Chakdor Namgyal (1700–1717), His half-sister Pendiongmu tried to dethrone Chakdor, who fled to Lhasa, but was reinstated as king with the help of Tibetans.
Phuntsog Namgyal II (1733–1780), Nepalis raided Rabdentse, the then capital of Sikkim.
Tenzing Namgyal (1780–1793), Chogyal fled to Tibet, and later died there in exile.
Tsugphud Namgyal (1793–1863), The longest-reigning Chogyal of Sikkim. Shifted the capital from Rabdentse to Tumlong. Treaty of Titalia in 1817 between Sikkim and British India was signed in which territories lost to Nepal were appropriated to Sikkim. Darjeeling was gifted to British India in 1835. Two Britons, Archibald Campbell and Joseph Dalton Hooker were captured by the Sikkimese in 1849. Hostilities between British India and Sikkim continued and led to a treaty signed, in which Darjeeling was ceded to the British Raj.
Thutob Namgyal (1874–1914), John Claude White appointed as the first political officer in Sikkim in 1889. Capital shifted from Tumlong to Gangtok in 1894.
Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal (1914), The shortest-reigning Chogyal of Sikkim, ruled from 10 February to 5 December 1914. Died of heart failure, aged 35, in most suspicious circumstances.
Tashi Namgyal (1914–1963), Treaty between India and Sikkim was signed in 1950, giving India suzerainty over Sikkim.
Son of Shivaji I, established his independent realm at Tanjore. The Thanjavur Marathas were the rulers of Thanjavur principality of Tamil Nadu between the 17th and 19th centuries. Their native language was Thanjavur Marathi.[221]
Regencies of Queen Anandbai (1883-1884) and Jaisingrao Ghatge (father of the ruler, 1884-1885)
Adopted child of Shivaji VI's widow. Shahu was considered a true democrat and social reformer, being an able ruler associated with many progressive policies.
Formerly Maharaja of Dewas Senior; adopted by Indumati Tarabai, widow of Rajaram IIIn 1947, the state acceded unto the Dominion of India following the independence of India in 1947, but the monarchy was officially abolished. Sahahi continued only as a titular ruler.
Technically they were not monarchs, but hereditary prime ministers, though in fact they ruled instead of the Chhatrapati (Maratha emperor) after death of Chattrapati Shahu, and were hegemon of the Maratha confederation.
Following the independence of India in 1947, the state acceded unto the Dominion of India. The monarchy was ended in 1948, but the title is still held by Usha Devi Maharaj Sahiba Holkar XV Bahadur, Maharani of Indore since 1961.
Ascended the throne in 1856 after Gulab Singh's abdication due to poor health. He allied with the British during the Sepoy Mutiny. Unlike European women and children, Indian mutineers were not allowed to take refuge in his state. He also sent his troops to help the British to besiege Delhi. He was subsequently rewarded for his behaviour during the mutiny. He went on to annex Gilgit which had previously witnessed a rebellion against the state. He also established a modern judicial system. Civil and criminal laws were compiled into the Ranbir Penal Code during his reign.
Reigned for 40 years from 1885 to 1925, the longest of all the Dogra rulers. Out of the four Dogra rulers, Maharaja Pratap Singh's era was a period of enlightenment for his subjects, particularly for Kashmiris. He established local self governing bodies, democratic processes, educational systems, health care and hygiene and infrastructure development during his reign. A beginning was made in local self-government by establishing municipalities at Jammu, Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla. By 1925, then Kashmir, particularly Srinagar had undergone significant social and cultural transformation.
Ascended the throne following the death of his uncle, Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1925. He made primary education compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, and opened places of worship to the low castes. He signed the Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India on 26 October 1947, through which the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir became a part of the Dominion of India. He remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by Government of India under Jawaharlal Nehru.
Appointed as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, at age of eighteen and served until the monarchy's abolition in 1952. He was appointed 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('Head of State') in 1952 and Governor of the State in 1964 CE.
^B. Kölver, ed. (1997). Recht, Staat und Verwaltung im klassischen Indien [Law, State and Administration in Classical India] (in German). München: R. Oldenbourg. pp. 27–52.
