THE Ganga rule in the history of Karnataka was a significant period. The area they ruled has been called the Gangawadi or the Ganganadu. They ruled major part of Karnataka for a period of about six centuries. They were shifting their capital for security reasons. Kolar which was called Kolahala or Kuvalala was their first capital. Second was Talakadu (on the banks of river Cauvery) and the third capital was Makunda (near channapatna). However Talakadu was their main center of administration. Their emblem was amusk ‘elephant’. They had close relations with all the major royal house of south, namely, pallava, kadamba, chalukya, Rashtrakutas etc. Under the Ganga rule, Karnataka was economically prosperous. Many temples were build. Religious tolerance was the order of the day. Scholars enjoyed royal patronage, peace and security were established throughout the kingdom.
Origin of the Gangas
There are different options among the historians as for as the origin of the Gangas is concerned. They are as follows :
1. According to the 1122 B.C. inscription of Kalluragudda the Gangas were descendents of the Ikshvaku dynasty which was ruling Ayodhya. The queen Vijayamahadevi, wife of Bharatha of Ayodhya while taking bat in river Ganga gae birth to a son Gangadatha. The dynasty of Gangadatha who was born by the grace of Ganga river became the Gangas. Vishnugupta of that lineage was so valorous that Lord Indra was pleased by him and he gave him an elephat as a reward. The elephant thus was adopted in the emblem of Gangas. This is a legend and could not be accepted as an historical evidence. However, the story further runs up to the establishmeht of akingdom by Dadiga and Madhava. Indra was pleased with Padmanabha, another king of this lineage and gave him five emblems or ornamentals seals and cautioned him that if any of the king’s descendents took to unethical path the seals would be destroyed. The king Mahipala of Ujjaini wanted these emblems and brought pressure on Padmanabha. But he refused to give them up and a battle was waged. However, as a precaution he sent his two dsons Madhava and Dadiga to south (Ujjaini). These brothers who thus came to south met a jain ascetic by name Simhanadi and under his directions they established a small kingdom. It was called Gangavadi 96,000.
2. Lewis Rice considers the Gangas as belonging to the Kanva dynasty which came to power in Magadha after Mauryas. According to him the name Ganga must have come from the river Ganga only. But Kanvas were not strong enough to preotect their kingdom in north itself. And it is difficult to believe that such kings could come down to distant south and establish kingdom. Only two available records give evidence of their Kanva origin. But they belonged to a period later to Ganga and hence it is difficult to determine on such facts.
3. The inscriptions of a later period tell us that a Jain ascetic by name Simhanadi helped the brothers Dadiga and Madhava. It is doubtful whether this Simhanadi was a historical person at all. The first inscription that gives some details about him is the Kudlur inscription of Marasimha of 963 A.D. Though this was an inscription of the early Ganga period it has neither referred to the northern origin of the Gangas nor of the Jain ascetic even-once. Moreover the early Gangas were followers of vedic religion.
4. Arokyaswamy is of the opinion that Gangas belonged to the Kongalnadu of Salem district. This theory is formed on the basis of the Kongudesa Rajakal Chronicle. He also agrees with the legend of a northern origin but argues that the brother found their kingdom at a palce called Perur, about 3 ½ miles from Coimbatore. As Madhava’s coronation took place here, Arokyaswamy observes, it is better to think of Tamilnadu origin for the Gangas. But the same chronicle speks of Kaulalampur, which is found neither near Salem nor near Coimbatore. But it is actually situated in Kolar District. Moreover as the chronical belonged to 17th century it is not safe to have it as a basis of anything.
