Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundina Empire was one of the Middle kingdoms of India, controlling the Deccan, Orissa and parts of South India during the 5th and 6th centuries, carving land out from the Vakataka Empire. It played an important role in the history of the Deccan during the 5th and 6th centuries CE.

The founder of the Vishnukundin dynasty was Vikramendra I. Its original capital Vinhukonda in the Krishna district seems to have derived its name from the dynastic name. Vikramendra’s son and successor Govindavarman I took the imperial title maharaja.

The real founder of Vishnukundin power, however, was Govindavarman I’s son and successor Madhavavarman I alias Janashraya. He was married to a Vakataka princess.He performed eleven ashvamedhas, a thousand agnishtomas and several other Vedic sacrifices such as bahusuvarna, ~ pundarika, purushamedha, vajapeya, rajasuya, prajapatya and hiranyagarbha.

He seems to have extended his Sovereignty over a vast area including western Maharashtra and Karnataka as well. He also invaded south Kosala and the kingdom of the eastern Gangas. He, however, suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of the Maukhari king Ishanavarman.

After ruling for about 50 years, i.e. from AD 475 to 525, his kingdom was divided by his grandsons. Consequently the Kalachuris and the Rashtrakutas annexed two of them. The third one ruled by Indravarman survived. Indravarman ruled from AD 525 to 555. Govindavarman II was the last important Vishnukundin ruler who was defeated and deposed by Pulkeshin II. The Vishnukundins wereparamamaheshvara and their family deity was Shriparvatasvamin.

Early and important rulers of vishnukundins

Indravarma

founder of dynasty
Built Indrapura or indrapalanagaram.

Madhava varma

Tittle – Avasista vividadivya
He performed many devine tests

Govinda varma I

Issued Tummelagudem inscription
Gives information about govinda varma I.
According to the inscription govinda varma I wife Parama Bhattaraka Mahadevi built Govindaraja vihara at Indrapuram or indrapalanagaram. Govinda varma I donated penapaka village. Tummelagudem name changed to indrapalanagaram.

Madhava varma II

Greatest in this dynasty
He changed capital from amarapuram to denduluru.
He performed – 11 Ashwamedha’s, 1 Hiranya Garbha and 1000 other rituals
In Andhra highest numer of yagas was performed by Madhava varma II
He conqured devarashtram by defeating vasistas
He conquered pitapuram
According to Kanpur inscription he defeated vakatakas king Prithvi sena and married princess of vakaktakas
According to Velpuru pillar inscription (guntur) Madhava varma II built Dhantamukha swamy temple at velpuru
Titles of Madhava varma II are Devadi deva, Parama Brahmana, Paramesti

Vikramenda varma I

He gave donations to Asanappura vihara

Vikramenda varma II

Pulakesin II defeated Vikramenda varma II, conqured vishnukundin kingdom in 616 AD – known from Marturu inscription of pulakesin II

Administration of vishnukundins

For administrative convenience, the empire was divided into a number of Rashtras and Vishayas. Inscriptions refer to Palki Rashtra, Karma rashtra, Guddadi Vishaya, etc. Madhav Varma III appointed members of the royal family as Viceroys for various areas of the kingdom. 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.

Art and architecture under vishnukundins

The Vishnukundin contribution to art especially architecture has hardly won the recognition it deserves at the hands of the scholars who devoted themselves to the afetudy of Indian art and architecture. She Vishnukundins inherited the artistic traditions of both the Ikshvakus whom they succeeded and the Vakatakas with whom they came into contact# enriched them by their own contribution and transmitted it to posterity.

There is a group of interesting Brahmanical cave temples in and around Vijayawada, situated on the northern bank of the river Krishna in Andhra Rradesh. There are two caves in Vijayawada# five in Hogalrajapuram and five more in the village of Undavalli, situated three Kins, away on the opposite bank of the river. There is a long lozenge shaped hill at western end of Vijayawada near the barrage recently constructed. There are two sets of caves in the western slope of this hill. Of these, pne is excavated at the foot of a projection of the hill and the other is 90 metres higher up and reached by a flight of steps.

The village of Mogalarajapuram is now almost a part of the growing town of Vijayawada. There are several hills and these hills contain five caves which are of great architectural value.

This cave is the nearest to the town of Vijayawada and excavated in the eastern face of a hill and faces the east. It is 6.50 metres broad and 2.45 mts. High.

It consists of two rock walls in the north and south with open space between them. These walls do not have any koataa or niches. Beyond this open space there is a mantana of three rows of two pillars each with corresponding pilasters in the northern and southern walls. It has a plain adhiatana below. The back wall of the mantana has a projecting part containing an entrance in the centre with a kosta on each side.,

The Vishnukundins were a dynasty that ruled parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in India from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE. They were a branch of the Pallava Dynasty, and their capital was at Vijayawada. The Vishnukundins were patrons of art and literature, and they built many temples and other monuments. They were eventually overthrown by the Chalukyas in the 6th century CE.

History of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundins were a branch of the Pallava dynasty, and they were originally feudatories of the Pallavas. However, they eventually broke away from the Pallavas and established their own kingdom in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Vishnukundins reached the height of their power under the reign of Madhava Varman I (575-600 CE). Madhava Varman I was a powerful and successful ruler, and he expanded the Vishnukundin kingdom to include much of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He also built many temples and other monuments, and he patronized art and literature.

Art and architecture of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundins were patrons of art and literature, and they built many temples and other monuments. The Vishnukundin temples are characterized by their use of Dravidian architecture, and they often feature intricate carvings and sculptures. The Vishnukundins also built many Buddhist and Jain temples, and they were tolerant of all religions.

Religion and culture of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundins were Hindus, and they followed the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism. The Vishnukundins also worshipped the goddess Durga, and they built many temples dedicated to her. The Vishnukundins were a tolerant people, and they allowed people of all religions to live in their kingdom.

economy of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundin economy was based on agriculture, and the Vishnukundins were skilled farmers. The Vishnukundins also traded with other parts of India, and they imported goods such as gold, silver, and spices. The Vishnukundins were a wealthy people, and they built many palaces and temples.

Society of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundin society was divided into four varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The Brahmins were the highest caste, and they were the priests and scholars of the Vishnukundin kingdom. The Kshatriyas were the warriors of the Vishnukundin kingdom, and they were responsible for protecting the kingdom from its enemies. The Vaishyas were the merchants and traders of the Vishnukundin kingdom, and they were responsible for the economy of the kingdom. The Shudras were the laborers of the Vishnukundin kingdom, and they were responsible for the day-to-day running of the kingdom.

Government of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundins were a Monarchy, and the king was the head of the government. The king was assisted by a council of ministers, and the ministers were responsible for the day-to-day running of the kingdom. The Vishnukundins also had a Bureaucracy, and the bureaucracy was responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order.

Military of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundin military was strong, and they were able to defend their kingdom from their enemies. The Vishnukundin army was made up of infantry, cavalry, and elephants. The Vishnukundins were also skilled in the use of firearms, and they were able to defeat their enemies in battle.

Decline and fall of the Vishnukundins

The Vishnukundins were eventually overthrown by the Chalukyas in the 6th century CE. The Chalukyas were a powerful dynasty from Karnataka, and they were able to defeat the Vishnukundins in battle. The Vishnukundins were eventually absorbed into the Chalukyan empire, and their kingdom came to an end.

The Vishnukundins were a powerful and influential dynasty that ruled parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in India from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE. They were patrons of art and literature, and they built many temples and other monuments. They were eventually overthrown by the Chalukyas in the 6th century CE, but their legacy continues to this day.

The Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire was an ancient Indian empire that existed from 321 to 185 BCE. It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who united much of the Indian subcontinent under his rule. The Mauryan Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history. It was also a time of great cultural and Economic Development.

