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Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
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Western Kshatrapas
Dynasty
Level 2
c. 35 CE – c. 415 CE
Saka rulers of western India; Rudradaman's Junagadh inscription.
- Capital
- Ujjain / Bharukaccha
- Region
- West
- Duration
- 380 years
- Main period
- Post-Mauryan Powers
Approximate extent.
At a glance
Move along the chart to read any year; click a ruler or event to open the map there.
Rulers
- Nahapana Kshatrapac. 50 CE – c. 106 CEKshaharata ruler defeated by Gautamiputra Satakarni.
- Rudradaman I Mahakshatrapac. 130 CE – c. 150 CEJunagadh Sanskrit inscription.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 78 CE | Saka era begins Basis of India's national calendar. |
Western India |
| c. 150 CE | Rudradaman's Junagadh inscription Early long Sanskrit inscription; repair of Sudarshana lake. |
Junagadh |
📚 Recommended reading on the Western Kshatrapas
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.
Textbook
India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Western Kshatrapas for a significant part of its history. The bar shows when, within its own span.
Anuradhapura Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Overlap: 380 years
Satavahana Empire ★
Deccan · c. 200 BCE – c. 225 CE
Overlap: 190 years
Kushan Empire ★
Northwest · c. 30 CE – c. 375 CE
Overlap: 340 years
Gupta Empire ★
Gangetic Plain · c. 240 CE – c. 550 CE
Overlap: 175 years
Pallava Dynasty ★
South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE
Overlap: 140 years
Early Pandyas (Sangam era)
South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE
Overlap: 265 years
Early Cholas (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Overlap: 265 years
Early Cheras (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Overlap: 265 years
Indo-Scythian (Saka) Kingdoms
Northwest · c. 110 BCE – c. 80 CE
Overlap: 45 years
Indo-Parthian Kingdom
Northwest · c. 19 CE – c. 100 CE
Overlap: 65 years
Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri
Deccan · c. 225 CE – c. 340 CE
Overlap: 115 years
Kalabhra Interregnum
South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE
Overlap: 165 years
Vakataka Dynasty
Deccan · c. 250 CE – c. 500 CE
Overlap: 165 years
Kadamba Dynasty
South · c. 345 CE – c. 525 CE
Overlap: 70 years
Western Ganga Dynasty
South · c. 350 CE – c. 1000
Overlap: 65 years
Kamarupa
Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140
Overlap: 65 years