The Greatest Kings & Warriors in Indian History

महानतम भारतीय राजाओं व् योद्धाओं का इतिहास  

अजातशत्रु Ajatasatru
(491 BC of Magadha empire) —

His name in Sanskrit means one who is feared by enemies or invincible. He ruled at the time of Buddha and Mahavira (founder of Jainsim). He started the process of Indian consolidation/empire building that was then continued by his successors. He ruled over a vast part of North & eastern India.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajatashatru

चंद्रगुप्त मौर्य Chandragupta Maurya (340 BC) —

Chandragupta extended the borders of his empire towards Seleucid Persia after his conflict with Seleucus c. 305 BCE.


"Chandra Gupta Maurya entertains his bride from Babylon": a conjectural interpretation of the "marriage agreement" between the Seleucids and Chandragupta Maurya, related by Appian.


Chandragupta had defeated the remaining Macedonian satrapies in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent and reclaimed it back to Indian Empire by 317 BCE.

Chandragupta Maurya Empire 320 BCE
The first Indian emperor and the grandfather of Emperor Ashoka. He unified India and brought a strong response to Greek advance into Asia. He used one of India's greatest strategists - Chanakya and devised ways to defeat his emperors through various means. Like Alexander, he started winning major battles when he was just 20, and recaptured the territories captured by the Alexander's troops east of Iran.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragupta_Maurya

सम्राट अशोक Emperor Ashoka (304 BC) —

Approximate extent of Maurya empire under Ashoka. The empire stretched from Afghanistan to Bengal to southern India.

Popularly known as Ashoka the Great, who ruled over the entire Indian subcontinent. He ruled over one of the largest territories (more than 3 million sq. km) among Indian emperors by winning over and uniting most local kings. Ashoka, was the third ruler of Mauryan Dynasty and ruled from 268-232 B.C. Prior to Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusarahad won tremendous areas and kingdoms, which Ashoka further extended.

Ashoka’s kingdom spanned across almost half of the Asian continent, From Kashmir to Deccan Plateau , From Burma to Iraq and Iran, Ashoka controlled thousands of square kilometers. That is why in some historical scriptures, King Ashoka is also referred as Samrat Chakarvarti, which means Emperor of the Emperors. The great king had his capital at Patliputra (modern-day Patna in Magadha i.e. Bihar) with provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain. Two great Universities at Takshila and Nalanda, were world famous at the time under Mauryan rule and students from Europe and Asia studied there.

There are total eighteen Pillars (edicts), King Ashoka had erected during his reign.

He then had a change of heart and became a pacifist (without which he could have ruled a territory as big as Genghis Khan's). He is the reason for the spread of Buddhism outside India. He is also the the originator of many ideas that have become a part of our present culture -- including the wheel in our flag and our national emblem. Ashoka is revered not just in India, but in most parts of East & South-East Asia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka

कनिष्क प्रथम Kanishka I (AD 127–150) —

Kanishka Kanishka I inaugurates Mahyana Buddhism. Second pic - Kushan Carnelian seal representing the Iranian divinity Adsho (ΑΘϷΟ), with triratana symbol left, and Kanishka's dynastic mark right. The divinity uses stirrups.
Kushan territories (full line) and maximum extent of Kushan dominions under Kanishka (dotted line), according to the Rabatak inscription.

Kanishka was one of the greatest rulers of the Kushan dynasty, a warrior, a patron of arts, and along with Ashoka, Harshavardhana was responsible for the spread of Buddhism in India. Consider this his empire extended from Central Asia( Uzbekistan) upto Mathura in Northern India, covering large swathes of India's North and North West regions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanishka

समुद्रगुप्त व् चन्द्रगुप्त विक्रमादित्य Samudragupta & Chandragupta Vikramaditya(AD 4th century Gupta Empire) —

Samudragupta playing Vina

Coin of Samudragupta, with Garuda pillar, emblem of Gupta Empire


The Gupta Empire at its maximum extent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudragupta

The great Gupta kings who has never lost a battle in his whole life. The rule of Samudragupta and his son Chandragupta Vikramaditya is called as the Golden Age of India. They instituted a proper currency system through his minted gold coins. Under their rule India's science & art reached its peak.

is also known as the “Napoleon of India“. He was an extraordinary Military commander who conquered the entire Indian subcontinent after Ashoka. Though, Ashoka had gone into the path of peace and non-violence but Samudragupta believed in total control and one India. Even the Southern kingdoms of modern-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh which maintained independent sovereignty from many ages, came under direct rule of Samudragupta.

