Royal Families Of India

[Guest]

Dogra Regiment

The Dogras who form the hardy and loyal population of the hill regions of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir have a long tradition of soldiering. They had been in the service of the British some years as part of the Frontier Force. The Dogras formed into a regiment in 1887, and three Dogra Regiments were raised as part of the Bengal Infantry. During the World Wars, more Dogra battalions were added and after 1947 the Dogra Regiment gained further in the additional battalions as part of the Army's post-1962 expansion. The Dogra Scouts come under the aegis of the Dogra Regiment.

The Regiment has earned respect as a disciplined and dependable group of Infantry. Enrolling in the army has long been the ambition and career motivation of the hill regions of the Dogras. The earnings from the military service have been well spent for over a century in the otherwise economically backward hill region of the Dogras. Soldiering has not only become a substantial part of the economic structure of the Dogra Hills, but created social and cultural traditions built on the people's association with the army. The regiment has produced one Army Chief, General Nirmal Chander Vij. The General also serves as the 10th Colonel-in-Chief of the Dogra Regiment and the Dogra Scouts.



But in his article Airavat Singh is right in saying that the term "Dogra" is applied to Himachal people only for the purpose of Indian Army recruitment.

[Guest]

Last Nizam: My Kingdom for a Sheep
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->How could Jah, the grandest of Indian kings, inheritor of possibly the world's greatest private fortune, end up on a sheep farm in Australia—and then lose it? This particular tale, however, is true—and it's the subject of a fascinating new book, The Last Nizam: An Indian Prince in the Australian Outback, by John Zubrzycki.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Jah's seven predecessors as Nizam were the rulers of Hyderabad, a kingdom in southern India. His grandfather, the seventh Nizam, was believed to be the world's richest man—in 1949 the New York Times estimated his fortune at more than $2 billion. Over seven generations, the jewelry-mad Nizams had built up an unparalleled collection of gems: their pearls alone, the Times reported, would "pave Broadway from Times Square to Columbus Circle."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->In 1967, when a 33-year-old, British-educated Mukarram Jah became the eighth Nizam after his grandfather's death, he was no longer a real king, but he was still dizzyingly rich—the master of numerous palaces, a fleet of Rolls-Royces and five trust funds. Muslims in Hyderabad revered Jah, whose maternal grandfather was the last Caliph of Islam in Turkey; the Indian government hoped he would become a diplomat. But the impetuous young man, still sulking over the end of his kingdom, was more interested in tinkering with cars. Then, in 1972, he discovered Australia. After his first glance of the outback, he is said to have exclaimed: "<b>I love this place, miles and miles of open country, and not a bloody Indian in sight.</b>"
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This guy reminds me of that Javed Jafri character in a Hindi Movie, the one settled in Oz, hates Indians and only English word he keeps saying "eggggjacktly"

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Zubrzycki writes that Jah, who is still alive, blames fate for his woes; and it isn't hard to feel sorry for this childlike, inquisitive man, lost in a whirlpool of historical change and legal tangles. Yet if Jah had used even a fraction of his money and status, he could have transformed the lives of millions of poor people in Hyderabad. At the least, he should have been able to make a farm in the outback turn a profit. Instead, after losing one of the greatest fortunes in history, the last Nizam retired to Turkey, where, we are told, he lives a modest and anonymous life, and spends his time—quite appropriately—studying Roman ruins.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ah the karma <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->

[Guest]

<!--emo&:bhappy--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/b_woot.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='b_woot.gif' /><!--endemo--> Ali Akbar's son claims to be Hindu
Priyanka Dasgupta
[ 1 Sep, 2006 0048hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]


RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates

KOLKATA: Aasish Khan, the son of sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, has embraced Hinduism, sparking off a raging debate and heartache to the 84-year-old father who has told TOI his son was besmirching his illustrious family’s name.

Aasish, who has already changed his surname to Debsharma through affidavit on August 19, claims his family was never really Muslim. "We were originally Brahmins and used the surname Debsharma. My great-grandfather Sadananda Debsharma took the title of Khan, which is not a surname and is used by Hindus and Christians... due to compulsions. We never converted to Islam."

His dad is distraught. In an email to TOI from the US, where Ali Akbar has settled down, he said: "I do not support his (Aasish’s) choice. Unfortunately, many statements made by my son in the newspaper regarding the history of my family are incorrect. My family has been Muslims for many generations, and we will remain Muslims. It is a shame that he is trying to reinvent the history of our family and in turn hurting the past generation of our family."

Aasish's 'reinvention' is that his ancestors were Hindus. He claims his family even prayed to goddesses Kali and Saraswati. He said he was never asked to follow Islamic rituals or offer namaz and his grandfather had given Hindu names to him and his siblings — Dhyanesh, Pranesh and Amaresh.

"Staunch Muslims have opposed my decision," he said. "They did not realise we were never converted to Islam. I would like to make it clear that the only religion our family believes in is music," said the 60-something Aasish.

Ali Akbar Khan, who juggles his classes at Ali Akbar College of Music and three dialysis sessions a week with his rare concerts across the world, is hurt and the music fraternity stunned by Aasish’s claim.

The Ali Akbar family is not an ordinary family — his father Allaudin Khan is the founder of the Maihar gharana and his disciples, including Ravi Shankar, Nikhil Banerjee and Ali Akbar, have dominated the Hindustani classical music world for years.

[Bharatvarsh]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->KOLKATA: Aasish Khan, the son of sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, has embraced Hinduism, sparking off a raging debate and heartache to the 84-year-old father who has told TOI his son was besmirching his illustrious family’s name. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Finally some good news, I hope these so called Hindu orgs realise that there are many fanatical Muslims who may want to kill the guy for what he did and offer him protection.

[Guest]

PC Guleria, Digvijay,

Do you know this Rajput from Himachal Pradesh? :-

http://tomgreen.com/uploads/lg_136393122...fdd913.jpg

His name is Dalip "Giant" Singh.

He is 7'3" and weighs 408 pounds!

[acharya]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_monarchs

*

[edit]

Sun Dynasty (c. 1700 BC - 1500 BC)

* Vivasvant - the Sun God, who commenced this clan (mythological)
* Manu - the King of all mankind and the first human being (mythological)
* Ikshvaku - first prominent monarch of this dynasty
* Kukshi - the only son of King Iksvaku
* Vikukshi - According to the Brahma Purana, Vikukshi was sent to fetch meat for the sacrifice to be performed by his father. While hunting game, the prince was overcome by hunger and ate some of the meat destined for the sacrifice. This was an act of sacrilege, therefore, Vashistha ordered King Kukshi to banish him from the kingdom. He is also known as "Sashada", one who has eaten the meat of a rabbit
* Bana
* King Anaranya
* Prithu
* Trishanku - His original name was Satyavrata. His son was Dhundumara. Satyavrata committed three sins, and hence he got the name Trishanku. First, while a prince, he misbehaved in the kingdom and was temporarily exiled. Next, he killed the milch cow of his perceptor Vasishta. His third sin was that he used the unsanctified meat of his kill as food. He also had a quench to ascend heaven in his mortal body. Since, Vashistha denied him this right, since it is against nature to ascend heaven as a mortal, Vishwamitra created a heaven for him, called "Trishank's Heaven", which is located in mid-air
* Dhundumara
* Yuvanashva - He is referred to as the "speediest charioteer" (Rama 1.70.25)
* Mandhata - One of the most illustrious monarchs. He was very powerful who was equally in power to the Lord of Lanka, Ravana. He wanted to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, ruled by Lord Indra, whoever, he was sent to fight Lavnasur, who eventually defeated him through his Trishul granted by Lord Shiva
* Sushandi - He had two sons, Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit
* Dhruvasandhi
* Bharata
* Asita - He was defeated by rival Kings from the clans of Haihayas, Talajanghas and Shashabindhus in battle. He fled to the Himalayas with his two wives. While there, he fell ill and died. At the time of his death, both his wives were pregnant. One of the wives, named Kalindi was given poison by the other, with the intention of inducing abortion. However, when both went to the hermitage of sage Chyavana, he blessed the poisoned wife, saying, "A highly illustrious son shall be born to you. He shall be born with the toxin in his body, but shall live a full life." He then gave her asylum. Sagara, was born to her, with poison in his body as foretold by the sage
* Sagara - When he grew up, Sage Chyavana told him of how his father had to flee from his enemies, three Kings from the clans of Haihayas, Talajanghas, and Sashabindhus. Sagara, who by then had become an accomplished warrior, amassed an army and succeeded in defeating his father's enemies and regained his kingdom. Due to his kindness, sea was given a vast place on Earth from the netherworld. Therefore, the sea is also known as Sagar, taken from the donater
* Asmanjya
* Amshuman
* Dilip
* Bhagirath - The ancestors of King Bhageeratha had been burnt to ashes by the great sage Kapila in the netherworld. Since no one had performed their funeral rites, they could not ascend to heaven. When Bhagirath came to know of this, he saught the advise of learned men, as to the means by which his ancestors could be freed from this state. Their advice was unequivocal, "Only the Sacred river Ganga, that flows in the heavens can wash away the sins of your ancestors. Unless you bring her down to the earth to wet the ashes of your ancestors, they will be eternally cursed". Accordingly Bhagirath started to perform a terrible penance. He underwent many agonizing trials and set-backs, but he perservered. At last he obtained the boon that Ganga would flow on earth. However, the earth could not stand the force of her flow, so he sought the help of Lord Shiva to control the river's flow. Shiva arrested major portion of the river in his matted locks and let only a small portion flow to the earth, thereby making it possible for the earth to bear the burden. Ganga washed away the sins, and helped the ancestors of Bhagirath to ascend to heaven. Since she was brought to earth by the efforts of Bhagirath, she is also called Bhagirathi.
* Kakutstha - son of Great King Sagar
* Raghu - Due to his extreme kindness and supreme valor, the Sun Dynasty is also known as Raghu Dynasty (Raghuvansha).
* Pravriddha - Once, he angered his perceptor Vasishta, who cursed him. Pravriddha wanted to curse him back, and took water from his vessel for that purpose. However, his queen Madayanti restrained him. The magical water fell on his feet, that became blemished as a result. From that day, he was known as Kalmashapada ('one of blemished feet'). Later, he got into an argument with Shakti regarding right-of-way in a forest lane. Vishwamitra, who was the rival of Vasishta, seized this opportunity and caused the spirit of a flesh-eating demon to enter the body of the King. Thus possessed, the King devoured Shakti alive. He also killed the other ninety-nine sons of Vasishta in a similar fashion. Later, he was freed from the curse, but could not father a child due to the curse uttered by a Brahmana woman. So, Vasishta went unto his queen Madayanti and begat Shankana
* Shankana
* Sudarshana
* Agnivarna
* Shigragha
* Maru
* Prashushruka
* Ambarisha
* Nahusa
* Yayati
* Nabhaga
* Aja - father of King Dashratha.
* Dashratha - father of Lord Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. He is very well known for his encounter with the Asuras in the Deva-Asura Sangram (God-Demigod Fight) in which he helped Lord Indra
* Rama

