Founder : Indravarma (380 AD - 394 AD)
Capitals : Amrabad in Mahaboonagar
Indrapala, Bhuvanagiri in Nalgonda
Keesaragutta in Rangareddy
Eluru, Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh
Languages : Telugu, Sanskrit
Religion : Hinduism (Vaisnavism)
Ruled most of the Telangana region Rangareddy, Medak, Khammam, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, MahabubnagarCapitals : Amrabad in Mahaboonagar
Indrapala, Bhuvanagiri in Nalgonda
Keesaragutta in Rangareddy
Eluru, Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh
Languages : Telugu, Sanskrit
Religion : Hinduism (Vaisnavism)
Like many other dynasties that rose to imperial power during 4th to 8th Century AD, the origins of Vishnukundina Dynasty are also shrouded with mystery.
All the inscriptions were written in sanskrit. Tummallagudem inscriptions have become the chief sources to reconstruct the dynasty.
Adminstration
Rashtras and Vishayas were the provincial divisions for administrative convenience. Each one was headed by Viceroys chosen from the Royal family. Elephants, horses, Chariots, cavalry and infantry formed the major chunk of army. The Agrahara villages (villages set aside exclusively for the development of Brahmin caste) was exempted from tax levies. However, taxes and duties were levied heavily to meet the administrative expenses by the Rulers.
Education
Telugu and Sanskrit languages flourished during this period. The Rulers themselves authored certain book while other poets also flourished. A number of Vedic schools were established to impart Vedic education. Lands were also gifted to further the educational needs.
Religion
The Rulers of Vishnukundina Dynasty were ardent followers of Lord Shiva and hence took over the responsibility of constructing a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Undavalli caves, Caves at Vijayawada, Mogalirajapuram and Bhairavakonda are examples of cave temples constructed during the Rule of this Dynasty. Pallava Mahendra Varman-I also contributed significantly for the purpose.
Mahendra Varma also went to the extent of having inscriptions and art on the walls of these cave temples which are the source of information today to ascertain the time periods of these temples.
Rashtras and Vishayas were the provincial divisions for administrative convenience. Each one was headed by Viceroys chosen from the Royal family. Elephants, horses, Chariots, cavalry and infantry formed the major chunk of army. The Agrahara villages (villages set aside exclusively for the development of Brahmin caste) was exempted from tax levies. However, taxes and duties were levied heavily to meet the administrative expenses by the Rulers.
Education
Telugu and Sanskrit languages flourished during this period. The Rulers themselves authored certain book while other poets also flourished. A number of Vedic schools were established to impart Vedic education. Lands were also gifted to further the educational needs.
Religion
The Rulers of Vishnukundina Dynasty were ardent followers of Lord Shiva and hence took over the responsibility of constructing a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Undavalli caves, Caves at Vijayawada, Mogalirajapuram and Bhairavakonda are examples of cave temples constructed during the Rule of this Dynasty. Pallava Mahendra Varman-I also contributed significantly for the purpose.
Mahendra Varma also went to the extent of having inscriptions and art on the walls of these cave temples which are the source of information today to ascertain the time periods of these temples.
1. Tummalagudem Plates (Set I) of Govindavarman Year 37
2. Velpuru Pillar Inscription of Madhavavarman , Year 33
3. Ipur Plates (Set I) of Madhavavarman, Year 37
4. Khanapur Plates of the Time of Madhavavarman
5. Ipur Plates (Set II) of Madhavavarman Year 47
6. Ramatirtham Plates of Indravarman, Year 27
7. Chikkulla Plates of Vikramendravarman , Year 10
8. Tummalagudem Plates (Set II) of Vikramendravarman , Year 11, Saka 488
9. Kundulapalem Plates of Vikramendravarman , Year 14
10. Polamuru Plates (Sot I) of Madhavavarman
380 AD - 394 AD : Indravarma
Started his rule from Amrabad in current Nagarkurnool district and extended it to Bhuvanagiri, Ramannapeta in current Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district and Keesaragutta in current Medchal-Malkajgiri district.
394 AD - 419 AD : Madhavavarma I
Conducted thousands of rituals and sacrifices like Ashwamedha, Bahusuverna, Poundraka and vajapeya.
His kingdom was limited to combined Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts. At that time remaining areas of Telangana was under the rule of Vakatakas.
419 AD - 456 AD : Govindavarman I
456 AD : Tummalagudem Inscription issued by Govindavarman I in his 37th regnal year in the Telugu Month Vaisakha on Purnima (full moon) day.
He was the most famous of early rulers, married Parama Bhattarika, daughter of Mularaju who was the ruler of Gunapasapura and expanded his kingdom with the support of his father-in-law and declared independence from Vakatakas.
Indrapala copper plate charter informs us that the Vishnukundin ruler Govindavarman, son of Madhavavarman and grand son, of Indravarman gave away the village of Penkapara to the arya sangha of the four quarters at the monastery of his chief queen (agra-ma-hishi), Paramamahadevi, for the uninterrupted provision of lamps, incense, perfumes, flowers, flags, drinks and food, beds, seats, grass medicine and repair-work in his thirty seventh regnal year.