5. The latest theory abut the Gangas which gives them a local origin is as follows : The Gangas must have been the sons of the sail. They saw an opportunity to build a kingdom because of the fluid political situation of the times. It is doubtful that some body came all the way from Ayodhya and established a kingdom. Even if this was true, the brothers must have led an invasion. But this aspect has not been referred by any historical record or inscription. Unless the foreigner had a powerful army it was difficult for them to build a kingdom. So we can not ignore the opinion of Lewis Rice who thinks that the Gangas belonged to the local agricultural sect of Karnataka, the Gangadikaras. Dr. M. V. Krishna Rao holds the same idea that the Gangadikaras are pure kannadigas. There is no objection to think that Dhadiga and Madhava belong to this sect. Even the names of the brothers were those which were in use in Karnataka.
Now let us see how the name, Ganga originated. Ganga’s capital was Talakadu. As it is on the banks of river Cauvery it indicates the name of Ganga. Cauvery is often called Dakshini Ganga. Shivaite kings may also have chosen the name as Ganga as it is also supposed to be the consort of Shiva. The Ganga rule was the longest in the history of Karnataka. If they were not indigenous, their rule would also have been a short lived one, like that of Maurya, Nanda, Shathavahana, Chola and Pallava. Contrary to this the local Kadambas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas ruled for a long time. With this we can conclude that Gangas were the sons of the soil and all the theories and legends about them according to which the Gangas came from Ayodhyas, that they were the descendents of the Kanvas or that they were from Kongalnadu, and that they established an empire under the direction of the Jain ascetic Simhanandi etc., have been proved false. Fter 2nd century the Shathavahanas declined and many small principalities like Banas near Kolar, Pallavas in Tamilnadu and Gangas in Talakadu, rose to prominence.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
religion of kadamba kannadigas
Religion
Kadambas were followers of the vedic religion. Though Hinduism was popular religion, Jainism and Buddhism were also encouraged. In places like puligere and Hanagal, endowments and grants were given to the Jain temples and scholars. The land grants incriptions of kadambas testifies to this fact. Jaina asceties like poojyapada, Niravadya Pandit and others have been mentioned in the inscription.Kalamukhas, Gauravas, Kapalikas, Shaivbas and Vaishnavas had the royal patronage. Festivals like Chaitra and Divali were celebrated in temples. The expenses of these festivals were borne by people of all religions. Buddhism also found encouragement like other religions. The Chinese traveler Huien Tsang who visited Banavasi in 7th century A.D. has mentioned about Buddhisht stupas at Banavasi.
Art and Architecture.
The Kadamba kings were patrons of art. They patronized music, paintings and architecture. Their temples statues have been the evidence of the artistic excellence of those days. The 5th century A.D jain Basadi built by Mrugesha Varma is one of the oldest buildings of Karnataka. The shiva temple of Talagunda reflects the Kadamba style of architecture. The Kalleshwara temple of halasi, Jain basadis, the Madhukeshwara temple of Banavasi, Varaha Narasimha and others belong to Kadamba period. The gigantic Bairava statute at Goa, which is of the same period, is very beautiful and artistic. According to Dr. Moraes the Gopura’s which are elevated in the pyramidical order was a Kadamba innovation.
Kadambas were followers of the vedic religion. Though Hinduism was popular religion, Jainism and Buddhism were also encouraged. In places like puligere and Hanagal, endowments and grants were given to the Jain temples and scholars. The land grants incriptions of kadambas testifies to this fact. Jaina asceties like poojyapada, Niravadya Pandit and others have been mentioned in the inscription.Kalamukhas, Gauravas, Kapalikas, Shaivbas and Vaishnavas had the royal patronage. Festivals like Chaitra and Divali were celebrated in temples. The expenses of these festivals were borne by people of all religions. Buddhism also found encouragement like other religions. The Chinese traveler Huien Tsang who visited Banavasi in 7th century A.D. has mentioned about Buddhisht stupas at Banavasi.
Art and Architecture.
