The world knows the Ramayana Itihasa, although many of us are unaware that the Surya Vamsi Ikshvaku dynasty has a longer lineage of powerful kings prior to the Avatara of Sri Rama.

These kings include the great names of Indian history like Kashyapa, Bhageeratha, Trisankhu, Dileep, Sagara, Raghu, Ambareesha and so on.  Mahakavi Kalidasa described  Sri Rama’s lineage, and especially Maharaja Sri Raghu’s military expeditions in his famous Kavya `Raghu-vamsa’. Let’s take a look at a quick look.

Brahma

↓

Mareechi   

↓

Kashyapa

 ↓

Surya

 ↓

Manu

 ↓

Ikshvaku

 ↓

Kukshi

 ↓

Vikukshi

 ↓

Bana

 ↓

Anaranya

 ↓

Prudhu

 ↓

Trisankhu

 ↓

Dundhumara/Yavanasya

 ↓

Mandhatha

 ↓

Susandhi

 ↓

Dhruvasandhi

 ↓

Bharatha

 ↓

Ashitha

 ↓

Sagara

 ↓

Asamanjasa

 ↓

Anshuman

 ↓

Dileep

 ↓

Bhageeratha

 ↓

Kakuthsa

 ↓

Raghu

 ↓

Pravurtha

 ↓

Shankhana

 ↓

Sudarshan

 ↓

Agnivarna

 ↓

Seeghraveda

 ↓

Maru

 ↓

Prasishyaka

 ↓

Ambareesh

 ↓

Nahusha

 ↓

Yayathi

 ↓

Nabhaga

 ↓

Aja

 ↓

Dasaratha

 ↓

Sri Rama

 ↓

Lava & Kusha