List of Chakravarti Maharajas in Indian History

List of rulers who were explicitly known as Chakravarti (universal emperors), along with historical references for their use of the title.

List of Chakravarti Maharajas in Indian History

1. Bharata Chakravarti

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Jain and Hindu texts (Adipurana, Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana)
  • Why Chakravarti?: Bharata, the eldest son of Rishabhanatha (first Jain Tirthankara), is described as the first Chakravarti ruler who conquered all of India. His name is believed to have given rise to Bharatavarsha, the ancient name for India.

2. Mandhata

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana
  • Why Chakravarti?: He is described as a universal ruler who ruled the entire earth. His kingdom extended from the Himalayas to the ocean.

3. Harishchandra

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Markandeya Purana, Ramayana
  • Why Chakravarti?: He was known for ruling the whole world with truth and justice. The Markandeya Purana and Jain scriptures call him a Chakravarti.

4. Sagara

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Ramayana, Mahabharata
  • Why Chakravarti?: Sagara conquered the entire land and was called a universal emperor. His 60,000 sons are said to have excavated the ocean (Samudra), leading to its name.

5. Bhagiratha

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Ramayana, Vishnu Purana
  • Why Chakravarti?: He ruled a vast kingdom and performed Ashwamedha Yagnas, proving his authority as a Chakravarti. He is also credited with bringing the Ganga to earth.

6. Raghu

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Raghuvamsha by Kalidasa, Ramayana
  • Why Chakravarti?: The Raghuvamsha describes Raghu as a universal emperor who conquered various regions, including the Himalayas, the southern ocean, and Persia.

7. Dasharatha

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Ramayana
  • Why Chakravarti?: He ruled over a vast empire and performed multiple Ashwamedha Yagnas, a sign of being a Chakravarti.

8. Rama

  • Era: Treta Yuga
  • Reference: Ramayana, Mahabharata
  • Why Chakravarti?: Crowned as the supreme ruler of Bharatavarsha after defeating Ravana. He ruled as a Dharma Chakravarti, an ideal ruler.

9. Yayati

  • Era: Dwapara Yuga
  • Reference: Mahabharata
  • Why Chakravarti?: He expanded his empire across Bharatavarsha and performed Ashwamedha Yagnas, proving his authority.

10. Nahusha

  • Era: Dwapara Yuga
  • Reference: Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana
  • Why Chakravarti?: His empire streched across Bharatavarsha

11. Puru

  • Era: Dwapara Yuga
  • Reference: Mahabharata
  • Why Chakravarti?: Founder of the Paurava dynasty and mentioned as a great conqueror.

12. Chandragupta Maurya

  • Era: 321–297 BCE
  • Reference: Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta, Jain texts, Greek accounts
  • Why Chakravarti?: Established the Maurya Empire, unifying most of India. Jain texts call him a Chakravarti Raja.

13. Ashoka the Great

  • Era: 268–232 BCE
  • Reference: Edicts of Ashoka, Mahavamsa, Divyavadana
  • Why Chakravarti?: His inscriptions refer to him as Devanampriya Priyadarshi Chakravarti Raja (Beloved of the Gods, Universal Emperor).

14. Samudragupta

  • Era: 335–375 CE
  • Reference: Allahabad Pillar Inscription (by Harisena)
  • Why Chakravarti?: The inscription describes him as a Chakravarti who defeated 12 rulers in North India and made southern kings his vassals.

15. Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II)

  • Era: 380–415 CE
  • Reference: Gupta inscriptions, Kalidasa’s works
  • Why Chakravarti?: He expanded the Gupta Empire and defeated the Shakas, establishing himself as Chakravarti Raja Vikramaditya.

16. Harsha

  • Era: 606–647 CE
  • Reference: Harshacharita by Banabhatta, Chinese traveler Xuanzang
  • Why Chakravarti?: Banabhatta describes him as Sakala Uttarapatha Chakravarti (Universal Emperor of North India).

17. Rajendra Chola I

  • Era: 1014–1044 CE
  • Reference: Chola inscriptions
  • Why Chakravarti?: He conquered Sri Lanka, Bengal, and Southeast Asia, calling himself Chakravarti Kulottunga Chola.

Conclusion

From the ancient Puranic kings to historical emperors like Ashoka and Rajendra Chola, these rulers have been explicitly described as Chakravarti Maharajas in inscriptions, scriptures, or historical records.

Comments are closed.