Vakataka dynasty

The Vakataka Empire () was a dynasty from the Indian subcontinent that originated from the Deccan in the mid-3rd century CE. Their state is believed to have extended from the southern edges of Malwa and Gujarat in the north to the Tungabhadra River in the south as well as from the Arabian Sea in the west to the edges of Chhattisgarh in the east. They were the most important successors of the Satavahanas in the Deccan and contemporaneous with the Guptas in northern India.
The Vakataka dynasty was a Brahmin dynasty. 
Little is known about [[Vindhyashakti]] (), the founder of the family. Territorial expansion began in the reign of his son [[Pravarasena I]]. It is generally believed that the Vakataka dynasty was divided into four branches after Pravarasena I. Two branches are known and two are unknown. The known branches are the Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch and the Vatsagulma branch. The [[Gupta Empire|Gupta emperor]] [[Chandragupta II]] married his daughter into Vakataka royal family and with their support annexed [[Gujarat]] from the [[Western Satraps|Saka Satraps]] in 4th century CE. The Vakataka power was followed by that of the [[Chalukyas of Badami]] in Deccan.
The Vakatakas are noted for having been patrons of the arts, architecture and literature. They led public works and their monuments are a visible legacy. The rock-cut Buddhist viharas and chaityas of [[Ajanta Caves]] (a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]) were built under the patronage of Vakataka emperor, [[Harishena]].
Vindhyashakti.
The founder of the dynasty was [[Vindhyashakti]] (250-270), whose name is derived from the name of the goddess [[Vindhya]]. The dynasty may be originated there. Almost nothing is known about Vindhyashakti, the founder of the Vakatakas. In the Cave XVI inscription of Ajanta he was described as the "banner of the Vakataka family" and a "[[Dvija]]". It is stated in this inscription that he added to his power by fighting great battles and he had a large cavalry. But no regal title is prefixed to his name in this inscription. The Puranas say that he ruled for 96 years. He was placed variously at south Deccan, Madhya Pradesh and Malwa. K.P. Jayaswal attributes Bagat, a village in the Jhansi district as the home of Vakatakas. But after refuting the theory regarding the northern home of the Vakatakas, V.V. Mirashi points out that the earliest mention of the name Vakataka occurs in an inscription found on a fragment of a pillar at [[Amravati]] which records the gift of a "Grihapati" (householder) Vakataka and his two wives. This Grihapati in all probability 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 that is not considered to be correct.
As per Dr Mirashi, who has rejected the identification of Rudra deva in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta with Rudra sena I. He has also pointed out there are no coins of Vakataka and there are no inscriptions of them in the north of Vindhyas. Hence, a south home of Vakatakas is correct. However, it is true that they have ruled on some of these places, since the epigraphs were available in MP etc.
Pravarasena I.
The next ruler was [[Pravarasena I]] (270-330), who maintained the realm as a great power, he was the first Vakataka ruler, who called himself a "Samrat" (universal ruler) and conducted wars with the [[Nagas of Padmavati|Naga]] kings. He has become an emperor in his own right, 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 annexed the kingdom of Purika which was being ruled by a king named Sisuka. In any case, he certainly ruled from Bundelkhand in the north (though Dr Mirashi does not accept that he has crossed the Narmada) to the present Andhra Pradesh in the south. The puranas assign him a reign of 60 years.
As per V.V. Mirashi, it is unlikely that he made any conquest in Northern Maharashtra, Gujarat or Konkan. But, he may have conquered parts of North Kuntala comprising Kolhapur, Satara and Solapur districts of [[Maharashtra]]. In the east, he may have carried his arms to Dakshina Kosala, Kalinga and Andhra. He was a follower of Vedic religion and performed several "Yajnas" (sacrifices) which include Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Ukthya, Shodasin, Atiratra, Vajapeya, Brihaspatisava, Sadyaskra and four Asvamedhas. He heavily donated to the Brahmins during the Vajapeya sacrifice as per the Puranas. He also took up the title of "Dharmamaharaja" in addition to "Samrat". He called himself as "Haritiputra". His prime minister Deva was a very pious and learned Brahmin. The Puranas say that Pravarasena I had four sons. He married his son Gautamiputra to a daughter of King [[Bhavanaga]] of the powerful Bharashiva family, which might have proved to be helpful. However, Gautamiputra predeceased him and he was succeeded by his grandson [[Rudrasena I (Vakataka king)|Rudrasena I]], the son of Gautamiputra. His second son, [[Sarvasena]] set up his capital at Vatsagulma (the present day [[Washim]]). Nothing is known about the dynasties set up by the other two sons.
