Vakataka dynasty
Also called: Vakatakas · Topic: Gupta Empire and the Classical Age · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 7 "The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity"; Class 9, Ch 5 "State and Society up to 1000 CE"; Class 12, Ch 2 "Kings, Farmers and Towns"; Class 12, Ch 3 "Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies"
Meaning
The Vakatakas were a ruling family that was powerful in the Deccan in c. 4th–5th century CE. They were the Guptas' southern neighbours and allies. The two families were tied by marriage: Prabhavati Gupta, daughter of Chandragupta II, married a Vakataka prince. The Vakatakas, together with Gupta support, also helped to create the later Ajanta caves in Maharashtra. Their history shows how marriage alliances worked as a tool of statecraft.
Example
After her husband died early, Prabhavati Gupta ruled the Vakataka kingdom as regent (ruling on behalf of her young sons). She called herself "mother of two kings". She granted the village of Danguna to a Brahmin as an agrahara, which was a tax-free grant that soldiers and police could not enter. She is also linked with Vishnu temples at Ramagiri (Ramtek), Maharashtra.
Don't confuse with
- Satavahanas: an earlier Deccan dynasty from before the Gupta age. The Vakatakas rose in the Deccan after them.