Vakataka Dynasty | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Empire and Expansion:

• Originating from the Deccan in the mid-third century CE, the Vakataka Empire expanded its territory significantly. Their realm stretched from the southern parts of Malwa and Gujarat in the north to the Tungabhadra River in the south. It extended westward to the Arabian Sea and eastward to the edges of Chhattisgarh.

Historical Sources:

• The history of the Vakatakas is primarily known through inscriptions and ancient texts, particularly the Puranas.

Dynasty Founder

• Vindhyashakti I, the founder of the Vakataka dynasty, is described as a dvija (twice-born) in inscriptions. The kings of this dynasty were Brahmanas belonging to the Vishnuvriddha gotra.

Religious and Cultural Role:

• The Vakatakas, being Brahmanas themselves, were strong advocates of the Brahmanical religion and performed numerous Vedic sacrifices.
• Culturally, the Vakataka kingdom played a crucial role in transmitting Brahmanical ideas and social institutions to the south, despite their political history being more closely linked to north India.

Relations with Other Dynasties:

• Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty strengthened ties with the Vakatakas by marrying his daughter, Prabhavati Gupta, into the Vakataka royal family. This alliance helped Chandragupta II conquer Malwa and Gujarat from the Shaka Kshatrapas in the late fourth century AD.
• The Vakatakas also had matrimonial connections with other dynasties, including the imperial Guptas, the Nagas of Padmavati, the Kadambas of Karnataka, and the Vishnukundins of Andhra.

Military Achievements:

• The military achievements of Harishena, a notable king of the Vakataka dynasty, are celebrated in the Ajanta inscriptions of his time.

Duration of Rule:

• The Vakataka dynasty ruled from the mid-3rd century to the late 5th or early 6th century CE.

Location of Original Home of Vakatakas

• Some scholars suggest that the Vakatakas originated in  South India. This theory is supported by a fragmentary inscription found at  Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, where the term ‘Vakataka’ is mentioned.
• Additionally, there are similarities between certain technical terms used in Vakataka inscriptions and those found in the Hirehadagalli and Mayidavolu grants of the Pallava king  Shivaskandavarman.
• The  Basim plates of Vindhyashakti II also provide evidence for this theory. In these plates, the titles  Haritiputra for Pravarasena I and  Dharmamaharaja for Sarvasena I and the reigning king are used. These titles are also found in inscriptions of southern dynasties such as the  Pallavas, Kadambas, and  Chalukyas of Badami.
• Moreover, certain inscriptions from the time of  Harishena, the last known king of the Vakataka line of Vatsagulma, describe the family of one of his ministers as coming from  Vallura. This Vallura is believed to be  Velur, located near Hyderabad.

Vindhyan Region:

• Inscriptions and ancient texts known as the  Puranas indicate that the Vakataka dynasty originally established its base in the  Vindhyan region, situated north of the Narmada River.
• The Puranas refer to this dynasty as the  Vindhyakas.
• One of the early kings of the Vakataka dynasty, Pravarasena I, is associated with a town called  Kanchanaka, mentioned in the Puranas. This town is believed to be identified with  Nachna village in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Numerous early Vakataka inscriptions and structural remains from this period have been discovered in the Vindhyan region. These findings strongly indicate that the Vakatakas first established their prominence in this area.
• From their base in the Vindhyan region, the Vakatakas expanded their influence southwards, eventually becoming a significant political power in the Deccan region.

Pravarpura-Nandivardhana Branch

• In the Cave XVI inscription at Ajanta, Vindhyashakti I is depicted as the banner of the Vakataka family and a Dvija (twice-born).
• The inscription highlights his military prowess, mentioning his victories in great battles and a large cavalry force.

Pravarasena I (270-330)

• Pravarasena I, the second king of the Vakataka line, expanded the empire southwards into Vidarbha and parts of the Deccan, with his capital at Kanchanaka (modern Nachna).
• He engaged in conflicts with the Naga kings, and his son Gautamiputra's marriage to the daughter of Naga king Bhavanaga solidified a crucial political alliance.
• The Puranas record his performance of several vajapeya and vajimedha sacrifices, along with the distribution of lavish gifts.
• Inscriptions mention his four ashvamedhas and various other sacrifices.
• Pravarasena I was unique among Vakataka kings for holding the imperial title "samrat," while others used the title "maharaja."

Prithivishena I (330-385)

• Prithivishena I, the son of Pravarasena I, continued the family legacy.
• His reign is noted for the marriage alliance between his son Rudrasena II and Prabhavatigupta, the daughter of Gupta emperor Chandragupta II.
• Following Rudrasena's brief reign and death in 385 CE, his sons Damodarasena and Pravarasena II were minors. Prabhavatigupta served as regent for an extended period on their behalf.

Prabhavatigupta (385 – 405)

• Prabhavatigupta’s inscriptions mention her father, “Deva Gupta,” who is identified by historians as Chandragupta II.
• Her inscriptions emphasize her natal genealogy, with her gotra listed as Dharana, distinguishing it from the Vishnuvriddha gotra of her husband's family.
• During her regency, the Vakataka realm was effectively a part of the Gupta Empire, leading historians to refer to this period as the Vakataka-Gupta age.
• Nandivardhana, identified with Nandardhan near Nagpur, became the capital during this time.
• Prabhavatigupta’s Miregaon plates describe her as the “mother of two kings,” highlighting her role in the royal lineage.

