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 BCE – 200s BCE)

Kingdom of Magadha

List of monarchs of Magadha

Kingdom of Kashmir

List of monarchs of Kashmir

Gandhara Kingdom (c. 1500 – 518 BCE)

Kings of Gandhara

Kuru Kingdom (c. 1900 – 345 BCE)

List of Kuru kings

Kingdom of Avanti (c. 1100 – 400 BCE)

Haiheyas Pradyota dynasty

Videha (c. 1100 – 700 BCE)

Kings of Videha

Kalinga Kingdom (c. 1100 – 261 BCE)

Kings of Kalinga

Kosala Kingdom (c. 1100 – 345 BCE)

Kings of Kosala:

Panchala Kingdom (c. 1100 BCE – 350 CE)

Kings of Panchala:

Anga Kingdom (c. 1100 – 530 BCE)

Kings of Anga:

Kamboja Kingdom (c. 700 – 200 BCE)

Kings of Kamboja:

Shakya Republic (c. 7th to 5th century BCE)

Rulers of Shakya: Later Shakya Republic was conquered by Virudhaka of Kosala.

Kingdom of Tambapanni (c. 543 – 437 BCE)

Ancient and early medieval Southern Indian dynasties

Pandya dynasty (c. 600 BCE–1650 CE)

Early Pandyans

Middle Pandyans (c. 590–920 CE)

Pandyans under Chola Empire (c. 920–1216 CE)

Pandalam dynasty (Later Pandyans) (c. 1212–1345 CE)

Tenkasi Pandya dynasty (c. 1422–1650 CE)

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.

Chera dynasty (c. 600 BCE–1530 CE)

Ancient Chera kings Kongu Cheras (c. 400–844 CE) Makotai Cheras Venadu Cheras (Kulasekharas) (c. 1090–1530 CE):

Chola dynasty (c. 600 BCE–1279 CE)

Ancient Chola kings (c. 600 BCE – 300 CE)

Chola emperors (848 – 1279 AD)

Velir dynasties (c. 300 BCE–1200 CE)

Major dynasties of Velir are-

Ay dynasty (Velir) (c. 300 BCE–800 CE)

Early Ay Kings

Medieval Ay Kings

Pallava dynasty (c. 275 – 897 CE)

Kadamba dynasties (c. 345–1310 CE)

Principality of Banavasi (c. 345–540 CE)

Banavasi branch rulers- Triparvatha branch rulers-

Principality of Goa (c. 960–1345 CE)

Principality of Hangal (c. 980–1275 CE)

Other minor Kadamba principalities

Chutu dynasty of Banavasi (c. 100 BCE–200 CE)

List of rulers of Banavasi

Vishnukundina dynasty of Denduluru (c. 420–624 CE)

List of rulers of Denduluru

Chalukya dynasty (c. 500–1200 CE)

Middle Kingdoms (c. 250s BCE – 550s CE)

Kingdom of the Deccan or Dakshinapath (Satavahana dynasty) (c. 228 BCE – 224 CE)

Satavahana kings

Kingdom of Kalinga (Mahameghavahana dynasty) (c. 225 BCE – 300 CE)

Kingdom of Kangleipak (Manipur) (c. 200s BCE –1950 CE)

List of Manipuri kings

Kuninda Kingdom (c. 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE)

The only known ruler of Kuninda Kingdom is:

Indo-Greek Kingdom (Yavanarajya) (c. 200 BCE – 10 CE)

List of Indo-Greek Kings

Indo-Scythian (Saka) ( c. 12 BCE – 395 CE)

List of Indo-Scythian dynasties and rulers

Kushan Empire (c. 1 – 375 CE)

List of Kushan emperors

Indo-Parthian (Pahalava) (c. 21 – 100 CE)

List of Indo-Parthian kings

Indo-Sasanian Kingdom (c. 233 – 365 CE)

List of Indo-Sasanian kings

Alchon Huns (Huna) (c. 400 – 670 CE)

List of Alchon Hun Kings

Chutu dynasty of Banavasi (c. 100 BCE–200 CE)