Issued First Inscription of Tummalagudem that he treated all castes and creeds in his kingdom equally and described himself as koustuba (jewel) of sriparvata region.
Govindavarma I was a follower of Budhism and also a great scholar in Buddhist texts and other sciences. Built Govinda Vihara on the banks of river Musi at Hyderabad (Chaitanyapuri).
456 AD - 504 AD : Madhavavarma II
Wife : Vakataka Princess Mahadevi
Ruled at least 48 years
The reign of Madhavavarma was a golden age in the history of the Vishnukundins. It was during this period, the small Vishnukundin dynasty rose to imperial heights.
Year not mentioned. Ruling areas of Prithvishena II, Vakataka king. Vakataka Mahadevi, was given in marriage to Madhava Varma II
The inscription refers itself to the reign of Mahārāja Mādhavavarman who performed several śrauta sacrifices such as Puṇḍarīka, Bahusuvarṇa and eleven others which are not specified.4 He is said to have assumed the title of Sārvabhauma (Emperor) and resembled the sun in splendor and Indra himself in prosperity. He is eulogized as the mainstay (sētu) of the religious duties of the four varṇas and the four āśramas. The plates register the grant, by this Mādhavavarman, of the village Rēṭṭuraka together with three tīrthas or fording places,
489 AD : He occupied Kalinga and invaded the Pallavas of Kanchipuram in his 33rd regnal year. He wrote 'Janasraya' he had an epithet- 'Trivara Nagara Bhavnagata Sundari Hridaya Nandana' ( The one who brought happiness to the beautiful maidens living in the buildings of the city of Trivara)
493 AD : Ipur plates (first set) of the 37th year of Maharaja Madhavavarman who was the son of Govindavarman.
This alliance gave them great power and made it easy for them to extend their influence to the east coast and vanquishing the petty chieftains lingering on in that area. Madhav Varma II led his arms against Ananda Gotrikas who were ruling over Guntur, Tenali and Ongole, probably enjoying subordinate position under the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
Madhav Varma II next turned his attention against the Vengi kingdom which was under the Salankayanas. The Vengi region was annexed. The Godavari tract became part of the Vishnukundin territory. After these conquests the capital might have been shifted to Bezwada (Vijayawada), a more central location than Amarapura. These extensive conquests entitle him to the title of the lord of Dakshinapatha (southern country). After these various conquests Madhav Varma performed many Asvamedha, Rajasuya and other Vedic sacrifices. The Most Notable Military Achievement of Madhava Varma II was his Victory over the Powerful Vakataka Emperor Prithvishena II
Madhava Varma has 3 sons Devavarma, Vikramendra Varma I and Manchana Bhattaraka Varma.
508 AD - 528 AD : Vikramendra Varman I
528 AD - 555 AD : Indra Bhattarakavarma or Indravarman II
555 AD - 569 AD : Vikramendra Varman II
504 AD : Polamuru plates of the 48th year of Maharaja Madhavavarman who was the son of Govindavarman and grandson of vikramahendra on a full moon day in the month of Phalguna when Lunar eclipse occurred.
This alliance gave them great power and made it easy for them to extend their influence to the east coast and vanquishing the petty chieftains lingering on in that area. Madhav Varma II led his arms against Ananda Gotrikas who were ruling over Guntur, Tenali and Ongole, probably enjoying subordinate position under the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
Madhav Varma II next turned his attention against the Vengi kingdom which was under the Salankayanas. The Vengi region was annexed. The Godavari tract became part of the Vishnukundin territory. After these conquests the capital might have been shifted to Bezwada (Vijayawada), a more central location than Amarapura. These extensive conquests entitle him to the title of the lord of Dakshinapatha (southern country). After these various conquests Madhav Varma performed many Asvamedha, Rajasuya and other Vedic sacrifices. The Most Notable Military Achievement of Madhava Varma II was his Victory over the Powerful Vakataka Emperor Prithvishena II
Madhava Varma has 3 sons Devavarma, Vikramendra Varma I and Manchana Bhattaraka Varma.
504 AD - 508 AD - Devavarma
Devavarma ruled for a short period of time, died fighting with Simhavarman III of Pallava Dynasty during the rule of Vishnugopa II (c.500 - 525 A.D)
508 AD : Madhava Varma III
son of Devavarma
508 AD - 528 AD : Vikramendra Varman I
Son of Vakataka queen Mahadevi and Madhava Varma II
Worshipper of Budha and son of Vakataka Princess. As the Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch has no heir, Vikramendra has become the ruler of whole of Vakataka kingdom.
528 AD - 555 AD : Indra Bhattarakavarma or Indravarman II
Ruled at least 27 years
Ramatirtham plates of the 27th year of Rajan Indravarman son of Rajan Vikramendra and grandson of Madhavavarman. Son of Vikramendra Varma I and succeed in suppressing the dominance of Madhava Varma III. The first king to form and conduct Ghatikas (parishads) in the field of education and a devote follower of veridic religion and was called as a great Brahmin. He formed a new type of army wing with the powerful elephants defeated all the sub-ordinate rulers like pridhvimula and others who declared independence during his fathers reign with the backing of Indravarma of Ganga Dynasty. Wiped off the Mathara, vasishta, Ramakasyapa and pitrubhakta dynasties. Later he also defeated Madhava Varma III from trikuta and other regions.