The Kadamba kings were patrons of art. They patronized music, paintings and architecture. Their temples statues have been the evidence of the artistic excellence of those days. The 5th century A.D jain Basadi built by Mrugesha Varma is one of the oldest buildings of Karnataka. The shiva temple of Talagunda reflects the Kadamba style of architecture. The Kalleshwara temple of halasi, Jain basadis, the Madhukeshwara temple of Banavasi, Varaha Narasimha and others belong to Kadamba period. The gigantic Bairava statute at Goa, which is of the same period, is very beautiful and artistic. According to Dr. Moraes the Gopura’s which are elevated in the pyramidical order was a Kadamba innovation.
The Chief Poets and their Works
Poets Works
ಶಾಂತಿನಾಥ Sukumara Charita
Nagavarma Charya - Chandra Chudamani
Chandra Raja - Madanatilaka
Kalidasa - Kunthaleshwara Dowthyam
In the beginning Prakrit was most popularly used and Kannada and Sanskrit were introduced into the official spheres later on. With the exceptipon of the edicts at Malavalli and Chandravalli, the other edicts are either in Sanskrit or Kannada. Mayuravarma’s edict at Chandravalli is in Prakrit. It tells us that he had accepted Prakrit as the official language, but Kannada was also on its way to replace Prakrit. The Halmidi edict (450 B.C.) is in Kannada and it is not a mere accident that it belongs to the time of the Kadambas. It throws light on the fact that the Kadambas were using Kannada sa offocial language. During the period between Halmidi edict (450 B.C.) and the beginning of the rule of the Kadamba dynasty (350 B.C.) every ruler upheld the cause of the spoken language of his subjects.
ಶಾಂತಿನಾಥ Sukumara Charita
Nagavarma Charya - Chandra Chudamani
Chandra Raja - Madanatilaka
Kalidasa - Kunthaleshwara Dowthyam
In the beginning Prakrit was most popularly used and Kannada and Sanskrit were introduced into the official spheres later on. With the exceptipon of the edicts at Malavalli and Chandravalli, the other edicts are either in Sanskrit or Kannada. Mayuravarma’s edict at Chandravalli is in Prakrit. It tells us that he had accepted Prakrit as the official language, but Kannada was also on its way to replace Prakrit. The Halmidi edict (450 B.C.) is in Kannada and it is not a mere accident that it belongs to the time of the Kadambas. It throws light on the fact that the Kadambas were using Kannada sa offocial language. During the period between Halmidi edict (450 B.C.) and the beginning of the rule of the Kadamba dynasty (350 B.C.) every ruler upheld the cause of the spoken language of his subjects.
administration
In about 200 years of rule, Kadambas have contributed much to the Indian culture. They were the followers of vedic religion. The administration was based on Hindu Dharma Shastras. The king was not dictator. The kings devoted much of their time towards the welfare of the subjects. The nobles and priests held influential positions in the court. The cabinet was constituted with the chief minister, commander of the forces and the chief priest A five member council of ministers called Manevargade, Tantrapala, Pradhana, Kramukha Pala and Sabha Karya Sachiva, was established. The Chief Minister and his council used to advice the king on administrative matters. In the inscription of Madhatu we came to know that the officials called Rahasyadhikruta’s were the private secretaries of the king. The army of Kadambas had the Chaturanga Bala.
provincial administration
For the convenienceof the administration, the kingdom was divided into provices and a noble man belonging to the royal family was the head of such provices. These provinces had other units of adminstration called Kampana. Land revenue was the main income of the state. The state looked after the maintenance of roads, irrigation tanks and other public works. Agriculture and commerce were encouraged. The land was fertile and peace was established
Social Conditions
Mostly people lived in villages Joint family system prevailed. The right of the property descended from father to son.However daughters became heirs when there was no male issue. People were interested in varieties of ornaments and cloths. There was no scope for intercaste marriages. Marriage was limited to his own gotra. The vVarnashrma and Sati were practiced. As an instance the Sati system performed by Ravivarma’s wife can be cited.
