The Puranas written as early as 1st century BC are the oldest records for the reconstruction of early Indian history. The Puranas are eighteen in number and have five divisions. Out of these, the fifth one is historically important as it contains the traditions about the dynasties of rulers of ancient India. However, all the Puranas, from the historical point of view are not so important as the Vayu, Vishnu and the Matsaya Puranas. These Puranas are full of information concerning the Purus, the Nandas, the Mauryas, the Kushanas and the Guptas, etc.