[edit]

Puru-Bharata Dynasty (c. 1600 BC - 1026 CE)

Please note that these dates are debated among scholars of Indology.
[edit]

Bharata Dynasty (c. 1600-1400 BC)

* Manu Vaivasvata (from c. 1600 BC)
* Sudyumna
* Yayati, great-grandson of Sudyumna
* Dushyanta, father of Bharata
* Bharata, son of Dushyanta, India's native name Bharatavarsha (Bharat) is named after him
* Bhimanyu, son of Bharata
* Sudas
* Rsabha
* Srestha
* Vidura
* Bharata Muni
* Artha-Vinirnayah (until c. 1400 BC)

[edit]

Puru Dynasty (c. 1400-1200 BC)

* Puru-rava Aila (from c. 1400 BC), descendant of the Bharata dynasty
* Ayu
* Yayati Nahushya
* Dauhshanti Saudyumni
* Ajamidha
* Riksha
* Trasadasyu
* Samavarana (until c. 1200 BC)

[edit]

Kuru Dynasty (c. 1200-450 BC)

* Kuru-Sravana (from c. 1200 BC), son of Puru king Samavarana, featured in the ancient epic Mahabharata (see Kuru (Hindu mythology))
* Uchchaihsravas Kaupayeya
* Prati sutvana
* Bahlika Pratipeya
* Santnu
* Dhritarashtra, featured in the Mahabharata
* Parikshita, featured in the Mahabharata as the grandson of Arjuna Pandava (a central character)
* Janamejaya (until c. 1000 BC), son of Parikshita
* Korayvya (c. 600-550 BC)
* Dhananjaya (c. 550-500 BC), said to be a descendant of Yudhishtra Pandava (a central character in the Mahabharata)
* Ratthapala (c. 500-450 BC), embraced Buddhism, the Kuru kingdom soon became a republic

[edit]

Paurava Dynasty (c. 450-316 BC)

* Ambhi (Omphis/Taxiles in Greek) (until c. 320 BC), descendant of the Kuru dynasty, ruled Taxila (Takshashila) in Pakistan, surrendered Taxila to Alexander
* Purushottama (Porus in Greek) (until c. 320 BC), descendant of the Kuru dynasty, ruled Jhelum (Hydaspes) and Chenab in Pakistan, fought Alexander in the Battle of the Hydaspes River
* Malayketu (c. 320-316 BC), son of Purushottama (Porus), killed in the Battle of Gabiene

[edit]

Janjua Shahi Dynasty (964-1026 CE)

* Jayapala (964-1001), son of Asatapala, descendant of the Kuru dynasty and Shahi dynasty, descendant of Janamejaya
* Anandapala (c. 1001-1011), son of Jayapala
* Trilochanpala (c. 1011-1022), son of Anandapala, assassinated in 1021-1022
* Bhímapála (c. 1022-1026), son of Tirlochanpala.

[edit]

Magadhan Emperors (c. 684 BC - 550 CE)
[edit]

Shishunaga Dynasty (684-424 BC)

* Shishunaga (684-644 BC), established the kingdom of Magadha
* Kakavarna (644-618 BC)
* Kshemadharman (618-582 BC)
* Kshatraujas (582-558 BC)
* Bimbisara (544-491 BC), founder of the first Magadhan empire
* Ajatashatru (491-461 BC)
* Darshaka (from 461 BC)
* Udayin
* Nandivardhana
* Mahanandin (until 424 BC), his empire is inherited by his illegitimate son Mahapadma Nanda

[edit]

Shakya Dynasty (c. 650-500 BC)

* Suddhodana Gautama (c. 600-500 BC), king of the Shakyas, father of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
* Maya (c. 600-500 BC), queen of the Shakyas, wife and cousin of Suddhodana, mother of Siddhartha
* Suprahuddha (c. 600-500 BC), lord of Devadaha Castle, brother of Maya, father of princess Yashodhara (wife of Buddha)

[edit]

Nanda Dynasty (424-321 BC)

* Mahapadma Nanda (from 424 BC), illegitimate son of Mahanandin, founded the Nanda Empire after inheriting Mahanandin's empire
* Pandhuka
* Panghupati
* Bhutapala
* Rashtrapala
* Govishanaka
* Dashasidkhaka
* Kaivarta
* Dhana (Agrammes, Xandrammes) (until 321 BC), lost his empire to Chandragupta Maurya after being defeated by him

[edit]

Maurya Dynasty (324-184 BC)

* Chandragupta Maurya (Sandrakottos) (324-301 BC), founded the Mauryan Empire after defeating both the Nanda Empire and the Macedonian Seleucid Empire, claimed descent from Shakya dynasty
* Bindusara Amitraghata (301-273 BC)
* Ashoka Vardhana (Ashoka the Great) (273-232 BC), considered the greatest ancient Indian emperor, first emperor to unify India (after conquering most of South Asia and Afghanistan), adopt Buddhism, grant animal rights and promote non-violence
* Dasaratha (232-224 BC)
* Samprati (224-215 BC)
* Salisuka (215-202 BC)
* Devavarman (202-195 BC)
* Satadhanvan (195-187 BC), the Mauryan Empire had shrunk by the time of his reign
* Brhadrata (187-184 BC), assassinated by Pusyamitra Shunga

[edit]

Shunga Dynasty (185-73 BC)

* Pusyamitra Shunga (185-151 BC), founded the dynasty after assasinating Brhadrata
* Agnimitra (from 151 BC), son and successor of Pusyamitra
* Bhagabhadra, mentioned by the Puranas
* Devabhuti (until 73 BC), last Sunga king

[edit]

Gupta Dynasty (c. 240-550 CE)

* Sri-Gupta I (c. 240-290)
* Ghatotkacha (290-305)
* Chandra Gupta I (305-335), founder of the Gupta Empire, which is often regarded as the golden age of Indian culture
* Samudra Gupta (335-370)
* Rama Gupta (370-375)
* Chandra Gupta II (Chandragupta Vikramaditya) (375-415), son of Samudra Gupta, the Gupta Empire achieved its zenith under his reign, the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien describes Indian culture during his reign
* Kumara Gupta I (415-455)
* Skanda Gupta (455-467)
* Kumara Gupta II (467-477)
* Buddha Gupta (477-496)
* Chandra Gupta III (496-500)
* Vainya Gupta (500-515)
* Narasimha Gupta (510-530)
* Kumara Gupta III (530-540)
* Vishnu Gupta (c. 540-550)

[edit]

Pandya Dynasty (c. 550 BC - Present)
[edit]

Central Pandya Dynasty (c. 550 BC - 1311 CE)

* Kulasekara (c. 550-450 BC)
* Pandion (c. 50 BC - 50 CE), known as Pandion to Greeks and Romans
* Kadungon (c. 600-700 CE), revived the dynasty
* Pandalathu Thampuran (from c. 1102)
* Punjattil Thampuran (from c. 1102)
* Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1251-1268), revived Pandyan glory, considered one of the greatest conquerors of Southern India
* Maravarman Sundara Pandyan
* Maravarman Kulasekaran I (1268-1308)
* Sundara Pandya (1308-1311), son of Maravarman Kulasekaran, fought with his brother Vira Pandya over the throne
* Vira Pandya (1308-1311), son of Maravarman Kulasekaran, fought with his brother of Sundara Pandya over the throne, Madurai was conquered by the Khilji dynasty

[edit]

Pandalam Dynasty (903 - Present)

* Raja Rajasekhara (c. 1200-1500), descendant of the Pandya Dynasty, father of Ayyappan (often regarded as a Hindu deity)
* Punartham Naal Ravi Varma Thampuran (c. 1950-2002)
* Revathi Nal Rama Varma Raja (2002 - Present), currently the Raja of the Pandalam dynasty, living in Kerala at present

[edit]

Foreign Emperors in North-Western India (c. 538 BC - 750 CE)

These empires were vast, centered in Persia or the Mediterranean; their satrapies (provinces) in India were at their outskirts.
[edit]

Persian Achaemenid Dynasty (c. 538-330 BC)

* Cyrus the Great (c. 538-529 BC), established the Achaemenid Empire, conquered parts of what is now Pakistan
* Cambyses II (530-521 BC)
* Smerdis (521 BC)
* Darius I (521-486 BC)
* Xerxes I (486-465 BC)
* Artaxerxes I (474-424 BC)
* Xerxes II (424-423 BC)
* Sogdianus (424-423 BC)
* Darius II (424-404 BC)
* Artaxerxes II (404-358 BC)
* Artaxerxes III (358-338 BC)
* Artaxerxes IV Arses (338-336 BC)
* Darius III Codomannus (336-330 BC), defeated by King Alexander the Great (who replaces the Achaemenid Empire with the Macedonian Empire)

