INDIAN HISTORY
DYNASTIES AND RULERS IN ANCIENT INDIA
HARYANKA DYNASTY
Bimbisara - Contemporary of Buddha.
(544 BC- 492 BC)
Ajatshatru - Son of Bimbisara, killed his father & seized the throne.
(492 BC - 460 BC)
SHISHUNAGA DYNASTY
NANDA DYNASTY
THE MAURYAN DYNASTY
Chandragupta Maurya - With the help of Chanakya, he overthrew the Nandas.
(322 – 297 BC)
Bindusara
(297 – 273 BC) - Called the Amitraghat by Greek writers.
Ashoka
(269 – 232 BC) - THE KALINGA WAR (261 BC, mentioned in XII rock
edict) changed his attitude towards life. Ashoka became a
Buddhist after that.
- Built the Sanchi Stupa in present day Madhya Pradesh.
THE INDO-GREEKS - Greeks were the first to issue coins which can be definitely
attributed to the kings, and also the first to issue gold coins
in India.
THE SHAKAS OR SCYTHIANS - The Greeks were followed by the Shakas, who
controlled a larger part of India than the Greek did.
- A king of Ujjan, who called himself Vikramaditya,
defeated Shakas.
THE PARTHIANS
THE KUSHANS - Kanishka was their most famous king.
(45 AD) - He patronized the following persons:
- Ashwaghosha (wrote ‘Buddhacharita’, which is the biography of
Buddha.
- Nagarjuna (wrote ‘Madhyamik Sutra’)
- Vasumitra (Chairman of fourth Buddhist Council)
- Charak (a physician, wrote ‘Charak Samhita’)
THE SUNGA DYNASTY - They were basically Brahmins. This period saw the
revival of Bhagvatism.
THE KANVA DYNASTY
THE SATAVAHANAS OR THE ANDHRAS
THE PANDYAS
THE CHOLAS
THE CHERAS
THE GUPTA DYNASTY
Chandragupta – I - Started the Gupta era in 319-320 AD.
- He acquired the title of Maharajadhiraj.
Samudragupta - He is called the ‘Napoleon’ of India (by the historian
V.A. Smith)
- He assumed the titles of Kaviraj and Vikramanka.
Chandragupta – II - He was the first ruler to issue the silver coins. Also issued
copper coins.
- His court was adorned by celeberated nine gems
(navratnas) including Kalidasa, Amarsimha, Varahmihir,
and Dhanvantri.
- Chinese pilgrim Fahien visited India at this time.
Kumaragupta –I - Founded Nalanda University (a renowned university of
ancient India.
Skandagupta
PUSHYABHUTI DYNASTY
Harsha Vardhana - Chinese pilgrim, Hieun Tsang (Prince of Travelers) visited
during his reign.
- He established a large monastery at Nalanda. Banabhatta,
who adorned his court wrote Harshacharita and
Kadambari. Himself wrote 3 plays Priyadarshika,
Ratnavali and Nagananda.
CHALUKYAS OF VATAPI (Badami) - Founder –Pulakesin-I
RASHTRAKUTAS - Founder – Dantidurga.
- Their King, Krishna-I is remembered for
constructing the famous rock-cut Kailasha
temple at Ellora.
- Their king, Krishna III set up a pillar of
victory and a temple at Rameshwaram.
- Rashtrakutas are credited with the building of
cave shrine of Elephanta.
THE GANGAS - Their king Narsimhadeva constructed the Sun
temple at Konark.
- Their king Anantvarman Ganga built the
famous Jagannath temple at Bhubhaneshwar.
THE PALLAVAS - Narsimhavarman was their greatest king. He
founded the town of Mamalapuram
(Mahabalipuram) which he adorned with
beautiful rock-cut Raths or Seven Pagoras.
THE IMPERIAL CHOLAS - Founder-Vijayalaya.
(AD 846 -1279) - The greatest chola rulers were Rajaraja-I.
