The Gupta Empire (AD 320-467) General Knowledge:
- Founder – Sri Gupta
- Nalanda University was built by Kumargupt.
- The great Mathematician Aryabhata lived during this age. He discovered the number “0” and value of Pi. He wrote “Aryabhatiya” and “Suryasiddhanta”.
- Kali das the great poet also belonged to this period.
- Chandragupta (320-335 AD) was the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Sri Gupta.
Kanva Dynasty (73-28 B.C.)
- founder- Vasudeva Kanva.
- Other Sunga Rulers: Bhumimitra, Narayana, Susai man.
Satvahana Dynasty
- It ruled in the Deccan and Central India after Mauryans.
- Founder- Sirnuka
- Most powerful Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni (A.D. 106-130)
Other Dynasties
- Kharavela was the greatest king of Chedi Dynasty.
- Source of information: Hatigumpha Pillar inscription (Created by Kharavela)
- The Sakas were a group of nomadic tribes of Iranian origin or Scythian tribes, who lived in Central Asia.
- Kanishka is considered to have conflicted with the Pataliputra and had taken Asvaghosa, the Buddhist Monk to Purushpura.
- Founder of Pallava Dynasty- Simhavishnu, Capital – Kanchi.
The Sangam Kingdom
The Tamil Sangam was an academy of poets and bards.
| Sangam | Place of Organisation | Chairman | Kingdom |
| First | Thenmadurai | Agastya | Pandiya |
| Second | Kapatapuram | Earlier- Agastya, Later- Tolkappiyar (a disciple of Agastaya) | Pandiya |
| Third | North Madurai | Nakkirar | Pandiya |
- Sumudragupta (AD 335-375) Harisena described him as the “Hero of a Hundred – Battles.”
- Prayag Prashasti (Written by Harisen) is the main source of information on his reign.
- Samundragupta was succeeded by his son Chandragupta Vikramaditya (or II).
- Kumaragupta (AD 415-455) is the son of Chandragupta II.
- Gupta Period is also known as the ‘Golden Age of Ancient India’.
The Post Gupta Period (550AD-647AD)
SOUTHERN INDIA
- Capital of Chalukyas (AD 543-753)- Badami (Bagalkot district of North Karnataka)
- Pulakeshin 1 is generally attr ibuted to be the first Chalukyan king.
- Narasimhavarman completed the beautiful temples of Mahablipurain.
Rashtrakutas (AD 753-973)
Founded by Dantidurg; Krishna I built Kailasha temple at Ellora. Amoghavarsha, who is compared to Vikramaditya, wrote the first Kannada poetry Kaviraj Marg.
Gangas
Ruled Orissa; Narsimhadeva constructed Sun Temple at Konark; Anantvarman built the Jagannath Temple at Puri; and Kesaris who used to rule before Gangas built the Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar.
Pushyabhutl Dynasty (600-647 A.D.)
- The greatest king was Harshavardhana, son of Prabhakar Vardhana of Thaneshwar. He shifted the capital to Kannauj.
- Hieun Tsang visited during his reign.
- Harsha himself wrote three plays – Priyadarhika, Ratnawali and Nagananda.
Pallavas (AD 600-757)
Founder-Simhavishnu; capital-Kanchi; greatest king Narsimhavarman who founded the town of Mamallapuram
(Mahabalipuram).
- Palas dynasty was founded by Gopala I, who was elected as king of people,
- Palas with capital at Monghyr is known for Dharmapala, their second king, who founded Vikramashila University and revived Nalanda University.
- The greatest ruler of Pratiharas was Bhoja (also known as Mihir, Adivraha).
Chalukyas (543-755 A.D.)
- Pulakesin I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He established a small kingdom with Vatapi or Badami as its capital.
- Their cave temples are found in Ajanta Lllora and Nasik.
The Cholas (AD 985-1279)
- Founder Vijayalaya, Capital Tanjore.
- Aditya I Chola wiped out Pallavas and weakened Pandayas.
- Purantaka I captured Madurai, but defeated by Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna II] at the Battle of Takkolam.
Ancient Indian Books and Authors
| Buddhacharita | Asvaghosha |
| Kirtarjuniya | Bharavi |
| Ravanavadha | Bhatti |
| Ratnavali | Harshavardhana |
| Priyadarshika | Harshavardhana |
| Uttar Ramacharita | Bhavabhuti |
| Brihat Katha Manjari | Kshemendra |
| Katha Sarita Sagara | Somadeva |
| Charak Samhita | Charak |