The great Samudragupta was born into Gupta dynasty and was the son of Chandragupta I. The Gupta kingdom controlled some parts of Central India during that time. But Samudragupta had a vision to unite India under one rule. Different kingdoms and dynasties had popped up after the downfall of Mauryan empire and Samudragupta wanted to re-install the glory of Bharatvarsh.

He led many military campaigns one after the another and annexed entire Indian subcontinent under his control and was entitled as the Rajadhiraja (The King of kings).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragupta_II

An 8 gm gold coin featuring Chandragupta II astride a caparisoned horse with a bow in his left hand.

पुलिकेशिन द्वितीय Pulikesin II (AD 609, 7th century Chalukya Empire) —

Artistic depiction of Pulakeshin II, the Chalukaya, receives envoys from Persia


Chalukya Territories during Pulakeshin II c. 640 CE

Ruling from Vatapi Pulikesi Pulikesin II was most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty and one of the most feared kings of Southern India. He was brutal and his methods were fierce. He fought with 2 of the best emperors in India - Harsha & Narasimhavarma.During his reign, the Chalukyas of Badami saw their kingdom extend over most of the Deccan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulakeshin_II

हर्षवर्धन Harshavardana (590 CE, 7th century Vardhana Empire) —

He is also known as Harsha, was an Indian emperor who ruled North India from 606 to 647 CE. He belonged to Pushyabhuti dynasty; and was the son of Prabhakarvardhana who defeated the Huna invaders.

Harsha was greatest emperor of Central India from Kannauj (Kanpur in UP) and consolidated much of central India after the fall of Gupta empire. He blocked the advances of Southern emperors such as Pulikesin into North India. A fair ruler who was greatly respected across India and still remembered. The peace and prosperity that prevailed made his court a centre of cosmopolitanism, attracting scholars, artists and religious visitors from far and wide.During this time, Harsha converted to Buddhism from Surya worship. Harsha studied in the University of Nalanda. The Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited the court of Harsha and wrote a very favourable account of him, praising his justice and generosity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harsha

नरसिंहवर्मन प्रथम Narasimhavarman I
(7th century Pallava Empire) —

                 
Narasimhavarman Pallava founder mamallapuram & Coin of the Pallavas of Coromandel, king Narasimhavarman I. (630-668 AD). Obv Lion left Rev Name of Narasimhavarman with solar and lunar symbols around.

The defeat of Pulikesin II, the Chalukhya, by Narasimhavarman, Mahamalla Pallava at Badami

The emperor who defeated Pulikesi and built one of the masterpieces of Indian architecture – Mahabalipuram town. Apart from presiding over a great art civilization in South India, he also influenced the direction of Sri Lanka.

Narasimhavarman I is claimed to be one of the 12 Indian kings who never lost on the battlefield to their enemies, the others being Ajatashatru, Chandragupta Maurya, Karikala Chola, Cheran Senguttuvan, great Nayanmar saint Kochengannan of Chola dynasty, Chola king Rajasuyam Vaetta Perunarkilli (575 BC), who successfully completed military Rajasuyam sacrifice, Pandyan Nedunchezhian of the Sangam age, Samudragupta, great Pallava Nayanmar saint Rajasimha, Rajaraja Chola I, his great warrior son Rajendra Chola.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narasimhavarman_I

राजाराज चोल प्रथम व् राजेन्द्र चोल प्रथम
Raja Raja Chola I & Rajendra Chola I (AD 10th century) —

Mural depicting Raja Raja Chola I and his guru Karuvuruvar found in the Brihadeesvara temple, Tamil Nadu, 11th century. Raja Raja Chola I territories.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Raja_Chola_I
Till 10th century, Chola kings had already ruled for many millenniums. The greatest of Tamil kings and among the best of India - the father-son duo established the Tamil empire in South East Asia. They built 100+ great temples (including the Tanjore Siva temple and Angkor Vat) that are a part of UNESCO's world heritage site. Unlike other kings of Bharat, they proceeded to extend their influence beyond India and controlled the Indian Ocean’s trade routes. Most of South East Asia e.g. modern day Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam was reclaimed and reestablished by them.

