The founder of the dynasty was one Vindhyasakti. The Ajanta cave inscription merely mentions him and does not refer to any royal titles. Pravarasena I (c. 300 to 330) performed a number of Vedic sacrifices including the Asvamedha and assumed the title of Samrat (Emperor).
In the puranas he is called Pravira, son of Vindhyasakti, the originator of the dynasty. He performed the Vajapeya sacrifice and made many liberal grants. By the time the reign of Pravarasena I came to an end, the Vakataka power had become nearly imperial.
The next ruler was Rudrasena I (c. 330-340); he was the grandson of his predecessor. According to the Puranas, this king gave up his title of Samrat and the kingdom itself ceased to count for much.
We do not know how this temporary eclipse in Vakataka history happened. But the next important ruler Prithvisena I (c. 340-390) rehabilitated the fortunes of this dynasty to a large extent. An inscription from Bundelkhand refers to Prithvisena and also indicates the wide extent of his dominions. From this inscription one learns that at least till then the Vakataka rulers were Saivites.