- Rajaraja I constructed Rajirajeshwari temple
(also called Brihadeshwar Shiva temple) at
Thanjavur. His son Rajendra-I annexed the
whole of Srilanka. In the North, went as far as
Ganga and the dominions of the Pala King
Mahipala. He took the title of ‘Gangaikonda’
after that.
- Dancing figure of shiva called Nataraja belong
to this period only.
- Local Self Government was there (concept of
Panchayati Raj has been borrowed from it)
THE PALAS OF BENGAL - Its founder was Gopala (750 AD.)
(Capital-Monghyr)
THE RAJPUTS - They were divided into 4 clans-
• Pratihara or Pariharas of S.Rajasthan.
• Chauhans of E.Rajasthan.
• Chalukyas or Solankis of Kathiarwar.
• Parmaras or Pawars of Malwa
THE VEDIC LITERATURE
THE VEDAS
• Rig Veda
• Sama Veda
• Yajur Veda
• Atharva Veda
THE ADVENT OF EUROPEANS
1. PORTUGUESE - Vasco da Gama reached Calicut on May 17, 1498. It was ruled
by a king named Zamorin. In 1502, he established a factory at
Cochin.
- The first Governor of Portuguese in India was Francisco Almedia.
- He was followed by Alfonso d’ Albuquerque in 1503. He gave
them new heights. He captured Goa in 1510 from the Bijapur
ruler. He also abolished Sati.
2. DUTCH - Dutch East India Company was formed in 1602.
- They set-up their first factory at Masulipatnam in 1605.
- Their other factories were at Pulicat, Chinsura, Patna, Balasore,
Nagapattnam, Cochin, Surat, Karikal, Kasimbazar.
3. ENGLISH - The English East India Company was formed in 1599, and was
given the royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600 to trade in
the east.
- An imperial farman allowed the Company to set up a permanent
factory at Surat in 1613. Sir Thomas Roe played an important role
in this.
4. DANES - The Danish East India Company was formed in 1616.
- They established settlements at Serampur (Bengal) and Tranquebar
(Tamil Nadu).
- The Danes sold their settlements to the English in 1845.
5. FRENCH - The French East India Company was set in 1664, at the instance of
a minister, Colbert, in the reign of Louis XIV.
- They established their first factory at Surat in 1668 and at
Masulipatnam in 1669.
DYNASTIES RULERS IN MEDIVAL INDIA
Mahmud of Ghazni - Mahmud came to the throne of Ghazni in 997 AD.
- He started his raids in India in 1001 by attacking and killing
Jaipala, the king of Punjab in the I Battle of Waihind (1008) he
defeated Anandpala (Hindushatri ruler of Punjab).
Mohammad Ghori - Priyhviraj Chauhan, who was the king of Delhi at that time,
received contingents from other Rajput kings, defeated him in
the Battle of Tarain in 1191.
- But Mohammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj in the II Battle of Tarain in 1192.
THE ILBARI DYNASTY OR SLAVE DYNASTY
Qutab-ud-Din - Laid the foundation of Qutab Minar after the name of famous Sufi
Saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki.
- Built the first mosque in India – Quwwat - ul - Islam (Delhi) and
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpara (at Ajmer)
Iltutmish -
(1210 - 1236)
Raziya - She disregarded purdah.
(1236 - 1240) - She was killed, along with her husband, by Bahram Shah, a son of
Iltutmish.
- She was the first and the last Muslim woman ruler of medival
India.
Balban - He ordered the separation of military department from the finance
(1266 - 1286) department (diwan-i-wizarat), and the former was placed under a
ministry for military affairs. (diwan-i-ariz).
- Introduced Sijdah or Paibos practice, in which the people were
required to kneel and touch the ground with their head to greet the
Sultan.
THE KHALJI DYNASTY
Jalaluddin Firuz khalji - He was the first ruler to put forward the view that since a
(1290 - 1296) large majority of people in India are Hindus, the state in
India could not be a total Islam state.