Pravarasena II

• Pravarasena II’s reign is marked by the largest number of Vakataka inscriptions, including copper plate inscriptions.
• Initially, these inscriptions were issued from Nandivardhana, later shifting to Pravarapura, a new city founded by him.
• He established a temple dedicated to Rama in Pravarapura and is attributed with the Prakrit work Setubandha or Ravanavaho, related to Rama’s journey to Lanka.
• Some verses of the Gaha Sattasai, originally by Hala, are also credited to him.
• Prabhavatigupta continued to issue inscriptions in her own right and passed away later in her son’s reign.

Other Rulers

• After Pravarasena II, the kingdom may have faced a succession struggle, with Narendrasena (440-460) eventually prevailing.
• The last known king of the line was Prithivishena II, with a copper coin from Paunar attributed to his reign.
• Following his death in 480, the kingdom was likely annexed by Harishena of the Vatsagulma branch of Vakataka.
• The Sudarshana lake at Junagadh gained fame, with the name Sudarshana becoming popular for lakes and reservoirs in the northern Deccan.
• A reservoir built by Prabhavatigupta’s children in her memory was also named Sudarshana.
• The Vakataka power was succeeded by the Chalukyas of Badami in the Deccan region.

Vatsagulma Branch

• Sarvasena, the second son of Pravarasena I, founded the Vatsagulma branch and held the title of Dharmamaharaja.
• He is known for authoring the lost Prakrit work Harivijaya, based on Krishna's journey to bring the parijat tree from heaven.
• Sarvasena is also recognized for contributing verses to the Prakrit Gaha Sattasai, originally by Hala.

Vindhysena (355 – 400)

• Vindhysena, also known as Vindhyashakti II, is documented in the Washim plates, which detail the grant of a village in northern Nandikata (present-day Nanded).
• The genealogical part of the grant is in Sanskrit, while the formal portion is in Prakrit, marking the first known land grant by a Vakataka ruler.
• Vindhysena, like Sarvasena, held the title of Dharmamaharaja.

Pravarasena II (400 – 415)

• Pravarasena II (400 – 415) is noted for his excellent, powerful, and liberal rule, as mentioned in the Cave XVI inscription at Ajanta.

Harishena (475 – 500)

• Harishena was a significant patron of Buddhist architecture, art, and culture, with Ajanta being a surviving example of his contributions.
• He is credited with the conquest of various regions, including Avanti (Malwa), Kosala (Chhattisgarh), Kalinga, Andhra, Lata (Central and Southern Gujarat), Trikuta (Nasik district), and Kuntala (Southern Maharashtra).
• Harishena commissioned the rock-cut vihara of Cave XVI at Ajanta, with his minister Varahadeva overseeing the excavation.
• During Harishena’s reign, three Buddhist caves at Ajanta were excavated and adorned with paintings and sculptures, including caves XVI, XVII (viharas), and cave XIX (chaitya).

End of the Vakataka Dynasty

• According to the Dasakumaracarita of Dain, written about 125 years after the Vakataka dynasty's fall, Harishena's son, despite being intelligent and skilled in various arts, neglected the study of Dandaniti(Political Science) and indulged in pleasures and vices.
• Taking advantage of this, the ruler of Ashmaka provoked the ruler of Vanavasi(in North Kanara) to invade Vakataka territory.
• The Vakataka king summoned his feudatories to confront the enemy by the Varada(Wardha) River.
• During the battle, he was treacherously attacked from behind by some of his own feudatories and killed, marking the end of the Vakataka dynasty.

The Administrative Structure of the Vakataka Kingdom

• Rashtras or Rajyas (Provinces): The Vakataka empire was divided into provinces called rashtras or rajyas. Examples include the Pakkana rashtra, Bhojakata rashtra, Varuchha rajya, and Arammi rajya, as mentioned in various inscriptions from the reign of Pravarasena II.
• Rajyadhikritas (Governors): Rajyas were administered by governors known as rajyadhikritas.
• Vishayas: Provinces were further subdivided into vishayas.
• Aharas and Bhogas or Bhuktis: Vishayas were divided into aharas and bhogas or bhuktis.
• Sarvadhyaksha and Kulaputra: Vakataka grants mention an officer called the sarvadhyaksha, who appointed and directed subordinate officers known as kulaputras. Kulaputras were responsible for maintaining law and order.
• Chhatras and Bhatas: Chhatras and bhatas, understood as irregular and regular troops, represented the state's coercive arm. They roamed the countryside, collecting taxes and maintaining law and order.
• Rajuka: The rajuka, associated with revenue assessment in Maurya sources, is mentioned in the Indore plates of Pravarasena II as the writer of land grant charters.
• Senapati and Dandanayaka: Senapati and dandanayaka were military officers. Vakataka charters were often drafted in the senapati's office. Different individuals held the senapati position during Pravarasena II's reign.
• Other Officials: Inscriptions of Vakataka feudatories refer to additional administrative terms. The rahasika, gramakuta (village headman), devavarika (village police head), gandakas (similar to bhatas), and dronagrakanayaka (in charge of dronagraka or dronamukha administrative unit) were among them.