Branches of Vakataka dynasty.
It is generally believed that the Vakataka ruling family was divided into four branches after Pravarasena I. Two branches are known and two are unknown. The known branches are the Pravarpura-Nandivardhana branch and the Vatsagulma branch.
Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch.
[[File:Nagardhan Fort.jpg|thumb|Ruins of Nandivardhana fort]]
The Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch ruled from various sites like Pravarapura (Paunar) in [[Wardha district]] and Mansar and Nandivardhan (Nagardhan) in [[Nagpur district]]. This branch maintained matrimonial relations with the Imperial Guptas.
Rudrasena I.
Not much is known about [[Rudrasena I (Vakataka king)|Rudrasena I]], the son of Gautamiputra, who ruled from Nandivardhana, near Ramtek hill, about 30 km from [[Nagpur]]. There is a mention of Rudradeva in the Allahabad pillar inscription, bundled along with the other rulers of Aryavarta. A number of scholars, like [[Anant Sadashiv Altekar|A.S. Altekar]] do not agree that Rudradeva is Rudrasena I, since if Rudrasena I had been exterminated by Samudragupta, it is extremely unlikely that his son [[Prithivishena I]] would accept a Gupta princess ([[Prabhavatigupta]]) as his daughter-in-law. Secondly, no inscription of Rudrasena I has been found north of the Narmada. The only stone inscription of Rudrasena I's reign discovered so far was found at Deotek in the present-day [[Chandrapur district]], so he can not be equated with Rudradeva of the Allahabad pillar inscription, who belonged to the Aryavarta.
Prithivishena I.
Rudrasena I was succeeded by his son named [[Prithivishena I]] (355-380), and Prithivishena I was succeeded by his son named Rudrasena II.
Rudrasena II, Divakarasena and Pravarasena II.
[[File:MansarExcavation5.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Remains of the Pravareshvara Shiva temple built by Pravarasena II at [[Mansar, India|Mansar]]]]
[[Rudrasena II]] (380–385) is said to have married [[Prabhavatigupta]], the daughter of the Gupta King [[Chandragupta II]] (375-413/15). Rudrasena II died fortuitously after a very short reign in 385 CE, following which [[Prabhavatigupta]] (385 - 405) ruled as a regent on behalf of her two sons, Divakarasena and Damodarasena (Pravarasena II) for 20 years. During this period the Vakataka realm was practically a part of the [[Gupta Empire]]. Many historians refer to this period as the Vakataka-Gupta age. While this has been widely accepted more than 30 years ago, this line of argument has no proper evidence. Prabhavati Gupta's inscription mentions about one "Deva Gupta" who is her father and the historians equated him with Chandra Gupta II. However, there is no other source to prove that Deva Gupta is really Chandra Gupta II. 
Pravarasena II composed the "Setubandha" in [[Maharashtri Prakrit]]. A few verses of the "[[Gaha Sattasai]]" are also attributed to him. He shifted the capital from Nandivardhana to Pravarapura, a new city of founded by him. He built a temple dedicated to [[Rama]] in his new capital.
The highest number of so far discovered copperplate inscriptions of the Vakataka dynasty (in all 17) pertain to Pravarasena II. He is perhaps the most recorded ruler of ancient India after [[Ashoka the Great]]. See: Shreenand L. Bapat, A Second Jamb (Khandvi) Copperplate Grant of Vakataka Ruler Pravarasena II (Shravana Shuddha 13, Regnal Year 21), Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Vol. 91, pp. 1–31
Narendrasena and Prithivishena II.
Pravarasena II was succeeded by Narendrasena (440-460), under whom the Vakataka influence spread to some central Indian states. Prithivishena II, the last known king of the line, succeeded his father Narendrasena in c. 460. After his death in 480, his kingdom was probably annexed by Harishena of the Vatsagulma branch.
Vatsagulma branch.
The Vatsagulma branch was founded by Sarvasena, the second son of Pravarasena I after his death. King Sarvasena made Vatsagulma, the present day [[Washim]] in [[Washim district]] of [[Maharashtra]] his capital. The territory ruled by this branch was between the Sahydri Range and the Godavari River. They patronized some of the Buddhist caves at [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]].
Sarvasena.
Sarvasena (c. 330 - 355) took the title of "Dharmamaharaja". He is also known as the author of "Harivijaya" in Prakrit which is based on the story of bringing the "parijat" tree from heaven by Krishna. This work, praised by later writers is lost. He is also known as the author of many verses of the Prakrit "[[Gaha Sattasai]]". One of his minister's name was Ravi. He was succeeded by his son Vindhyasena.
