Ikshvaku
Founder of the Solar Dynasty
Manu's son and the first great king of Ayodhya. The famous solar dynasty - Rama's family - carries his name: the Ikshvaku line.
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: ఇక్ష్వాకుడు
- Also known as: Founder of the Suryavamsha
- Symbols: Sun banner, Royal throne of Ayodhya
Story
Ikshvaku was the son of Manu, and he became the very first king of the shining city of Ayodhya. The royal family he founded is called the Ikshvaku vamsha, or the Suryavamsha - the solar dynasty - because it descends from Surya himself through Manu. This family became famous for one thing above everything else: keeping promises. Generation after generation, Ikshvaku kings were known to give up kingdoms, comforts, even their lives rather than break their word - a family value that reached its most perfect form in Rama, born in this line many generations later. The dynasty's heroes fill our stories: Harishchandra, who never told a lie even when he lost everything; Sagara and his sixty thousand sons; Bhagiratha, who brought the Ganga down from heaven; Raghu, so great the family took his name too. Fun connection for Telugu kids: a real royal dynasty called the Ikshvakus ruled in Andhra around Nagarjunakonda about 1,800 years ago, proudly borrowing the legendary name!
Fun fact
A real historical dynasty in Andhra Pradesh - the Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri, near Nagarjunakonda - named themselves after this legendary king around the 3rd century CE.
Family and connections
- Child: Raghu (descendant — generations later)