India has a rich history with numerous kingdoms and rulers who governed various regions at different times. Here’s a list of some of the significant rulers and dynasties, along with approximate dates of their rule:
Ancient India
- Maurya Empire (Chandragupta Maurya and successors)
- Chandragupta Maurya: 321 BCE – 297 BCE
- Ashoka the Great: 268 BCE – 232 BCE The Maurya Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient India, known for Ashoka’s efforts to spread Buddhism.
- Gupta Empire
- Chandragupta I: 320 CE – 335 CE
- Samudragupta: 335 CE – 380 CE
- Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya): 380 CE – 415 CE The Gupta Empire is known for its golden age in terms of culture, science, and the arts.
- Shunga Dynasty
- Pushyamitra Shunga: 185 BCE – 149 BCE The Shunga dynasty came to power after the Mauryan empire and is notable for restoring Hinduism.
Medieval India
- Chola Dynasty
- Rajaraja Chola I: 985 CE – 1014 CE
- Rajendra Chola I: 1014 CE – 1044 CE The Chola Dynasty was a significant South Indian dynasty that expanded its influence across Southeast Asia.
- Delhi Sultanate
- Qutb-ud-Din Aibak: 1206 CE – 1210 CE (first Sultan of Delhi)
- Iltutmish: 1211 CE – 1236 CE
- Alauddin Khilji: 1296 CE – 1316 CE The Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim kingdom that ruled over northern India, known for its military conquests and cultural assimilation.
- Mughal Empire
- Babur: 1526 CE – 1530 CE (Founder)
- Akbar the Great: 1556 CE – 1605 CE
- Shah Jahan: 1628 CE – 1658 CE (known for constructing the Taj Mahal)
- Aurangzeb: 1658 CE – 1707 CE (last of the great Mughal emperors) The Mughals established one of the largest empires in India, with great cultural and architectural achievements.
Colonial Period
- British East India Company Rule
- Robert Clive (first British ruler): 1757 CE – 1765 CE The British East India Company ruled large parts of India after the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
- British Raj (British Crown rule)
- Queen Victoria: 1858 CE – 1901 CE (officially the start of British Crown rule in India)
- George V: 1910 CE – 1947 CE The British Raj lasted from 1858 to 1947, with the British Crown directly ruling over India.
Post-independence India
- Post-Independence India
- First President of India: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962) India became a republic in 1950, after gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Since then, India has been governed by democratically elected leaders, with the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government.