[edit]

Argead Dynasty (326-323 BC)

* Alexander the Great (326-323 BC), founded the Macedonian Empire after conquering the Achaemenid Empire, conquered parts of what is now Pakistan, fought Porus (Purushottama) in the Battle of the Hydaspes River; his empire is quickly divided amongst the so-called diadochoi

[edit]

Seleucid Diadochi (323-321 BC)

* Seleucus Nicator (323-321 BC), diadochos general who founded the Seleucid Empire in the eastern part of the Macedonian empire after gaining control following Alexander's death, loses his territories in Pakistan and Afghanistan after being defeated by Chandragupta Maurya (Sandrakottos)

[edit]

Umayyad Dynasty (711-750 CE)

* Muhammad bin Qasim (711-715), an Arab general, conquered Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab and ruled these lands on behalf of the Ummayyid Caliph (political and spiritual leader of Islam), Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik
* Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik (715-717)
* Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (717–720)
* Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik (720–724)
* Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (724–743)
* al-Walid ibn Yazid (743–744)
* Yazid ibn al-Walid (744)
* Ibrahim ibn al-Walid (744)
* Marwan II ibn Muhammad (744–750)

[edit]

Chera Dynasty (c. 300 BC - 1314 CE)
[edit]

Ancient Chera Kings (c. 300 BC - 397 CE)

* Udiyancheralatan
* Antuvancheral
* Imayavaramban Nedun-Cheralatan (56-115 CE)
* Cheran Chenkutuvan (from 115)
* Palyanai Sel-Kelu Kuttuvan (115-130)
* Poraiyan Kadungo (from 115)
* Kalankai-Kanni Narmudi Cheral (115-140)
* Vel-Kelu Kuttuvan (130-185)
* Selvak-Kadungo (131-155)
* Adukotpattu Cheralatan (140-178)
* Kuttuvan Irumporai (178-185)
* Tagadur Erinda Perumcheral (185-201)
* Yanaikat-sey Mantaran Cheral (201-241)
* Ilamcheral Irumporai (241-257)
* Perumkadungo (257-287)
* Ilamkadungo (287-317)
* Kanaikal Irumporai (367-397)

[edit]

Kulashekhara Dynasty (825-1314 CE)

* Rama Varma Kulashekhara (1020-1102), descendant of the Cheras
* Ravi Varma Kulashekhara (c. 1250-1314), last of the Cheras

[edit]

Satavahana Dynasty (c. 230 BC - 199 CE)

* Simuka (c. 230-207 BC)
* Kanha (or Krishna) (207-189 BC)
* Satakarni I
* Hala (20-24 CE)
* Gautamiputra Satakarni (106-130)
* Vashishtiputra Pulumayi (130-158)
* Vashishtiputra Satakarni (c. 158-170)
* Sri Yajna Satakarni (c. 170-199)

[edit]

Hellenistic Euthydemid Dynasty (c. 221-85 BC)

Unlike the far larger empires of Alexander the Great and his Seleukid diadoch, centered in the region

* Euthydemus I (c. 221-206 BC), Greco-Bactrian king
* Demetrius I (c. 200–170 BC), son of Euthydemus I, conquered parts of what is now Pakistan
* Apollodotus I (180-160 BC), successor of Demetrius
* Agathocles (190-180 BC)
* Pantaleon (190-185 BC)
* Apollodotus I (reigned c. 180–160 BC)
* Antimachus II Nikephoros (160-155 BC)
* Demetrius II (155-150 BC)
* Menander I (c. 150–135 BC)
* Agathokleia (c. 135-125 BC), probably widow of Menander, queen-mother and regent for her son Strato
* Strato I (125-110 BC), son of Menander and Agathokleia
* Heliokles II (110-100 BCE)
* Polyxenios (c. 100 BCE), possibly in Gandhara
* Demetrius III Aniketos (c. 100 BC)
* Amyntas (95-90 BC)
* Peukolaos (c. 90 BC)
* Menander II Dikaios "The Just" (90 - 85 BC)
* Archebios (90-85 BC)

[edit]

Chola Dynasty (c. 100 CE - 1279 CE)
[edit]

Sangam Cholas (c. 100 C.E. - 240 C.E.)

* Ilamcetcenni c.100 C.E.
* Karikala Chola c.120 C.E
* Nedunkilli c.150 C.E.
* Nalankilli c.150 C.E.
* Killivalavan c. 200 C.E.
* Perunarkilli c. 300 C.E.
* Kocengannan c. 220 C.E.

[edit]

Chola Emperors (848-1279 CE)

* Vijayalaya Chola (848-881), founder of the Chola Empire
* Aditya (871-907)
* Parantaka I (907-955)
* Gandaraditya (950-957)
* Arinjaya (956-957)
* Parantaka Chola II (957-970)
* Uttama Chola (973-985)
* Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014), considered the greatest of all Cholas, expanded the Chola Empire overseas to Sri Lanka
* Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044), expanded the Chola Empire overseas to South-East Asia
* Rajadhiraja Chola I (1018-1054)
* Rajendra Chola II (1051-1063)
* Virarajendra Chola (1063-1070)
* Athirajendra Chola (1067-1070)
* Vikkrama Chola (1118-1135)
* Kulotunga Chola II (1133-1150)
* Rajaraja Chola II (1146-1163)
* Rajadiraja Chola II (1163-1178)
* Kulothunga Chola III (1178-1218)
* Rajaraja Chola III (1216-1256)
* Rajendra Chola IV (1246-1279), last of the Cholas

[edit]

Indo-Scythian Rulers (c. 85 BC - 45 CE)
[edit]

North-western India (c. 90 BC - 10 CE)

* Maues (c. 85-60 BC)
* Vonones (c. 75-65 BC)
* Spalahores (c. 75-65 BC)
* Spalarises (c. 60-57 BC)
* Azes I (c. 57-35 BC)
* Azilises (c. 57-35 BC)
* Azes II (c. 35-12 BC)
* Zeionises (c. 10 BC - 10 CE)
* Kharahostes (c. 10 BC - 10 CE)
* Hajatria
* Liaka Kusuluka, satrap of Chuksa
* Kusulaka Patika, satrap of Chuksa and son of Liaka Kusulaka

[edit]

Apracharaja Rulers (12 BC - 45 CE)

* Vijayamitra (12 BC - 15 CE)
* Itravasu (c. 20 CE)
* Aspavarma (15-45 CE)

[edit]

Mathura area (c. 20 BC - 20 CE)

* Hagamasha (satrap)
* Hagana (satrap)
* Rajuvula (Great Satrap) (c. 10 CE)
* Sodasa, son of Rajuvula

[edit]

Minor local rulers

* Bhadrayasha
* Mamvadi
* Arsakes

[edit]

Indo-Parthian Rulers (c. 21-100 CE)

* Gondophares I (c. 21-50)
* Abdagases I (c. 50-65)
* Satavastres (c. 60)
* Sarpedones (c.70)
* Orthagnes (c. 70)
* Ubouzanes (c. 77)
* Sases or Gondophares II (c. 85)
* Abdagases II (c. 90)
* Pakores (c. 100)

[edit]

Kushana Dynasty (80-225)

* Vima Takto (c. 80–105), alias Soter Megas or "Great Saviour."
* Vima Kadphises (c. 105-127), the first great Kushan emperor
* Kanishka I (127–147)
* Vāsishka (c. 151–155)
* Huvishka (c. 155–187)
* Vasudeva I (c. 191–225), the last of the great Kushan emperors

[edit]

Pallava Dynasty (275-882)
[edit]

Early Pallavas (275-355)

* Simha Varman I (275-300 or 315-345)
* Skanda Varman I (345-355)

[edit]

Middle Pallavas (355-537)

* Visnugopa (350-355)
* Kumaravisnu I (355-370)
* Skanda Varman II 370-385)
* Vira Varman (385-400)
* Skanda Varman III (400-438)
* Simha Varman II (438-460)
* Skanda Varman IV (460-480)
* Nandi Varman I (480-500)
* Kumaravisnu II (c. 500-510)
* Buddha Varman (c. 510-520)
* Kumaravisnu III (c. 520-530)
* Simha Varman III (c. 530-537)

[edit]

Later Pallavas (537-882)

* Simha Vishnu (537-570)
* Mahendra Varman I (571-630)
* Narasimha Varman (Mamalla) (630-668)
* Mahendra Varman II (668-672)
* Paramesvara Varman (672-700)
* Narasimha Varman (Raja Simha) 700-728)
* Parameswaran II (705-710)
* Nandi Varman II (732-796)
* Thandi Varman (775-825)
* Nandi Varman III (825-869)
* Nirupathungan (869-882)

[edit]

Kadambas of Banavasi (345-525 CE)

* Mayura Sharma (Varma) (345-365)
* Kangavarma (365-390)
* Bagitarha (390-415)
* Raghu (415-435)
* Kakusthavarma (435-455)
* Santivarma (455-460)
* Mrigeshavarma (460-480)
* Shivamandhativarma (480-485)
* Ravivarma (485-519)
* Harivarma (519-525)

[edit]

Western Ganga dynasty of Talakad (350-1024 CE)

* Konganivarma Madhava 350 - 370
* Madhava II 370 - 390
* Harivarman 390 - 410
* Vishnugopa 410 - 430
* Tadangala Madhava 430 - 466
* Avinita 466 - 495
* Durvinita 495 - 535
* Mushkara 535 - 585
* Srivikrama 585 - 635
* Bhuvikarma 635 - 679
* Shivamara I 679 - 725
* Sripurusha 725 - 788
* Shivamara II 788 - 816
* Rajamalla I 817 - 853
* Nitimarga Ereganga 853 - 869
* Rajamalla II 870 - 907 CE
* Ereyappa Nitimarga II 907 - 919
* Narasimhadeva 919 - 925
* Rajamalla III 925 - 935
* Butuga II 935 - 960
* Takkolam in 949
* Maruladeva 960 - 963
* Marasimha III 963 - 974
* Rajamalla IV 974 - 985
* Rakkasa Ganga 985 - 1024

