Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Varahamihira
Scientist / mathematician
c. 505 CE – c. 587 CE
Astronomer-astrologer who wrote the Brihat Samhita.
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 their realm 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
Kujula Kadphises
Emperor, Kushan Empire · c. 30 CE – c. 80 CE
Vima Taktu
Emperor, Kushan Empire · c. 80 CE – c. 95 CE
Pulakeshin I
King, Chalukyas of Badami · c. 543 CE – c. 566 CE
Kirtivarman I
King, Chalukyas of Badami · c. 566 CE – c. 597 CE
Simhavishnu
King, Pallava Dynasty · c. 575 CE – c. 600 CE
Prabhakaravardhana
King, Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) Dynasty · c. 580 CE – c. 605 CE
Manadeva I
King, Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal · c. 464 CE – c. 505 CE
Toramana
King, Alchon Huns (Hunas) · c. 493 CE – c. 515 CE
Mihirakula
King, Alchon Huns (Hunas) · c. 515 CE – c. 540 CE
Events in their lifetime
| c. 510 CE | Huna invasions under Toramana The Hunas seized parts of western and central India, weakening the Guptas. |
| c. 528 CE | Yashodharman defeats Mihirakula Mihirakula's power in central India was broken. |
| 543 CE | Pulakeshin I fortifies Vatapi |
| c. 550 CE | Fall of the imperial Guptas North India fragmented among the Maukharis, Later Guptas and others. |
| c. 550 CE | Colossal Buddhas carved at Bamiyan |
Contemporaries
Sorted by how long their lives overlapped. The bar shows when, within Varahamihira’s life.
Aryabhata
Scientist / mathematician · c. 476 CE – c. 550 CE
Mathematician-astronomer who wrote the Aryabhatiya
Overlap: 45 years
Bodhidharma
Saint / religious leader · active c. 500 CE
Indian monk credited with founding Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China
Overlap: 25 years
📚 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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