Vakataka, Ikshvaku and Kadambas
🟦 Vakataka Dynasty – The Deccan Connect of the Guptas
After the fall of the Satavahanas, one of their major successors in the Deccan was the Vakataka dynasty. They played a dual role: politically significant in central India and culturally influential in the southern regions.
🟩 Political Highlights
- Founder: Vindhyashakti, a Brahmin, in the 3rd century CE.
- Territorial Spread: From Gujarat in the north to the Tungabhadra River in the south.
- Time Period: Dominated the Deccan during the 3rd to 5th centuries CE, overlapping with the Gupta era in north India.
🟩 Alliance with the Guptas – A Dynastic Marriage
- Prabhavati Gupta, daughter of Chandragupta II, married Rudrasena II of the Vakatakas.
- After Rudrasena’s death, Prabhavati ruled as regent for 20 years, with strong support from her father. This strengthened Gupta-Vakataka ties and helped spread Gupta influence in the Deccan.
🟩 Religious and Cultural Contribution
- The Vakatakas, being Brahmanas, were devout followers of Brahmanical religion.
- They conducted many Vedic sacrifices and supported land grants to Brahmanas (evident from copper-plate inscriptions).
- Cultural Significance: Although their political influence remained northern-centric, culturally they acted as a bridge, spreading Brahmanical traditions to the southern parts of India.
- Ajanta Caves – This artistic marvel was patronized by the Vakatakas, indicating their deep interest in art and architecture.
🟦 Ikshvakus – The Bridge Between Satavahanas and Southern Dynasties
🟩 Origin and Rule
- Founded by: Vasishtiputra Chamtamula, a former feudatory of the Satavahanas.
- Region: Krishna-Guntur region, ruling from the early 3rd to early 4th century CE.
- Adopted the name Ikshvaku (from Suryavamsha, or the Solar Line) to associate themselves with the mythical King Ikshvaku, the ancestor of Lord Rama—a powerful move to claim Kshatriya legitimacy.
🟩 Administrative and Cultural Policies
- Initiated land grants, especially to Brahmanas, as seen in numerous copper-plate inscriptions.
- Built the impressive city of Vijayapuri (modern Nagarjunakonda) in Andhra Pradesh, which became their capital.
- Dual Patronage:
- Kings: Followed Shaivism and Vedic rituals.
- Royal women: Strongly supported Buddhism, offering donations to Buddhist Sanghas.
- Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati: Emerged as major Buddhist centres under their rule.
- Nagarjunakonda also saw the construction of early Brahmanical brick temples, showing religious coexistence.
🟦 Nagarjuna – The Philosopher Who Shaped Mahayana Thought
- A prominent Mahayana Buddhist philosopher of the 2nd century CE, associated with the Ikshvaku dynasty.
- Founder of the Madhyamaka school (Middle Path philosophy).
- His major contribution: The doctrine of Shunyata (Emptiness).
- Nothing has independent, inherent existence, not even Buddha or Nirvana.
- Key Works:
- Mulamadhyamakakarika (Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way)
- Contributions to Prajnaparamita Sutras (Perfection of Wisdom).
🧭 Recent Discovery: In Phanigiri (Telangana), a pot of 3,730 lead coins from the Ikshvaku period was discovered. One side had an elephant, the other the Ujjain symbol—highlighting trade and symbolism.
🧾 Fun Fact: Modern author Amish Tripathi named his book “Scion of Ikshvaku”, drawing inspiration from this lineage.
🟦 The Kadambas – Early Rulers of Karnataka
🟩 Rise and Establishment
- Founder: Mayurasharman, a Brahmin, in the 4th century CE.
- Territory: Ruled over northern Karnataka and Konkan, with capital at Banavasi (present-day Uttara Kannada district).
🟩 Significance
- Asserted themselves as Brahmanas turned rulers, and actively rewarded Brahmanical communities.
- The Chalukyas of Badami, a later powerful dynasty, originally started as feudatories under the Kadambas before declaring independence in the 6th century CE.