Chandragupta Maurya (324-300
B.C.) : He founded the Maurya Empire in India with the help
of Kautilya. He was a military genius and an eminent
statesman.
Ashoka the Great (273-232 B.C.) : Coronation in 269
B.C. He was the son of Bindusara. He conquered Kalinga in
261 B.C. This war killed the soldier in him and he embraced
Buddhism.
Kushan Dynasty (40-176 A.D.)
Kanishka (78-101 or 102 AD.)
: He is known as a great empire builder. Like Ashoka he
patronized Buddhism. He patronized the Gandhara School of
Art. The famous Indian physician Charak and Bhuddhist
scholar Nagarjuna lived during his reign. Ashwaghosh a
Buddhist monk also lived in his time.
Gupta Dynasty (319-500 A.D.)
The great rulers in this dynasty
are: (1) Chandra Gupta I. (2) Samudra Gupta, (325-375 A.D.),
also known as Napoleon of India, (3) Chandra Gupta II.
(380-412 A.D.)
(Vikramaditya), and (4) Skanda Gupta (455-467 A.D.). The
Gupta period is described as the golden period in the
history of ancient India. Among the great personalities of
the period mention may be made of Kalidas, the famous
dramatist, Aryabhatta, the famous
astronomer and mathematician. Varahamihir and Brahma-gupta
also belonged to this age.
Pallava and Chalukya Dynasty
Pallava Dynasty : The
Pallavas power reached its glorious heights during the reign
of
Narasimhavarman II (695-722 A.D.) who is well-known for his
architectural achievements. The Cholasdefeated king
Aparajita and took over their kingdoms towards the close of
the 9th century A.D.
Chalukyas : Pulkeshin I was the founder of this
dynasty. He made Kanchi or Modern Badami his capital. His
grandson Pulkeshin II (609-642) was the most distinguished
ruler of this dynasty. He measured swords with king Harsha
and defeated him on the bank of the Narmada.
Vardhana or Pushya-Bhuti Dynasty
(560-647 A.D.)
The greatest king of this dynasty
was Harsha Varadhan (606-647 A.D.). He was a great patron of
art and literature. He himself was a man of letters having
written two great books 'Naga Nandin' and 'Ratnavali'. He
was the last great Hindu ruler of India. Huen Tsang a
Chinese pilgrim, visited India during his reign.