Alauddin Khalji - Added an entrance door of Qutab Minar, Alai Darwaza and
(1296- 1316) built his capital at Siri.
- Also built Hauz Khas, Mahal Hazaar Satoon and Jamait
Khana Mosque.
- Both Amir Khusrau and Mir Hasan Dehlvi enjoyed his
patronage.
THE TUGHLAQ DYNASTY
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - Built the fortified city of Tughlabad and made it his capital.
(1320 - 1325)
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq - Regarded as the most controversial figure in Indian history,
(1325 - 1351) because of his five ambitious projects:
- Increase in the land revenue in the Doab
- Transfer of capital to Devagiri (Daulatabad) in 1327
- Introduction of token currency
- Planning of expedition for the conquest of Khurasan and Iraq
- The plan for the conquest of Qarachil (Kumaon hills)
- The famous traveler, Ibn Batuta came to Delhi during 1334.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq - Wrote a book ‘Fatuhat Firozshahi’
(1351 - 1388)
THE SAYYID DYNASTY
THE LODHI DYNASTY
Bahlul Lodhi - They were Afghans by race (Considered the first Afghan
(1451-1489) Dynasty of India)
Sikander Lodhi - In 1504, he founded the city of Agra and made his capital.
(1489 - 1517)
Ibrahim Lodhi - Was defeated and killed by Babur in the I Battle of Panipat
(1517 - 1526) in 1526.
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
Babur - Introduced gun powder in India.
(1526 - 1530) - His memoir, the Tazuk-i-Baburi in Turki language is a
classic of world literature.
Humayun - But in the Battle of Kannauj (or Bilgrama) in 1540, he was
(1530 - 1556) defeated by Sher Shah and had to flee.
- Gulbadan Begum, his half – sister, wrote Humayun-Nama.
Akbar - He was coronated when he was just 14 years old.
(1556 - 1605) - Married Raja Bharmal’s daughter, Jodha Bai in 1562 which
paved the way for friendship between Rajputs and Mughals
(except Mewar).
- It was in order to commemorate his victory of Gujarat that
Akbar got the Buland Darwaza constructed at Fatehpur Sikri.
- Fought Battle of Haldighati with Maharana Pratap in which
Maharana was defeated.
- Built Ibadatkhana (Hall of Prayers) at Fatehpur Sikri.
- His land Revenue System was Known as Todar Mal Bandobast
or Zabti System.
- Also introduced the Mansabdary System to organise the nobility as well as the army.
Jahangir - He executed, the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjun Dev, who had
(1605 - 1627) helped the revolting prince Khusrau.
- The most important event in Jahangir’s life was his marriage to
Mehr-un-Nisa, the widow of Sher Afghani in 1611. The title
of Nur Jahan was conferred on her.
Shahjahan - His region is considered the ‘Golden Age’ of the Mughal
(1628 - 1658) Empire.
- Built Tajmahal, Moti Masjid at Agra, Jama Masjid at Agra and
Red Fort at Delhi, etc.
Aurangzeb Alamgir - In 1675, he ordered the arrest and execution of ninth Sikh Guru,
(1658 - 1707) Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- The Mughal conquests reached the territorial climax during his
regin, as Bijapur (1686) and Golcunda (1687) were annexed
to the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Empire stretched from
Kashmir in the North to Jinji in the South, from the Hindukush
in the West to Chittagong in the east.
- He was called a ‘Darvesh’ or a ‘Zinda Pir’. He also forbade Sati.
- The empire lost power after Aurangzeb’s rule. His successors
were weak and incapable rulers.
THE SURI DYNASTY - This short-lived dynasty, founded by Sher Shah Suri, ruled in
Delhi (North - India) from 1540 – 1555.
Sher Shah Suri - Introduced the silver ‘Rupaya’ and the copper ‘Dam’ and
(1540 - 1545) abolished all old and mixed metal currency.
- Built a new city on the bank of yamuna river (present day Purana Qila)
- Malik Mohammad Jaisi composed Padmavat (in Hindi) during his reign.