Kings of Banavasi

Khokhra chieftaincy (c. 64–1952 CE)

List of Nagvanshi chiefs

Kingdom of Padmavati (c. 170–350 CE)

Kings of Padmavati

Principality of Samatata (Chandra dynasty) (c. 202–1050 CE)

Prince of Samatata

Kingdom of Abhira (203–370 CE)

Principality of Khoh (c. 221–1028 CE)

Prince of Khoh

Second Magadha Empire (c. 240 – 750 CE)

Vakataka dynasty (c. 250–500 CE)

Vakataka family tree

Kingdom of Malwa (c. 300 – 550 CE)

List of monarchs of Malwa (Aulikara dynasty)

Kingdom of Kamarupa (350–650 CE)

Kings of Kamarupa

Principality of Talakad (Western Gangas) (350–1424 CE)

Prince of Talakad

Kingdom of Kalinga (Eastern Gangas)

Kings of Kalinga (Eastern Gangas)

Other minor Ganga states

Principality of Gudari Kataka

According to Gangavansucharitam written in sixteenth or seventeenth century, Bhanu Deva IV also known as Kajjala Bhanu founded a new small princedom in southern Odisha at Gudari in modern Rayagada district after he was toppled from power by his general Kapilendra Deva.

Principality of Chikiti (c. 881–1950 CE)

Prince of Chikiti

Parlakhemundi Estate#Rulers (c. 1309–1950)

Zamindars of Parlakhemundi

Principality of Aparanta (Traikutaka dynasty) (c. 370–520 CE)

Prince of Aparanta

Kingdom of Vallabhi (Maitraka dynasty) (c. 475–776 CE)

Kings of Vallabhi

Kingdom of Sindh (Rai dynasty) (c. 489–632 CE)

Kings of Sindh (Rai)

Kabul Shahi Kingdom (c. 500–1026 CE)

In Kabul Shahi Kingdom two dynasties ruled (both were Hindu dynasties):

Principality of Thanesar (Pushyabhuti dynasty) (c. 500 – 647 CE)

Prince of Thanesar

Jaintia Kingdom (c. 525–1835 CE)

Rulers of Jantia

Early Medieval Period (c. 550s CE – c. 1200s CE)

Kalachuri dynasties (c. 550 – 1225 CE)

Kingdom of Malwa (Early Kalachuris) (c. 550 – 625 CE)

Kings of Malwa (Kalachuri)

Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri/Chedi (Later Kalachuris) (c. 675 – 1212 CE)

Kalachuri dynasty of Ratnapura (c. 1000 – 1225 CE)

The following is a list of the Ratnapura Kalachuri rulers, with estimated period of their reigns:

Kalachuri dynasty of Kalyani (Southern Kalachuris) (c. 1130 – 1184 CE)

Patola/Gilgit Shahi dynasty (c. 550 – 750 CE)

Gurjara-Pratihara Empire (c. 550 – 1036 CE)

Pratiharas of Mandavyapura (Mandor) (c. 550 – 860 CE)

R. C. Majumdar, on the other hand, assumed a period of 25 years for each generation, and placed him in c. 550 CE. The following is a list of the dynasty's rulers (IAST names in brackets) and estimates of their reigns, assuming a period of 25 years.

Imperial Pratiharas of Kannauj (c. 730 – 1036 CE)

Other Pratihara Branches

Known Baddoch rulers are- Badegujar were rulers of Rajogarh

Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasties (c. 551 – 1315 CE)

Chahamanas of Sambhar Ajmer and Delhi (c. 551 – 1194 CE)

Following is a list of Chahamana rulers of Shakambhari, Ajmer and Delhi with approximate period of reign, as estimated historian by R. B. Singh:

Chahamanas of Naddula (c. 950 – 1197 CE)

Following is a list of Chahmana rulers of Naddula, with approximate period of reign, as estimated by R. B. Singh:

Chahamanas of Jalor (c. 1160 – 1311 CE)

The Chahamana rulers of the Jalor branch, with their estimated periods of reign, are as follows: Virama-deva (1311 CE) was last ruler of dynasty, crowned during the Siege of Jalore, but died 21/2 days later.

Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura (c. 1192 – 1301 CE)

Kingdom of Mewar (c. 566 – 1947 CE)

In the 6th century, three different Guhila dynasties are known to have ruled in present-day Rajasthan:

Guhila dynasty (c. 566 – 1303 CE)

Branching of Guhil dynasty

During reign of Rawal Ran Singh (1158–1168), the Guhil dynasty got divided into two branches. Rawal Khshem Singh (1168–1172), son of Ran Singh, ruled over Mewar by building Rawal Branch. Rahapa, the second son of Ran Singh started the Rana Branch by establishing Sisoda bases. Later Hammir Singh of Sisoda base started main Sisodia or Mewar dynasty in 1326 CE.

Rana branch rulers (c. 1168 – 1326 CE)

"Rahapa", a son of Ranasimha alias Karna, established the Rana branch. According to the 1652 Eklingji inscription, Rahapa's successors were:

Sisodia dynasty (c. 1326 – 1947 CE)

Gauda Kingdom (c. 590 – 626 CE)

Karkota dynasty of Kashmir (c. 625–855 CE)

Chacha dynasty of Sindh (c. 632–724 CE)

The known rulers of the Brahman dynasty are:

Mlechchha dynasty of Kamarupa (650–900 CE)

Garhwal Kingdom (c. 688–1949 CE)

Mola Ram the 18th century painter, poet, historian and diplomat of Garhwal wrote the historical work Garhrajvansh Ka Itihas (History of the Garhwal royal dynasty) which is the only source of information about several Garhwal rulers.

Mallabhum (Bishnupur) kingdom (c. 694–1947 CE)

Mallabhum kingdom or Bishnupur kingdom was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur, primarily in the present Bankura district in Indian state of West Bengal. (also known as Mallabhoom),

Chand Kingdom of Kumaon (700–1790 CE)

Badri Datt Pandey, in his book Kumaun Ka Itihaas lists the Chand kings as following:

Karttikeyapur (Katyur) Kingdom (700–1065 CE)

The period of certain Katyuri rulers, is generally determined as below, although there is some ambiguity in respect to exact number of years ruled by each King

Varman dynasty of Kannauj (c. 725–770 CE)

Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta (c. 735–982 CE)

Tomar dynasty of Delhi (c. 736–1151 CE)

Various historical texts provide different lists of the Tomara kings: As stated earlier, the historians doubt the claim that the Tomaras established Delhi in 736 CE. Another resource tells that the son of King Mukundpal Tomar, King Prithvipal Tomar had a son named King Govind Raj Tomar ruled for 1189 to 1192.

Pala dynasty of Bengal (c. 750 – 1174 CE)

Shilahara dynasty (765–1265 CE)

Shilahara Kingdom was split into three branches:

South Konkan branch (c. 765–1020 CE)

North Konkan (Thane) branch (c. 800–1265 CE)

Kolhapur branch (c. 940–1212 CE)

Ayudha dynasty of Kannauj (c. 770–810 CE)

Chandela dynasty of Jejakabhukti (c. 831–1315 CE)

The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti were a dynasty in Central India. They ruled much of the Bundelkhand region (then called Jejakabhukti) between the 9th and the 13th centuries. Based on epigraphic records, the historians have come up with the following list of Chandela rulers of Jejākabhukti (IAST names in brackets):

Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Devagiri (c. 850–1334 CE)

Paramara dynasty of Malwa (c. 9th century to 1305 CE)

According to historical 'Kailash Chand Jain', "Knowledge of the early Paramara rulers from Upendra to Vairisimha is scanty; there are no records, and they are known only from later sources." The Paramara rulers mentioned in the various inscriptions and literary sources include: After death of Mahalakadeva in 1305 CE, Paramara dynasty rule was ended in Malwa region, but not in other Parmar states.