But, Indra Bhattarakavarma was defeated by Ishana Varma (550 to 574 AD), the Moukhari ruler. He gave his daughter to Sarva Varma, son of Ishnavarma in marriage and made a peace agreement with them.
But, Indra Bhattarakavarma was defeated by Ishana Varma (550 to 574 AD), the Moukhari ruler. He gave his daughter to Sarva Varma, son of Ishnavarma in marriage and made a peace agreement with them.
555 AD - 569 AD : Vikramendra Varman II
Vikramendravarman II is said to have adopted a certain Madhavaraja as his son.
Queen Paramabhattaikamahadevi descended from the royal family known as Prithvimula, caused to be erected a monastery known after her own name Paramabhattaikamahavihara at Indrapura to display, as it were the wealth of Sri-Govindaraja. 566 AD : Copper plates from Tummalagudem (set II) current — reign of Vikramendravarman II, year 11, 488 śaka, approximately in 566-67 CE.
After defeating the Pallava king Simha, Vikramendravarman II happened to come to Sakrapura (Indrapura) . This event took place on the 8th tithi of the dark half of the month of kartika in the saka year 488 (566 A.D)
On the basis of the Indrapalanagara grant dated in the 11th regnal year corresponding to Saka 488, Vikramendra-varma II may be said to have ascended the throne in Saka 477 i.e., 555 A.D. His Tundi grant gives his latest regnal year as fourteen. So his reign period may be placed between 555 A.D.
and 569 A.D.
and 569 A.D.
Chikkula plates of the 10th year of Maharaja Vikramendravarman II son of Maharaja Indrabhattarakvarman grand son of Vikramendaravraman I and great grandson of Maharaja Madhavavarman
571 AD - 611 AD : Madhavavarma IV
Vishnukundina Empire expanded under its able ruler Janssraya Madhav Varma IV. He consolidated his position in Vengi. An incomplete work on Sanskrit poetics called Janasraya Chando Vichiti was attributed to Madhav Varma IV, who bore the title of 'Janasraya'. Generally, Sanskrit (not Telugu) enjoyed royal patronage under the Vishnukundins. Madhav Varma IV had to face the Chalukyan assault in his last years of rule.
611 AD : Polamaru Grant by Madhavarman is dated in his 40th year. The day on which the grant was made was Phalguni Purnima on which lunar eclipse occurred.The total lunar eclipse of 611AD Aug 29 is preceded two weeks earlier by a partial solar eclipse on 0611 Aug 13, and it is followed two weeks later by a partial solar eclipse on 0611 Sep 12.
Issued Second Tummalagudem inscription in the 11th regnal year, Telugu month Kartika, in the second fortnight. He had a title Bhuvana Raksha Bharanaikasraya and fought battles with challenge royal families and palavas.
569 AD : While he was fighting a battle with the Pallavas, Pridhvi Maharaja of Ranadurjaya dynasty (563 AD - 611 AD ) Prithvi Maharaja declare independence. Vikramendra invaded pisthapur (Pithapuram) and died in the battle.
569 AD : While he was fighting a battle with the Pallavas, Pridhvi Maharaja of Ranadurjaya dynasty (563 AD - 611 AD ) Prithvi Maharaja declare independence. Vikramendra invaded pisthapur (Pithapuram) and died in the battle.
569 AD - 571 AD : Govindavarma II
571 AD - 611 AD : Madhavavarma IV
Vishnukundina Empire expanded under its able ruler Janssraya Madhav Varma IV. He consolidated his position in Vengi. An incomplete work on Sanskrit poetics called Janasraya Chando Vichiti was attributed to Madhav Varma IV, who bore the title of 'Janasraya'. Generally, Sanskrit (not Telugu) enjoyed royal patronage under the Vishnukundins. Madhav Varma IV had to face the Chalukyan assault in his last years of rule.
The grant of Jayasiṃha I who began to rule from 633 A.D., records that in his fifth year (638) he granted the village of Puloṃbūra in the Guddavāḍi viṣaya to Rudraśarman son of Śivaśarman and grandson of Dāmaśarman. In Mādhavavarman’s grant it is Śivaśarman son of Dāmaśarman that gets the same village. So it is clear that the Polamūru grant of Mādhavavarman is separated from the grant of Jayasiṃha by at least one generation.
Feudatories
References
jstor.org
History of Andhras by Durag Prasad
611 A.D : It is likely that the Chalukya Pulikesin II (610– 642 AD) defeated Madhava Varma IV as per the Kopparam plates of Pulikesin II issued on 21st October 611 AD
https://www.jstor.org/stable/44525679
Feudatories
Prithivimula
References
jstor.org
History of Andhras by Durag Prasad
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