[edit]

Chalukya Dynasty (543-1156)
[edit]

Chalukyas of Badami (543-757)

* Pulakesi I (543-566)
* Kirtivarman I (566-597)
* Mangalesa (597-609)
* Pulakesi II (609-642)
* Vikramaditya I (655-680)
* Vinayaditya (680-696)
* Vijayaditya (696-733)
* Vikramaditya II (733-746)
* Kirtivarman II (746-757)

[edit]

Chalukyas of Kalyani (973-1156)

* Tailapa Ahavamalla (973-997)
* Satyasraya Irivabedanga (997-1008)
* Vikramaditya V (1008-1014)
* Ayyana (1014-1015)
* Jayasimha II (1015-1042)
* Someshvara I (1042-1068)
* Someshvara II (1068-1076)
* Vikramaditya VI (1076-1127)
* Someshvara III (1127-1138)
* Jagadekamalla (1138-1151)
* Tailapa (1151-1156)
* Someshwara IV (1183-1189)

[edit]

Shashanka dynasy (600-625)

* Shashanka (600-625), first recorded independent king of Bengal, created the first unified political entity in Bengal

[edit]

Harsha dynasty (606-648)

* Harsha Vardhana (606-648), unified Northern India and ruled it for over 40 years, he was the last non-Muslim emperor to rule a unified Northern India

[edit]

Rashtrakutas of Manyaketha (735-982)

* Dantidurga (735-756)
* Krishna I (756-774)
* Govinda II (774-780)
* Dhruva Dharavarsha (780-793)
* Govinda III (793-814)
* Amoghavarsha I (814-878)
* Krishna II Akalavarsha (878-914)
* Govinda IV
* Indra III (914-929)
* Amoghavarsha II (929-930)
* Govinda IV (930-935)
* Amoghavarsha III (934-939)
* Krishna III (939-967)
* Khottiga Amoghavarsha (967-972)
* Karka II Amoghhavarsha IV (972-973)
* Indra IV (973-982)

[edit]

Shahi Dynasty (c. 890-895)
[edit]

Brahmin Shahi Dynasty (c. 890-964)

* Lalliya (c. 890-895)
* Kamaluka (895-921)
* Bhima (921-964), son of Kamaluka

[edit]

Janjua Shahi Dynasty (964-1026 CE)

* Jayapala (964-1001)
* Anandapala (1001-1011)
* Trilochanpala (1011-1022)
* Bhímapála (1022-1026)

[edit]

Seuna Dynasty of Devagiri ((850 - 1334)

* Dridhaprahara
* Seunachandra 850 - 874 C.E.
* Dhadiyappa 874 - 900 C.E.
* Bhillama I 900 - 925 C.E.
* Vadugi (Vaddiga) 950 - 974 C.E.
* Dhadiyappa II 974 - 975 C.E.
* Bhillama II 975 - 1005 C.E.
* Vesugi I 1005 - 1020 C.E.
* Bhillama III 1020 - 1055 C.E.
* Vesugi II 1055 - 1068 C.E.
* Bhillama III 1068 C.E.
* Seunachandra II 1068 - 1085 C.E.
* Airamadeva 1085 - 1115 C.E.
* Singhana I 1115 - 1145 C.E.
* Mallugi I 1145 - 1150 C.E.
* Amaragangeyya 1150 - 1160 C.E.
* Govindaraja 1160
* Amara Mallugi II 1160 - 1165 C.E.
* Kaliya Ballala 1165 - 1173 C.E.
* Bhillama V 1173 - 1192 C.E., Proclaimed independence from Kalyani Chalukya
* Jaitugi I 1192 - 1200 C.E.
* Singhana II 1200 - 1247 C.E.
* Kannara 1247 - 1261 C.E.
* Mahadeva 1261 - 1271 C.E.
* Amana 1271 C.E.
* Ramachandra 1271 - 1312 C.E.
* Singhana III 1312 - 1313 C.E.
* Harapaladeva 1313 - 1318 C.E.
* Mallugi III 1318 - 1334 C.E.

[edit]

Hoysala Dynasty (1000-1346)

* Nripa Kama (1000-1045)
* Vinayaditya I (1045-1098)
* Ereyanga (1098-1100)
* Ballala (1100-1108)
* Vishnuvardhana (1108-1142)
* Narasimha I (1142-1173), proclaimed independence from Kalyani Chalukya
* Ballala II (1173-1220)
* Narasimha II (1220-1235)
* Vira Someshwara (1235-1253)
* Narasimha III and Ramanatha (1253-1295)
* Ballala III (1295-1342)

[edit]

Kalachuri (Southern) Dynasty (1130 - 1184)

* Bijjala II (1130-1167): proclaimed independence from Kalyani Chalukyas in 1162AD.
* Sovideva (1168 - 1176)
* Mallugi --> overthrown by brother Sankama
* Sankama (1176 - 1180)
* Ahavamalla (1180-83)
* Singhana (1183-84)

[edit]

Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)

Despite the name, the capital was repeatedly elsewhere then Delhi city, not always near
[edit]

Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)

* Qutb-ud-din Aybak (1206-1210)
* Aram Shah (1210-1211)
* Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (1211-1236)
* Rukn-ud-din Firuz (1236)
* Raziyyat ud din Sultana (1236-1240)
* Muiz-ud-din Bahram (1240-1242)
* Ala-ud-din Masud (1242-1246)
* Nasir-ud-din Mahmud (1246-1266)
* Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266-1286)
* Muiz-ud-din Qaiqabad (1286-1290)

[edit]

Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)

* Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji (1290-1296), founder of the Khilji dynasty, defeated some invading Mongol armies
* Ala ud din Khilji (1296-1316), considered the greatest of the Delhi Sultans, unified India and defeated a number of invading Mongol armies
* Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah (1316-1320), the Delhi Sultanate had shrunk during his reign

[edit]

Tughlaq Dynasty (1321-1398)

* Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq (1321-1325)
* Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325-1351)
* Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-1388)
* Ghiyath al-Din Tughlaq II (1388-1389)
* Abu Baker (1389-1390)
* Nasir al-Din Muhammad (1390-1394)
* Mahmud Nasir al-Din (Sultan Mahmud) at Dehli (1394-1413)
* Nusrat Shah at Firuzabad

Invasion of Timur in 1398 and the end of the Tughluq Dynasty as known earlier.
[edit]

Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)

* Khizr (1414-1421)
* Mubarik II (1421-1434)
* Muhamed IV (1434-1445)
* Alem I (1445-1451)

[edit]

Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)

* Bahlul Khan Lodi (1451-1489)
* Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517)
* Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526), defeated by Babur (who replaces the Delhi Sultanate with the Mughal Empire)

[edit]

Bahmani Sultanate (1322-1527)

* Ala ud din Bahman Shah (1347-1358), establishes capital at Gulbarga
* Muhammad Shah I (1358-1375)
* Ala ud din Mujahid Shah (1375-1378)
* Daud Shah I (1378)
* Muhammad Shah II (1378-1397)
* Ghiyas ud din Tahmatan Shah (1397)
* Shams ud din Daud Shah II (1397)
* Taj ud din Feroz Shah (1397-1422)
* Shahab ud din Ahmad Shah I (1422-1435) establishes capital at Bidar
* Ala ud din Ahmad Shah II (1436-1458)
* Ala ud din Humayun Shah (1458-1461)
* Nizam ud din Ahmad Shah III (1461-1463)
* Shams ud din Muhammad Shah III (1463-1482)
* Mahmud Shah (1482-1518)
* Ahmad Shah IV (1518-1521)
* Ala ud din Shah (1521-1522)
* Waliullah Shah (1522-1524)
* Kalimullah Shah (1524-1527)

[edit]

Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1660)
[edit]

Sangama Dynasty (1336-1487)

* Harihara I (Deva Raya) 1336-1343
* Bukka I (1343-1379)
* Harihara II(1379-1399)
* Bukka II (1399-1406)
* Deva Raya I(1406-1412)
* Vira Vijaya(1412-1419)
* Deva Raya II(1419-1444)
* (Notknown)(1444-1449)
* Mallikarjuna(1452-1465)
* Rajasekhara (1468-1469)
* Virupaksha I(1470-1471)
* Praudha Deva Raya(1476-?)
* Rajasekhara (1479-1480)
* Virupaksha II (1483-1484)
* Rajasekhara (1486-1487)

[edit]

Saluva Dynasty (1490-1567)

* Narasimha (1490-1???)
* Narasa (Vira Narasimha) (1???-1509)
* Krishna Deva (1509-1530)
* Achyuta (1530-1542)
* Sadasiva (1542-1567)

[edit]

Tuluva Dynasty (1542-1614)

* Rama (1542-1565)
* Tirumala (1565-1567)
* Tirumala (1567-1575)
* Ranga II (1575-1586)
* Venkata I (1586-1614)

[edit]

Mughal Empire (1526-1857)
[edit]

Mughal Dynasty (first rule, 1526-1540)

* Zahir ud din Muhammad Babur (1526-1530), descendant of Mongol conqueror Timur, establishes the Mughal Empire (one of the 3 earliest gunpowder empires) after defeating the Delhi Sultanate
* Nasir ud din Muhammad Humayun (1530-1540), temporarily loses his empire to usurper Sher Shah after being defeated by him

[edit]

Suri Dynasty (1540-1555)

* Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545), seizes the Mughal Empire after defeating the second Mughal Emperor Humayun
* Islam Shah Suri (1545-1553)
* Adil Shah (1553-1555), loses the empire to the chased Mughal Humayun who defeated and chased him