The Gupta Empire

The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire that existed from 320 to 550 CE. It was a golden age of Indian history, known for its achievements in art, literature, science, and technology. The Gupta Empire was founded by Chandragupta I, who was succeeded by his son Samudragupta. Samudragupta was a powerful ruler who expanded the empire to include much of northern India. The Gupta Empire reached its peak under the reign of Chandragupta II, who is also known as Vikramaditya. Chandragupta II was a patron of the arts and sciences, and his reign was a time of great cultural and intellectual development.

The Chola Empire

The Chola Empire was a Tamil empire that ruled over southern India from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history. The Chola Empire was founded by Vijayalaya Chola, who conquered the Pallava kingdom in the 9th century CE. The Chola Empire reached its peak under the reign of Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I. Rajaraja Chola I was a powerful ruler who expanded the empire to include much of southern India and Sri Lanka. Rajendra Chola I was also a successful naval commander who led expeditions to Southeast Asia.

The Vijayanagara Empire

The Vijayanagara Empire was a Hindu empire that ruled over southern India from the 14th to the 16th centuries CE. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history. The Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, who were brothers who rebelled against the Hoysala kingdom. The Vijayanagara Empire reached its peak under the reign of Krishnadevaraya. Krishnadevaraya was a powerful ruler who expanded the empire to include much of southern India. He was also a patron of the arts and sciences, and his reign was a time of great cultural and intellectual development.

The Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire was a Muslim empire that ruled over much of northern India from the 16th to the 18th centuries CE. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history. The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, who was a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan. Babur conquered much of northern India, and his grandson Akbar the Great expanded the empire to include much of the Indian subcontinent. Akbar the Great was a tolerant ruler who allowed Hindus to practice their religion freely. He was also a patron of the arts and sciences, and his reign was a time of great cultural and intellectual development.

The British Raj

The British Raj was the period of British rule in India from 1858 to 1947. It was the longest period of foreign rule in Indian history. The British Raj began with the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. The rebellion was a major uprising against British rule, and it led to the British government taking direct control of India from the East India Company. The British Raj was a time of great change for India. The British introduced many new technologies and institutions to India, and they also helped to modernize the Indian economy. However, the British Raj was also a time of great hardship for many Indians. The British exploited India’s Resources and labor, and they often treated Indians with contempt. The British Raj came to an end in 1947, when India gained independence.

The Republic of India

The Republic of India is a federal republic in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion people. India is a diverse country with a rich history and culture. It is a member of the United Nations, the G20, and the BRICS.

The Vishnukundins were a dynasty that ruled over the Deccan region of India from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE.
The Vishnukundins were a branch of the Andhra dynasty.
The Vishnukundin capital was at Vijayawada.
The Vishnukundins were patrons of art and literature.
The Vishnukundins were defeated by the Chalukyas in the 6th century CE.
Which of the following is not true about the Vishnukundins?
(A) They were a dynasty that ruled over the Deccan region of India from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE.
(B) They were a branch of the Andhra dynasty.
(C) Their capital was at Vijayawada.
(D) They were patrons of art and literature.
(E) They were defeated by the Chalukyas in the 6th century CE.
The Vishnukundins were a branch of which dynasty?
(A) The Pallavas
(B) The Chalukyas
(C) The Guptas
(D) The Andhras
(E) The Mauryas
The Vishnukundin capital was at which city?
(A) Vijayawada
(B) Amaravati
(C) Nagarjunakonda
(D) Hampi
(E) Kanchipuram
The Vishnukundins were patrons of which of the following?
(A) Art
(B) Literature
(C) Architecture
(D) All of the above
(E) None of the above
The Vishnukundins were defeated by which dynasty?
(A) The Pallavas
(B) The Chalukyas
(C) The Guptas
(D) The Andhras
(E) The Mauryas