Reference
A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India
The most complete modern textbook on ancient India, rich in sources, maps and archaeology.
Bodhidharma
Saint / religious leader
Pallava Dynasty
active c. 500 CE
Indian monk credited with founding Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China.
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 Pallava 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
Kujula Kadphises
Emperor, Kushan Empire · c. 30 CE – c. 80 CE
Vima Taktu
Emperor, Kushan Empire · c. 80 CE – c. 95 CE
Dhatusena
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 455 CE – c. 473 CE
Budhagupta
Maharajadhiraja, Gupta Empire · c. 477 CE – c. 495 CE
Kashyapa I
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 477 CE – c. 495 CE
Manadeva I
King, Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal · c. 464 CE – c. 505 CE
Bhatarka
Senapati, Maitraka Dynasty · c. 475 CE – c. 492 CE
Harishena
King, Vakataka Dynasty · c. 475 CE – c. 500 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. 477 CE | Kashyapa I builds Sigiriya |
| c. 480 CE | Ajanta's later caves under Harishena |
| 499 CE | Aryabhata writes the Aryabhatiya |
| 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. |
Contemporaries
Sorted by how long their lives overlapped. The bar shows when, within Bodhidharma’s life.
Aryabhata
Scientist / mathematician · c. 476 CE – c. 550 CE
Mathematician-astronomer who wrote the Aryabhatiya
Overlap: 54 years
Varahamihira
Scientist / mathematician · c. 505 CE – c. 587 CE
Astronomer-astrologer who wrote the Brihat Samhita
Overlap: 25 years
📚 Recommended reading
Reference
A History of South India
The classic survey of the south, from prehistory to the fall of Vijayanagara.
Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
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