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The Vishnukundina dynasty ruled over the eastern Deccan in South India comprising of the area covered by modern day Andhra Pradesh and Kalinga (Orissa). It played an important role in the history of the Deccan during the 5th and 6th centuries C.E.). They are believed to be one of the ancestors of the Raju community. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Deccan Plateau is a vast plateau in India, encompassing most of Central and Southern India. ... The geographical south of India includes all Indian territory below the 20th parallel. ... Andhra redirects here. ... Kalinga in 265 B.C. Kalinga was an ancient Indo-Aryan kingdom of central-eastern India, in the province of Orissa. ... , Orissa   (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... Raju is the title used by members of the Hindu Kshatriya Caste in Andhra Pradesh, India. ...

By 514 C.E., the Vakataka empire was reduced to areas of present day Telangana area. The area north of the Godavari, (Kalinga), became independent. The area south of the Krishna River fell to the Pallavas. Events Pope Symmachus (498-514) succeeded by Pope Hormisdas Rebellion in the Byzantine Empire, led by Vitalius Births Deaths Aelle of Sussex, king of Sussex, Bretwalda (approximate date) Categories: 514 ... The Vakataka was an Indian dynasty. ... Location of Telangana region Telangana region marked in white. ... Godavari river map The Godavari River, adjacent to the town of Kovvur This article is about Godavari River in India. ... Kalinga in 265 B.C. Kalinga was an ancient Indo-Aryan kingdom of central-eastern India, in the province of Orissa. ... Krishna in Vijayawada in 2007 The River Krishna (meaning dark (feminine) in Sanskrit, also called the Krishnaveni, is one of the longest rivers of India (about 1300 km in length). ... The Pallavas were hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. ...

The Vishnukundin reign came to an end with the conquest of the eastern Deccan by the Chalukya, Pulakesi II. Pulakesei appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as Viceroy to rule over the conquered lands. Vishnuvardhana eventually started the Eastern Chalukya dynasty. The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of... PULAKESI II (C.610-642 A.D.): Pulakesi II ascended the throne in C.610 A. D., and he has been rightly regarded as the ablest monarch in the Chalukyan line. ... Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624 – 641 C.E.) was the brother of Chalukya Pulakesi II. Vishnuvardhana ruled the Vengi territories in the eastern Andhra Pradesh as the viceroy under Pulakesi II from around 615 CE. Eventually Vishnuvardhana declared his independence and started the Eastern Chalukya dynasty (c. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ...

Origin of Vishnukundins

Vishnukundina is a Sanskritized name for Vinukonda. Several attempts have been made by scholars to find out the origins of this dynasty, but no definite conclusions have been reached as yet. It is generally believed that the Vishnukundins were an Andhra clan and they hailed from Vinukonda in the Guntur district and were of the Bharadwaja gotra.^[1] The early rulers of the dynasty migrated to the west in search of employment and under the Vakatakas they might have attained feudatory status under the Satavahanas. They had Indrapalanagara in the Nalgonda district as their capital. Sanskrit ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... This article is about a city in India. ... Bharadwaja (भरद्वाज) was one of the great sages (rishis) whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. ... Approximate extent of the Satavahana Empire, circa 150 CE. The Sātavāhanas, also known as the Andhras, were a dynasty which ruled in Southern and Central India starting from around 230 BCE. Although there is some controversy about when the dynasty came to an end, the most liberal estimates... , Nalgonda   is a town and a municipality in Nalgonda district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ...

During the reign of Madhava Varma, the great, they became independent and conquered coastal Andhra from the Salankayanas and might have shifted their capital to a place in the coastal Andhra.

Chronology

The Vishnukundin reign may be fixed between the end of the Salankayana and the rise of the Eastern Chalukyan power in 624 AD. Salankayanas and Vishnukundina were two of the many dynasties that succeeded the Ikshvaku around 300-440 AD. Both Salankayana and Vishnukundina were vassals under Pallava kings who ruled from southern Telugu and northern Tamil lands. ...

Indra Varma

Main article: Indra Varma

According to the Indra Pala Nagara plates, Indra Varma is considered to be the first ruler of the Vishnukundin dynasty. He might have carved out a small principality for himself probably as a subordinate of the Vakatakas sometime about the last quarter of the fourth century C.E. Not much information is known about the next two kings, Madhav Varma I and his son Govinda Varma. They might have kept intact the inheritance or extended their sway to some extent. The Vakataka was an Indian dynasty. ...

