The Cher, Pandya and Chola dynasties :

• Prior to the 4th century BC, the Cher, Pandya, and Chola dynasties ruled Southern India.
• Muziris was an important port on the coast of Kerala in the kingdom of Cher from which spices, pearls, precious stones, and other goods were exported to Rome and Western countries.
• The Pandya kingdom was located in modern-day Tamil Nadu. Madurai was the Pandya kingdom's capital. Tiruchirapalli was the centre of the ancient Chola kingdom.

The Satavahana dynasty :

• Following the collapse of the Maurya empire, King Simuk established the Satavahana kingdom.
• Pratishthan, or Paithan today, was the capital of Satavahanas.
• The famous Satavahana king was Gautamiputra Satakarni. He had defeated King Nahpana of the Shaka. His empire stretched from the Narmada River in the north to the Tungabhadra River in the south, earning him the name "Tri-Samudra-toya-peet-vahan."
• King Hala wrote 'Gatha-Saptashati' in the Prakrit language of Maharashtra.
• Many Indian goods and artistic objects were shipped all the way to Rome.
• The cave sculptures at Ajanta, Nashik, Karla, Bhaje, Kanheri and Junnar were carved during the Satavahana period.

 The Chalukya Dynasty :

• Pulakeshi I established the rule of the Chalukya dynasty in the 6th century AD in Karnataka. Vatpai — Badami was his capital.
• Pulakeshi II repulsed invasion of Harshavardhan.
• The ifamous temples at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal were built during the Chalukya period.

The Pallava Dynasty :

• Mahendravarman was a capable ruler who helped to expand the Pallava kingdom. His capital was Kanchipuram.
• Narasimhavarman repelled Pulakeshi II's invasion. During his reign, the famous 'Ratha' temple of Mahabalipuram was sculpted.
• The Pallavas had a well-equipped and powerful navy. India made contacts in Southeast Asia. Both internal and external trade thrived.
• Yuan Chwang had visited Kanchi and reported that Pallava rulers treated people of all faiths fairly.

The Rastrakuta dynasty :

• In Maharashtra, King Dantidurg Krishna established the Rashtrakuta rule.
• Their domain stretched from the Vindhya mountains in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.
• During the reign of Krishna Raja I, the famous Kailas temple of Ellora was carved.