Kṣemaka was the last king of Vatsa. He was defeated and dethroned by Magadha's Nanda emperor Mahapadma Nanda. Kṣemaka was the last ruler of main kuru dynasty branch, after his defeat the rule of Kurus end forever.[1]
| Kṣemaka | |
|---|---|
| King of Vatsa | |
| Reign | c. 378 – c. 340 BCE (48 years) |
| Predecessor | Nimi |
| Successor | Mahapadma Nanda (Kuru dynasty annexed by Nandas) |
| Died | c. 330 BCE |
| Dynasty | Kuru |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Conquered by Nandas
editMahapadma Nanda of Magadha was an imperialistic ruler, he wanted to conquer all Kshatriya kingdoms. In this series he launched invasions on Kshatriya kingdoms and defeated them one by one. He defeated Kṣemaka and annexed Kuru dynasty into Magadha Empire.[2]
According to Puranas Mahapadma Nanda, describe him as ekarat (sole sovereign) and sarva-kshatrantaka (destroyer of all the Kshatriyas).[1] The Kshastriyas (warriors and rulers) said to have been exterminated by Mahapadma include Maithalas, Kasheyas, Ikshvakus, Panchalas, Shurasenas, Kurus, Haihayas, Vitihotras, Kalingas, and Ashmakas.[3]
See also
edit- List of rulers
References
edit- ^ a b Upinder Singh 2016, p. 273.
- ^ Mookerji 1988, p. 8.
- ^ H. C. Raychaudhuri 1988, p. 17.
Works cited
edit- Mookerji, Radha Kumud (1988) [first published in 1966], Chandragupta Maurya and his times (4th ed.), Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-0433-3
- H. C. Raychaudhuri (1988) [1967]. "India in the Age of the Nandas". In K. A. Nilakanta Sastri (ed.). Age of the Nandas and Mauryas (Second ed.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0466-1.
- Singh, Upinder (2016), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century, Pearson, ISBN 978-81-317-1677-9