Madhavarma II

By the middle of the 5th century A.D., the dynasty began its imperial expansion under its most efficient ruler Madhav Varma II. The reign of Madhav Varma (461-508 C.E.) for nearly half a century was a golden age in the history of the Vishnukundins. It was during this period, the small Vishnukundin dynasty rose to imperial heights. A princess of the then powerful ruling family of the Deccan the Vakatakas was given in marriage to Madhav Varma's son, Vikramendra Varma. The Vakataka was an Indian dynasty. ...

This alliance with the great power made easy the task of extending the Vishnukundin 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. Ananda Gotrikas, also referred to as Anandas ruled coastal Andhra with Kapotapuram as the capital from 335-425 AD. The Telegu form of Kapotapuram is Pittalapuram. ... This article is about a city in India. ... , Tenali (తెనాలి) also called as Andhra Paris is a town and a mandal in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, South India. ... , Ongole, is a town and a municipality in Prakasam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. ... The Pallavas were hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. ... , Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a city and a municipality in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ...

After occupying these areas from the Anandas, Madhav Varma II made Amarapura (modern Amaravati) his capital. Keeping in view the constant threat from the Pallavas, he created an out-post to check their activities and appointed his son, Deva Varma and after his death the grandson Madhav Varma III as its Viceroy. Amaravati may refer to: Amaravati (capital), in Hinduism, (అమరావతి) is the capital of Svarga, a temporary paradise where the dead live. ... A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. ...

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. // Vengi dynasties Vengi kingdom extended from River Godavari in the north to Mount MahendraGiri in the southeast and to just below the southern banks of River Krishna in the south. ... Salankayanas and Vishnukundina were two of the many dynasties that succeeded the Ikshvaku around 300-440 AD. Both Salankayana and Vishnukundina were vassals under Pallava kings who ruled from southern Telugu and northern Tamil lands. ... The Godavari River is a major waterway in India, next to the Ganges and Indus rivers. ... , Vijayawada ( ) (విజయవాడ) literally translates to The Place of Victory. It is also known as Bezawada. ... Ancient Buddhist and Brahmanical texts reveal that expression Dakshinpatha, in general was used as a name both for the southern high road as also for the region lying south of Majjhimdesa or Mid India. ... The Ashvamedha, or the horse-sacrifice is one of the most important royal rituals of Vedic religion (1st millennium BC, the last recorded performance dates to the 4th century AD), described in detail in the Yajurveda (books 22–25) and the pertaining commentaries. ... Rajasuya was a sacrifice performed by the ancient kings of India. ... This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Dharmic religions for details of contemporary religious practices. ...

Successors of Madhav Varma II

The fortunes of the Vishnukundins were at a low ebb during the reign of next ruler Vikramendra Varma I (508–528 C.E.). The next two and half decades also experienced the constant strife and dynastic struggles during the reign of Indra Bhattaraka Varma (528–555 C.E.). Though Indra Bhattaraka could not withstand the hostile Kalinga subordinate, Indra Varma and lost his life in battle. The Vishnukundins lost their Kalinga possessions north of the Godavari. Births Deaths Gerren I Llyngesog ab Erbin, King of Dumnonia. ... Events February 13 - Justinian appoints a commission (including the jurist Tribonian) to codify all imperial laws that were still in force from Hadrian to the current date. ... Events February 13 - Justinian appoints a commission (including the jurist Tribonian) to codify all imperial laws that were still in force from Hadrian to the current date. ... For other uses, see number 555. ...

Vikramendra Varma II

With the accession of Vikramendra Varma II (555–569 C.E), the fortunes of the Vishnukundin family were restored. To have an immediate access to the Kalinga region, he shifted his capital from Bezwada to Lenduluru (modem Denduluru in the West Godavari district). He repulsed the attack of the Pallava ruler Simhavarman. He was successful enough to restore the fortunes of the Vishnukundins in the Kalinga region. His son Govinda Varma II enjoyed a comparatively short period of rule (569–573 C.E.). For other uses, see number 555. ... Events The Nubian kingdom of Alodia is converted to Christianity, according to John of Ephesus. ... Denduluru is a village and a mandal in West Godavari district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. ... Map showing West Godavari district West Godavari (పశ్చిమ గోదావరి) is a district in Andhra Pradesh in India. ... The Pallava kingdom (Tamil: பல்லவர்) was an ancient South Indian kingdom. ... Events The Nubian kingdom of Alodia is converted to Christianity, according to John of Ephesus. ... Events Pope Gregory I is ordained monk. ...

