The Vakatakas
Summary
'The Vakatakas' by S. S. Purohit examines the origin, genealogy and historical significance of the Vakataka dynasty, which dominated large parts of the Deccan between the third and fifth centuries. The article reviews competing hypotheses about the dynasty’s homeland. Sir R. G. Bhandarkar and H. C. Raychaudhuri suggested a northern origin in Vidisha, while Dr. Altekar and V. V. Mirashi argued that the Vakatakas hailed from the south of the Vindhyas. Purohit summarises the evidence: an inscription from Amaravati mentions a Vakataka pilgrim, implying a southern connection; Vakataka copperplate grants and Prakrit inscriptions exhibit similarities to Pallava charters, supporting a southern homeland; and the dynasty’s early rulers call themselves Haritīputras, a title also used by Satavahanas and Kadambas. Literary sources like the Harivijaya refer to Vakataka capitals Purika and Chanakī, which Purohit identifies with sites in modern Maharashtra. The article reconstructs the Vakataka genealogy, starting with Vindhyasakti and his son Pravarasena I, who expanded the kingdom and claimed imperial status. Subsequent rulers like Rudrasena I, Prithivishena and Narendrasena consolidated the realm and allied with the Guptas through marriage; notably, Chandragupta II married a Vakataka princess. Purohit discusses debates over Vakataka coinage, noting that some scholars believe the Vakatakas issued their own coins, while others maintain they used Gupta currency. He also assesses literary contributions, highlighting that Pravarasena II is credited with the Prakrit poem Setubandha and that the dynasty patronised Ajanta cave art. The article concludes that the Vakatakas emerged in the Deccan rather than the north and that their alliance with the Guptas facilitated cultural exchanges. Their decline was hastened by succession disputes and the rise of the Kalachuris and Nalas. Through careful examination of epigraphic and literary evidence, Purohit presents a coherent narrative of this important but often understudied dynasty.
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Conclusion
Purohit’s survey situates the Vakatakas as a Deccan dynasty whose political and cultural achievements bridged northern and southern India. He argues that the dynasty originated south of the Vindhyas, with Vindhyasakti and Pravarasena I laying its foundations. Through alliances and patronage, the Vakatakas contributed to the flowering of art and literature in central India. Their eventual eclipse illustrates the fragility of early Indian polities, but their legacy endures in the Ajanta caves and literary works like Setubandha. The article underscores the need to integrate epigraphy, numismatics and literature to reconstruct regional histories.