Lesser known kings and queens of ancient India 

Introduction 

There were many brave and strong kings and queens in Indian history like Maharana Pratap and Rani Laxmi Bai etc., They fought against there enemies with all might till there last breath. But there were many lesser known kings and queens of ancient India. In this article we will try to cover as many lesser known kings and queens of ancient India.

Lesser known kings of ancient India

1. Raja Raja Chola I

Raja Raja Chola I was a great south indian ruler of Chola dynasty who ruled most of the parts of South India and some of the parts of the Sri Lanka.

• Born in 947 AD at Thanjavur, Chola Kingdom(Now Tamil Nadu).

• His father name was Parantaka Chola II (also known as Sundara Chola) and his mother name was Vanavan Mahadevi.

• Gain Fame by doing many wars and battle with his father and brother.

• Later became king of Chola dynasty in 985 AD.

• After becoming the king, he expanded his kingdom over most of the parts of India and Some of the parts of Sri Lanka.

• He died at the age of 67 year in 1014 AD.

• After his death, his son Rajender Chola I became the king of Chola dynasty.

2. Suhal Dev, the legendary king of Shravasti

Raja Sahul Dev was a great king in the northern part of India during 11th century.

He was ruler of Shravasti (in present day Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh).

• Born in around 1000 AD at Shravasti (in present day Baharaich, Uttar Pradesh).

• His father name was King Mandra Dev and mother name is not mentioned in any historical sources.

• Ghazi Sayyid Salar Masud who was nephew of Mohammad Ghaznavi tried to capture the territories of Suhal Dev During 1031-1034.

• The Battle of Baharaich between Sahul Dev and Ghazi Sayyid Salar Masud.

• Outcomes of the battle of Baharaich was Sahul Dev won.

• Ghazi Sayyid Salar Masud was killed by Sahul Dev and his army was destroyed.

3. Samundra Gupt

Samundra Gupt was a one of the greatest king of Gupt dynasty and a great king during 4th century.

• Born in 319 AD at Patliputra (in present day Patna, Bihar).

• The name of samundra Gupt was Chandra Gupta I and his mother name was kumara devi.

• He became king at the age of just 16.

• He ruled from 335 AD to 375 AD almost 40 years.

• He defeated 9 north indian kings and 12 south indian kings in battles.

• He died in 375 AD.

• Later Chandragupt II (also known as Vikramaditya) became his successor.

4. Gautamiputra Satakarni 

Gautamiputra Satakarni was a great king in Deccan during 1st century. He was one of the greatest king of Satavahana Dynasty.

• His father name was Satakarni and his mother name was Gautami Balashi (His name "Gautamiputra" was after his mother's name which means son of Gautami).

• He ruled around 24 years from 78 AD to 102 AD.

• The capital city of his kingdom was Pratishthana (in present day Paithan, Maharashtra).

• He fought the battles against Pahlavas, Sakas and Yavanas(indo-greek) and defeated them.

• The Saka/Salivahana Samvat which is hindu's calender was created because of his victory against Sakas.

5. Lalitaditya Muktapida

A great king in Kashmir during early mediaeval era. He belonged to Karkota dynasty.

• He is famous because of his administration and architecture.

• He ruled around 36 years from 724 AD to 760 AD.

• According to some legends the Martand Sun Temple which is located in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir was built in his reign. 

• His father name was Durlabhaka Pratapaditya II and his mother name was 

Queen Narendraprabha.

• For administration and culture it was golden period of Kashmir during his reign.

• He died around 760 AD.

6. Milinda

• He ruled north-west part of the india in the 2nd century BC.

• He was a Greek King with indo-greek kingdom in the north-west part of India.

• He ruled around 35 years from 165 BC to 130 BC.

• The capital of his kingdom was Sakala(in present day it is situated in Pakistan province punjab).

• Later he changed his religion into Buddhist.

• There is no exact date of his death in any historical sources but according to some legends He died around 130 BC.

7. Skanda gupt 

• He was last king of Gupt dynasty. 

• He ruled around 12 years from 455 AD to 467 AD.

• His father name was Kumara Gupt I and his mother name was Ananta Devi.

• The Huna (also known as Hephthalites) tried to capture the territories of Gupt dynasty during the decline of Gupt dynasty.

• They entered in the territories from kyber pass and started attacking North Western part frontiers of the Gupt dynasty (in present day Punjab and Rajasthan).

• Skanda fought a battle against Huna and defeated him.

• The capital of his kingdom was Patliputra (in present day Patna, Bihar).

• The Battle caused big loss of Gupt Empire in their treasury.

• Later he died in 467 AD.

• After him Purugupt (his brother) became his successor but during his reign huna attacked again and this time they defeated Gupt dynasty.

8. Pulakeshin II

Pulakeshin was a great king in Deccan during 7th century. He was one of the greatest king of the chalukya dynasty.

• He born around in 593 AD at Vatapi (in present day Badami, Karnataka).

• His father name was kritivarman I.

• After his father's death, his uncle Manglesha became regent but after defeating his uncle he became next king of chalukya dynasty.

• The capital city of his kingdom was Vatapi (in present day Badami, Karnataka).

• He was very famous because he defeated Harshavardhan of kanauj in the battle of Narmada in 618-619 AD.

• Because of the victory against Harshvardhan of kanauj in the battle of Narmada he got title "Lord of the south".

• He fought the battles and conquered the regions like Kerala, Andr Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

• He ruled around 32 years from 610 AD to 642 AD.

• Later he died in 642 AD during the battle against Narshimhavaram I.

• Narshimhavaram I won the battle and burnt the capital city of chalukya dynasty.

After the death of Pulakeshin II his kingdom seperated into many small parts.

Lesser known Queens of ancient India.

1. Queen Didda

Queen Didda was great queen during 10th century and she belonged from Lohara Dynasty.

• Didda was born in 924 AD.

• Her father name was Simharaja and her mother name is unknown but she was a princess of royal family in the Kashmir.

• She married King Kshemwgupt, ruler of Kashmir in 1950 AD.

• Later in 958 AD her husband died after that her son Abhimanyu became king but he was child at that time.

• Didda became regent queen to rule in the behalf of her son.

• But unfortunately her son also died in a younger age.

• After her son death, she became a Queen to rule the empire with her own power.

• She ruled around 45 years from 958 AD to 1003 AD.

• The capital city of her kingdom was Srinagar (in present day location in Jammu and Kashmir).

• In 1003 AD she died due to old age.

• After Didda, her adopted nephew Samgramaraja became next ruler of Kashmir.

FAQs

1. Who is forgotten king of India?

Ans:- King like Raja Chola Chola I, Samundra Gupt, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Pulakeshin II and many others kings are forgotten in acinet indian history.

2. Who is kindest king of India?

Ans:- Ashoka the Great is known as the kindest king of India because after the kalinga war he choose the path of Buddhism and became non violence. He also Promoted welfare, built hospitals, roads, and rest houses for people and animals.

3. Who is strongest Queen of India?

Ans:- Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi known to be strongest Queen of India. She fought bravely against British while carrying her son on her back. She fought against them till her last breath.

4. Who is oldest king of India?

Ans:- Chandra Gupta maurya is known to be oldest king of India, he established maurya empire in 321 BC.