CHAPTER - 1

Introduction to Ikshvaku dynasty

The Ikshvaku dynasty, in Puranic literature, was a mythical dynasty1founded by Ikshvaku. Ikshvaku, literally
means "sugar cane". The dynasty is also known as Sūryavaṁśa (the Solar dynasty). Rama, hero of the
Ramayana belonged to this dynasty.2Twenty-two out of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankara belonged to this
dynasty.3

The important personalities belonging to this royal house are Harishchandra, Dilīpa, Sagara,4 Raghu, Rama and
Prasenajit. Although, both the Hindu Puranas and the Buddhist texts include Shuddodhana, Gautama Buddha
and Rahula in their accounts of the Ikshvaku dynasty, but according to the Buddhist texts, Mahasammata, an
ancestor of Ikshvaku was the founder of this dynasty,5 who was elected by the people as the first king of the
present era. According to the Puranas, supreme preceptor of the Ikshvaku dynasty was sage Vashishta.

In Hinduism, Ikshvaku, is the grandson of Vivasvan or Surya and son of Vaivasvata Manu. They ruled from the
Kosala Kingdom, today known as Oudh in the state of Uttar Pradesh along the banks of river Sarayu with
saketa, Ayodhya today as their capital. Ikshvaku is the first king who executed the Manusmrti or religious rules
of Hindu living which were composed by his father Manu. Ikshvaku, ruled as Monarch at the beginning of the
Treta Yuga or second yuga, had hundred sons. His estates descended to his eldest son Vikukshi.6

(Chanting Brahmins and King Ikshvaku proceed to heaven)

1
Geography of Rigvedic India, M.L. Bhargava, Lucknow 1964, pp. 15-18, 46-49, 92-98, 100-/1, 136
2
Zimmer 1952, p. 218
3
Zimmer 1952, p. 220.
4
Ikshaku tribe The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section
CVI, p. 228 'There was born in the family of the Ikshvaku, a ruler of the earth named Sagara, endued with beauty, and strength..."
5
Malalasekera, G. P. (2007) [1937]. Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names: A-Dh. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 461–2. ISBN 978-81-208-
3021-9.
6
http://www.gloriousindia.com/history/dynasties/ikshvaku/ikshvaku.html