^Samuel, Geoffrey (2010). The Origins of Yoga and Tantra. Cambridge University Press.
^Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN81-7276-413-8, pp.283-8, 384
^"Though there exists no direct evidence, there are indirect evidence of a king who ruled for a short period after Bhaskaravarman, but was ousted by Salasthamba."Sharma, Mukunda Madhava (1978). Inscriptions of Ancient Assam. Gauhati University, Assam. pp. xxxi–xxxii..
^Panda, Dr. Sanjay Kumar (2014). Chiktira Sahitya O Sahityika [Chikiti's literature & litterateurs] (in Odia). Bhubaneswar: Sahitya Swetapadma. pp. 15–16. ISBN978-93-80759-65-4.
^Genealogical Table of the Zamindaras of Chikiti, Chikiti Estate. Sachhidananda Rajendra Deba, 28th Nov 1928. Typed by A. Rama Murthi, Clerk, Chikiti Estate.
^Mahajan V.D. (1960, reprint 2007). Ancient India, S.Chand & Company, New Delhi, ISBN81-219-0887-6, pp.594–6
^Laloo, Betty (20 July 2016). "III: Early Jaintia State Formation"(PDF). Reconstructing the early Jaintia state through oral traditions (PhD). North-Eastern Hill University.
^Wink, André (1996) [First published 1990]. Al-Hind: The Making of the Indo-Islamic World. Vol. I (3rd ed.). BRILL. pp. 152–153. ISBN978-90-04-09249-5.
^Pralambha, read from the Tezpur plates, can be corrected to Salambha, in light of the Parbatiya plates, Sharma, Mukunda Manhava (1978). Inscriptions of Ancient Assam. Guwahati: Gauhati University. p. 105.
^Georg Bühler, 'Pâiyalachchhî Nâmamâlâ', in Beiträge zur Kunde der Indogermanischen Sprachen, vol. 4, edited by Adalbert Bezzenberger (Göttingen, 1878) and B. J. Dośī, Pāia-lacchīnāmamāla (Prākṛta-Lakṣmināmamālā) (Bombay, 1960): v. 276
^Dániel Balogh (2012). "Raṇasiṃha Revisited: A New Copper-plate Inscription of the Candrāvatī Paramāra Dynasty". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. Third Series. 22 (1): 103. JSTOR41490376.
^Dániel Balogh (2010). "A Copperplate Land Grant by Raṇasiṃhadeva of the Candrāvatī Paramāras". Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 63 (3): 270. doi:10.1556/AOrient.63.2010.3.3. JSTOR23659005.
^Petech, Luciano (1977). The Kingdom of Ladakh, c. 950–1842 A.D. Instituto Italiano Per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente. pp. 171–172.
![Possible coinage of Meghavahana. Obverse: Shiva Pashupati ("Lord of the Beasts"), making a mudra gesture with right hand and holding filleted trident; behind, a lioness or tiger. Trace of legend Meghana... in Brahmi. Reverse: Goddess seated facing on lotus, holding lotus in both hand, Kidara monogram to left, Jaya in Brahmi to right. Circa 7th century CE, Kashmir.[11]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Coin_of_Meghama%28...%29._Circa_7th_century_CE%2C_Kashmir.jpg/300px-Coin_of_Meghama%28...%29._Circa_7th_century_CE%2C_Kashmir.jpg)
![Coinage of Pravarasena, supposed founder of Srinagar. Obverse: Standing king with two figured seated below. Name "Pravarasena". Reverse: goddess seated on a lion. Legend "Kidāra". Circa 6th-early 7th century CE.[11]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Post-Kushan_Gandhara_Kidara_Shahis_Sri_Pravarasena_Circa_6th-early_7th_century_CE.jpg/300px-Post-Kushan_Gandhara_Kidara_Shahis_Sri_Pravarasena_Circa_6th-early_7th_century_CE.jpg)
![Sri Tujina. Circa 7th century CE, Kashmir.[11]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Sri_Tujina._Circa_7th_century_CE%2C_Kashmir.jpg/300px-Sri_Tujina._Circa_7th_century_CE%2C_Kashmir.jpg)
