Gauda Kingdom

Gauda Kingdom was a state in Bengal, Odisha and the northeast (South Asia) that lasted from c. 590 to 625 CE, about 35 years. Its people spoke Indo-Aryan languages (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

Shashanka, the first independent king of Bengal, ruled from Karnasuvarna and killed Harsha's brother Rajyavardhana. Buddhist writers accused him of cutting down the Bodhi tree.

See Gauda Kingdom on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 590 to 625 CE
Duration: 35 years
Type: State
Region: Bengal, Odisha and the northeast, South Asia
Language family: Indo-Aryan
Capital: Karnasuvarna

Neighbours in South Asia

Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BCE to 1017 CE
Pallava dynasty c. 275 to 897 CE
Chalukyas of Badami 543 to 753 CE
Empire of Harsha 606 to 647 CE
Kamarupa c. 350 to 1140 CE
Western Ganga dynasty c. 350 to 1000 CE
Eastern Chalukyas c. 624 to 1070 CE
Licchavi dynasty of Nepal c. 400 to 750 CE
Pandya dynasty (first empire) c. 590 to 920 CE
Maitraka dynasty c. 475 to 776 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
Tang dynasty 618 to 907 CE, East Asia
First Turkic Khaganate 552 to 603 CE, Central and North Asia

Questions

When did Gauda Kingdom exist?

c. 590 to 625 CE, about 35 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Gauda Kingdom?

Bengal, Odisha and the northeast, in South Asia. Its capital was Karnasuvarna.

What language did Gauda Kingdom speak?

Indo-Aryan. This family includes Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala.