List of Indian monarchs


This article is a list of the various dynasties and monarchs that have ruled in the Indian subcontinent and it is one of several lists of incumbents.
The earliest Indian rulers are known from epigraphical sources found in archeological inscriptions on Ashokan edicts written in Pali language and using brahmi script. They are also known from the literary sources like Sanskrit literature, Jain literature and Buddhist literature in context of literary sources. Archaeological sources include archeological remains in Indian subcontinent which give many details about earlier kingdoms, monarchs, and their interactions with each other.
Early types of historic documentation include metal coins with an indication of the ruler, or at least the dynasty, at the time. These Punch-marked coins were issued around 600s BCE and are found in abundance from the Maurya Empire in 300s BCE. There are also stone inscriptions and documentary records from foreign cultures from around this time. The main imperial or quasi-imperial rulers of North India are fairly clear from this point on, but many local rulers, and the situation in the Deccan and South India has less clear stone inscriptions from early centuries. Main sources of South Indian history is Sangam Literature dated from 300s BCE. Time period of ancient Indian rulers is speculative, or at least uncertain.

Vedic India (c. 2000s – 200s BCE)

Kingdom of Magadha

Kingdom of Kashmir

Gandhara Kingdom (c. 1500 – 518 BCE)

Kuru Kingdom (c. 1200 – 345 BCE)

Kingdom of Avanti (c. 1100 – 400 BCE)

  1. Maharaj Adarsh
  2. Maharaj Ayu
  3. Maharaj Nahusha
  4. Maharaj Yayati
  5. Maharaj Yadu
  6. Sahasrajit
  7. Satajit
  8. Mahahaya, Renuhaya and Haihaya.
  9. Dharma was the son of Haihaya.
  10. Netra
  11. Kunti
  12. Sohanji
  13. Mahishman was the founder of Mahishmati on the banks of River Narmada.
  14. Bhadrasenaka
  15. Durmada
  16. Durdama
  17. Bhima
  18. Samhata
  19. Kanaka
  20. Dhanaka
  21. Krtavirya, Krtagni, Krtavarma and Krtauja.
  22. Sahasrabahu Kartavirya Arjuna was the son of Krtavirya who ruled 88 years and was finally killed by Lord Parashurama.
  23. Jayadhwaja, Vrshabha, Madhu and Urujit were left by Parshurama and 995 others were killed by Lord Parashurama. Pajanya was adopted by Kroshta king Devamidha
  24. Talajangha
  25. Vithihotra
  26. Madhu
  27. Vrshni
Pradyota dynasty

Videha (c. 1100 – 700 BCE)

  1. Videgha Mathava - Founder of Videha
  2. Nimi - Earliest ancestor of Janaka Dynasty
  3. Mithi - First Janaka and founder of Mithila
  4. Udavasu - Second Janaka
  5. Nandivardhana - Third Janaka
  6. Suketu - Fourth Janaka
  7. Devarata Janaka - Fifth Janaka
  8. Brihadvrata
  9. Mahavira
  10. Sudhriti
  11. Dristaketu
  12. Haryasva
  13. Maru
  14. Pratindhaka
  15. Kritiratha
  16. Devamidha
  17. Vibhuta
  18. Mahidhrata
  19. Kirtirata
  20. Mahorama
  21. Svarnorama
  22. Hrasvaroma
  23. Seeradhvaja - Twenty first Janaka
  24. Bhaanumaan
  25. Shatadyumna
  26. Shuchi
  27. Oorjanaamaa
  28. Kriti
  29. Anjana
  30. Kurujit
  31. Arishtanemi
  32. Shrutaayu
  33. Supaarshva
  34. Srinjaya
  35. Kshemaavee
  36. Anenaa
  37. Bhaumaratha
  38. Satyaratha
  39. Upagu
  40. Upagupta
  41. Svaagata
  42. Svaananda
  43. Suvarchaa
  44. Supaarshwa
  45. Subhaasha
  46. Sushruta
  47. Jaya
  48. Vijaya
  49. Rita
  50. Sunaya
  51. Veetahavya
  52. Dhriti
  53. Bahulashva
  54. Kriti
Apart from the above list of Janakas, there more Janakas mentioned in different texts
  1. Karala Janaka
  2. Dharmadhwaja Janaka
  3. Janadeva Janaka

    Kalinga Kingdom (c. 1100 – 261 BCE)

Kosala Kingdom (c. 1100 – 345 BCE)