[edit]

Mughal Dynasty (restored, 1555-1857)

* Nasir ud din Muhammad Humayun (1555-1556), restores his empire after defeating Suri-ruler Adil Shah
* Jalal ud din Muhammad Akbar (Akbar the Great) (1556-1605), considered the greatest of all Mughals, unified India ('Hind') under the Mughal Empire
* Nur ud din Muhammad Jahangir (1605-1627), known in legends as Shehzada Salim
* Ghiyasuddin Shah Jahan (1627-1657), built the Taj Mahal, which is often regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World
* Murad Baksh (1657)
* Shah Shuja (1657-1658)
* Aurangzeb Alamgir (1658-1707), expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest extent, ruling over most of South Asia and Afghanistan
* Azam Shah (1707)
* Kambaksh (1707)
* Bahadur Shah I (1707-1712)
* Azim ush Shan (1712)
* Jahandar Shah (1712-1713)
* Farrukh Siyar (1713-1719)
* Rafi ud Darajat (1719)
* Rafi ud Daulah (1719)
* Nikusiyar (1719)
* Muhammad Shah (First rule, 1719-1720)
* Mohammed Ibrahim (1720)
* Muhammad Shah (Restored) (1720-1748)
* Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748-1754)
* Alamgir II (1754-1759)
* Shah Jahan III (1760)
* Shah Alam II (1759-1806)
* Akbar Shah II (1806-1837)
* Bahadur Shah II (1837-1857)

[edit]

Maratha Empire (1674-1818)

* Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj (b.1627, coronated 1674, d.1680)
* Chhatrapati Sambhaji (1680-1688), elder son of Shivaji
* Chhatrapati Rajaram (1688-1700), younger son of Shivaji
o Rajmata Tarabai, regent (1700-1707), widow of Chhatrapati Rajaram
* Chhatrapati Shivaji II (b.1796, ruled 1700-14); first of the Kolhapur Chhatrapatis

Empire divided between two branches of the family c.1707-10 AD; division formalized in AD 1731.
[edit]

Chhatrapatis at Satara

* Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj (b.1682, r.1707-1749)
* Rajaram II of Satara (b.1749, r.1749-77)
* Shahu II of Satara (r.1777-1810)
* Chhatrapati Pratapsinh of Satara (b.1793, r.1810-39)

State annexed by the British in 1839
[edit]

Chhatrapatis at Kolhapur

* Chhatrapati Shivaji II (b.1796, ruled 1700-14)
* Sambhaji II of Kolhapur (b.1698, r.1714-60)
o Rajmata Jijibai, regent (1760-73), senior widow of Sambhaji II
o Rajmata Durgabai, regent (1773-79), junior widow of Sambhaji II
* Shahu Shivaji II of Kolhapur (r.1762-1813); adopted by Jijibai, his predecessor's senior widow
* Sambhaji III of Kolhapur (b.1801, r.1813-21)
* Shivaji III of Kolhapur (b.1816, r.1821-22) (council of regency)
* Shahaji I of Kolhapur (b.1802, r.1822-38)
* Shivaji IV of Kolhapur (b.1830, r.1838-66)
* Rajaram I of Kolhapur (r.1866-70)
o Council of regency (1870-94)
* Shivaji V of Kolhapur (b.1863, r.1871-83); adopted by his predecessor's widow
* Rajarshi Shahu of Kolhapur (b.1874, r.1884-1922); adopted by his predecessor's widow
* Rajaram II of Kolhapur (b.1897 r.1922-40)
o Indumati Tarabai of Kolhapur, regent (1940-47), widow of Rajaram II
* Shivaji VI of Kolhapur (b.1941, r.1941-46); adopted by his predecessor's widow
* Shahaji II of Kolhapur (b.1910, r.1947-47, d.1983); formerly Maharaja of Dewas Senior; adopted by Indumati Tarabai, widow of Rajaram II

State acceded unto the dominion of India following the independence of India in 1947.
[edit]

The Peshwas

Technically they weren't monarchs, but hereditary prime ministers, though in fact they ruled in stead of the Maharaja, and were hegemon of the mahratta confederation

* Balaji Vishwanath (1713-2april 1720) (b.1660, d. 2april 1720)
* Peshwa Bajirao I (17 April 1720-28 April 1740) (b.18 aug.1700, d. 28 April 1740)
* Balaji Bajirao (4 July 1740-23 June 1761) (b.8 dec.1721, d. 23 jun.1761)
* Madhavrao Ballal (1761-18 nov.1772) (b.16 feb.1745, d. 18 nob.1772)
* Narayanrao Bajirao (13 dec.1772-30 aug.1773) (b.10 aug.1755, d. 30 aug.1773)
* Raghunath Rao Bajirao (5 dec.1773-1774) (b.18 aug.1734, d. 11 dec.1783)
* Sawai Madhavrao (1774-27 oct.1795) (b.18 April 1774, d. 27 oct.1795)
* Baji Rao II (6 dec.1796-3 June 1818) (d. 28 jan.1851)
* Nana Sahib (1 July 1857-1858) (b.19 May 1825, d. 24 sep.1859)

[edit]

Maharajas of Thanjavur

Descended from a brother of Shivaji; ruled independently and had no formal relationship with the Maratha Empire.

* Venkojirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur a.k.a. Ekoji I (b.1630, r.1676-84)
* Shahajirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur (b.1672, r.1684-1712)
* Serfojirao I of Thanjavur (b.1679, r.1712-1729)
* Tukojirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur (b.1677, r.1729-1736)
* Venkoji II of Thanjavur a.k.a. Ekoji II (b.1694, r.1636-1737)
* Pratapasimha Bhonsle of Thanjavur (r.1737-63)
* Tulojirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur (b.1738, r.1763-87), elder son of Pratapasimha
* Serfoji II of Thanjavur (r.1787-93 & 1798-99, d.1832); adoptive son of Tuloji Bhonsle
* Ramaswami Amarasimha Bhonsle (r.1793-98); younger son of Pratapasimha

State was annexed by the British in 1799
[edit]

Scindia Rulers of Gwalior

* Ranojirao Scindia, Patil of Kanherkheda near Satara
* Jayappa Scindia, (d.1755) established rule over much of north India
* Janakappa I Scindia, (r.1755-1761)
o Interregnum
* Mahadji Shinde (r.1768-94)
* Daulatrao Scindia, (r.1794-1827)
* Janakappa II Scindia, (b.1805, r.1827-43) adopted by his predecessor's widow
* Jayajirao Scindia (b.1835, r.1843-66)
* Madhavrao Scindia II (b.1876, r.1886-1925)
* Jivajirao Scindia (b.1916, r.1925-47, d.1961)

Following the independence of India in 1947, the state acceded unto the Dominion of India.
[edit]

The major Muslim vassals of the Mughal/British Paramountcy (1707-1856)
[edit]

Nawabs of Bengal (1707-1770)

* Murshid Quli Jafar Khan (1707-1727)
* Siraj ud din (1727-1739)
* Sarfraz Khan (1739-1740)
* Illahi Vardi Khan (1740-1756)
* Siraj Ud Daulah (1756-1757)
* Mir Jafar (1757-1760)
* Mir Qasim (1760-1763)
* Mir Jafar (1763-1765)
* Najm ud Daulah (1765-1766)
* Saif ud Daulah (1766-1770)

[edit]

Nawabs of Awadh=Oudh (1722-1856)

* Saadat Khan (1722-1739)
* Safdar Jang (1739-1754)
* Shuja-Ud-Daulah (1754-1775)
* Asaf-Ud-Daula (1775-1797)
* Nawab Wazir Ali Shah (1797-1798)
* Sadat Ali Khan (1798-1814)
* Ghaziuddin Haider (1814-1827)
* Nasiruddin Haider (1827-1837)
* Muhammad Ali Shah (1837-1842)
* Amjad Ali Shah (1842-1847)
* Wajid Ali Shah (1847-1856)

[edit]

Nizams of Hyderabad (1724-1948)

* Qamar ud din Nizal ul Mulk (1724-1748)
* Muhammad Nasir Jang (1748-1750)
* Muzaffar Jang (1750-1751)
* Salabat Jang (1751-1762)
* Nizam Ali (1762-1802)
* Akbar Ali Khan (1802-1829)
* Nasir ud Daulah (1829-1857)
* Afzal ud Daulah (1857-1869)
* Mubarak Ali Khan (1869-1911)
* Usman Ali Khan (1911-1948)

[edit]

Rulers of Mysore/Khudadad (1399-1950)
[edit]

Wodeyar Dynasty (First rule, 1399-1782)

* Yaduraya (1399–1423)
* Hiriya Bettada Chamaraja Wodeyar I (1423–1459)
* Thimmaraja Wodeyar I (1459–1478)
* Hiriya Chamaraja Wodeyar II (1478–1513)
* Hiriya bettada Chamaraja III Wodeyar (1513–1553)
* Thimmaraja Wodeyar II (1553–1572)
* Bola Chamaraja Wodeyar IV (1572–1576)
* Bettada Devaraja Wodeyar (1576–1578)
* Raja Wodeyar I (1578–1617)
* Chamaraja Wodeyar V (1617–1637).
* Raja II Wodeyar (1637–1638)
* (Ranadhira) Kantheerava Narasaraja Wodeyar I (1638–1659)
* Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar (1659–1673)
* Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1673–1704)
* Kantheerava Narasaraja Wodeyar II (1704–1714)
* Dodda Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1714–1732)
* Chamaraja Wodeyar VI (1732–1734)
* (Immadi) Krishnaraja II Wodeyar (1734–1766)
* Nanajaraja Wodeyar (1766–1770)
* Bettada Chamaraja Wodeyar VII(1770–1776)
* Khasa Chamaraja Wodeyar VIII (1766–1782), he was still king while Hyder Ali was the ruler of Mysore

