Complete biography of the King of Purika Vindhyashakti-I

According to the inscription in the Ajanta cave Vindhyashakti was the founder of the dynasty. He is described in the inscription as ‘Vakatakas-Vamsaketu’, who stands comparison with “Vishnu” and “Indra”.

He was succeeded by his son Pravarsena-I who was the founder of this dynasty. He extended his kingdom up to Narmada. His capital was at Purika. Perhaps, he was the same Pravira indicated in “Puranas”.

He performed all the seven “Vedic” sacrifices and as many as four “Asvamedha” sacrifices which prove that he made conquest in all directions

He was succeeded by his son Rudrasena-I who was the contemporary of Samudragupta and whose name is indicated in the “Allahabad Pillar Inscription”. After Rudrasena-I, his son and successors Prithivisens-I, Kuntala which justifies his name of Kuntalendra in the “Allahabad Pillar Inscription”.

The next ruler Rudrasena II, married the daughter of Chandragupta-D, Prabhavati. This matrimonial alliance resulted in the overthrow of the Saka rule from India. Narendrasena (450- 465 A.D.) adopted a very aggressive policy and made conquests both in the East and the North and subjugated Kosala, Mehala and Malava.

His successor and son Prithvisena-U transferred his capital to Padampura. With him, the earlier rule of Vakataka dynasty ended in (citra) 483 A.D.

The discovery, of the “Basim Copper Plate” inscription of Vindhyashakti 13 in 1939 reveals the existence of another line of the Vakataka which formed a separate kingdom with Vatsagulma as the capital in the Ashoka district. This branch is called the Vatsagulma or the junior branch of the Vakataka.

Sarvasena who took the title of “Dharmamaharaja” was the founder of this line. Vindhyashakti II, son of Sarvasena, succeeded the throne. About the Pravir sena II and Darasena nothing important is known.

During the reign of Darasen’s son Harisena, the Vakataka empire reached its climax and his territory extended from Malava in the North to Kuntala in the South, the Bay of Bengal in the East and the Arabian Sea in the West. He ruled up to the last quarter of the fifth century A.D.

Downfall Of The Vakatakas

The probable causes of the downfall of the Vakatakas were-the later Kings and their successors were quite incompetent to control the vast kingdom and to run the administration; the invasions of Rastrakutas and Nalas weakened and disintegrated the Vakataka kingdom.

Furthermore, the growth of the independent power under the leadership of Yashodharman in Malava wiped away “the Vakataka power.

Culture During The Vakatakas

The Vakatakas had glorious political history and played a significant role in the religious, literary and artistic life of the South India. The main characteristics of the culture during Vakatakas are given below:-

1. Political Characteristics

On the whole, the Vakatakas had glorious political history. They were so powerful that Samudragupta did not dare to interfere with their dominion. Chandragupta-II entered into matrimonial alliance with them by giving his daughter Prabhavati in marriage to Rudrasena- 13, so as to remain in peace with them.

Further, Chandragupta-D, get their active co-operation against the “Sakas” and “Asur” powers. In fact, the Bharaivas of the Naga clan and Vakatakas cannot be seem merely as bridgeheads to the imperial Guptas. It is only due to the uncommon glory of Samudragupta and his successor that their achievements are obscured.

2. Religious Characteristics

The Vakatakas were orthodox Hindus and like the “Sungas” and the “Kanvas” were “brahmanas”. Except, Rudrasen-II who was a worshipper of “Vishnu”, all were devotees of “Shiva”. They performed all the seven “Vedic rites” e.g. Pravarasena-I performed all the seven kinds of “Yajnas” and four “Asvamedha” sacrifices.

The Vakatakas kings lavishly donated lands to the “Brahmanas” and built up many “Shiva” temples. In this way, the main religion of the Vakataka Kingdom was “Brahmanism “. Although Vakatakas were staunch “Brahmanas” but tolerant of other beliefs.

The Buddhism and Jainism were continued to flourish in their dominion with liberal support of their ministers and feudal. The revival of the Sanskrit culture by them is seen not merely from the numerous “Asvamedha Yajnas” and Vedic rituals performed by the kings but also from the very orthodoxy which they claim for themselves.

3. Literature

Many of the Vakatakas kings were not only great patrons of learning and learned men but also authors of excellent “Prakrit Kavyas” and “Gatha”. For example- Sarvasena was the author of the “Prakrit Kavya” “Harivijaya” which is based cm the “Krishna-Satyabhama” and Parijata” episode in the “Mahabharata”.

During his reign Vatsagulma, the capital city became a great centre of learning and culture. Pravarasena-II also wrote many “Prakrit epics which included “Saptsati” and of the “Kavyas” which included “Setubandha”, “Setu Bandha” also called as “Ravanyaho” and was composed in “Maharshtri Prakrit”. It was praised a century later by Dandin, the author of “Kavydarsa”.

According to Bana (7th century A.D.) in his “Harshcharita”, because of this work, “the fame of Pravarasena crossed the ocean as the army of monkeys had before, by means of the bridge.” Perhaps Kalidasa lived for sometimes in the court of Pravarsena-II and also lovely lyric “Meghadoot” was written during his sojourn there. “Meghadoot” is regarded as a”Kavya of Vidabha.

4. Architecture, Sculpture and Painting

The architecture, sculpture and painting also flourished considerably under the patronization of the Vakatakas rulers.

The Vakatakas architecture and sculpture are to be seen in the “Vihara”, caves XVI. XVII and “Chaitya” cave XIX at Ajanta. The images of Ganga and yamuna in the Tigwa temple are the best specimens of Vakatakas sculpture.

In the “Vihara” cave XVI the big statue of Lord Buddha in the “Dharma Chakra pravartana mudra” is another bright germ of the Vakatakas art. Fergusson has descanted the “Vihara” caves XVI and XVII as the best specimens of Buddhist art in India.