INDIAN HISTORY
DYNASTIES AND RULERS IN ANCIENT INDIA
HARYANKA DYNASTY
Bimbisara - Contemporary of Buddha.
(544 BC- 492 BC)
Ajatshatru - Son of Bimbisara, killed his father & seized the throne.
(492 BC - 460 BC)
SHISHUNAGA DYNASTY
NANDA DYNASTY
THE MAURYAN DYNASTY
Chandragupta Maurya - With the help of Chanakya, he overthrew the Nandas.
(322 – 297 BC)
Bindusara
(297 – 273 BC) - Called the Amitraghat by Greek writers.
Ashoka
(269 – 232 BC) - THE KALINGA WAR (261 BC, mentioned in XII rock
edict) changed his attitude towards life. Ashoka became a
Buddhist after that.
- Built the Sanchi Stupa in present day Madhya Pradesh.
THE INDO-GREEKS - Greeks were the first to issue coins which can be definitely
attributed to the kings, and also the first to issue gold coins
in India.
THE SHAKAS OR SCYTHIANS - The Greeks were followed by the Shakas, who
controlled a larger part of India than the Greek did.
- A king of Ujjan, who called himself Vikramaditya,
defeated Shakas.
THE PARTHIANS
THE KUSHANS - Kanishka was their most famous king.
(45 AD) - He patronized the following persons:
- Ashwaghosha (wrote ‘Buddhacharita’, which is the biography of
Buddha.
- Nagarjuna (wrote ‘Madhyamik Sutra’)
- Vasumitra (Chairman of fourth Buddhist Council)
- Charak (a physician, wrote ‘Charak Samhita’)
THE SUNGA DYNASTY - They were basically Brahmins. This period saw the
revival of Bhagvatism.
THE KANVA DYNASTY
THE SATAVAHANAS OR THE ANDHRAS
THE PANDYAS
THE CHOLAS
THE CHERAS
THE GUPTA DYNASTY
Chandragupta – I - Started the Gupta era in 319-320 AD.
- He acquired the title of Maharajadhiraj.
Samudragupta - He is called the ‘Napoleon’ of India (by the historian
V.A. Smith)
- He assumed the titles of Kaviraj and Vikramanka.
Chandragupta – II - He was the first ruler to issue the silver coins. Also issued
copper coins.
- His court was adorned by celeberated nine gems
(navratnas) including Kalidasa, Amarsimha, Varahmihir,
and Dhanvantri.
- Chinese pilgrim Fahien visited India at this time.
Kumaragupta –I - Founded Nalanda University (a renowned university of
ancient India.
Skandagupta
PUSHYABHUTI DYNASTY
Harsha Vardhana - Chinese pilgrim, Hieun Tsang (Prince of Travelers) visited
during his reign.
- He established a large monastery at Nalanda. Banabhatta,
who adorned his court wrote Harshacharita and
Kadambari. Himself wrote 3 plays Priyadarshika,
Ratnavali and Nagananda.
CHALUKYAS OF VATAPI (Badami) - Founder –Pulakesin-I
RASHTRAKUTAS - Founder – Dantidurga.
- Their King, Krishna-I is remembered for
constructing the famous rock-cut Kailasha
temple at Ellora.
- Their king, Krishna III set up a pillar of
victory and a temple at Rameshwaram.
- Rashtrakutas are credited with the building of
cave shrine of Elephanta.
THE GANGAS - Their king Narsimhadeva constructed the Sun
temple at Konark.
- Their king Anantvarman Ganga built the
famous Jagannath temple at Bhubhaneshwar.
THE PALLAVAS - Narsimhavarman was their greatest king. He
founded the town of Mamalapuram
(Mahabalipuram) which he adorned with
beautiful rock-cut Raths or Seven Pagoras.
THE IMPERIAL CHOLAS - Founder-Vijayalaya.
(AD 846 -1279) - The greatest chola rulers were Rajaraja-I.