The extent of the empire was the widest in India and the military and naval prestige was at its highest.

The earliest datable references to this Tamil dynasty are in inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE left by Ashoka, of the Maurya Empire. As one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam, the dynasty continued to govern over varying territory until the 13th century CE. However as per Chola's own successive dynasty references, their history goes as back as Chola King Eri Oliyan Vaendhi C. 3020 BCE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajendra_Chola_I
   
RAJENDRA CHOLA I (10TH CENTURY AD)

पृथ्वीराज चौहान (राय पिथौरा) Prithviraj Chauhan (AD 12^th century) —

Prithviraj Chauhan popularly known as Rai Pithora was the last autonomous Hindu emperor from Chauhan dynasty, before Hemu, to sit upon the throne of Delhi. He succeeded to the throne in 1169 CE at the age of 20 and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi. He is famous in Indian history for his bravery and courage.

He was born in 1168 at Ajmer. His father was Someshwar Chauhan, the king of Ajmer and mother was Kamala Devi.

Prithviraj is thought to be the best warrior of India, furthermore one of the best on the planet.

In his childhood, he killed a tiger with his bare hands. He defeated the king of Gujarat, Bhimdev only at an age of thirteen. He prevailed to the position of the King of Ajmer at the age of thirteen years old, in 1179, when his father passed on in a fight. For his bravery, his maternal grandfather Angam declared him the king of Delhi. He was trained in Archery and could aim at the target while being blindfolded (Shabdabhedi Ban Vidya). His love story with his enemy, Jaichand's daughter, Samyukta/Sanyogita is very famous. He rode off with her on the day of her 'Swayamwara'.

Prithviraj built a strong Rajput empire and his empire extended from Sutlej river in the west to the Betwa river in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the foot of Mount Abu in the south.

Thus, it included parts of present-day Rajasthan, southern Punjab, northern Madhya Pradesh, and western Uttar Pradesh.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prithviraj_Chauhan

राणा सांगा RANA SANGA (AD 1484, 15^th century) —

Maharana Sangram Singh, commonly known as Rana Sanga, was the ruler of Mewar and one of the most prominent Rajput leaders in the 16th century India. He belonged to Sisodiya clan of Rajput and ruled between 1508 and 1528. He is known for his valour and the courage with which he fought against the Mughal invader Babur. The son of Rana Raimal, he succeeded to the throne after his father’s death following a prolonged power struggle against his brothers. He reigned during a very tumultuous period in Indian history. The Rajput dynasty was well-known for its brave warriors and its powerful hold on its territories in the Indian subcontinent. During the 16th century, the Rajput dynasty challenged all the non-Indian Muslim dynasties of India. After ascending to the throne Rana Sanga strengthened his position in Mewar, and began his struggles against the invading Muslims. Accompanied by Rajput rebels, Sanga defeated invading armies and obtained control of Malwa. He then turned his attention towards north-eastern Rajasthan, which was then under the control of Ibrahim Lodi. Sanga was badly injured in the wars between the Rajputs and Lodi’s troops but he repeatedly defeated Lodi. He died on 30 January 1528, aged 43. It is believed that he was poisoned by some of his nobles.
http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/rana-sanga-7009.php

महाराणा प्रताप Maharana Pratap (AD 16^th century) —

Mewar's Greatest Hero, Maharana Pratap was born on: May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, his mother's name is Rani Jeevant Kanwar and father's name is King Uday Singh. Maharana Pratap Singh died on 29, January 1597 in Chavand but still he is flaming as a fire in every Rajput's blood. Uday Singh of Mewar had 33 children. Among them, the eldest was Pratap Singh. Self-respect and virtuous behavior were the main qualities of Pratap Singh. He was bold and brave right from his childhood and everyone was sure that he was going to be a very valiant person as he grew up. He was more interested in sports and learning to wield weapons rather than general education.

He was destined to be the 54th ruler of Mewar, in the line of the Sisodiya Rajputs. In 1567, when Crown Prince Pratap Singh was only 27, Chittor was surrounded by the Mughal forces of Emperor Akbar. Maharana Udai Singh II decided to leave Chittor and move his family to Gogunda, rather than capitulate to the Mughals. The young Pratap Singh wanted to stay back and fight the Mughals but the elders intervened and convinced him to leave Chittor, oblivious to the fact that this move from Chittor was going to create history for all times to come!
Some amazing facts about him:

1. He was a well-built warrior and by well built I mean a person of height 7 ft 5 inch.(You can imagine his persona I guess)
2. The armor which he used to wear weighted almost from 70-80 kgs.
3. He used to carry a spear which was also said to be almost 60-70 kgs in weight.
4. Now, coming to your question's answer : It is said that he used to carry a sword of nearly 25 kgs. It is also said that he used to carry two of those and offers one to his enemy if he doesn't have one.

Then A Mughal officer, Bahlol Khan charged Pratap Singh. Pratap riding a three legged horse gathered his energy for an almighty and unprecedented blow. Pratap’s sword entered Bahlol’s body ripping his skull, neck, lungs, saddle of his horse and the entire horse into two pieces. That sight of Maharana Pratap Singh riding a three legged horse and waving a bloodstained sword was exhilarating. And that sight of four pieces, two of Bahlol Khan and the other two of his horse lying tranquil was frighting as hell for the Mughal army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharana_Pratap

कृष्णदेवराय Krishna Devaraya
(AD 16th century Vijayangara Empire) —

 
A bronze statue of Emperor Krishnadevaraya

Administration of Krishnadevaraya

One of the greatest south Indian kings, Krishna Devaraya consolidated southern kingdoms and pushed back the Islamic advances in the south. He built great temples and is a wonderful patron of art.

Krishnadevaraya was the emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1530. He was the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Krishna Deva Raya earned the titles Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana (lit, "Lord of the Kannada empire"), Andhra Bhoja and Mooru Rayara Ganda (lit, "King of three Kings"). He became the dominant ruler of the peninsula of India by defeating the Sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the Bahmani Sultanate and the Raja of Odisha. The great south Indian mathematician Nilakantha Somayaji also lived in the Empire of Krishnadevaraya. He was the most powerful of all the Hindu rulers of India at that time. Indeed, when the Mughal Babur was taking stock of the potentates of north India, Krishnadevaraya was rated the most powerful and had the most extensive empire in the subcontinent.

Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz also visited the Vijayanagara Empire during his reign. Krishna Deva Raya benefited from the able prime minister Timmarusu, who was regarded by the emperor as a father figure and was responsible for his coronation. Krishna Deva Raya was the son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka, an army commander under Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, who later took control of the empire to prevent its disintegration and became the founder of the Tuluva Dynasty, the third Hindu Dynasty to rule Vijayanagara. The emperor's coronation took place on the birthday of Hindu God Krishna. He built a beautiful suburb near Vijayanagara called Nagalapura.The king was of medium height, had a cheerful disposition, and was reputed to be respectful to foreign visitors, ruthless in maintaining the law, and prone to fits of anger. He maintained himself to a high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. Travelogues indicate that the king was not only an able administrator, but also an excellent general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded. The Telugu poet Mukku Timmana Nandi Thimmana praised him as the destroyer of the Turks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishnadevaraya

छत्रपति शिवाजी राजे भोसले Chatrapati Shivaji Bhosale
(AD 17th century Marata Empire) — Reign 1674–1680 CE

Territory under Maratha control in 1760 (yellow), without its vassals. Maratha Empire मराठा साम्राज्य AD 1674–1818

The greatest emperor of Western India, Shivaji was a master of Guerilla warfare and presided over 100,000 soldiers at his peak. His warfare methods and a dozen battle victories are simply awe-inspiring. In 1645, a 15-year-old Shivaji captured the Torna Fort. It was a huge incident because it marked the beginning of "Hindavi Swarajya" and the downfall of Mughal Empire. The great warrior Shivaji was born on between April 1627 to February 1630 at Shivneri Fort, presently in Maharashtra, India. Shivaji Bhonsle (Marathi) also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian warrior king and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan.

A young boy of 16 is not known to win battles, but his mother's teachings, father's struggle and a pride in the motherland gave the young Shivaji his first achievement as an able warrior and leader with the seizure of the Torna Fort which was initially under the Bijapur Kingdom. Shivaji established a competent and progressive civil rule with the help of a disciplined military and well-structured administrative organizations. He innovated military tactics, pioneering the guerrilla warfare methods (Shiva sutra or ganimi kava).

Chatrapati Shivaji is most famous for his valor to challenge the mighty Mughal Empire, at the time ruled by Aurangzeb. Although Emperor Aurangzeb tried to capture all the forts and territories under Shivaji he could not achieve much success due to Shivaji's clever leadership qualities and guerrilla tactics. He also showed the importance of navy. He is also the first general in Indian history to have used the geographical terrain to his advantage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaji

महाराजा रणजीत सिंह Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lion of Punjab
(AD 1780, 18^th century, founder of Sikh Empire) —

A man who had lost one eye, an arm, and yet built one of the greatest empires in India, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh empire. He drove out the Durranis from Punjab, captured Multan, Peshawar, and annexed the whole pf Punjab. His kingdom extended right up to the foothills of the Sulaiman Mountains, and conquered Kasur from the fierce Pathans. His empire consisted of undivided Punjab (extending till Multan now in Pakistan), Jammu and Kashmir till Gilgit now in POK, North West frontier till Khyber Pass and even parts of Western Tibet. And he had some formidable generals like Hari Singh Nalwa, Dewan Mokham Chand, Zorawar Singh along with Europeans like Jean Francois Allard.

He amassed considerable wealth, including gaining the possession of the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Shuja Shah Durrani of Afghanistan. Ranjit Singh willed the Koh-i-Noor to Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha in 1839.

A lithograph by Emily Eden showing one of the favourite horses of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his collection of jewels, including the Koh-i-Noor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Singh

रानी लक्ष्मीबाई Rani Lakshmi Bai
(AD 19th century; November 19, 1828 to June 18, 1858) —

Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi (portrayed as a sowar)

Queen of Maratha ruled state of Jhansi, On 7th March 1854, the British issued a gazette dissolving the State of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmibai was enraged due to the injustice when an English officer, Major Ellis came to meet Lakshmibai. He read out the official declaration dissolving the State. The furious Rani Lakshmibai told Ellis ‘‘Meri Jhansi Nahin Doongi (I shall not part with my Jhansi)’ when he sought her permission to leave. Ellis heard her and left. Battle of 1857 The battle for freedom that started from January 1857 engulfed even Meerut on 10th May.

Jhansi Ki Rani was the great heroine of the First War of Indian Freedom. She became a widow at the tender age of 18 and lived only till 22 yet she has inspired many and is still a living legend. She was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and heroism. Her life is a thrilling story of womanliness, courage, adventure, deathless patriotism and martyrdom. In her tender body there was a lion’s spirit.

Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi, situated in the north-central part of India. She was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and for Indian nationalists a symbol of resistance to the rule of the British East India Company in the subcontinent.

When she went to War and took up arms she was the very embodiment of the War Goddess Kali. She was beautiful and frail. But her radiance made men diffident. She was young in years, but her decisions were mature. A lesson is to be learnt for us all from her experiences. The words of the British General Sir Hugh Rose who fought against the Maharani several times and was defeated time and time again stated: "Of the mutineers the bravest and the greatest commander was the Rani".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi

 

 

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