Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Patanjali
Scholar / historian
Shunga Dynasty
active c. 150 BCE
Grammarian who wrote the Mahabhashya on Panini.
Their world
Move along the chart to see their age in any year, who ruled and what happened; click anything to open it.
The map shows Shunga Dynasty around their lifetime and where the events of their lifetime took place.
Hover a dot for the event; click it to open the full map in that year.
Rulers of the time
Pandukabhaya
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 437–367 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 321–297 BCE
Bindusara
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 297–273 BCE
Ashoka
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 268–232 BCE
Devanampiya Tissa
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 247–207 BCE
Dasharatha
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 232–224 BCE
Samprati
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 224–215 BCE
Brihadratha
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 187–185 BCE
Bimbisara
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 544–492 BCE
Ajatashatru
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 492–460 BCE
Udayin
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 460–444 BCE
Shishunaga
King, Shishunaga Dynasty · c. 413–395 BCE
Kalashoka
King, Shishunaga Dynasty · c. 395–367 BCE
Mahapadma Nanda
King, Nanda Dynasty · c. 345–329 BCE
Dhana Nanda
King, Nanda Dynasty · c. 329–321 BCE
Demetrius I
King, Indo-Greek Kingdoms · c. 200–180 BCE
Events in their lifetime
| c. 180 BCE | Demetrius I invades northwest India Founded Indo-Greek rule south of the Hindu Kush. |
| c. 161 BCE | Dutugemunu unites Sri Lanka |
| c. 150 BCE | Kharavela's Hathigumpha inscription |
| c. 150 BCE | Menander's reign; Milindapanha dialogues |
| c. 150 BCE | Bharhut stupa railings carved |
Contemporaries
Sorted by how long their lives overlapped. The bar shows when, within Patanjali’s life.
📚 Recommended reading
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
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