Economic Condition
Economic prosperity was there. Though agriculture was the main occupation there were rich traders and craftsmen too. Weaving, preparing of ornaments, and oil extraction were other important professions. Gold and silver coins of different varieties were in circulation. Hayavadana Rao thinks that the Kadambas were the first to mint the Padma Tanka coins. Though the Kadamba kingdom was a kingdom of villages, cities like Govaka Puri, Belgaum and Banavasi were developed, villages were administered by the Gowda (headman) and citiews by the Pattanaswamy (civil administrator).
Literature and Education
Temples and mutts were the chief educational centers. There was scope of people of all the classes to get education. Kadambas encouraged Kanndas and Sanskrit.Everybody had a chance to get the education he liked, free of cost. But it ws imparted only among higher class. Literature reched its height of glory. Shanthinatha’s Sukumara Charita, Nagavarma Charya’s Chandra Chudamani and Chandraraja’s madanatilaka were the chief works of this period.Prakrit was the administrative language and Sanskrit and Kannada gradually occupied the position Apart from the incriptio of Chandravalli and Malavalli, the rest are in either Kannada or Sanskrit. The temples, mutts, ghatakas, and agraharas were the chief centers of learning. All sections of society had opportunity to receive education. But only a few belonging to the upper class made use of it. Generally all could not have access to it. Kannada and Sanskrit were patronized during the time of Kadambas and literature had reached its zenith during their time.
provincial administration
For the convenienceof the administration, the kingdom was divided into provices and a noble man belonging to the royal family was the head of such provices. These provinces had other units of adminstration called Kampana. Land revenue was the main income of the state. The state looked after the maintenance of roads, irrigation tanks and other public works. Agriculture and commerce were encouraged. The land was fertile and peace was established
Social Conditions
Mostly people lived in villages Joint family system prevailed. The right of the property descended from father to son.However daughters became heirs when there was no male issue. People were interested in varieties of ornaments and cloths. There was no scope for intercaste marriages. Marriage was limited to his own gotra. The vVarnashrma and Sati were practiced. As an instance the Sati system performed by Ravivarma’s wife can be cited.
Economic Condition
Economic prosperity was there. Though agriculture was the main occupation there were rich traders and craftsmen too. Weaving, preparing of ornaments, and oil extraction were other important professions. Gold and silver coins of different varieties were in circulation. Hayavadana Rao thinks that the Kadambas were the first to mint the Padma Tanka coins. Though the Kadamba kingdom was a kingdom of villages, cities like Govaka Puri, Belgaum and Banavasi were developed, villages were administered by the Gowda (headman) and citiews by the Pattanaswamy (civil administrator).
Literature and Education
Temples and mutts were the chief educational centers. There was scope of people of all the classes to get education. Kadambas encouraged Kanndas and Sanskrit.Everybody had a chance to get the education he liked, free of cost. But it ws imparted only among higher class. Literature reched its height of glory. Shanthinatha’s Sukumara Charita, Nagavarma Charya’s Chandra Chudamani and Chandraraja’s madanatilaka were the chief works of this period.Prakrit was the administrative language and Sanskrit and Kannada gradually occupied the position Apart from the incriptio of Chandravalli and Malavalli, the rest are in either Kannada or Sanskrit. The temples, mutts, ghatakas, and agraharas were the chief centers of learning. All sections of society had opportunity to receive education. But only a few belonging to the upper class made use of it. Generally all could not have access to it. Kannada and Sanskrit were patronized during the time of Kadambas and literature had reached its zenith during their time.
Ravivarma
At the time of his father’s death Ravivarma was still a boy. So Mandhatavarma, son of Kumaravarma the king of Uchhangi branch, looked after the kingdom. It seems ambitious Mandhatavarma must have become too powerful for Ravivarma’s comfort. But Mandhatavarma died without an issue after a rule at only a few years. This helped Ravivarma to gain his right easily and he extended the frontiers of his kingdom to the banks of river Narmada. However, he was not an experienced administrator. Vishnuvarma, a king of another Kadamba branct at Triparvata tried to take advantage of this. He invaded Ravivarma’s kingdom with the help of Pallava king Chandadanda Shanthivarma. In the battle. Vishnuvarma was killed.
