KADAMBAS OF BANAVASI

THE KADAMBAS OF BANAVASI

Introduction

The Kadambas of Banavasi (345-540 CE) occupies a foundational place in Karnataka’s history as the first indigenous ruling dynasty to emerge in the region. Before the Kadambas, the ruling powers controlling Karnataka—the Mauryas, Satavahanas, and Chutus—were external forces with their centers of power located outside the region. The Kadambas marked a watershed moment by establishing native rule and using Kannada, the language of the soil, at an administrative level for the first time.​

The dynasty ruled from their capital Banavasi (also known as Vanavasa, Vanavasaka, or Vanavasi), located in present-day Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. At their zenith under King Kakusthavarma, the Kadambas controlled large parts of modern Karnataka, portions of Goa, and extended their influence across the Deccan region.​

Foundation and Origin

Mayurasharma – The Founder

The Kadamba dynasty was founded by Mayurasharma (also known as Mayuravarma), who ruled from 345-365 CE. A Brahmin scholar belonging to the Manavya gotra and a native of Talagunda in modern Shimoga district, Mayurasharma’s transformation from a scholar to a warrior-king is one of the most dramatic episodes in South Indian history.​​

The Legend of Foundation:

According to the famous Talagunda pillar inscription (dated 455-470 CE), Mayurasharma traveled to Pallavendrapuri (Kanchi), the Pallava capital, along with his teacher Virasharma to complete his Vedic studies. During a horse sacrifice (ashvamedha) ceremony organized for the Pallava king, a quarrel erupted when Brahmins were not treated with proper respect by the Kshatriyas. Enraged by this insult from a Pallava official, Mayurasharma abandoned his hereditary priestly vocation and embraced the Kshatriya (warrior) way of life.​​

Taking up the sword, he took refuge in Shriparvata and from there harassed the Pallava frontier, levied tribute from neighboring chieftains including Brihat Bana, and launched successful military campaigns. The Pallavas eventually acknowledged him as the ruler of the territory between Apararnava (the Western Ocean) and Prehara. Thus, Mayurasharma established the Banavasi-mandala, one of the oldest administrative provinces in India.​

The family acquired the name “Kadamba” from a Kadamba tree that stood near their ancestral home. The Kadambas also find mention in Tamil Sangam literature as totemic worshippers of the Kadamba tree and the Hindu god Subramanya.​

Major Rulers and Expansion

Early Rulers

After Mayurasharma, the dynasty was ruled by his son Kangavarma, described in inscriptions as “famous in battle”. Kangavarma was followed by his son Bhagiratha, who was the father of Raghu, noted as both a poet and scholar. Raghu’s brother was Kakusthavarma, who became one of the dynasty’s most celebrated rulers.​

Kakusthavarma (c. 425-450 CE) – The Golden Age

Kakusthavarma is regarded as the most powerful and accomplished ruler of the Kadamba dynasty, and his reign represents the Golden Age of the Kadambas. His achievements transformed the Kadambas from a regional power into a kingdom of imperial proportions.​​

Political Achievements:

• Successfully defeated and subdued the Pallavas, Cholas, and Gangas, establishing Kadamba supremacy across the region​

• Removed obstacles to imperial expansion through both military conquest and diplomatic alliances​

• Established matrimonial alliances with the Imperial Gupta dynasty of northern India, which gave a clear indication of the sovereign and prestigious nature of the Kadamba kingdom​

• Also forged matrimonial relationships with the Ganga dynasty and Vakatakas, strengthening the kingdom’s position through strategic alliances​

• The Talagunda inscription notes that he “was like the sun and by means of rays (daughters) caused the lotuses of Gupta and other royal families to bloom in friendliness, eagerness and love”​

Administrative Contributions:

• Came to Sthanakunduru (Talagunda) on a hunting expedition and near the temple of Mahadeva, which had been worshipped by the Satavahanas (Shatakarnis), caused a large tank to be excavated​

• Appointed his son Krishna as viceroy of the Triparvata region, establishing a pattern of princes governing distant provinces​​

• Implemented a well-organized revenue system and strengthened military structure​

• Worked tirelessly for the all-round development of the Kadamba empire​

The Halmidi inscription (c. 450 CE), the oldest known Kannada-language inscription in the Kadamba script, dates to Kakusthavarma’s period and demonstrates the administrative use of Kannada during his reign.​

