Famous Ruling Dynasties of Ancient Period | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

The Maurya dynasty, Shunga dynasty, Shaka dynasty, Kushana dynasty, Gupta dynasty, Kanva dynasty, Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, Chandela, and Gahadavala dynasty were prominent ruling families during the ancient era in Uttar Pradesh. These dynasties are elaborated below:

Shunga Dynasty

• Established in 185 BC by Pushyamitra Shunga, with Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh) as its capital.
• The renowned Buddhist stupa at Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh) was constructed during this period.
• Rock documents from Ayodhya indicate that the Shunga dynasty belonged to the Brahman caste.
• Pushyamitra conducted the 'Ashvamedh Yajna' near Dehradun (Uttarakhand), with Patanjali as the priest.
• Patanjali, born in Central India, wrote Mahabhasya and was known for expounding Yoga Philosophy.
• According to Patanjali's 'Mahavashy,' Saaket (Ayodhya) was besieged by Yawan's (Yunanis), led by Menander.
• Vasumitra, Pushyamitra's grandson, defeated the Yawan attackers.
• Monuments from the Shunga period include Bharhut Stupa, Sanchi Stupa, Amravati Stupa, and Nasik Chaitya.
• Agnimitra, Pushyamitra's son and the protagonist of Kalidasa's drama Malavikagnimitra, succeeded him.

Kanva Dynasty

• A Brahmin dynasty that succeeded the Shunga dynasty, lasting from 75 to 30 BCE.
• King Vasudeva was the first ruler of the Kanva dynasty.
• Simuk ended the Kanva dynasty in 28 B.C. and founded the Satavahana dynasty.

Kushana Dynasty

• Founded by Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I).
• Vima Kadphises (Kadphises II), the second king, issued gold coins depicting Shiva, Trishul, and Nandi found in Mathura.
• The influential ruler Kaniska, son of Verma Kadphises, started the Shaka era in 78 AD.
• In Kanishka's reign, the 4th Buddhist council took place in Kundalavana, Kashmir.
• Kushanas were the first rulers in India to widely issue gold coins, notably from Mathura.
• Mathura flourished as a center of trade and culture during the Kushana period.
• The Kushana era saw the development of two art forms: Gandhar and Mathura.
• Scholars like Parshva, Vasumitra, Asvaghosa, Nagarjuna, Charaka, and Mathura were patronized by Kanishka.

Shaka Dynasty

• The Shaka Dynasty, also known as the Scythians, succeeded the Indo-Greeks in India. Rudradaman (130 AD - 150 AD) was a notable ruler during this period.
• 'Maueus' or 'Moga' was the first king of the Shaka Dynasty, establishing the Kshatrapa dynasty in Mathura around 60 BC. His reign extended from Mathura to Punjab.
• Around 58 BC, Vikramaditya of Ujjain is said to have effectively resisted the Shakas.

Indo-Greek Invasion
The Indo-Greeks, the initial foreign invaders in India, were led by Menander (165-145 BC), whose kingdom spanned from the Jhelum River to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.

Gupta Dynasty

• Founded by Srigupta, the Gupta Dynasty saw Chandragupta I as the first ruler to use the title Maharajadhiraja. He solidified his state by marrying a Lichchhiwi dynasty princess, gaining control over Bihar and Nepal. The Gupta era began in 319-20 AD.
• Samudragupta, known as the 'Napoleon of India,' succeeded Chandragupta I. His reign is well-documented in the Allahabad pillar inscription composed by his court poet Harisena.
• Chandragupta II, also called Vikramaditya, marked the classical age or golden age of ancient India. Fa-hien, the Chinese pilgrim, visited India during his rule.
• Temple art flourished during the Gupta period, with examples like the temples of Kanpur, Jhansi, Bhitargaon, Ghazipur, and Bhitari.

List of Inscriptions of Gupta Period

• Bilsad: The oldest record of Kumaragupta I's reign, dated Gupta year 96 (415 AD).
• Gadhwa: Inscriptions from Kumaragupta's reign and the last inscription of Skandagupta were found here.
• Karamdanda: Located in Ayodhya, it belongs to Kumaragupta's reign, dated Gupta year 117 (436 AD).
• Mankuwar: Dated Gupta year 129 (448 AD), this Buddhist image inscription in Kumaragupta's reign was made by the monk Buddhamitra.
• Mathura: An inscription from Chandragupta II's reign, recently dated to 388 AD.
• Bhitari: Also known as Saidpur, it describes the reign of Skandagupta and Kumaragupta I.

Vardhana Dynasty or Pushyabhuti Dynasty

• Thaneswar was the capital of this dynasty, with Prabhakaravardhana and his son Rajyavardhana as notable rulers.
• Harshavardhana, expanding his kingdom from Thaneshwar to the Narmada River, Ganjam, and Vallabhi, organized religious conferences in Prayag and Kannauj in 643 AD.

Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty

• After the Vardhana Dynasty, Yashovasman briefly ruled Kannauj. A triangular struggle between the Rashtrakuta, Pala, and Pratihara kingdoms persisted for 200 years.
• An inscription from Gwalior revealed that Nagabhatta II defeated the ruler of Kannauj, Chakrayudha, making it the capital of the Pratihara kingdom.
• Rulers like Mihirbhoja, Mahipala, and Mahendrapala played significant roles.
• In 1018-19, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India, defeating the Pratiharas.

Chandela and Gahadavala Dynasty

• Following the decline of the Gujara-Pratiharas, two novel dynasties, namely the Chandela and Gahadavala, emerged within the region.
• The Chandela rulers of Mahoba held sway for approximately 400 years, leaving enduring traces, particularly evident in the architectural marvels of Khajuraho.
• Chandradeva laid the foundation of the Gahadavala dynasty in Kannauj.
• Noteworthy monarchs of this lineage included Govindachandra and Jay Chandra.
• In the Battle of Chandawar (Firozabad) in 1194, Muhammad Ghori triumphed over Jayachandra, marking the conclusion of the Gahadavala dynasty with the demise of its last ruler.

Timeline

• 684 BC-320 BC - Magadha Empire
• 322 BC-187 BC - Mauryan Empire
• 185 BC-78 BC - Shunga Dynasty
• 75 BC-30 BC - Kanva Dynasty
• 90 AD-100 AD - Kushana Dynasty
• Around 78 AD - Shaka Dynasty
• 319 AD-543 AD - Gupta Dynasty
• 550 AD-647 AD - Vardhana Dynasty
• Mid 8th-11th Century AD - Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty
• 9th-13th Century AD - Chandela and Gahadavala Dynasty