Vindhyasena.
Vindhysena (c. 355 - 400) was also known as Vindhyashakti II. He is known from the well-known Washim plates which recorded the grant of a village situated in the northern marga (sub-division) of Nandikata (presently [[Nanded]]) in his 37th regnal year. The genealogical portion of the grant is written in Sanskrit and the formal portion in Prakrit. This is the first known land grant by any Vakataka ruler. He also took the title of "Dharmamaharaja". Vindhyasena defeated the ruler of Kuntala, his southern neighbour. One of his minister's name was Pravara. He was succeeded by his son Pravarasena II.
Pravarasena II.
Pravarasena II (c. 400 - 415) was the next ruler of whom very little is known except from the Cave XVI inscription of [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]], which says that he became exalted by his excellent, powerful and liberal rule. He died after a very short rule and succeeded by his minor son, who was only 8 years old when his father died. Name of this ruler is lost from the Cave XVI inscription.
Devasena.
This unknown ruler was succeeded by his son Devasena (c. 450 - 475). His administration was actually run by his minister Hastibhoja. During his reign, one of his servant Svaminadeva excavated a tank named "Sudarshana" near Washim in c. 458-59.
Harishena.
Harishena (c. 475 - 500) succeeded his father Devasena. He was a great patron of Buddhist architecture, art and culture. The World Heritage monument [[Ajanta Caves]] is surviving example of his works. The rock cut architectural cell-XVI inscription of Ajanta states that he conquered Avanti ([[Malwa]]) in the north, Kosala ([[Chhattisgarh]]), Kalinga and Andhra in the east, [[Lata (region)|Lata]] (Central and Southern [[Gujarat]]) and Trikuta ([[Nasik district]]) in the west and Kuntala (Southern Maharashtra) in the south. Varahadeva, a minister of Harishena and the son of Hastibhoja, excavated the rock-cut [[vihara]] of Cave XVI of Ajanta. Three of the Buddhist caves at Ajanta, two viharas - caves XVI and XVII and a [[chaitya]] - cave XIX were excavated and decorated with painting and sculptures during the reign of Harishena. According to an art historian, Walter M. Spink, all the rock-cut monuments of Ajanta excluding caves nos. 9,10,12,13 and 15A (Ref: Page No. 4, Ajanta-A Brief History and Guide - Walter M. Spink) were built during Harishena's reign though his view is not universally accepted.
Harishena was succeeded by two rulers whose names are not known. The end of the dynasty is unknown. They were probably defeated by the Kalachuri of Mahismati.
The "Dashakumaracharita" version of the end.
[[File: Foreigner on ceiling of Cave 1at Ajanta Caves photograph and drawing.jpg|thumb|Foreign dignitary in Persian dress drinking wine, on ceiling of Cave 1, at [[Ajanta Caves]], either depicting the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] embassy to [[Pulakesin II]] (610–642 CE), or simply a genre scene during the [[Vakataka Dynasty]] if the 460-480 CE dating is retained (photograph and drawing).]]
According to the eighth "ucchvāsaḥ" of the "[[Dashakumaracharita]]" of [[Daṇḍin|Dandin]], which was written probably around 125 years after the fall of the Vakataka dynasty, Harishena's son, though intelligent and accomplished in all arts, neglected the study of the "Dandaniti" (Political Science) and gave himself up to the enjoyment of pleasures and indulged in all sorts of vices. His subjects also followed him and led a vicious and dissolute life. Finding this a suitable opportunity, the ruler of the neighbouring "Ashmaka" sent his minister's son to the court of the Vakatakas. The latter ingratiated himself with the king and egged him on in his dissolute life. He also decimated his forces by various means. Ultimately, when the country was thoroughly disorganised, the ruler of Ashmaka instigated the ruler of Vanavasi (in the North Kanara district) to invade the Vakataka territory. The king called all his feudatories and decided to fight his enemy on the bank of the Varada (Wardha). While fighting with the forces of the enemy, he was treacherously attacked in the rear by some of his own feudatories and killed. The Vakataka dynasty ended with his death.
Coinage.
Although the Vakatakas replaced the Satavahanas, it does not seem that they continued their coin-minting tradition. As of today, no Vakataka coins have ever been identified.
External links.
[[Category:Vakataka dynasty| ]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:History of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:History of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:History of Telangana]]