Besides the prominent dynasties that reigned in the north and north-west of India between 200 bc and 300 ad, there were other local dynasties that existed simultaneously and ruled for various periods of time. In the western Gangetic plain, independent princi­palities came into existence simultaneously at Kosala, Kausambi, Mathura and Panchala.

The early Kosala coins beginning with Muladeva were out of circulation from the close of the first century bc and there were no coins of any local ruler till towards the end of the second century ad. Apparendy the Kushanas had annexed it. Later, the Mitra kings began to rule, and probably lasted for about a century till they were replaced by the Guptas.

Not much information is available on the Panchalas. Kausambi was ruled for some time by the Shungas but later it became independent. The ruling houses of Panchala and Kausambi probably had matrimonial connections. Later, Kausambi was taken over by Kanishka.

Two local dynasties existed at Mathura. Only their coins have been found and not much infor­mation is available about them. Mathura was later taken over by the Shakas and continued to remain under foreign rule for the next 250 years.

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The tribal republic of the Aijunayanas was situated to the south-west of Mathura. Their coins indicate that their rule extended upto Agra in the east and Jaipur in the west. They seem to have been overcome by the Shakas.

Coins reveal the existence of another republican state of the Sibis in the second century BC. The Malavas were ruling over the territory below the confluence of the Jhelum and the Chenab extending towards the River Ravi, when Alexander invaded India.

But by the first and second century’s ad, they migrated southwards from Punjab and came to occupy the whole of the Vindhyan plateau, later known by their name as the Malava country. The Malava power reached its peak of glory during the third century AD.

The Punjab was part of the Shunga Empire during the reign of Pushyamitra Shunga, but his successors could not keep it. Under Menander, the Greeks occupied the area as far as the river Ravi.

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Under the later Shungas, there appeared a number of independent political powers in the Punjab whose coinage affirm their existence. These were the Audumbaras, the Kunindas, the Trigartas, the Yaudheyas and the Agastyas.

The Audumbaras’ territories included the land between the upper courses of the rivers Ravi and Beas. Their coins bear legends in Brahmi and Kharoshthi and were in use in about the first century BC. Their most powerful ruler was Mahadeva.

The Kunindas’ kingdom included the area between the upper courses of the rivers Beas and Yamuna along the foothills of the Shivalik range. Their coins bear legends in Prakrit. The coins mention the name of only one king, Amoghabhuti.

The Kunindas were overpowered by the Shakas but their coinage reappeared in the third century AD indicating that they re-asserted their independence once the Kushana power declined. They probably joined the Yaudheyas in expelling the Kushanas from eastern Punjab.

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The Kulutas were an independent principality in the neighbourhood of the Kunindas. The coins of king Virayasa of Kuluta are usually assigned to the third century AD.

Between the rivers Ravi and Sudej, the plain land was ruled by the Trigartas. The Trigartas were famous warriors and the existence of their indepen­dent republic m the second century BC is indicated by a coin bearing the legend Trakatajanapadasa in Brahmi characters.

The Yaudheyas occupied the area between the rivers Sudej and Yamuna. They were also famous warriors. Their coins indicate the existence of their kingdom in the late second or first century bc.

Their kingdom was rich and prosperous and they with­stood Shaka attacks. They played an important part in overthrowing the Kushanas.

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The Agastyas’ area of influence was adjacent to the Yaudheya republic of Rohtak and their capital was Agrodaka. Their coins have been found which are in Prakrit.

These were, in brief, the local powers in North India which ruled alongside the major powers and whose fortunes were affected by the major ruling dynasties.