Utpala dynasty of Kashmir (c. 855 – 1009 CE)

Didda (c. 980 – 1003 CE) placed Samgrāmarāja, son of her brother on the throne, who became founder of the Lohara dynasty.

Somavamshi dynasty (c. 882 – 1110 CE)

Historian Krishna Chandra Panigrahi provides the following chronology of the later Somavamshis:

Pala dynasty of Kamarupa (c. 900 – 1100 CE)

Paramara dynasty of Chandravati (Abu) (c. 910 – 1220 CE)

The following is a list of Paramara rulers of Chandravati, with approximate regnal years, as estimated by epigraphist H. V. Trivedi. The rulers are sons of their predecessors unless noted otherwise:

Kingdom of Ladakh (c. 930 – 1842 CE)

Maryul dynasty of Ngari (c. 930 – 1460 CE)

Namgyal dynasty (Gyalpo of Ladakh) (c. 1460 – 1842 CE)

The kings of the Namgyal dynasty along with their periods of reign are as follows:

Solanki dynasty (Chaulukyas of Gujarat) (c. 940–1244 CE)

The Chalukya rulers of Gujarat, with approximate dates of reign, are as follows:

Kachchhapaghata dynasty (c. 950–1150 CE)

Simhapaniya (Sihoniya) and Gopadri (Gwalior) branch

Dubkund (Dobha) branch

Nalapura (Narwar) branch

Kachwaha dynasty (c. 966–1949 CE)

Kachwahas King Sorha Dev and Dulha Rao defeated Meena of Dhundhar kingdom and established the Kachwaha dynasty, which ruled for more than 1000 years & still ruling in Jaipur district of Rajasthan.

Rulers

He was the last ruler of Kachawa dynasty, he annexed Jaipur State with Union of India in 1949 CE.

Titular rulers

Titles were abolished in 1971 according to the 26th amendment to the Indian Constitution.

Hoysala Empire (c. 1000–1343 CE)

Lohara dynasty of Kashmir (c. 1003–1320 CE)

The Lohara dynasty were Hindu rulers of Kashmir from the Khasa tribe, in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, between 1003 and approximately 1320 CE. The dynasty was founded by the Samgramaraja, the grandson of Khasha chief Simharaja and the nephew of the Utpala dynasty Queen Didda.

First Lohara dynasty

Second Lohara dynasty

Khasa Malla Kingdom (c. 10th to 14th century CE)

The list of Khas Malla kings mentioned by Giuseppe Tucci is in the following succession up to Prithvi Malla:

Naga dynasty of Kalahandi (1005 – 1947 CE)

Sena dynasty of Bengal (1070 – 1230 CE)

Kakatiya dynasty (1083–1323)

Gahadavala dynasty (1072–1237)

Karnata dynasty of Mithila (1097 – 1324 CE)

Chutia (Sadiya) Kingdom of Assam (1187–1524 CE)

Late Medieval Period (c. 1200s CE – c. 1500s CE)

Delhi Sultanate (c. 1206–1526 CE)

Mamluk dynasty (1206–1290 CE)

Khalji dynasty (1290–1320 CE)

Tughlaq dynasty (1321–1414 CE)

After the invasion of Timur in 1398, the governor of Multan, Khizr Khan abolished the Tughluq dynasty in 1414.

Jaunpur Sultanate (1394–1479 CE)

Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451 CE)

Lodi dynasty (1451–1526 CE)

Kadava dynasty (c. 1216–1279 CE)

Kingdom of Marwar (c. 1226–1950 CE)

Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur

Rulers from Pali & Mandore (1226–1438 CE)

Rulers from Jodhpur (1459–1950 CE)

Ahom dynasty of Assam (c. 1228–1826 CE)

Vaghela dynasty (1244–1304 CE)

The sovereign Vaghela rulers include:

Jaffna (Aryachakravarti) dynasty (c. 1277–1619 CE)

Kingdom of Tripura (c. 1280–1949 CE)

Manikya dynasty

On 9 September 1949, "Tripura Merger Agreement", was signed and come in effect from 15 October 1949 & Tripura became part of Indian Union.

