About Vakataka Dynasty

Vakataka dynasty, an Indian dynasty, ruled parts of today`s Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh from the third century to fifth century. Vakataka dynasty is the most important follow-up dynasty of the Satavahanas, contemporary with the Guptas. Vindhyasakti founded the dynasty and his name is also found in the Puranas.

The name of Vindhysakti is derived from the name of the goddess Vindhya after whom the mountains were named. The dynasty possibly has originated there. Almost no fact is actually known about the life of Vindhyasakti. In the Cave XVI inscription of Ajanta, he was described as the banner of the Vakataka family and a Dvija (Brahmin). It is also stated in this inscription that he added to his power by fighting memorable battles and he had a large cavalry. But no royal title is prefixed to his name in this inscription.

The Puranas state that he ruled for 96 years and was placed at various locations in south Deccan, Madhya Pradesh and Malwa. Bagat, a village in the Jhansi district is said to be the home of Vakatakas. But after disproving the theory regarding the northern home of the Vakatakas, historian points out that the earliest mention of the name Vakataka occurs in an inscription, found on a section of a pillar at Amaravati which accounts the gift of a Grihapati (householder) Vakataka and his two wives. This Grihapati in all possibility was the progenitor of Vidhyashakti. It appears from the Puranas that Vindhyasakti was a ruler of Vidisha (in the present day Madhya Pradesh state) but this fact does not carry any evidence.

The next ruler of Vakataka dynasty was Pravarasena I. (270-330), who maintained the realm as a great power and called himself an "all ruler". He conducted wars with the Naga kings and has become an emperor in his own right. He was perhaps the only emperor in the dynasty, with his kingdom embracing a good portion of North India and whole of Deccan. He carried his arms to the Narmada in the north and occupied the kingdom of Purika, which was being ruled by a king named Sisuka. In any case, he certainly ruled from Bundelkhand in the north to the present Andhra Pradesh in the south. The puranas state this ruler to have ruled in Vakataka dynasty for a reign of 60 years.

Pravarasena I may have conquered parts of North Kuntala comprising of Kolhapur, Satara and Sholapur districts of Maharashtra and extended the power of Vakataka dynasty. In the east, he may have carried his possession to Dakshina Kosala, Kalinga and Andhra. He was a staunch follower of Vedic religion and performs several Yajnas (sacrifices), which include Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Shodasin, Ukthya, Atiratra, Brihaspatisava, Vajapeya, Sadyaskra and four Asvamedhas. He heavily donated to the Brahmins during the Vajapeya sacrifice as per the Puranas. He took up the titles like Samrat and Dharmamaharaja. He called himself as Haritiputra. His Prime Minister Deva was a very pious and learned Brahmin. The Puranas say that Pravarasena I has four sons. He married his son Gautamiputra to a daughter of King Bhavanaga of the influential Bharsiva family, which might later prove to be helpful. However, Gautamiputra predeceased him and he was inherited by his grandson Rudrasena I, the son of Gautamiputra. His second son, Sarvasena set up his capital at Vatsagulma (the present day Washim).

It is generally believed that the Vakataka dynasty was divided into four branches after Pravarsena I. Two branches are known and two are unknown. The known branches are the Pravarpura-Nandivardhana branch and the Vatsagulma branch.

Origin of Vakataka Dynasty

Origin of Vakataka Dynasty reveals that they belonged to South India and their home was probably Vidarbha. Keeping this as the base they extended their arms towards north and west thereby bringing Madhya Pradesh under his control. In fact Vakatakas are classed as dynasties of The Deccan. The copper plates of Indore have mentioned the name of this dynasty. Vakatakas have highly influenced the civilization of Deccan. They are considered as one of the glorious dynasties of South India. Their empire had extended from Malwa and Gujarat to Tunghabhadra River in south form Arabian Sea in the west to Bay of Bengal in the east.

The imperial Guptas and the Vakatakas (from the middle of the third century to the last decade of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century) are the greatest beneficiaries of the modern epigraphic researches. However till the early years of the nineteenth century they were unknown. Their existence was revealed when the Siwani grant of Pravarasena II was discovered in Madhya Pradesh in 1836. Vindhyasakti, the founder of Vakataka dynasty has been mentioned in the Puranas. The founder of the dynasty has been described in an inscription as a dvija which means a Brahmana. The gotra of the family was Vishnuvrddha, a Brahmana gotra. Pravar Sena performed several sacrifices which were meant for the Brahmans. Therefore it can be considered that Vakatakas were not Yavanas but a Hindu dynasty of the Brahmana origin.