Reign of the Kings of Mysore (Wodeyar line) is interrupted by the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
[edit]

Islamic Rulers of Mysore (1766-1799)

* Hyder Ali (1766-1782), Muslim usurper deposing the Hindu Maharaja, fought the British and Nizams of Hyderabad in the first 2 Anglo-Mysore Wars
* Tipu Sultan (Tiger of Mysore) (1782-1799), son of Hyder Ali, considered the greatest ruler of Mysore, assumed the novel style Badshah bahadur of Khudadad (thus claiming the paramountcy of India instead of the Mughal 'mere' Badhshah), fought the British, Marathas and Nizams of Hyderabad in the 4 Anglo-Mysore Wars (where he invented iron rockets), allied to the French, and lost everything

[edit]

Wodeyar Dynasty (Restored) (1799-1950)

* (Mummudi) Krishnaraja III Wodeyar (1799 - 1868)
* Chamaraja Wodeyar IX (1868 - 1894)
* H.H. Vani Vilas Sannidhana, queen of Chamaraja Wodeyar IX served as regent from 1894 to 1902
* (Nalvadi) Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1894 - 1940)
* Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur (1940 - 1950)

[edit]

Sikh Empire (1801-1849)

* Maharaja Ranjit Singh (b.1780, Coronated April 12, 1801, d.1839)
* Kharak Singh (b.1801, d.1840), Eldest son of Ranjit Singh.
* Nau Nihal Singh (b.1821, d.1840), Grandson of Ranjit Singh.
* Sher Singh (b.1807, d.1843), Son of Ranjit Singh.
* Duleep Singh (b.1838, Coronated 1843, d.1893), Youngest son of Ranjit Singh.

The British Empire annexed Punjab in c.1845-49 AD; after two Anglo Sikh Wars
[edit]

Maharaja of Cochin (Perumpadapu Swaroopam 1503 - 1964)

Veerakerala Varma nephew of Cheraman Perumal is supposed to be the first king of Cochin (This was around 7th Century AD). But the only record we have is from 1503 AD.

1. Unniraman Koyikal I (---- to 1503)
2. Unniraman Koyikal II (1503 to 1537)
3. Veera Kerala Varma (1537-1565)
4. Keshava Rama Varma (1565-1601)
5. Veera Kerala Varma (1601-1615)
6. Ravi Varma (1615-1624)
7. Veera Kerala Varma (1624-1637)
8. Godavarma (1637-1645)
9. Veerarayira Varma (1645-1646)
10. Veera Kerala Varma (1646-1650)
11. Rama Varma (1650-1656).
12. Rani Gangadharalakshmi (1656-1658).
13. Rama Varma (1658-1662).
14. Goda Varma (1662-1663)
15. Veera Kerala Varma(1663-1687)
16. Rama Varma (1687-1693)
17. Ravi Varma (1693-1697)
18. Rama Varma (1697-1701)
19. Rama Varma (1701-1721)
20. Ravi Varma (1721-1731)
21. Rama Varma (1731-1746)
22. Veera Kerala Varma (1746-1749)
23. Rama Varma (1749-1760)
24. Veera Kerala Varma (1760-1775)
25. Rama Varma (1775-1790)
26. Rama Varma (1790-1805)- SHAKTHAN THAMPURAN
27. Rama Varma (1805-1809)- Vellarapalli-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Vellarapali")
28. Veera Kerala Varma (1809-1828) - Karkidaka Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "karkidaka" month(ME))
29. Rama Varma (1828-1837) - Thulam-Maasathil Theepett1a Thampuran (King who died in "Thulam" month (ME))
30. Rama Varma (1837-1844) - Edava-Maasathil Theepett1a Thampuran (King who died in "Edavam" month (ME))
31. Rama Varma (1844-1851) - Thrishur-il Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Thrishivaperoor" or Thrishur)
32. Veera Kerala Varma (1851-1853) - Kashi-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Kashi" or Varanasi)
33. Ravi Varma(1853-1864) - Makara Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Makaram" month (ME))
34. Rama Varma(1864-1888) - Mithuna Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Mithunam" month (ME))
35. Kerala Varma(1888-1895) - Chingam Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chingam" month (ME))
36. Rama Varma(1895-1914) - aka Rajarshi, Abdicated Highness (Left for heavenly abode in 1932)
37. Rama Varma(1914-1932) - Madrasil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in Madras or Chennai)
38. Rama Varma(1932-1941) - Dhaarmika Chakravarthi (King of Dharma), Chowara-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chowara")
39. Kerala Varma (1941-1943) - Midukkan (syn: Smart, expert, great.) Thampuran
40. Ravi Varma(1943-1946) - Kunjappan Thampuran (Brother of Midukkan Thampuran)
41. Kerala Varma(1946-1948) - Ikya-Keralam (Unified Kerala) Thampuran
42. Rama Varma (1948-1964) - Pareekshit Thampuran

ME - Malayalam Era

[Guest]

A correction to the Surya Vamsha (Tanmoy's list at: http://members.tripod.com/tanmoy/mythicgen/lists.2

0. vaivasvata
1. ikShvAku
2. kukShi)
3. vikukShi
4. paranjaya
5. anenas
6. pRthu
7. vishvagashva
8. Ardra
9. YuvanAshva
10. shrAvasta
11. bRhadashva
12. kuvalayAshva
13. dRDhAshva
14. vArYyashva
15. nikumbha
16. saMhatAshva
17. kRshAshva
18. prasenajit
19. YuvanAshva
20. mAndhAtA
21. purukutsa
22. trasadasyu
23. sambhuta
24. anaraNya
25. pRSadashva
26. haryashva
27. sumanas
28. tridhanvan
29. trayyAruNa
30. satyavrata
31. harishcandra
32. rohitAshva
33. harita
34. cancu
35. vijaya
36. ruruka
37. vRka
38. bAhu
39. sagara
40. asamanjasa
41. anshumAn
42. dilIpa I
43. bhagIratha
44. shruta
45. nAbhAga
46. ambarISa
47. sindhudvIpa
48. ayutAshva
49. RtuparNa
50. sarvakAma
51. sudAsa
52. mitrasaha
53. ashmaka
54. mUlaka
55. dasharatha (I) = Shataratha
56. ilivila
57. vishvasaha I
58. dilIpa II KhaTvAnga
59. dIrghavAhu
60. raghu
61. aja
62. dasharatha (II)
63. rAma
64. kusha
65. atithi
66. niSadha
67. nala
68. nabha
69. puNdarIka
70. kSemadhanvA
71. devAnIka
72. ahInagu
73. ruru
74. pAripAtra
75. dala
76. shala
77. uktha
78. vajranAbha
79. shankhanAbha
80. vyUthitAshva
81. vishvasaha II
82. hiraNyanAbha
83. puSya
84. dhruvasandhi
85. sudarshana
86. agnivarNa
87. shIghra
88. maru
89. prasUshruta
90. sugandhi
91. amarSa
92. mahasvAna
93. vishrutavAna
94. bRhadvala Mahabharata Battle


There are more IkShvAkus than these, as we do miss ParikShit, father of Shala and Dala, we miss SarvakAma II, AnaraNya, Nighna, Duliduha, KalmAShapAda (not the same as Mitrasaha), another Raghu, Ajaka, but also a short list of kings after Asamanjas with a second Asamanjas, etc.

The Puranas clearly state that they have mentioned the "pradhAna" or most important kings.

[Guest]

The Puru kings from king DuShyanta on (Tanmoy's list):

duShmanta = DuShyanta
bharata
bharadvAja
bhuvamanyu
bRhatkShatra
suhotra
hastin
ajamIDh.a
nIla
shAnti
sushAnti
purujAnu
cakShu
haryashva
mudgala
vRddhashva
divodAsa
mitrayu
cyavana
sudAsa (not the same as SudAs Paijavana AikShvAka, see Jaim. BrAhm.)
sahadeva
somaka
RkSha I
saMvaraNa
(great gap, kings missing in Tanmoy's list)
21. jahNu
20. suratha
19. viduratha
18. sArvabhauma
17. jayatsena
16. AyAvi
15. Arihan I (not given by Tanmoy, see MHb)
14. MahAbhauma (not given by Tanmoy, see MHb)
13. ayutAyu
12. akrodhana
11. devAtithi
10. Arihan II (not given by Tanmoy, see MHb))
9. RkSha II
8. bhaumasena
7. pratishravas (not given by Tanmoy, see MBh)
6. dilIpa
5. pratIpa
4. shAntanu
3. vicitravIrYa
2. pANDu
1. yudhiShThira, arjuna MahAbhArata Battle




COMPARE this with:
* Kuru-Sravana (from c. 1200 BC), son of Puru king Samavarana, featured in the ancient epic Mahabharata (see Kuru (Hindu mythology))
* Uchchaihsravas Kaupayeya
* Prati sutvana
* Bahlika Pratipeya
* Santnu
* Dhritarashtra, featured in the Mahabharata
* Parikshita, featured in the Mahabharata as the grandson of Arjuna Pandava (a central character)
* Janamejaya (until c. 1000 BC), son of Parikshita
* Korayvya (c. 600-550 BC)
* Dhananjaya (c. 550-500 BC), said to be a descendant of Yudhishtra Pandava (a central character in the Mahabharata)
* Ratthapala (c. 500-450 BC), embraced Buddhism, the Kuru kingdom soon became a republic

COMMENT: The list is very incomplete. KurushravaNa is nowhere mentioned in the AitihAsika literature (epics, Puranas). He is mentioned in the later parts of the Rgveda. He is a TrAsadasyava PUru king, son of MitrAtithi and father of Upamashravas.
PrAjApatya SamvaraNa is a mantradraShTA RShi and (great)grandfather of Manu SAmvaraNi. Manu in my opinion is the title of a Pravarttaka of an important, new and dominant RAjanya (sub)branch. Manu SAmvaraNi can be none other than king Kuru, "son" = (great)grandson of SamvaraNa of the AitihAsika tradition.

