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Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
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Vakataka Dynasty
Dynasty
Level 2
c. 250 CE – c. 500 CE
Deccan dynasty allied to the Guptas by marriage; patrons of Ajanta.
- Capital
- Nandivardhana / Vatsagulma
- Region
- Deccan
- Duration
- 250 years
- Main period
- Gupta Empire & Regional Powers
Approximate extent.
At a glance
Move along the chart to read any year; click a ruler or event to open the map there.
Rulers
- Pravarasena I Samratc. 270 CE – c. 330 CE
- Prabhavatigupta (regent) Queen regentc. 390 CE – c. 410 CEDaughter of Chandragupta II.
- Harishena Kingc. 475 CE – c. 500 CEAjanta's later caves.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| c. 380 CE | Gupta-Vakataka marriage alliance Prabhavatigupta married Rudrasena II. Secured the Gupta southern flank for the war against the Sakas. |
Nandivardhana |
| c. 480 CE | Ajanta's later caves under Harishena | Ajanta |
Sites & monuments
Ajanta Caves
Religious monument · c. 200 BCE
Buddhist cave murals.
📚 Recommended reading on the Vakataka Dynasty
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
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An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
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India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Vakataka Dynasty for a significant part of its history. The bar shows when, within its own span.
Anuradhapura Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Overlap: 250 years
Kushan Empire ★
Northwest · c. 30 CE – c. 375 CE
Overlap: 125 years
Gupta Empire ★
Gangetic Plain · c. 240 CE – c. 550 CE
Overlap: 250 years
Pallava Dynasty ★
South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE
Overlap: 225 years
Early Pandyas (Sangam era)
South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE
Overlap: 50 years
Early Cholas (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Overlap: 50 years
Early Cheras (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Overlap: 50 years
Western Kshatrapas
West · c. 35 CE – c. 415 CE
Overlap: 165 years
Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri
Deccan · c. 225 CE – c. 340 CE
Overlap: 90 years
Kalabhra Interregnum
South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE
Overlap: 250 years
Kadamba Dynasty
South · c. 345 CE – c. 525 CE
Overlap: 155 years
Western Ganga Dynasty
South · c. 350 CE – c. 1000
Overlap: 150 years
Kamarupa
Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140
Overlap: 150 years
Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal
Himalaya · c. 400 CE – c. 750 CE
Overlap: 100 years
Alchon Huns (Hunas)
Northwest · c. 460 CE – c. 560 CE
Overlap: 40 years
Maitraka Dynasty
West · c. 475 CE – c. 776 CE
Overlap: 25 years