Ravivarma (c. 485-519 CE) – The Last Great Conqueror

Ravivarma, son of Mrigeshavarma, was the last Kadamba ruler to significantly expand the kingdom. His long and eventful reign is well-documented through inscriptions spanning from his fifth to thirty-fifth regnal years.​

Military Campaigns:

• Extended the kingdom’s frontiers as far north as the Narmada River and south to the Kaveri River near Talakad​

• Successfully defeated the Pallava king Chandadanda (also called Santivarman of the Pallavas)​

• Conquered the Ganga king Avanitha​

• Credited with victory against the Vakatakas, likely incorporating their territory into the Kadamba domain after 500 CE​

• According to the Gudnapur inscription, successfully dealt with lesser rulers including the Punnatas, Alupas, Kongalvas, and the Pandyas of Uchangi​

• Killed King Vishnuvarma of the Triparvata branch (a rival Kadamba branch) who had invaded with Pallava support, thereby reunifying Kadamba territories​

Administrative Actions:

• Left his brothers Bhanuvarma and Shivaratha to govern from Halasi and Uchangi respectively​​

• Made land grants to the Mahadeva temple on the request of Nilakantha, his royal physician, as mentioned in Sirsi grant records​

• His valor is praised in the Halasi inscription​

• Was a patron of saints and scholars​

A Mahadeva temple constructed during his reign finds mention in a Greek writing of the period.​

Administrative System

The Kadamba rulers adopted the title “Dharmamaharaja” like the Satavahana lords, emphasizing their role as righteous great kings.​

Central Administration:

The kingdom had a well-developed bureaucratic structure with various cabinet positions and officials identified from inscriptions:​

• Pradhana (Prime Minister)

• Manevergade (Steward)

• Tantrapala or Sabhakarya Sachiva (Secretary of Assembly)

• Vidyavriddhas (Wise Elders/Counselors)

• Deshamatya (Minister)

• Rahasyadhikritha (Private Secretary)

• Sarvakaryakarta (Chief Secretary)

• Dharmadhyaksha (Chief Justice)

• Bhojaka and Ayukta (Various Officials)

Provincial Administration:

• A crown prince from the royal family often assisted the king in administration at the capital and sometimes governed far-off provinces​

• This system provided future security and administrative experience for heirs while keeping control within trusted family members​

• The kingdom was divided into Mandalas (regions/provinces) or Desha​

• Under a Mandala were Vishayas (districts) – nine Vishayas have been identified​

• Under a Vishaya were Mahagramas (equivalent to Taluk) and Dashagramas (equivalent to Hobli)​

• Mahagramas had larger administrative significance in the hierarchy​

• Local officials called Vishayapatis governed with considerable autonomy​

Military Organization:

The Kadamba military was structured with officers holding specific ranks:​​

• Senapathi (Commander-in-Chief)

• Dandanayaka (Military Commander)

• Jagadala (Military Officer)

The army was organized based on the “Chaturangabala” strategy, comprising four divisions: cavalry, infantry, elephants, and chariots. The Kadambas built a strong military tradition with:​​

• Well-trained cavalry and disciplined infantry​

• A centralized army under direct royal control, unlike other dynasties that relied on feudal lords​

• Network of strong hill forts for strategic defense​

• Warriors deeply rooted in the Kshatriya ethos who upheld fierce traditions of valor​

• Use of guerrilla warfare tactics to gain tactical advantage​

The Gavundas formed the elite landowner class who served as intermediaries between the king and farmers, collecting taxes, maintaining revenue records, and providing military support to the royal family.​

Economy and Trade

The economic prosperity of the Kadamba Empire was deeply rooted in their strategic geographic location and diverse economic activities.​

Agriculture and Land Revenue

Agriculture formed the backbone of the empire’s economy. The fertile lands of the western Deccan facilitated cultivation of:​​

• Rice (staple crop)

• Pulses

• Spices

• Sugarcane​

Land revenue was a significant source of government income and the main source of state finances. The state collected systematic taxes from agricultural production, which sustained the administrative and military apparatus.​

Trade and Commerce

The Kadambas were heavily involved in both inland and maritime trade:​

Maritime Trade:

• The western coast location provided access to extensive sea trade routes​

• Ports such as Gopakapattana (modern-day Goa) and Bharuch served as vital trading hubs​

• Trade connections extended to the Roman Empire, Arab world, and Southeast Asia​

• The acquisition of Goa under Kakusthavarma provided crucial access to maritime trade routes, significantly bolstering economic strength​

Commercial Activities:

• The Kadambas established trade centers and controlled strategic routes along the western coast​

• The mercantile community enjoyed high repute and actively engaged in commercial activities​

• Trade revenues augmented the kingdom’s wealth and enabled cultural exchange​

Coinage and Monetary System

The Kadambas issued their own coinage, which played a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce:​

• Coins were typically made of copper​

• Bore various symbols and inscriptions in Nagari, Kannada, and Grantha scripts​

• Common subjects on coins included the presence of the chakra (wheel)​

• Kannada characters were inscribed in the space between the spokes of the chakra​

• Numismatic evidence provides additional insights into Kadamba history​

Religion and Society

Religious Patronage

Though Brahmanical in their origin, the Kadambas demonstrated remarkable religious tolerance and patronized multiple faiths.​

Hinduism:

• The epigraphs of the Banavasi kingdom typically began with invocations to Shiva or Vishnu, indicating their Vaishnavite and Shaivite inclinations​

• Built numerous Hindu temples dedicated to Mahadeva (Shiva) and other deities​

• Supported Vedic rituals and maintained the tradition of agraharas (centers of Vedic learning)​

• The Talagunda inscription opens with praise to Sthanu (Shiva), emphasizing the deity’s importance​

Jainism:

• The Kadambas “paved the way for rejuvenation of not only the Vedic religion but also of that of the Shramanas” (Jains)​

• Some Kadamba rulers were possibly Jains themselves, and many inscriptions reflect Jain influence​

• In his very first year of rule, Kakusthavarma made a land grant to Senapati Srutakirti, a Jain, as a reward for saving him​

• The copper plate recording this grant begins with “Salutations to Bhagavan Jinendra” and ends with “Salutations to Rishabha”​

• The gifted field was in a village belonging to the holy Arhats, stated to be “the Saviours of the three worlds”​

• The earliest dated Jain structure is a basadi at Halasi built under the Kadamba dynasty, laying the foundation for Jain architecture in Karnataka​

• King Shivakoti, a later descendant, adopted Jainism, tiring of endless battles and bloodshed​

• Jainism eventually became a popular religion in the Kadamba Empire​

Social Structure

• Society was organized along Varna-based lines​

• Brahmins held high social status as scholars, priests, and administrators​

• Women had property rights and access to education, indicating relatively progressive social norms​

• The mercantile community enjoyed high repute and played important economic roles​

Art, Architecture, and Cultural Contributions

Kadamba Architecture

The Kadambas made significant early contributions to Karnataka’s architectural heritage and are considered the originators of Karnataka architecture.​

The Kadamba Shikara:

The most distinctive feature of Kadamba architecture is the Kadamba Shikara (tower/dome):​

• Pyramid-shaped structure that rises in steps without any decoration​

• Topped with a stupika or kalasha (pinnacle)​

• Symbolizes the sacred mountain Meru​

• Occasionally featured perforated screen windows​

• This style was used several centuries later, influencing the Doddagaddavalli Hoysala Temple and the Mahakuta temples in Hampi​

Temple Architecture:

• Temples typically featured square sanctums with stepped pyramidal towers​

• Made extensive use of locally sourced materials like stone and brick, demonstrating resourcefulness​

• Temples were adorned with intricate sculptures depicting mythological stories and scenes from daily life​

• The vimana (shrine) was usually square in plan with pyramidal towers constituting a series of horizontal step stages​

• Stages were decorated with uniform series of quadrangular vertical projections​

Major Temples:

1. Madhukeshwara Temple, Banavasi – Built by the Kadambas and dedicated to Lord Shiva, featuring an intricately carved stone cot. Originally constructed by the Kadambas, it underwent many additions and renovations over a thousand years from the Chalukyas to the rulers of Sonda. An annual cultural festival called “Kadambotsava” is held here every December.​

2. Temples at Halasi – The 5th-century monuments at Halasi are the oldest surviving Kadamba structures, including Hattikeshwara, Kalleshwara, and Someshwara temples, along with the group of temples at Kadaroli.​