The traditions provide some 21 names between Jahnu and ParikShit II, successor to YudhiShthira, some missing in Tanmoy's list. Also missing in his list are Vedic and epic names of kings between ParikShit I Kauravya (not mentioned in Tanmoy's list) and Jahnu: Shrutasena, KakShasena, Ugrasena, Bhimasena, AbhipratArin KAkshaseni, Vrddhadyumna AbhipratAriNa, DivodAsa Bhaimaseni, YuddhamshrauShTi Augrasainya, Citrasena, Indrasena, SuShena, Shabalashva
AbhirAj, VirAj, ShAlmali, Kupaya, Uccaihshravas Kaupayeya, Bhadrashva and Jitarin.

B.t.w. RaTThapAla is not a Kuru king, but a wealthy/noble man from Kuru-PancAla areas. The king in his time was a Dhananjaya.

The Dhananjayas, a dynastical name, gave rise to Janjuas and Tomaras as per their own claims. Perhaps the ArjunAyanas (descendants of Arjuna Dhananjaya) are an intermediate group. [Is Janju an adapted form of Dhanju < Dhananjaya?]

[Guest]

Parikshita, featured in the Mahabharata as the grandson of Arjuna Pandava (a central character)
* Janamejaya (until c. 1000 BC), son of Parikshita

If Mahabharat happened about 3000 BC, then Janamejaya can not be in around 1000 BC...even if we consider a longer life spans of single generations. So, Janamejaya must be much before 1000 BC?

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bodhi+Sep 19 2006, 04:58 PM-->QUOTE(Bodhi @ Sep 19 2006, 04:58 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Parikshita, featured in the Mahabharata as the grandson of Arjuna Pandava (a central character)
* Janamejaya (until c. 1000 BC), son of Parikshita

If Mahabharat happened about 3000 BC, then Janamejaya can not be in around 1000 BC...even if we consider a longer life spans of single generations.  So, Janamejaya must be much before 1000 BC?
[right][snapback]57555[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If Buddha is around 500 BCE (the Chinese place him around 1000 BCE), we still are a few centuries removed from the last royal Pandavas, Barhadrathas and Ikshvakus. Some 25-30 kings are ruling after the Battle.
But in Buddha's time, the Kurus of Indraprastha were insignificant and most easterners were republican.
This lends support to a Battle around 15th century BCE (Dvaraka submerged) with the gap of a republican period from 500 BE backwards. Or to 2000 BCE with the Chinese date of Buddha.

A date around 1000 BCE is untenable against the Dvaraka case being submerged around the 15th c. BCE and being referred to in the middle layer of the Mahabharata.

After the Pradyotas
The 5 kings of this dynasty were in the time of Buddha and Bimbisara.
0. Nandivardhana I Shaishunaga
1. Ugrasena Kalashoka Mahanandin
2. Bhaddasena Mahanandin
3. Korandavanna Mahanandin
4. Mangura Mahanandin
5. Sabbanjaha Mahanandin
6. Jalika Mahanandin
7. Ubhaka Mahanandin
8. Sanjaya Mahanandin
9. Korabya Mahanandin
10. Nandivaddhana (II) Mahanandin
11. Pancamaka Mahanandin

Then we have the Nandas
1.Uggasena
2.Panduka
3.Pandugati
4.Bhutapala
5.Ratthapala
6.Govisanaka
7.Dasasiddhaka (Kathasaritsagara: Sarvarthasiddhi = Mahapadmananda
8.Kevatta
9.Dhana illigitimate king
10. Pavvata (son of previous)

The "Maurya" Nandas were actually of Nanda Kula
1.Nandendu=Candragupta Mauryaputra (Mudrarakshasa: ligitimate Nanda heir)
2.Nandasara (VayuPurana)
3.Ashokavardhana (was he Nandavardhana Ashoka?)
4.Suyashas
5.Bandhupalita
6.Indrapalita
7.Devavarman
8.Somasharman
9.Shatadhanvan

Afterwards came the Shungas and Kanvayanas and Andhras. The first two names are nowhere mentioned in any epigraphical work or Indian work relating to post-Alexandrian times. The Andhras are still powerful upto the time of Mewgasthenes.
The Andhrabhrtya Shatavahanas rule from the time of Piyadassi on and become independant during Agnimitra (a Baimbika as per Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitram)

In short, we have 30 kings plus Shungas, Kanvayanas and Andhras between Buddha and Chandragupta (a Karaskara as per Kaumudimahotsava, a Maurya as per Harshacharitam through Brhadratha the last scion).

Thus with these genealogies from combined Bauddha and Pauranika sources the Battle can never have been around 1000 BCE.

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-ishwa+Sep 19 2006, 05:22 PM-->QUOTE(ishwa @ Sep 19 2006, 05:22 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->If Buddha is around 500 BCE (the Chinese place him around 1000 BCE)[right][snapback]57587[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks ishwa, very informative.

How have historians fixed very particular dates in sixth century BC for Siddharth Gautam's birth and death? What are the proofs they site? Are those reliable enough or disputable?

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->How have historians fixed very particular dates in sixth century BC for Siddharth Gautam's birth and death? What are the proofs they site? Are those reliable enough or disputable?
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Dear Bodhi, they have based the 6th/5th century BCE date upon the Southern Bauddha tradition (Shri Lankan, Theravada), if I am not wrong.
A good introduction to the date of Buddha discussion is this:
http://www.tphta.ws/TPH_DBUD.HTM

Southern works in Pali, the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, place the coronation of Ashoka 218 years after the Nirvana of Buddha. A Northern (Mahayana) tradition in Chinese places his coronation 116 years after the Nirvana.
Southern tradition gives 486 BCE and Northern gives 383 BCE for his Nirvana. Maxmueller has recorded many dates ranging from 2400 BCE to even later than the 5th century BCE.

Some more research is needed to identify all the necessary individuals, dynasties and dates.

[Guest]

More discussions on the Buddha's Nirvana date:


Heinz Bechert
The Date of the Buddha - An Open Question of Ancient Indian History
Bechert Datierung 1/211f

In his general preface to the Datierung 1 volume, Bechert summarizes the outcome of the symposium as having destroyed any previous consensus in favor of the death date c0480, and notes that only one contributor to the symposium explicitly defended that date. Indian reviewers of this volume have noted that no Indian scholars were present at the symposium (one or two were later invited to contribute to the later volumes). Among that heavily European sample, Bechert noted that there was agreement that the date was later than c0480, but no agreement on how much later. That is, the chief agreement was to doubt c0480 as the solution.

We here take up for detailed comment a later Bechert essay in Datierung 1. It is a general survey of the evidence for the "long" chronology. Bechert's fundamental argument is to dismiss the idea that the early Indians had a precise elapsed-time chronology. This, a fortiori, disposes of the long as well as the short chronology. We find the dismissal overstated, though we do not necessarily dissent from Bechert's final conclusion: that all will dependent on outside evidence. The comments below are in the order of the seven numbered sections of the Bechert essay.

1. The Two Chronologies. Bechert notes that the "long" chronology, in essence the position that the death of the Buddha preceded by 218 years the coronation of Asoka, gives for the death of the Buddha a date between 0486/0477, and that in the "short" chronology the interval is instead given as 100 years, presumably (given the same degree of uncertainty about the date of the coronation) leading to a death date between 0368/0359. We note in passing, however, that some contributors to the Datierung volumes do not reach this "short chronology" date, but one somewhat earlier; see for instance Gombrich (with reference to Sarao). The matter thus cannot be reduced to a choice between the numbers 218 and 100. It is a choice between 218 and something later.

2. Doubts About Chronology As Such. Bechert doubts that a figure so exact as "218 years" could have been handed down in a tradition which lacks "any other reliable chronological information which pertains to the period before Alexander's campaign in India, which lasted from 0327 to 0324, a date which we know from Greek sources only." Bechert claims that the Buddhist chronology beginning with 0483 or 0486 (Wickremasingha) is not present "in any document of ancient Sinhalese tradition" and that "these eras are inventions of modern scholars." It is highly likely that Sinhalese tradition originated with the Asokan mission which converted that country to Buddhism, and it then suffices to note that Narain (Datierung 2/185f), using not the Sinhalese sources but only the presumably prior Asokan Minor Rock Edict 1, as reflecting the Asokan period tradition for the Buddha date, reaches a date of 0483.

3. The "Cantonese Dotted Record." Bechert notes that this tradition was supposedly begun by Upâli; it consisted of making a dot for every year that had elapsed since the Buddha's death. By the year 489 this record was reported as containing 975 dots, leading to a date of 0486 for the death of the Buddha. Takakusu in 1896 observed that this "dotted record" reflected Theravâda tradition. Bechert cites his previous argument that "this theory has been shown to be erroneous," but this is merely an indisposition to believe that any precise early tradition could have existed (see #1 above). We doubt the role of Upâli (see under Gombrich), and do not credit the story as given, but we think it not unlikely that the "dotted record" does reflect an early tradition; the question is how accurate that early tradition may be supposed to have been. Its closeness to the conclusion of Narain about the presumptive Asokan tradition should be given due weight.

4. Asoka's Minor Rock Edict 1. Bechert sides with F W Thomas, who interpreted the figure "256" in this inscription not as the years since the Buddha's death (the opinion of those who first published versions of the inscription), but as the number of days Asoka had been absent from his own capital. Narain (Datierung 2/185f) reviews the entire picture given by the many known versions of this edict, and effectively counters this argument, both in terms of general plausibility and in terms of the probable meaning of the words in that part of the inscription. Narain, again, concludes that the inscription has in view a death date very near to 0483.