Govinda Varma II

The Vishnukundin empire set about again to imperial expansion and cultural prosperity under its able ruler Janssraya Madhav Varma IV (573-621 A.D.). This prudent king spent his early years of rule in consolidating his position in Vengi. The later part of his reign is marked by wars and annexations. In his 37th regnal year, he suppressed the revolt of his subordinate chief the Durjaya Prithvi Maharaja in Guddadivishya (modern Ramachandrapuram in the East Godavari district). Ramachandrapuram is a census town in Medak district and another town named Ramachandrapuram located in the east Godavari District, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Madhav Varma IV had to face the Chalukyan onslaught in his last years of rule. By about 616 C.E., Pulakesin II and his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana conquered Vengi from the Vishnukundins and the Pithspuram area from their subordinate Durjayas. In 621 C.E. in his 48th regnal year, Madhava crossed the Godavari probably to oust the Chalukyas from his territories. However he lost his life on the battlefield. His son Manchana Bhattaraka also might have been expelled by the Chalukyas. Thus the Vishnukundin rule was brought to a close by 624 A.D. The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of... Events Eadbald succeeds Ethelbert as king of Kent. ... Pulakesi II (c. ... Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624 – 641 C.E.) was the brother of Chalukya Pulakesi II. Vishnuvardhana ruled the Vengi territories in the eastern Andhra Pradesh as the viceroy under Pulakesi II from around 615 CE. Eventually Vishnuvardhana declared his independence and started the Eastern Chalukya dynasty (c. ... Events By Place Byzantine Empire Byzantine Emperor Heraclius invades Persia Europe Suinthila succeeds Sisebut as king of the Visigoths. ...

Vishnukundin country

They had three important cities, near Eluru, Amaravathi and Puranisangam. There is an inscription in an old Buddhist monastery in southeast Hyderabad suburbs near Dislsukhnagar mentioning Govindavarma. Keesara, Northeast of Hyderabad could have Vishnukundin connections as well. A fort traditionally connected to Rajus is Kalidindi in Krishna district, which was under the Vishnukundina sway for a long time. , Eluru is a munucipal corporation in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. ... In Hinduism, Amaravati is the capital of Svarga, a temporary paradise where the dead live. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... Hyderabad or Haydarābād (Telugu: హైదరాబాదు Urdu: حیدر آباد ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Raju is the title used by members of the Hindu Kshatriya Caste in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... , Krishna District is a district of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ...

Use of Telugu

During Visnukundina rule, the Telugu language began to make historical developments. Until then all the royal inscriptions used either Prakrit or Sanskrit. This was in spite of the fact there was a well-developed local language in Telugu. “Telugu” redirects here. ... Prakrit (also spelt Pracrit) (Sanskrit: , original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual, i. ... Sanskrit ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... “Telugu” redirects here. ...

The possible migration of the Chola kings following the invasion of the Tamil country by Kalabhras towards the north seem to have began the process of the growth of the Telugu language. The Telugu Chola kings had eventually gained prominence and filled the vacuum left by the end of Pallava rule in the Andhra region. They ruled from Renadu, which corresponds roughly to the modern day Kadapa, Eastern Chittoor, Southern Nellore and surrounding areas. The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... Kalabhras were the South Indian dynasty who between the 3rd and the 6th century C.E. ruled over entire Tamil country, displacing the ancient Chola, Pandya and Chera dynasties. ... Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. ... , Kadapa (à°•à°¡à°ª), formerly Cuddapah, is a city in Andhra Pradesh, India, the headquarters of Kadapa District. ... , For the district information, see Chittoor district. ... For the district with the same name, see Nellore district. ...

They broke with the prevailing fashion and introduced the tradition of writing Royal Proclamations in the local language. The earliest available inscription containing Telugu sentences comes from these Chola kings and is dated from 573–576 C.E. During the next fifty years, Telugu inscriptions appeared in the neighbouring Anantapur and all the surrounding regions. Events Pope Gregory I is ordained monk. ... Events Births Deaths Categories: 576 ... , Anantapuram   (Anantapuram in vernacular) is a city (population: 466,359) and a municipal corporation in Anantapur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. ...

Their act of patronizing Telugu over Sanskrit had caught on and other kings in the Telugu land had begun to follow their lead. The first available Telugu inscription in the coastal Andhra Pradesh comes from about 633 C.E. Around the same time, the Eastern Chalukya kings of Telangana also started using Telugu for inscriptions. Andhra redirects here. ... Events Oswald of Bernicia becomes Bretwalda. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ... Location of Telangana region Telangana region marked in white. ...

Administration

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For administrative convenience, the empire was divided into a number of Rashtras and Vishayas. Inscriptions refer to: Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Prose is writing distinguished from poetry by its greater variety of rhythm and its closer resemblance to everyday speech. ...

• Palki Rashtra
• Karma rashtra
• Guddadi Vishaya etc.

Madhav Varma III appointed members of the royal family as Viceroys for various areas of the kingdom. A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. ...

The king was the highest court of appeal in the administrator of Justice. The Vishnukundin rulers established various kinds of punishments for various crimes. They were known for their impartial judgment and high sense of justice.