Ravivarma then conquered the Ganga king Avanitha also. Ravivarma’s valour has been prised in the Halasi inscription. He was a patron of saints and scholars. B. L. Rice is of the opinion that with his death his wife committed Sati. He was succeeded by Harivarma. He issued an inscription in the eigth year of his region and Panchamukhi thinks that it was inscribed in 526 A.D. This means he must have come to the throne some where in 518-519 A.D. In 530 A.D. krishnavarma II, son of Simhavarma of Uchhangi branch conquered Harivarma and occupied Banavasi. This ended the lineage of Shanthivarma and his brother Krishnavarma’s descendants who ruled the Kadamba kingdom with Banavasi as their capial.
But his reign did not last long. In the meanwhile the Chalukyas who had bwecome powerful, conquered the Kadambas Vishnuvarma II, Abhayavarma, Bhogivarma and others who followed were not able to get out of the subordination to the Chalukyas. In 10th century A.D. Kadamba branches were seen at Goa, Hangal and Chandavara, who were respectively called Kadambas of goa, hangal and Chandavara. They were actually principalities under Chalukyas of kalyani and they continued in the same status in Karnataka upto about 14th century.
Ravivarma then conquered the Ganga king Avanitha also. Ravivarma’s valour has been prised in the Halasi inscription. He was a patron of saints and scholars. B. L. Rice is of the opinion that with his death his wife committed Sati. He was succeeded by Harivarma. He issued an inscription in the eigth year of his region and Panchamukhi thinks that it was inscribed in 526 A.D. This means he must have come to the throne some where in 518-519 A.D. In 530 A.D. krishnavarma II, son of Simhavarma of Uchhangi branch conquered Harivarma and occupied Banavasi. This ended the lineage of Shanthivarma and his brother Krishnavarma’s descendants who ruled the Kadamba kingdom with Banavasi as their capial.
But his reign did not last long. In the meanwhile the Chalukyas who had bwecome powerful, conquered the Kadambas Vishnuvarma II, Abhayavarma, Bhogivarma and others who followed were not able to get out of the subordination to the Chalukyas. In 10th century A.D. Kadamba branches were seen at Goa, Hangal and Chandavara, who were respectively called Kadambas of goa, hangal and Chandavara. They were actually principalities under Chalukyas of kalyani and they continued in the same status in Karnataka upto about 14th century.
Mrugeshavarma
Mrugeshavarma son of Shanthivarma had other names like Sreevijaya. Sreemrugesha etc. Mrugesha has been praised in inscriptions for having protected his kingdom, for gaining riches and for being a terror to the protected his kingdom, for gaining riches and for being a terror to the Pallava menance. He had married the Kaikeya princes Prabhavati. He defeated the Ganga king Vishnugupta and pushed him out of Kolar.
The Gangas must have then changed their capital to Talakadu. Mrugesha then waged a war against the Pallava king Skandavarma, who was overwhelmed and he ran from Kanchi. Mrugesha had another capital halasi (Palasige). He built a Jain temple in his father’s memory and endowed it with many grants. He was a good administrator, generous, just and though of the welfare of his subjects. After his death his queen Prabhavati’s son Ravivarma came to the throne.
The Gangas must have then changed their capital to Talakadu. Mrugesha then waged a war against the Pallava king Skandavarma, who was overwhelmed and he ran from Kanchi. Mrugesha had another capital halasi (Palasige). He built a Jain temple in his father’s memory and endowed it with many grants. He was a good administrator, generous, just and though of the welfare of his subjects. After his death his queen Prabhavati’s son Ravivarma came to the throne.