Nayaka Kingdoms (c. 1325–1815 CE)

The Nayakas were originally military governors under the Vijayanagara Empire. It is unknown, in fact, if these founded dynasties were related, being branches of a major family, or if they were completely different families. Historians tend to group them by location.

Nayaka dynasty

Vellore Nayaka Kingdom (c. 1540–1601 CE)

The list of nayaks are unclear. Some of the Nayaks are:

Other Nayaka kingdoms

Reddy Kingdom (c. 1325–1448 CE)

Oiniwar (Sugauna) dynasty of Mithila (c. 1325–1526 CE)

According to historian Makhan Jha, the rulers of the Oiniwar dynasty are as follows:

Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1646 CE)

Vijayanagara Empire was ruled by four different dynasties for about 310 years on entire South India.

Bahmani Sultanate (c. 1347–1527 CE)

Malwa Sultanate (c. 1392–1562 CE)

Baro-Bhuyan kingdoms (c. 1365–1632 CE)

Baro-Bhuyan of Assam (1365–1440 CE)

Baro-Bhuyan of Bengal (1576–1632 CE)

Tomara dynasty of Gwalior (c. 1375–1523 CE)

The Tomara rulers of Gwalior include the following.

Wadiyar Kingdom of Mysore (c. 1399–1950 CE)

Gajapati Empire (c. 1434–1541 CE)

Rathore dynasty of Bikaner (c. 1465–1947 CE)

Deccan Sultanates (c. 1490–1686 CE)

Barid Shahi dynasty (1490–1619 CE)

Imad Shahi dynasty (1490–1572 CE)

Adil Shahi dynasty (1490–1686 CE)

Nizam Shahi dynasty (1490–1636 CE)

Qutb Shahi dynasty (1518–1686 CE)

Gatti Mudalis of Taramangalam (c. 15th–17th century CE)

Early Modern Period (c. 1500s CE – 1850s CE)

Kingdom of Cochin (c. 1503–1948 CE)

List of Maharajas of Cochin

Koch Kingdom (c. 1515–1949 CE)

List of Maharajas of Koch

Mughal Empire (c. 1526–1857 CE)

List of emperors of the Mughal Empire

Sur Empire (c. 1540–1555 CE)

List of rulers of the Sur Empire

Gajapati of Odisha

Lists of Gajapatis

Khurda Kingdom

List of rulers of Khurda

Kingdom of Sikkim (c. 1642–1975 CE)

List of Chogyals of Sikkim

Maratha Empire (c. 1674–1818 CE)

List of Chhatrapatis of the Marathas

Thanjavur Maratha kingdom (c. 1674–1855 CE)

List of Thanjavur Maratha rulers

The Peshwas (c. 1713–1858 CE)

List of Peshwas

Baroda State (c. 1721–1947 CE)

List of Maharajas of Baroda

Gwalior State (c. 1731–1947 CE)

List of Maharajas of Ujjain and Gwalior

Indore State (c. 1731–1948 CE)

List of Maharajas of Indore

Sinsinwar Jat Kingdom of Bharatpur and Deeg (c. 1683–1947 CE)

Pudukkottai Kingdom (c. 1686–1948 CE)

Sivaganga Kingdom (c. 1725–1947 CE)

Kingdom of Travancore (c. 1729–1949 CE)

Newalkar dynasty of Jhansi (c. 1769–1858 CE)

Phulkian Dynasty of Punjab (c. 1763–1947)

Phulkian dynasty Maharaja of Patiala Nabha State Jind State

Sikh Empire (c. 1801–1849 CE)

Maharaja of Punjab

Smaller Muslim Polities

Hyderabad State Nawab of Awadh Nawab of Bengal Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan

Dogra dynasty of Kashmir and Jammu (c. 1846–1952 CE)

Maharaja of Kashmir and Jammu

Later Modern India (c. 1850s onwards)

Empire of India (1876–1947 CE)

Dominion of India (1947–1950 CE)

Other lists of monarchs

Books