Land Grants by Vakatakas

• Unlike the imperial Guptas, who were not significant land donors to Brahmanas, the Vakatakas were. They gifted a total of 35 villages, with many grants made during Pravarasena II's reign. His inscriptions record the gift of 20 villages.
• The grants included various technical terms indicating exemptions and privileges for the gifted land and donees. Thirteen inscriptions specify land areas ranging from 20 to 8000 nivartanas.
• Some villages were donated in exchange for previous gifts, and the Yavatmal plates of Pravarasena II document the renewal of an earlier grant. Over time, the location of gifted villages shifted from the eastern to the western part of the Vakataka kingdom, especially to the Tapi valley.

The Basim plates of Vindhyashakti II record the king's grant of Akasapadda village to Atharva Veda Brahmanas with various exemptions and privileges. These included:

• Perpetuity (as long as the moon and sun endure).
• Exemption from district police entry.
• Exemption from royal salt digging and liquor purchasing.
• Exemption from grain and gold gifts to the king.
• Exemption from supplying flowers and milk.
• Exemption from providing customary cows and bulls to the state.
• Exemption from supplying pastures, hides, and charcoal to touring officials.
• Prohibition of royal soldier entry.
• Prohibition of providing sleeping cots, water pots, and slaves to touring officers.
• Exemption from taxes.
• Exemption from providing draught cattle for official transport.
• Rights to hidden treasures and deposits.
• Major and minor taxes.
• All kinds of immunities.

The Poona plates of Prabhavatigupta also mention rights to mines and khadira trees for the donees. Some plates indicate that the gifted land was free from forced labor.

• The Riddhapur plates of Prabhavatigupta state that the granted field included a farmhouse and four farmers' huts. The Pauni grant of Pravarasena II records the gift of a village with its habitations.
• Some grants included clauses stating that the land was not to be entered by regular and irregular troops. The Chammak plates of Pravarasena II had a unique stipulation where 1,000 Brahmanas were to enjoy the gifted land as long as they did not commit treason, murder a Brahmana, theft, adultery, high treason, wage war, or harm other villages.

Padmapani and Vajrapani in Ajanta

Culture

• The Vakatakas were known for their patronage of arts, architecture, and literature. They undertook public works, leaving behind a visible legacy through monuments.
• The rock-cut Buddhist viharas and chaityas of the Ajanta Caves were built under the patronage of Vakataka King Harishena of the Vatsagulma branch.
• Scholars like Spink attribute the Ajanta caves of this period to a single burst of enthusiasm during Harishena's reign, suggesting that his death marked the end of this golden age.
• There were two phases of activity at Ajanta: five caves were excavated during the Satavahana period, while 23 belong to the Vakataka period, as established by inscriptional evidence.
• Deities such as Indra, Vishnu, Rama, Hara, and Kama are mentioned in a donative inscription of Varahadeva, a minister of Harishena, in one of the Buddhist caves at Ajanta.
• The scale and magnificence of the Ajanta caves indicate that they housed a prominent monastic community, attracting lavish patronage from Vakataka elites.
• The second phase of painting at Ajanta corresponds to the Vakataka period.

Panchatantra

• Splitting an alliance that is against one’s interest.
• Forming an alliance.
• Waging war.
• Outsmarting a fool.
• Consequences of actions taken without reflection.

Most stories in the Panchatantra are amusing and satirical tales featuring animals. The text is written in elegant prose, with verses interspersed throughout.

Vakatakas

• Vakataka inscriptions provide insight into their society and economy, mentioning terms like klipta(possibly a purchase or sale tax) and upaklipta(potentially minor taxes).
• According to D. C. Sircar, klipta might refer to a tax, while Maity suggests it could denote a royal right over land. Shrimali argues that the Vakataka inscriptions depict a nonmonetary, small-scale village economy with declining trade, an expansion of rural settlements, a reduction in urbanism, and an early onset of feudalism.

References to artisans, traders, and occupational groups are common in Vakataka inscriptions. For instance:

• The Indore plates of Pravarasena II mention a merchant named Chandra, who donated half a village to Brahmanas.
• The Chammak copper plates of Pravarasena II record the gifting of the village Charmanka, possibly a settlement of leather workers.
• The Thalner copper plates mention villages Kamsakaraka and Suvarnakara, likely associated with bronze workers and goldsmiths.
• Other inscriptions refer to villages connected with brickmaking, goldwork, salt manufacture, and ironworking.

Although Vakataka genealogies typically do not mention queens, inscriptions reveal the exercise of political power by queen Prabhavatigupta during the reigns of three consecutive Vakataka rulers. Some royal women, like Prabhavatigupta, took the initiative in gift-giving, as seen in various inscriptions.

The Vakataka king Pravarasena I is noted for performing several horse sacrifices and other rituals, such as the agnishtoma, brihaspatisava, and vajapeya, as recorded in inscriptions.