Their army consisted of traditional fourfold divisions:

• Elephants
• Chariots
• Cavalry
• Infantry

• Hastikosa (Officer-in charge of elephant forces)
• Virakosa (officer-in-charge of land forces)

were referred in records. These officers issued even grants on behalf of the kings. There might have been well-organised administrative machinery for collection of land revenue.

Agrahara villages enjoyed tax exemptions. Sixteen types of coins of the Vishnukundin rulers have been found by archealogists.

Religion

All the records of the Vishnukundins throw a flood of light on the religious conditions of the period. Buddhism was a considerable force to be reckoned with during the Vishnukundin period. The kings prior to the Madhav Varma II seem to be patrons of Buddhism. Govinda Varma I was hailed as the Buddhist and builder of stupas and Viharas. His wife Parama Bhattari Kama Devi also patronised Buddhism and built a monastery. Vikramendra Varma II, although a Hindu, made liberal grants to the same Mahadevi's Buddhist vihara. A statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Tawang Gompa, India. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ...

However from the time of accession of Madhav Varma II, an aggressive self-assertion of the Vedic Brahmanism occurred. Elaborate Vedic ceremonies like Rajasuya, Purushamedha, Sarvamedha and Aswamedha were undertaken. The celebration of all these sacrifices represents the militant spirit of the brahmanical revival. Some of the rulers referred to themselves as 'Parama Mahesvaras'. The inscriptions refer to their family deity Sri Parvata Swami. Brahmanism, also Brahminism, is the name given to Hinduism by some authors in the 19th century CE.[1] The term is considered derogatory by many Hindus. ... Rajasuya was a sacrifice performed by the ancient kings of India. ... Purushamedha (lit. ... The Ashvamedha ( horse sacrifice) is one of the most important royal rituals of Vedic religion (1st millennium BC, the last recorded performance dates to the 4th century AD), described in detail in the Yajurveda (TS 7. ...

The names of rulers like Madhav Varma and Govinda Varma show their Vaishnavite leanings. Thus both the Hindu sects of Saivism and Vaishnavism might have received equal patronage from them. Rock-cut cave temples were constructed at Bezwada, Vimdavalli and Bhairava Konda which were dedicated to both the sects. Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Shaivism, also Saivism, is a branch of Hinduism that worships Siva as the Supreme God. ... Vaishnavism is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism, and is distinguished from other schools by its primary worship of Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme God. ...

Literature

The Vishnukundins were also great patrons of learning. They established colleges for vedic learning. Learned Brahmins were encouraged by gifts of lands and colleges were established for the propagation of Vedic studies. Indra Bhattaraka established many schools for imparting education on Vedic literature. Performance of several elaborate Vedic ceremonies by Madhav Varma is evidence of the faith of the rulers in Brahmanism and popularity of Vedic learning with the people during this period. The term Brahmin denotes both a member of the priestly class in the Hindu varna system, and a member of the highest caste in the caste system of Hindu society. ... This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Dharmic religions for details of contemporary religious practices. ... Brahmanism, also Brahminism, is the name given to Hinduism by some authors in the 19th century CE.[1] The term is considered derogatory by many Hindus. ...

Some of the Vishnukundin kings were credited with authorship of several books. Vikramendra Varma I was described as Mahakavi – great poet in a record. Further, an incomplete work on Sanskrit poetics called 'Janasraya Chando Vichiti', was attributed to Madhav Varma IV who bore the title of 'Janasraya'.

Sanskrit enjoyed royal patronage. Telugu had not yet grown to the stature of receiving royal patronage.

Art and Architecture

Being great devotees of Siva, the Vishnukundins seem to have been responsible for construction of a number of cave temples dedicated to Siva, The cave structures at Bezwada (Vijayawada), Mogalrajapuram, Undavalli caves and Bhairavakonds were dated to this period. Though some of these cave temples were attributed to the Pallavas Mahendra Varman I, the emblems found on the caves and the areas being under the rule of the Vishnukundins during this period clearly show that these were contributions of the Vishnukundins. The big four-storeyed cave at Undavalli and the 8 cave temples in Bhairavakonda in Nellore district show however clear resemblances with the architecture of Pallava Mahendra Varman's period. This article is about the Hindu God. ... , Vijayawada ( ) (విజయవాడ) literally translates to The Place of Victory. It is also known as Bezawada. ... The Undavalli Caves, and example of Indian rock cut architecture are located in the village of Undavalli in Guntur District, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. ... The Pallavas were hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. ... For the city, see Nellore. ...

References

• Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D., P. G. PUBLISHERS, GUNTUR (1988)
• South Indian Inscriptions [2]
• Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).