Vakataka Dynasty

Dynasty Level 2

c. 250 CE – c. 500 CE

Deccan dynasty allied to the Guptas by marriage; patrons of Ajanta.

🗺 See on map in 375 CE

Capital: Nandivardhana / Vatsagulma
Region: Deccan
Duration: 250 years
Main period: Gupta Empire & Regional Powers

Approximate extent.

Rulers

Pravarasena I Samrat
c. 270 CE – c. 330 CE
Prabhavatigupta (regent) Queen regent
Daughter of Chandragupta II.
c. 390 CE – c. 410 CE
Harishena King
Ajanta's later caves.
c. 475 CE – c. 500 CE

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

Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)

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The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.

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Textbook

Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)

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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)

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The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.

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Textbook

India's Ancient Past

R. S. Sharma · Oxford University Press

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.

Anuradhapura Kingdom ★

Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017

Kushan Empire ★

Northwest · c. 30 CE – c. 375 CE

Gupta Empire ★

Gangetic Plain · c. 240 CE – c. 550 CE

Pallava Dynasty ★

South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE

Early Pandyas (Sangam era)

South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE

Early Cholas (Sangam era)

South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE

Early Cheras (Sangam era)

South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE

Western Kshatrapas

West · c. 35 CE – c. 415 CE

Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri

Deccan · c. 225 CE – c. 340 CE

Kalabhra Interregnum

South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE

Kadamba Dynasty

South · c. 345 CE – c. 525 CE

Western Ganga Dynasty

South · c. 350 CE – c. 1000

Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140

Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal

Himalaya · c. 400 CE – c. 750 CE

Alchon Huns (Hunas)

Northwest · c. 460 CE – c. 560 CE

Maitraka Dynasty

West · c. 475 CE – c. 776 CE