Important Dynasties in Ancient India General Knowledge

Important Dynasties in Ancient India General Knowledge:

The Haryanaka dynasty (544 – 412 B.C.)

• Bimbisara was the first ruler and founder of Haryanka dynasty. The capital of the kingdom was Rajagriha.
• Ajatasatru who killed his father and seized the throne for himself.
• He was contemporary to Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha and a follower of Buddhism.
• Ajatasatru was succeeded by Udayin.

Shishunaga dynasty (412-344 B.C.)

• The last Haryanka ruler, Nagadasaka, was killed by his courtier Shishunaga in 430 B.C, who became the king and founded the Shishunaga dynasty.

Nanda dynasty (344-321 B.C.)

• Mahapadmananda established the Nanda dynasty into a powerful empire.
• Last ruler of Nanda dynasty was Dhanananda. He was contemporary of Alexander.
• Alexander invasion of India took place in 326 B.C. during the reign of Dhanananda.

The Mauryan empire (322-185 B.C.)

• Founder— Chandragupta Maurya
• Its capital was Pataliputra.
• He embraced Jainism
• He died at Sravanbelagula
• The  war  of  Kalinga  (BC  261)  was  the turning  point  of  Ashoka’s  life,  the  nu$s death  of  the  war  changed  his  mind  am  e became a follower of Buddhism.
• Ashok Stambh of Sarnatli was adopted as national emblem of India.
• Sanchi Stupa was built by Ashoka
• Ashoka’s Dhamma was a code of conduit (a set of principles like respect to elders) mercy to slaves & emphasis on truth, non­ violence & tolerance.

Number	Name of Emperor	Reign
1	Chandragupta Maurva	322 BC – 298 BC
2	Bindusara	298 BC – 272 BC
3	Ashoka	274 BC – 232 BC
4	Dasaratha	232 BC – 224 BC
5	Samprati	224 BC – 215 BC
6	Salisuka	215 BC – 202 BC
7	Devavarman	202 BC – 195 BC
8	Satadhanvan	195 BC -187 BC
9	Brihadatha	187 BC -185 BC

Sunga Dynasty (185 to 73 B.C.)

• Pushyamitra Sunga was the senapati of last king of Mauryan empire Brihadratha. He killed Brihadratha and founded the Sunga dynasty in 187 B.C.
• Its capital was Pataliputra but later Vidhisha was the capital of Sunga rulers.
• Founder of Chera Dynasty: Utiyan Cheralatan.
• Founder of Chola Dynasty: Vijayalaya Capital – Kaveripattanam.

Temples & their location

The Kailash Temple	Ellora
The Hoysala temple	Belur and Halebid
The Chennakesava temple	Belur
The Hoysaleswara templ	Halebid
The Ratha and Shore temple	Mahabalipuram
The Brihadeshwara temple	Tanjavu
The Vithala temple	Harmpi
The Meenakshi Temple	Madurai