- Rajaraja I constructed Rajirajeshwari temple
(also called Brihadeshwar Shiva temple) at
Thanjavur. His son Rajendra-I annexed the
whole of Srilanka. In the North, went as far as
Ganga and the dominions of the Pala King
Mahipala. He took the title of ‘Gangaikonda’
after that.
- Dancing figure of shiva called Nataraja belong
to this period only.
- Local Self Government was there (concept of
Panchayati Raj has been borrowed from it)
THE PALAS OF BENGAL - Its founder was Gopala (750 AD.)
(Capital-Monghyr)
THE RAJPUTS - They were divided into 4 clans-
• Pratihara or Pariharas of S.Rajasthan.
• Chauhans of E.Rajasthan.
• Chalukyas or Solankis of Kathiarwar.
• Parmaras or Pawars of Malwa
THE VEDIC LITERATURE
THE VEDAS
• Rig Veda
• Sama Veda
• Yajur Veda
• Atharva Veda
THE ADVENT OF EUROPEANS
1. PORTUGUESE - Vasco da Gama reached Calicut on May 17, 1498. It was ruled
by a king named Zamorin. In 1502, he established a factory at
Cochin.
- The first Governor of Portuguese in India was Francisco Almedia.
- He was followed by Alfonso d’ Albuquerque in 1503. He gave
them new heights. He captured Goa in 1510 from the Bijapur
ruler. He also abolished Sati.
2. DUTCH - Dutch East India Company was formed in 1602.
- They set-up their first factory at Masulipatnam in 1605.
- Their other factories were at Pulicat, Chinsura, Patna, Balasore,
Nagapattnam, Cochin, Surat, Karikal, Kasimbazar.
3. ENGLISH - The English East India Company was formed in 1599, and was
given the royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600 to trade in
the east.
- An imperial farman allowed the Company to set up a permanent
factory at Surat in 1613. Sir Thomas Roe played an important role
in this.
4. DANES - The Danish East India Company was formed in 1616.
- They established settlements at Serampur (Bengal) and Tranquebar
(Tamil Nadu).
- The Danes sold their settlements to the English in 1845.
5. FRENCH - The French East India Company was set in 1664, at the instance of
a minister, Colbert, in the reign of Louis XIV.
- They established their first factory at Surat in 1668 and at
Masulipatnam in 1669.
DYNASTIES RULERS IN MEDIVAL INDIA
Mahmud of Ghazni - Mahmud came to the throne of Ghazni in 997 AD.
- He started his raids in India in 1001 by attacking and killing
Jaipala, the king of Punjab in the I Battle of Waihind (1008) he
defeated Anandpala (Hindushatri ruler of Punjab).
Mohammad Ghori - Priyhviraj Chauhan, who was the king of Delhi at that time,
received contingents from other Rajput kings, defeated him in
the Battle of Tarain in 1191.
- But Mohammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj in the II Battle of Tarain in 1192.
THE ILBARI DYNASTY OR SLAVE DYNASTY
Qutab-ud-Din - Laid the foundation of Qutab Minar after the name of famous Sufi
Saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki.
- Built the first mosque in India – Quwwat - ul - Islam (Delhi) and
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpara (at Ajmer)
Iltutmish -
(1210 - 1236)
Raziya - She disregarded purdah.
(1236 - 1240) - She was killed, along with her husband, by Bahram Shah, a son of
Iltutmish.
- She was the first and the last Muslim woman ruler of medival
India.
Balban - He ordered the separation of military department from the finance
(1266 - 1286) department (diwan-i-wizarat), and the former was placed under a
ministry for military affairs. (diwan-i-ariz).
- Introduced Sijdah or Paibos practice, in which the people were
required to kneel and touch the ground with their head to greet the
Sultan.
THE KHALJI DYNASTY
Jalaluddin Firuz khalji - He was the first ruler to put forward the view that since a
(1290 - 1296) large majority of people in India are Hindus, the state in
India could not be a total Islam state.
