| Dynasty | Founder | Capital | Key Rulers | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurya | Chandragupta Maurya | Pataliputra | Ashoka, Bindusara | First pan-Indian empire, Kalinga War, Ashoka’s Dhamma, Rock Edicts, Megasthenes |
| Gupta | Sri Gupta | Pataliputra | Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Skandagupta | Classical Golden Age, Nalanda, Iron Pillar, Decimal system, Kalidasa |
| Harsha (Pushyabhuti) | Harshavardhana | Kannauj | Harsha | Last North Indian ruler before Islamic invasion, wrote plays (e.g., Nagananda) |
| Chalukya (Badami) | Pulakeshin I | Badami | Pulakeshin II | Defeated Harsha, patron of art, Aihole temples |
| Rashtrakuta | Dantidurga | Manyakheta | Govinda III, Amoghavarsha | Patronized Kannada & Sanskrit, Kailash Temple at Ellora |
| Pallava | Simhavishnu | Kanchipuram | Narasimhavarman I | Mahabalipuram temples, development of Dravidian architecture |
| Chola | Vijayalaya Chola | Thanjavur | Rajaraja I, Rajendra I | Naval expeditions to SE Asia, Brihadeshwara Temple, efficient administration |
| Chandela | Nannuka | Khajuraho region | Dhanga, Vidyadhara | Built Khajuraho Temples, resisted Mahmud of Ghazni |
| Paramara | Upendra (9th century) | Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) | Bhoja | Scholar-king, authored Saraswati-Kanthabharana, built Bhojshala |
| Gurjara-Pratihara | Nagabhata I | Kannauj | Nagabhata II, Mihira Bhoja | Fought Arab invasions, cultural revival in North India |
| Pala | Gopala | Bengal | Dharmapala, Devapala | Supported Nalanda & Vikramashila universities, Buddhist patronage |
| Sen | Samantasena | Bengal | Ballalasena | Known for promoting Brahmanical traditions after Palas |
| Lodhi (Delhi Sultanate) | Bahlol Lodi | Delhi | Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi | Last dynasty before Mughals |
| Mughal | Babur | Agra / Delhi | Akbar, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb | Centralised administration, Mansabdari system, architectural wonders |
Tips 💫
-
Match Dynasties with Temples/Architecture: (e.g. Khajuraho → Chandela, Brihadeshwara → Chola)
-
Watch for Capital Confusions: Dhar vs. Thanjavur vs. Kanchipuram
-
Know Patrons of Art & Literature: Bhoja (Paramara), Harsha (Pushyabhuti)
-
Focus on UPSC Traps: Bhoja ≠ Rashtrakuta, Jayashakti ≠ Paramara