They did not start any era but dated their grants in noble years. Their age had to be inferred from the script of their inscriptions. It is believed that the Vakatakas were believed to have ruled in the seventh and eighth centuries.

The founder of the dynasty was Vindhya Shakti (250-270). This name has been derived from the name of the goddess Vindhya after whom the mountains were also named. In the Cave XVI inscription of Ajanta he was described as the banner of the Vakataka family and a Brahmin. According to this inscription he added to his power by fighting great battles. His name also occurs in the Indian Puranas. The Vakatakas like many other Deccan dynasties claimed Brahmanical origin.

Branches of Vakataka Dynasty

Branches of Vakataka dynasty reveal the complete lineage of the dynasty. After Pravarsena I there have been four divisions of the branches. Two branches are identified and two are not known. Pravarpura-Nandivardhana branch and the Vatsagulma branch are the known branches.

Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch : This branch ruled from sites like Pravarapura in Wardha district and Mansar and Nandivardhan (Nagardhan) in Nagpur district. They had marital relations with the Imperial Guptas.

Rudrasena I : Rudrasena I is the son of Gautamiputra, who ruled from Nandivardhana. The only stone inscription of Rudrasena I`s reign discovered was found at Deotek in Chandrapur district.

Prithvisena I : Rudrasena I was succeeded by Prithvisena I (355-380) and he was succeeded by his son named Rudrasena II.

Rudrasena II, Divakarasena and Pravarasena II : It is believed that Rudrasena II was married to Prabhavatigupta, the daughter of the Gupta King Chandragupta II (375-413/15). Rudrasena II died after a very short reign in 385 C.E. Prabhavatigupta (385 - 405) ruled as a trustee on behalf of her two sons, Divakarasena and Damodarasena for 20 years. Vakatakas were a part of the Gupta Empire during this period.

Pravarasena II composed the Setubandha in Maharashtri Prakrit language. He shifted the capital of Nandivardhana to Pravarapura that was a new city founded by him. A temple was dedicated to Lord Rama.
 
Narendrasena and Prithvisena II : Narendrasena (440-460) succeeded Pravarsena II under whom the Vakataka had spread themselves to some central Indian states. Prithvisena II succeeded his father Narendrasena in 460 A.D. After his death in 480, his kingdom was annexed by Harishena of the Vatsagulma branch.

Vatsagulma branch : The Buddhist viharas and chaityas of Ajanta Caves were built under the patronage of the Vatsagulma branch of the Vakataka rulers. This branch was founded by Sarvasena, the second son of Pravarasena I after his death. King Sarvasena made Vatsagulma his capital. Vatsagulma branch ruled the region between the Sahyadari Mountains Range and the Godavari River.

Sarvasena : Dharmamaharaja title was taken by Sarvasena. He has composed several works. Vindhyasena succeeded Sarvasena.

Vindhyasena : Vindhysena also took the title of Dharmamaharaja. He defeated the ruler of Kuntala, his southern neighbour. Pravarasena II succeeded Vindhyasena.

Pravarsena II : During the rule of Pravarasena II the Kingdom witnessed lot of development. However he could not rule for a long time. He was succeeded by his minor son who was only 8 years old when his father died.

Devasena : Devasena (c.450 - 475) succeeded his father. His administration was run by his minister Hastibhoja.

Harishena : Devasena was succeeded by Harishena. He patronised Buddhist architecture, art and culture. Some of the Buddhist caves at Ajanta, two viharas were decorated with painting and sculptures during Harishena`s reign. Harishena was succeeded by two rulers whose identification is not known. The decline of dynasty is unknown. It is believed that they were defeated by the Kalachuri of Mahismati.

Rulers in Vakataka Dynasty

The list of rulers in Vakataka dynasty is as follows -

Rulers of the Vakataka dynasty
• Vindhyasakti (250-270)
• Pravarasena I (270- 330)

The Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch
• Rudrasena I (330 - 355)
• Prithvisena I (355 - 380)
• Rudrasena II (380- 385)
• Divakarasena (385- 400)
• Prabhavatigupta (fem.), Regent (385- 405)
• Damodarasena (Pravarasena II) (400- 440)
• Narendrasena (440- 460)
• Prithvishena II (460- 480)

The Vatsagulma branch
• Sarvasena (330 - 355)
• Vindhyasena (Vindhyashakti II) (355 - 400)
• Pravarasena II (400 - 415)
• Unknown (415 - 450)
• Devasena (450 - 475)
• Harishena (475- 500)