Alauddin Khalji - Added an entrance door of Qutab Minar, Alai Darwaza and
(1296- 1316) built his capital at Siri.
- Also built Hauz Khas, Mahal Hazaar Satoon and Jamait
Khana Mosque.
- Both Amir Khusrau and Mir Hasan Dehlvi enjoyed his
patronage.
THE TUGHLAQ DYNASTY
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - Built the fortified city of Tughlabad and made it his capital.
(1320 - 1325)
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq - Regarded as the most controversial figure in Indian history,
(1325 - 1351) because of his five ambitious projects:
- Increase in the land revenue in the Doab
- Transfer of capital to Devagiri (Daulatabad) in 1327
- Introduction of token currency
- Planning of expedition for the conquest of Khurasan and Iraq
- The plan for the conquest of Qarachil (Kumaon hills)
- The famous traveler, Ibn Batuta came to Delhi during 1334.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq - Wrote a book ‘Fatuhat Firozshahi’
(1351 - 1388)
THE SAYYID DYNASTY
THE LODHI DYNASTY
Bahlul Lodhi - They were Afghans by race (Considered the first Afghan
(1451-1489) Dynasty of India)
Sikander Lodhi - In 1504, he founded the city of Agra and made his capital.
(1489 - 1517)
Ibrahim Lodhi - Was defeated and killed by Babur in the I Battle of Panipat
(1517 - 1526) in 1526.
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
Babur - Introduced gun powder in India.
(1526 - 1530) - His memoir, the Tazuk-i-Baburi in Turki language is a
classic of world literature.
Humayun - But in the Battle of Kannauj (or Bilgrama) in 1540, he was
(1530 - 1556) defeated by Sher Shah and had to flee.
- Gulbadan Begum, his half – sister, wrote Humayun-Nama.
Akbar - He was coronated when he was just 14 years old.
(1556 - 1605) - Married Raja Bharmal’s daughter, Jodha Bai in 1562 which
paved the way for friendship between Rajputs and Mughals
(except Mewar).
- It was in order to commemorate his victory of Gujarat that
Akbar got the Buland Darwaza constructed at Fatehpur Sikri.
- Fought Battle of Haldighati with Maharana Pratap in which
Maharana was defeated.
- Built Ibadatkhana (Hall of Prayers) at Fatehpur Sikri.
- His land Revenue System was Known as Todar Mal Bandobast
or Zabti System.
- Also introduced the Mansabdary System to organise the nobility as well as the army.
Jahangir - He executed, the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjun Dev, who had
(1605 - 1627) helped the revolting prince Khusrau.
- The most important event in Jahangir’s life was his marriage to
Mehr-un-Nisa, the widow of Sher Afghani in 1611. The title
of Nur Jahan was conferred on her.
Shahjahan - His region is considered the ‘Golden Age’ of the Mughal
(1628 - 1658) Empire.
- Built Tajmahal, Moti Masjid at Agra, Jama Masjid at Agra and
Red Fort at Delhi, etc.
Aurangzeb Alamgir - In 1675, he ordered the arrest and execution of ninth Sikh Guru,
(1658 - 1707) Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- The Mughal conquests reached the territorial climax during his
regin, as Bijapur (1686) and Golcunda (1687) were annexed
to the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Empire stretched from
Kashmir in the North to Jinji in the South, from the Hindukush
in the West to Chittagong in the east.
- He was called a ‘Darvesh’ or a ‘Zinda Pir’. He also forbade Sati.
- The empire lost power after Aurangzeb’s rule. His successors
were weak and incapable rulers.
THE SURI DYNASTY - This short-lived dynasty, founded by Sher Shah Suri, ruled in
Delhi (North - India) from 1540 – 1555.
Sher Shah Suri - Introduced the silver ‘Rupaya’ and the copper ‘Dam’ and
(1540 - 1545) abolished all old and mixed metal currency.
- Built a new city on the bank of yamuna river (present day Purana Qila)
- Malik Mohammad Jaisi composed Padmavat (in Hindi) during his reign.
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