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Origin of Vakataka Dynasty
Origin of Vakataka dynasty can be deduced from various ancient inscriptions. Vakatakas have been mentioned in the Puranas, Dasakumaracharita and in the charters of their feudatories.

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Ajanta Caves - Origin of Vakataka DynastyOrigin of Vakataka Dynasty reveals that they belonged to South India and their home was probably Vidarbha. Keeping this as the base they extended their arms towards north and west thereby bringing Madhya Pradesh under his control. In fact Vakatakas are classed as dynasties of The Deccan. The copper plates of Indore have mentioned the name of this dynasty. Vakatakas have highly influenced the civilization of Deccan. They are considered as one of the glorious dynasties of South India. Their empire had extended from Malwa and Gujarat to Tunghabhadra River in south form Arabian Sea in the west to Bay of Bengal in the east.

The imperial Guptas and the Vakatakas (from the middle of the third century to the last decade of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century) are the greatest beneficiaries of the modern epigraphic researches. However till the early years of the nineteenth century they were unknown. Their existence was revealed when the Siwani grant of Pravarasena II was discovered in Madhya Pradesh in 1836. Vindhyasakti, the founder of Vakataka dynasty has been mentioned in the Puranas. The founder of the dynasty has been described in an inscription as a dvija which means a Brahmana. The gotra of the family was Vishnuvrddha, a Brahmana gotra. Pravar Sena performed several sacrifices which were meant for the Brahmans. Therefore it can be considered that Vakatakas were not Yavanas but a Hindu dynasty of the Brahmana origin.

They did not start any era but dated their grants in noble years. Their age had to be inferred from the script of their inscriptions. It is believed that the Vakatakas were believed to have ruled in the seventh and eighth centuries.

The founder of the dynasty was Vindhya Shakti (250-270). This name has been derived from the name of the goddess Vindhya after whom the mountains were also named. In the Cave XVI inscription of Ajanta he was described as the banner of the Vakataka family and a Brahmin. According to this inscription he added to his power by fighting great battles. His name also occurs in the Indian Puranas. The Vakatakas like many other Deccan dynasties claimed Brahmanical origin.


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