A Brief Note on the Notable Kings of India from 185 B.C. to 414 A.D.

The Sungas (185-73 B.C.)

Around 185 B.C., Pushyamitra Sunga, Commander-in-Chief of the last Mauryan ruler, assassinated his master and captured the throne. A great general, and a clever diplomat and administrator, Pushyamitra was the most illustrious ruler of his dynasty, under whom the country made good progress. Hinduism was once again extended State patronage and it Prospered.

There were nine more rulers in this dynasty, which came to an end in 73 B.C. when the last Sunga ruler was murdered by his minister, Vasudeva Kanva.

The Kanvas (73-28 B.C.)

Founded by Vasudeva Kanva this dynasty had four kings who ruled for 45 years.

The Andharas (28 B.C.-225 A.D.)

Simuka was the founder of the Andhara dynasty, also known as the Satvahanas. Satakarni, Gautamiputra Satakarni and Yagya Sri Satakarni were the notable rulers of this dynasty, which declined in the third century A.D.

During the rule of the Sungas, Kanvas and the Andharas, a number of foreign tribes from Central Asia invaded the country and set up their settlements in the north-west. Notable among these were the Indo- Bactrians, the Indo-Parthians, the Sakas and the Yeuh-Chi.

The Kushans (50-230 A.D.)

The Kushans were a branch of the Yeuh-Chi tribe and the dynasty was founded by Kadphises I, who was succeeded by his son Kadphises II.

Kanishka (120-162 A.D.)

Kanishka was the greatest of the Kushan kings, who conquered many territories and vastly expanded his empire. He made history for two reasons. First, he started an era in 78 A.D. which is now known as the Saka Era and has been adopted by the Indian Government. Second, he gave a great impetus to Buddhism; he held a Buddhist council in Kashmir where the doctrines of the Mahayana form of Buddhism were finalised. He was also a great patron of art and Sanskrit literature. The Gandhara and Mathura schools of art flourished during his reign.

Kanishka’s successors continued to rule till about the middle of the third century A.D. after which the mighty Kushan Empire broke up into small principalities.

The Guptas (275-540 A.D.)

The rise of the Gupta dynasty is a significant landmark in Indian history. The Guptas ruled the greater part of northern India for over two centuries. During their reign, the country made remarkable progress in all fields-politics, administration, religion, art, literature, science, trade and commerce-that this period is often referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ and is compared to the Periclean Age in the history of ancient Greece.

Chandragupta I (320-335 A.D.)

He was the first important ruler of this dynasty and the grandson of Sri Gupta who founded the dynasty around 275 A.D. At the time of his accession, his influence was limited to the State of Magadha, but he greatly raised the power and prestige of the dynasty by his matrimonial alliances and conquests. He also started the Gupta Era in 320 A.D.

Samudragupta (335-375 A.D.)

Samudragupta, son and successor of Chandragupta I, greatly enlarged the Gupta Empire by his brilliant conquests. He was a great warrior, and according to an inscription of that time, never suffered a defeat; in that sense, he is called the ‘Napoleon of India’. His vast empire extended from the Brahmaputra in the east to the Yamuna and Chambal in west, and from the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada in the south. He was also a great patron of art and literature. Sanskrit literature, in particular, made great progress under his patronage.

Chandragupta II (380-414 A.D.)

Chandragupta II or Chandragupta Vikramaditya, the son of Samudragupta, was another powerful ruler of this dynasty. He, too, was a great conqueror and added to the vast empire he had inherited from his father and grandfather.

His greatest military achievement was when he destroyed completely the power of the Sakas and drove them out of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra, thus wiping away the last trace of foreign rule in India. His empire, thus, touched the Arabian Sea. He, too, was a patron of art and literature and because of this, he is often identified with the renowned Vikramaditya of Ujjain, who patronaged the famous ‘Nine Gems’ (Navratnas).