Mahendra of Dakshina Kosala

Mahendra was a king of Dakshina Kosala, whose identity is not completely verified, and is mentioned as a king of Dakshinapatha. He was one of the many kings who were subjugated, captured and later released by the mighty Gupta emperor Samudragupta, who paid him allegiance and tribute. His dynasty is uncertain, though some historians suggest that he was from the Mahameghavahana dynasty.

Other theories suggest that he was a king of a branch the Ikshvaku dynasty, who had established a mighty kingdom in the south. Yet another theory identifies Mahendra with a Nala king named Mahendraditya.

Allahabad stone pillar inscription of Samudragupta

The Allahabad stone pillar inscription of Samudragupta's lines which include Mahendra's name in it goes as follows-

• (Lines 19–20) Whose magnanimity blended with valour was caused by (his) first capturing, and thereafter showing the favour of releasing, all the kings of Dakshiṇāpatha such as Mahēndra of Kōsala, Vyāghrarāja of Mahākāntāra, Maṇṭarāja of Kurāḷa, Mahēndragiri of Pishṭapura, Svāmidatta of Kōṭṭūra, Damana of Ēraṇḍapalla, Vishṇugōpa of Kāñchī, Nīlarāja of Avamukta, Hastivarman of Vēṅgī, Ugrasēna of Pālakka, Kubēra of Dēvarāshṭra, and Dhanañjaya of Kusthalapura.