Kings of Kosala:
Kings of Panchala:
  • Rishin
  • Brihadbhanu,
  • Brihatkaya
  • Puranjaya
  • Riksha
  • Bramhyaswa
  • Aramyaswa
  • Mudgala, Yavinara, Pratiswan, Maharaja Kampilya -
  • Sranjaya,
  • Dritimana
  • Drdhanemi
  • Sarvasena,
  • Mitra
  • Rukmaratha
  • Suparswa
  • Sumathi
  • Sannatimana
  • Krta
  • Pijavana
  • Somadutta
  • Jantuvahana
  • Badhrayaswa
  • Brihadhishu
  • Brihadhanu
  • Brihadkarma
  • Jayaratha
  • Visvajit
  • Seinyajit
  • Nepavirya,
  • Samara
  • Sadashva
  • Ruchiraswa
  • Pruthusena
  • Prapti
  • Prthaswa
  • Sukrthi
  • Vibhiraja
  • Anuha
  • Bramhadatta II
  • Vishwaksena
  • Dandasena
  • Durmukha
  • Durbuddhi
  • Dharbhya
  • Divodasa
  • Sivana I
  • Mitrayu
  • Maitrayana
  • Soma
  • Sivana II
  • Sadasana
  • Sahadeva
  • Somaka,
  • Prishati,
  • Drupada,
  • Dhrishtadyumna,
  • Keśin Dālbhya
  • Pravahana Jaivali
  • Achyuta,

    Anga Kingdom (c. 1100 – 530 BCE)

Kings of Anga:
Kings of Kamboja:
Rulers of Shakya:
''Later Shakya Republic was conquered by Virudhaka of Kosala.''

Kingdom of Tambapanni (c. 543 – 437 BCE)

PortraitNameBirthDeathRuler From Ruler Until MarriagesClaim
Vijaya?
Sinhapura
son of Sinhabahu, and Sinhasivali		505
Tambapanni		543505Kuveni
two children Pandu Princes		Founded Kingdom
Marriage to Kuveni
Upatissa
'		--505504Prince Vijaya's Chief Minister
Panduvasdeva--504474Nephew of Vijaya
Abhaya--474454Son of Panduvasdeva
Tissa
'		--454437Younger brother of Abhaya

Ancient and early medieval Southern Indian dynasties

Pandya dynasty (c. 600 BCE–1650 CE)

Early Pandyans

During the 15th century, the Pandyans lost their traditional capital city Madurai because of the Islamic and Nayaks invasion, and were forced to move their capital to Tirunelveli in southern Tamilakam and existed there as vassals.
  • Cataiyavarman Parakrama Pandyan
  • Cataiyavarman III Kulasekara Pandyan
  • Azhagan Perumal Parakrama Pandyan
  • Kulasekara Pandyan
  • Cataiyavarman Civallappa Pandyan
  • Parakrama Kulasekara Pandyan
  • Nelveli Maran
  • Cataiyavarman Adiveerama Pandyan
  • Varathunga Pandyan
  • Varakunarama Pandyan
  • Kollankondan

    Chera dynasty (c. 600 BCE–1530 CE)

Venadu Cheras :
  • Rama Kulasekhara
  • Kotha Varma Marthandam
  • Vira Kerala Varma I
  • Kodai Kerala Varma
  • Vira Ravi Varma
  • Vira Kerala Varma II
  • Vira Aditya Varma
  • Vira Udaya Martanda Varma
  • Devadaram Vira Kerala Varma III
  • Vira Manikantha Rama Varma Tiruvadi
  • Vira Rama Kerala Varma Tiruvadi
  • Vira Ravi Kerala Varma Tiruvadi
  • Vira Padmanabha Martanda Varma Tiruvadi
  • Ravi Varma
  • Vira Udaya Martanda Varma
  • Aditya Varma Tiruvadi
  • Vira Rama Udaya Martanda Varma Tiruvadi
  • Vira Kerala Varma Tiruvadi
  • Vira Martanda Varma III
  • Vira Rama Martanda Varma
  • Vira Ravi Varma
  • Vira Ravi Ravi Varma
  • Vira Kerala Martanda Varma
  • Chera Udaya Martanda Varma
  • Vira Ravi Varma
  • Sankhara Sri Vira Rama Martanda Varma
  • Vira Kodai Sri Aditya Varma
  • Martanda Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal
  • Vira Ravi Kerala Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal