5 LARGEST INDIAN EMPIRE'S IN HISTORY!!

 

Youtube link:https://youtu.be/PYyz7AFRPeE

Hey There,

              India has seen some of the greatest and largest empires in the course of it's history. Many dynasties and empires have ruled this country for centuries and you may be familiar with some of those but knowing about all off them is a pretty hefty task. But no worries, we will cover each one of them here starting today with the top 5 LARGEST INDIAN EMPIRES IN HISTORY.

                  This list will not include any foreign dynasties like the mughals or the delhi sultanates. It will only cover the dynasties that were of Indian origin as it is the list of Indian empires and not empires in India (get that). Those foreign dynasties will be covered in a later post. So let's get started.

1. Maurya Empire:(322BC-180BC)

Area covered-5,000,000sq.km, About 152% of today's India

Date of maximum extent-250 BC.
                The Maurya empire was the largest Indian empire. It was based in Magadh and was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BC. Patliputra(modern day Patna) was the capital of the  empire. During the rule of Ashoka(268-232 BC) the empire  saw it's peak in extension. The proinant emperors of the empire include Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and Bindusara. Kautilya pandit famously known as "Chanakya" was the mentor of Chandragupta  Maurya. After ashoka's rule the empire began to decline slowly for about 50 years and finally dissolved after the death of the last emperor Brihadratha in 184 BC.

                                       (A painting of Chandragupta maurya on his simhasana.)

                  (The Sanchi Stupa built during the reign of emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire.)

2. Gupta Empire:(3rd century-543CE)

Area covered-3,500,000sq.km, About 106% of today's India
Date of maximum extent-400 CE.
                      The 2nd largest empire of India was the Gupta empire. For approximately 319 to 467 CE, the Gupta empire ruled most of the Indian subcontinent. This period is considered as "The Golden Age of India" by historians. The empire was founded by emperor Sri Gupta. Even this empire had Patliputra as its capital. ChandraGupta 1, SamudraGupta, ChandraGupta 2 were among the prominant leaders of this empire. The Gupta period saw scholars like Kaidasa, Aryabhatta, Varahamihira, and Vatsyayana. The empire started declining slowly and finally collapsed in the 6th century.

                        (Architectural Monument from the period of Gupta Empire.)

3. Maratha Empire:(1674-1818)

Area covered-2,500,500sq.km, 76% of today's India

Maximum Extent-1760.

                   The empire formed by the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the 3rd largest Indian empire. The empire was formalised in 1674 with the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj as Chhatrapati. Raigad was made the capital of the empire initially, But Jinji, Satara, and Pune were made capitals in later years. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Peshwa Bajirao 1 were some of the mostly known figures of the empire. After the defeats in the 2nd and the 3rd Anglo-Maratha wars the empire finally ended in 1818. Pratap Singh(king of Satara) was the last ruler of this empire.

                         (A portrait of Chhatrapati Shiaji Maharaj who founded the Maratha empire.)

                             (The fort of Pratapgarh- A prominant fort of the Maratha empire.)

I'm sure that most of you will have never heard about the last 2 empires,

4. Gurjara-Pratihara Empire:(730-1036 CE)

The figures of the extent of the empire is unknown.

Maximum Extent-1055 CE.

                    The dynasty ruled much of the northern India during it's reign. The first capital of the empire was Ujjain and later the capital was shifted to Kannauj. Nagabhatta 1 was the first ruler of the empire who defeated the Arab army under Junaid and Tamin in the caliphate campaigns in India. Under the rule of Nagabhatta 2, The Gurjara-Pratihara become the most powerful dynasty in northern India. The empire reached its peak in power and prosperity during  the rule of King Bhoja and his successor Mahendrapal 1. The extent of its territory rivalled that of the Gupta Empire. The decline of the empire started by dynastic stryfe and was further diminished by the great raid led by Rashtrakuta Leader Indra 3. Rajyapal the last important king of the dynasty was driven from kannauj by Mahmud of GhaZni in 1018.

                                        (Architecture from the Gurjara-Pratihara age.)

5. Harsha's Empire:(590-647 CE)

Area covered-1,000,000sq.km., About 30% of today's India.

Maximum Extent-625 or 648 CE.

                    Empire of king Harshavardhana covered most of the northern India from 606 to 647 CE. He was a member of the Vardhana Dynasty and the son of Prabhakarvardhana who is known for defeating the Alchon-Huna invaders. Rajyavardhan, King of Thanesar(present day Haryana.) was his older brother. Kannauj was the capital of his empire. When trying to expand his empire into the southern peninsula of India, Harsha was defeated in the Battle of Narmada by Pulakeshin 2 of the Chalukya dynasty which resulted in the end of his reign. Famous sanskrit poet Banabhatta has written a biography of king Harsha known as "Harshacharitra"(deeds of Harsha).

                                                    (Coin's of Harshavardhana empire.)

                History has many such great empires and dynasties, But even the greatest of the Collapses one day. Only their deeds make then Memorable and are Remembered forever.This teaches us that the decision lies in our hands that whether we want to be remembered for "GOOD" or not.

Thank you.