Kakutsavarma
After Raghupathivarma, his brother Kakutsavarma ascended the throne. He, with the exception of Mayuravarma, was the best among all the Kadambas. His Talakunda inscription tells us that he was valorous, and also a poet. He had matrimonial relationship with Guptas. Gangas and the Alupas of west coast. Kumaragupta of the Guptas and Madhava II of the Gangas were his son-inlaw. While on a hunting trip in Sahyadris, he issued the inscription at Talakunda near Shimoga.
The inscription tells us, that he was devotee of Pranaveshwara and built a tank in the name of Pranaveshwara. As he became old Kakutsavarma abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son Shanthivarma and retired. He had two other younger sons, Kumaravarma and Krishnavarma. Krishnavarma was ruling Uchhangi and started supporting Pallavas against Mrugesha (Shanthivarma). By the premature death of his son Shanthivarma till his grand son Mrugesha attained the proper age, Kakutsavarma had to come out of retirement and took over the administration to his hands. At this state Kadambas were formed with two branches: one at Uchhangi and other at Banavasi. They were under the rule of Krishna and mrugesha respectively.
The inscription tells us, that he was devotee of Pranaveshwara and built a tank in the name of Pranaveshwara. As he became old Kakutsavarma abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son Shanthivarma and retired. He had two other younger sons, Kumaravarma and Krishnavarma. Krishnavarma was ruling Uchhangi and started supporting Pallavas against Mrugesha (Shanthivarma). By the premature death of his son Shanthivarma till his grand son Mrugesha attained the proper age, Kakutsavarma had to come out of retirement and took over the administration to his hands. At this state Kadambas were formed with two branches: one at Uchhangi and other at Banavasi. They were under the rule of Krishna and mrugesha respectively.
KANGAVARMA, BHAGIRATAVARMA AND RAGHUPATH\IVARMA
After Mayuravarma’s death his son kangavarma came to the throne. The extent of his region is not precisely known. During his time the Vakataka king of Central India invaded Kuntala and he ws defeated. This enchanced the fame of Kangavarma (Kongunivarma). Though he was not as mighty as that of Mayuravarma, he protected his kingdom and had the good wishes and loyalties of his subjects. He had acquired the title Dharma Maharajadhiraja. Dr. U. S. kamat is of the opinion that when his sonBhagirata succeeded him, the kingdom began to decline.
But Dr. m. V. Krishna Rao holds an opinion which is quite contrary to this Raghupativarma, succeeded his father Bhagiratavarma. He was a contemporary of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II, who had sent his court poet Kalidas to Raghupativarma’s court as an emissary. This indicates that the fame of Kadambas had spread to the North also.
Dr. B. Muddachari supports this claim. According to Dr. m. V. Krishna Rao this Kalidasa was not the famous play writer. He was a poet of the same name. He had written Kauntaleswara Dowtya. But it has not been found. Dr. U. S. Kamat is of the opinion that Kakutasavarma, brother and successor of Raghupativarma, had matrimonial relations with Guptas and Kalidasa visited his court about which he has written in his work Kauntaleswara Dowtya. The fact that Kalidasa visited Raghuvarma of Kkuntaleswara’s court is an evidence of the Kadamba fame. However who this Kalidasa was must be clarified.
But Dr. m. V. Krishna Rao holds an opinion which is quite contrary to this Raghupativarma, succeeded his father Bhagiratavarma. He was a contemporary of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II, who had sent his court poet Kalidas to Raghupativarma’s court as an emissary. This indicates that the fame of Kadambas had spread to the North also.
Dr. B. Muddachari supports this claim. According to Dr. m. V. Krishna Rao this Kalidasa was not the famous play writer. He was a poet of the same name. He had written Kauntaleswara Dowtya. But it has not been found. Dr. U. S. Kamat is of the opinion that Kakutasavarma, brother and successor of Raghupativarma, had matrimonial relations with Guptas and Kalidasa visited his court about which he has written in his work Kauntaleswara Dowtya. The fact that Kalidasa visited Raghuvarma of Kkuntaleswara’s court is an evidence of the Kadamba fame. However who this Kalidasa was must be clarified.
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