Raghuvaṃśa (dynasty)

(), also known as or , is a legendary Indian dynasty, prominently featured in Hindu scriptures such as the ''Itihasas'' and the ''Puranas''. It is considered to be an offshoot of the or the Ikshvaku dynasty of Kshatriyas, tracing its ancestry to the sun deity Surya.

Kings of the Raghuvaṃśa line are referred to as or . The dynasty is named after Raghu, a legendary king who protected the sacrificial horse of the Ashvamedha from Indra. Notable Raghuvaṃśī kings include Mandhata, Harishchandra, Sagara, Bhagiratha, Dilīpa, Raghu, Aja, Dasharatha, and Lord Rama. Kalidasa's work, ''Raghuvaṃśa'', narrates the epic of the Raghuvaṃśa in 19 sargas (cantos). Provided by Wikipedia