Gauda Kingdom (Shashanka)

Kingdom Level 2
c. 590 CE – c. 626 CE

Bengal kingdom of Shashanka, rival of Harsha.

🗺 See on map in 608 CE
Capital
Karnasuvarna
Region
East
Duration
36 years
Main period
Post-Gupta / Early Medieval

Approximate extent.

Rulers

Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.

📚 Recommended reading on the Gauda Kingdom (Shashanka)

Textbook

Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)

NCERT · NCERT

The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims SSC State PSC
Textbook

Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)

NCERT · NCERT

Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims UPSC Mains SSC State PSC
Textbook

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)

NCERT · NCERT

The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims State PSC
Textbook

India's Ancient Past

R. S. Sharma · Oxford University Press

The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.

UPSC Prelims UPSC Mains SSC State PSC

We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. See all recommended books →

Contemporaries

Powers that coexisted with the Gauda Kingdom (Shashanka) for a significant part of its history.

Anuradhapura Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Pallava Dynasty ★
South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE
Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) Dynasty ★
North · c. 500 CE – c. 647 CE
Chalukyas of Badami ★
Deccan · c. 543 CE – c. 753 CE
Kalabhra Interregnum
South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE
Western Ganga Dynasty
South · c. 350 CE – c. 1000
Kamarupa
Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140
Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal
Himalaya · c. 400 CE – c. 750 CE
Maitraka Dynasty
West · c. 475 CE – c. 776 CE
Rai Dynasty of Sindh
Northwest · c. 489 CE – c. 632 CE
Later Guptas of Magadha
East · c. 490 CE – c. 750 CE
Maukhari Dynasty
Gangetic Plain · c. 550 CE – c. 606 CE
Pandya Kingdom (First Empire)
South · c. 590 CE – c. 920 CE