Major Dynasties

Major Indian Dynasties: An Overview

Ancient India has seen many dynasties rise and fall during different periods. Many great dynasties have their name written in the history of India. Some of the major dynasties of India are listed below:

• Haryanka Dynasty: Middle of 6th century BCE–413 BCEShishunaga Dynasty: 413 BCE–345 BCE
• Nanda Dynasty- 345 BCE–322 BCE
• Mauryan Dynasty: 322 BCE–185 BCE
• The Kushans/ Yeuchi: 30–375
• The Sunga dynasty: 185 BC- 75 BC
• Ikshvaku dynasty
• The Chola Dynasty: 300s BCE–1279 CE
• The Pandyan Dynasty: at least 4th century BCE–1345 AD
• The Chera Dynasty: 3rd century BCE–12th century CE
• The Pallava Dynasty: 275 CE–897 CE
• Chalukya Dynasty: 543–753

Gurjar Pratihar Dynasty

The Gurjar Pratihar dynasty, of medieval Hindu India, was an imperial power during the late classical period on the Indian subcontinent. This particular dynasty ruled the northern part of India starting from the mid of 8th century to the 11th century. First, the Gurjar Pratihar dynasty ruled Ujjain and later Kannauj during the 8th to 11th centuries. 

Etymology and Origin

The origin of the Gurjara dynasty is a topic of debate among historians. The rulers of this particular dynasty are believed to use the self-designation ‘Pratihara’ for their clan and didn’t claim themselves Gurjaras. 

The dynasty is claimed to be descended from the Lakshmana, a legendary hero who is considered to have acted as a Pratihara (door-keeper) for Rama, his brother. Whereas there are some scholars who theorize that the Gurjar Prathira ancestors used to serve as a ‘minister of defense’ in the Rashtrakuta court, and this is how this dynasty came to be referred to as Pratihara.

Early Rulers

Nagabhata I (739-760) is considered to be the early ruler of the Gurjar Pratihar dynasty. He was at first a feudatory of the Chavdas of Bhillamala, and it was after the downfall of the Chavda kingdom that He gained prominence. Nagabhata 1 later extended his rule over eastern and southern parts of Mandor, conquering Malwa to Gwalior and the port of Bharuch in Gujarat.

Chauhan Dynasty

Chauhan Dynasty was ruled by the Chauhan rulers from C. 800 to 1316 A.D. Chauhan, also spelt Chouhan, Chohhan, or Chohan is a clan name that is found amongst the Rajputs who ruled the northern part of India.

Origin

The term Chauhan is considered the vernacular form of the Sanskrit term Chahamana. In multiple Chauhan inscriptions, Chahamana as the ancestor of Chauhans is named as a legendary hero, but nothing is stated about the period in which he lived.

The Sevadi inscription of Ratnapala, a ruler of the Naddula Chahamana dynasty back in 1119 CE, is the earliest inscription that describes the origin of the Chauhans. As per this particular inscription, it was the eye of Indra from which the ancestor of Chahamanas was born. 

History of Chauhans

The Chauhans are considered to be historically powerful groups in the area called Rajasthan. Their strength in Sambhar was the threat to the power base of the Guhilots in the southwest of India for 400 years starting from the 7th century CE. It was in 1192 that the Chauhan dynasty suffered a setback when Prithviraj Chauhan, their leader, was defeated at the Second Battle of Tarain. 

Chalukya Dynasty

The Chalukya Dynasty was the classical Indian dynasty that ruled between the 6th and the 12th centuries over larger parts of southern and central India. During the reign of the Chalukya dynasty, they ruled three related but individual dynasties. 

Three Chalukya Dynasties

The ‘Badami Chalukyas’, the earliest dynasty, ruled from the middle of the 6th century from Vatapi. It was after the decline of the Kadamba kingdom of Banavasi that Badami Chalukyas began to assert their independence, and during the reign of Pulakeshin II, the dynasty rose to prominence. 

In the eastern Deccan, Pulakeshin II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom and ruled from Vengi until about the 11th century. 

Rashtrakutas eclipsed the Chalukyas of Badami in the mid of the 8th century before being revived by the western Chalukyas, their descendants in the late 10th century. The Western Chalukyas ruled till the end of the 12th century from Kalyani.

Origin

According to different historians, the founders of the Chalukya Empire at Badami were native to modern Karnataka. A later record of Easter Chulukyas claims that one ruler of Ayodhya came to south India and defeated the Pallavas. He married the princess of Pallavas, and they had a child named Vijayaditya, who is claimed to be the father of Pulakeshin. 

Conclusion

Indian history is considered a vital subject in different government competitive exams. And the ancient Indian dynasties majorly contribute to this particular subject. The dynasties are considered to be of great significance in Indian history and remark the beginning of an era. Therefore, it is essential for the aspirants preparing for government exams to know about the major Indian dynasties. The above-mentioned article will help to know about the details of important dynasties in ancient India by giving an insight into the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty, Chalukya dynasty, and Chauhan dynasty.