3. Old Jain Basadi at Halasi – Contains a sanctum and sukanasi, representing the most ancient stone temple in Karnataka.​

4. Temples at Aihole – Many temples including Ramlingesvara temple Complex, Badigergudi temple, and small shrines were built in Kadamba architectural style.​​

Language and Literature

The Kadambas made pioneering contributions to Kannada language and literature:

Kannada as Administrative Language:

• The Kadambas were the first indigenous dynasty to use Kannada at an administrative level​

• This marked a landmark event in Karnataka’s history, establishing Kannada as an important regional language​​

Important Inscriptions:

1. Halmidi Inscription (c. 450 CE) – The oldest known Kannada-language inscription in the Kadamba script:​

   • Discovered in 1936 by Dr. M.H. Krishna in Halmidi village, Hassan district​

   • Four feet tall, one foot wide, nine inches thick, containing sixteen lines​

   • Written in Purvada-hala Kannada, which evolved into Old Kannada, Middle Kannada, and finally Modern Kannada​

   • Associated with Kakusthavarma’s reign​

   • Demonstrates that writers had thorough understanding of linguistic structure​

   • Represents the first indication of Kannada being used as an administrative language​

2. Talagunda Pillar Inscription (455-470 CE) – An epigraphic record in Sanskrit giving a comprehensive account of the Kadamba dynasty:​

   • Carved on hard grey granite pillar in front of Pranavesvara (Madhaveshvara) Shiva temple​

   • Discovered in 1894 by B.L. Rice​

   • Contains 34 poetic verses respecting Sanskrit chanda rules​

   • Begins with “Namo Shivaya” invocation​

   • Written by poet Kubja under orders of King Santivarma​

   • Provides detailed genealogy and achievements of Kadamba rulers​

Literary Patronage:

• Patronized Sanskrit, Prakrit, and early Kannada literature​

• Earliest Kannada writings emerged during this period​

• King Raghu was noted as both a poet and scholar​

• Supported both Vedic and Jain scholars​

Cultural Contributions

• Promoted art, sculpture, music, and dance​

• Fostered Kannada culture and regional identity​

• Created manuscript illustrations and metalwork, though less well-known​

• Established agraharas (centers of Vedic learning) – Talagunda is among the earliest agraharas in Karnataka​

• According to inscriptions, Mukanna (Trilochana) brought 32 Brahmin families from Ahicchatra and settled them in an agrahara at Talagunda​

Decline and Legacy

Division and Internal Strife

After the death of Kakusthavarma, the Kadamba family split into two branches:​

• One branch continued to rule from Banavasi

• Another branch ruled from Triparvata

This internal division weakened the kingdom significantly. Krishnavarma I, ruler of the Triparvata branch, temporarily united the family. However, according to the Bannahalli plates, around 530 CE, Krishnavarma II (son of Simhavarma) of the Triparvata branch killed Harivarma (Ravivarma’s peaceful son) when he raided Banavasi, briefly reuniting the two branches.​

Fall to the Chalukyas

Around 540 CE, the Chalukyas of Badami, who had been vassals of the Kadambas, rose in power under their assertion of independence and conquered the entire Kadamba kingdom. The Chalukyas, having served as feudatories governing from Badami, took advantage of Kadamba weakness and internal conflicts to establish their own empire.​

After their defeat, the Kadambas became vassals of the Badami Chalukyas. The famous Aihole inscription of the Chalukyas describes Banavasi in these glowing terms: “Resembling the city of gods and a girdle of swans playing on the high waves of the river Varada”.​

Later Kadamba Branches

Following their decline, the Kadamba family fragmented into numerous minor branches that continued to rule as feudatories of larger empires:​

Later Kadamba Kingdoms:

• Kadambas of Goa (Gopakapattana)

• Kadambas of Hangal

• Kadambas of Halasi

• Kadambas of Vainad

• Kadambas of Belur

• Kadambas of Bankapura

• Kadambas of Bandalike

• Kadambas of Chandavar

• Kadambas of Jayantipura (in Odisha)

These branches ruled as vassals of the Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and later the Vijayanagara Empire, continuing their legacy until the 14th century.​

also read: Early Medieval India