Which Hindu deity is the king of the gods?

Indra is the Hindu deity traditionally described as the king of the gods, or devas.

Indra is one of the most important figures in the Vedic tradition. He rules Svarga, the heavenly realm, and is associated with rain, thunder, lightning, storms, warfare, and heroic strength. His weapon is the vajra, a thunderbolt, and his famous mount is Airavata, a divine white elephant.

A central Rigvedic story tells how Indra defeated Vritra, a serpent-like asura who held back the waters. By striking Vritra with the vajra, Indra released the rains and rivers, making him a protector of life and agricultural prosperity. Indra is also the most frequently mentioned deity in the Rigveda.

Later Hindu literature gives Indra a less dominant position as devotion to Vishnu, Shiva, and the Goddess grows. In some Puranic accounts, “Indra” is a title held by the ruler of the gods during a particular manvantara, or cosmic age, rather than an unchanging office occupied by one figure forever. This helps explain why Indra can be both kingly and vulnerable in later stories.