5. The Northern "Short" Tradition. Bechert notes the theory of Hikata (1980, 1985), based on the Northern or short tradition that the Buddha lived from c0480 to c0400. He rejects Hikata's sometimes strained argument. We have no wish to revive or defend Hikata, who continues to rely on the idea of Buddhist Councils separated by intervals of precisely 100 years. See however next.

6. Fa-Syen's Description. Bechert takes issue with Daffina (relying in turn on Schlumberger). Daffina had called attention to Fa-syen's statement that as of 410/411, when he himself visited the region, it was believed in Sri Lanka that 1497 years had passed since the death of the Buddha. This yields a death date of c01086. It seems not to have been noticed that this is the suspiciously round number of 600 years earlier than the date 0486 (see #3 above) which is implied by the "Cantonese dotted record." It seems also not to have been noticed that the Buddha Tooth festival which Fa-syen describes involved replicas of animals which had figured in Jataka tales of the Buddha's previous lives. We suspect that to an earlier southern tradition of an 0486 death date, this "previous lives" festival had added 600 years in order to account for the previous lives (and deaths) which they were concerned to celebrate. This bit of evidence thus goes to confirm the reality of the "0486" tradition. That the tradition existed does not prove that it was correct, but Bechert's attempt to present it as the invention of modern scholars seems to be perilous.

7. Trend of Evidence For a Later Date. In conclusion, Bechert observes "that there is no substantial evidence at all in favor of the corrected long chronology, while there are many arguments which point to a later date of the Nirvana." On the contrary, the most substantial part of the evidence here collected by Bechert shows that the 0486 date (of which Narain's 0483 may be regarded as a recalculation) is of Asokan date in the north, and was then transmitted to the south, where it was subject to later elaboration.

Bechert admits that the "100 years" of his preferred later northern tradition is "a suspiciously round figure." He returns in the end to his assertion that "we have no evidence for the handing down of exact chronological information in India before the Maurya period." In a footnote, he rejects the report of Megasthenes that as of the early Maurya period, there was a tradition of 154 previous kings together covering 6042 years, by saying that it is "hardly more similar to real historiography than the relevant sections in later Purâna literature." We are prepared to agree that it is intrinsically unlikely that in Chandragupta's time there existed anything like reliable records of the previous six thousand years. But the stronger claim, that Indian monarchs of the Maurya period had no concept of elapsed time between themselves and some past defining event, cannot be maintained. We have now evidence to the contrary from people on the scene at three different periods: Megasthenes in the late 04c (north), Asoka in the middle 03c (also north), and Fa-syen much later, in the early 5c (south). Not only do all these observations agree that the Indians possessed a concept of elapsed historical time, the last two also agree on the time that had elapsed since the death of the Buddha, a figure in which they concur with the "Cantonese dotted record," which probably derives ultimately from the same tradition.

Bechert's final position is that "the only way to fix the date of the Nirvâna seems to be the use of indirect evidence." This is the "open question" position. For arguments from indirect evidence, he refers to the other essays in the Datierung volumes, and we will take up those attempts elsewhere in this section.

We note in conclusion that it would be decisive for the Buddha question if closely datable evidence of early Buddhism existed, say in Greek or even in Chinese sources. For our suggestions as to some direct but external evidence, see in detail the Evidence page. The weight of that evidence is that a Buddha death date in the vicinity of c0486/c0483 is after all likely. A substantially later date does not fit the relatively well known chronology of the Chinese sources.

14 Sept 2005 / at: http://www.umass.edu/wsp/indica/buddhism...chert.html

see also more info on Buddha dating:
http://www.umass.edu/wsp/indica/buddhism/d...beyesekere.html


The Cambridge and Oxford histories of India accept 483 B.C as the date of Buddha’s nirvana. But, William Jones, on the basis of Chinese and Tibetan records infers that Buddha lived in the 11th century B.C.

Historian Fleet, who makes a study of ‘Rajatarangini’, thinks that Buddha lived in the 17th century B.C. Chinese monk Fa-Hien puts Buddha’s Nirvana at 1050 B.C. These contradictory theories may confuse one altogether.

The history that Buddha lived in the 5th century B.C was propounded by E.J Rapson who writes that the exact date of Buddha’s Nirvana is not known and hence the popularly accepted year of Buddha’s Nirvana is imaginary.
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?...90,0,0,1,0

a discussion at:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucgadkw/position/b...uddha.html
In conclusion
It is clear that if the objective of these volumes was to find absolute proof as to the exact date of the Buddha, then they would have failed. No method or evidence we have at the present is sufficient to establish that to the strictest standards of evidence. What certainly has been done is a firmly dethrone the old consensus - it is not impossible that the long chronology may yet be rehabilitated, but someone will have to undertake the task. From the point of view of reasonable probability the evidence seems to favour some kind of median chronology and we should no doubt speak of a date for the Buddha's Mahaparinibbana of c.400 B.C - I choose the round number deliberately to indicate that the margins are rather loose.

It follows that the date of Mahavira and kings such as Pasenadi or Bimbisara must be correspondingly brought down, as they are part of the same historical context. Probably also the date of the Upanisads must be later and possible connexions with the Greek world must be rethought.

Dominik Wujastyk
Sat Oct 25 21:18:30 BST 1997


Summarised: the western specialists favour (always) a low date, but can't (ever) prove this.

[Guest]

<b>Birth anniversary of Maharaja Gulab Singh celebrated</b>

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: In connection with the 214th birth anniversary of Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Jammu and Kashmir State, an impressive function was organised here this evening.

Former Sadar-e-Riyasat and Member Rajya Sabha, Dr Karan Singh presided over the function while Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi was the guest of honour on the occasion. The programme was organised by the Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust. Several prominent persons of the State including R&B Minister, Gulchain Singh Charak, former minister Thakur Randhir Singh, Prof Zahoor-Ud-Din, Maj Gen (Retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal and former DGP M M Khajooria were present on the occasion.

While paying tributes to the great Dogra ruler, Dr Karan Singh said that Maharaja Gulab Singh, who started his career as an ordinary soldier in the Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, is the source of inspiration for the coming generations. He said nobody knew that the boy with village background will one day become a mighty ruler, who extended the boundaries of the Jammu and Kashmir State up to 84,000 sq miles and made it the largest State in India having boundaries with China and Russia. But it was unfortunate that its area has now reduced to half of the original.

Commenting on the present political situation in the State, Dr Singh said that for the last 16 years, the State has been passing through the turmoil. " The situation infact could not be properly understood by them or even us but with the recent developments I hope the things will take turn and peace will be restored to this State, " Dr Singh observed.

Referring to the inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule, Dr Singh stressed the need to work more for the development the language.

He said Dogri must be encouraged and taught to the young children. He said it is the duty of every citizen here to maintain the proud Dogra identity.

Mr Charak while paying tributes to Maharaja Gulab Singh said that achievements of this great Dogra ruler are the source of inspiration for all of us and coming generations. He stressed the need of preservation of the old monuments and other museums of the Dogra rulers and said that after getting them declared as Heritage sites, it could be major source of tourists attraction. He said that Rs 43 cr is being spent on the maintenance and preservation of Mubarik Mandi.

Maj Gen (Retd) G S Jamwal suggested the construction of an Army Heritage Centre at Jammu with unique War Memorial depicting names of all the heroes of the Dogra Army right from 1826 to 1947. Prof Zahoor-ud-Din and M M Khajooria also spoke on the occasion.

Rajinder Singh Pawar, founder and chairman of the NIIT was awarded 3rd Maharaja Gulab Singh award for his distinguished services. Maharani Yasho Yajya Lakshmi, president of the Trust, gave away the award which carries cash award of rupees one lakh. Maharaja Ranbir Singh Scholarships were given to the two Research scholars, Rupali Sharma and Ajay Singh Manhas.

Ajatshatru Singh, presented the vote of thanks.

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->More than 55 years after royal titles were abolished under the Constitution , the BJP government in MP has said that one of its ministers will be officially addressed as 'Shrimant' — a title of the Scindia royal family.

On October 19, the MP government approved tourism minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia's demand. It slipped out an official gazette notification that 'Srimati' Yashodhara Raje Scindia, sister of Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, henceforth be addressed as 'Shrimant' Yashodhara Raje Scindia.

"In the list of cabinet ministers, honourable minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia's name will be replaced as Shrimant Yashodhara Raje Scindia as per the notification of 19.10.06," the order said.

CM Chauhan evaded the question on the decision. "I do not think this is a vital issue that it needs to be debated upon. I will not speak on this," he said. Even his cabinet colleagues, at least three of whom are erstwhile royals, are being cagey, though some are lauding the move.

Higher education minister Tukoji Rao Pawar, an ex-royal, said, "I have no problems with addressing her as 'Shrimant'. No one should have any objections. If she wants to be addressed as 'Shrimant', it's all right."

One reason could be that royals exercise considerable clout in MP. Former royalty strut around accompanied by liveried aides and drive in cars that bear the coat of arms. Political parties go out and seek votes for the 'raja saheb' — former CM Digvijay Singh also known as Diggy Raja — and his brother 'chhote raja' — BJP MP Lakshman Singh.

Even for elections to Lok Sabha, Guna-Shivpuri constituency still votes for its 'maharaja' — at present Jyotiraditya Scindia. The constituency has always voted for the Scindias. It voted in Vijayaraje Scindia when she represented Jan Sangh and BJP. It later elected Madhavrao Scindia, a Congress candidate. Right now, the seat is being held by Congress leader Jyotiraditya, who is Yashodhara's nephew.

Congress, though in the opposition, is refusing to make political capital of this. Observers feel this may be because the party also has its fair share of royals. The 59-year-old All India Congress Committee general secretary Digvijay Singh, who is senior to Madhavrao's son Jyotiraditya, hails the 35-year-old MP as "maharaja".<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/artic...361078.cms