Western Kshatrapas

Dynasty Level 2

c. 35 CE – c. 415 CE

Saka rulers of western India; Rudradaman's Junagadh inscription.

🗺 See on map in 225 CE

Capital: Ujjain / Bharukaccha
Region: West
Duration: 380 years
Main period: Post-Mauryan Powers

Approximate extent.

Rulers

Nahapana Kshatrapa
Kshaharata ruler defeated by Gautamiputra Satakarni.
c. 50 CE – c. 106 CE
Rudradaman I Mahakshatrapa
Junagadh Sanskrit inscription.
c. 130 CE – c. 150 CE

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

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

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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

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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

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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

Amazon ↗Flipkart ↗

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Contemporaries

Powers that coexisted with the Western Kshatrapas for a significant part of its history.

Anuradhapura Kingdom ★

Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017

Satavahana Empire ★

Deccan · c. 200 BCE – c. 225 CE

Kushan Empire ★

Northwest · c. 30 CE – c. 375 CE

Gupta Empire ★

Gangetic Plain · c. 240 CE – c. 550 CE

Pallava Dynasty ★

South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE

Early Pandyas (Sangam era)

South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE

Early Cholas (Sangam era)

South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE

Early Cheras (Sangam era)

South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE

Indo-Scythian (Saka) Kingdoms

Northwest · c. 110 BCE – c. 80 CE

Indo-Parthian Kingdom

Northwest · c. 19 CE – c. 100 CE

Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri

Deccan · c. 225 CE – c. 340 CE

Kalabhra Interregnum

South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE

Vakataka Dynasty

Deccan · c. 250 CE – c. 500 CE

Kadamba Dynasty

South · c. 345 CE – c. 525 CE

Western Ganga Dynasty

South · c. 350 CE – c. 1000

Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140