The Kadambas of Banavasi

Origin and Formation of the Dynasty

The Rise of Mayurasharma

Military Campaigns and Independence

• The Pallavas of Kanchi
• The Traikutas and Abhiras
• The Sendrakas and Pariyathrakas
• The Maukharis and Punnatas​

To celebrate his victories, Mayurasharma performed horse sacrifices (Ashwamedha) and granted 144 villages (brahmadeyas) to Brahmins of Talagunda.​

Capital – Banavasi

• Banavasi was mentioned by the renowned Sanskrit poet Kalidasa in his famous work Meghaduta​
• Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Huen Tsang) and Greco-Roman writer Ptolemy referred to Banavasi in their accounts​
• The region was earlier ruled by the Satavahanas and Chutus before the Kadambas established their supremacy​

Administrative Importance: From Banavasi, the Kadambas organized the Banavasi-mandala, one of the oldest Indian administrative provinces. This territory eventually expanded to include regions between the Varada and Tungabhadra rivers. A 5th-century copper coin with Kannada script inscription was discovered here, proving the early administrative use of the Kannada language.​

Important Rulers of the Kadamba Dynasty

Kakusthavarma – The Greatest Kadamba Ruler

• Territorial expansion into the Malnad region, coastal Karnataka, and northern Tamil Nadu​
• Strategic matrimonial alliances with powerful dynasties including the Guptas of northern India, the Gangas, and the Vakatakas​
• Military victories against rivals like the Pallavas and consolidation of power over lesser rulers such as the Punnatas, Alupas, Kongalvas, and Pandyas of Uchangi​
• Construction of a Mahadeva temple mentioned in Greek writings of the period​

The Gudnapur inscription provides valuable information about his military achievements.​

Administration of the Kadambas

Central Administration

• The King was considered a divine representative and held centralized power​
• A council of ministers assisted the king in governance​
• The Mahasabha (great assembly) played a crucial role in local governance and decision-making​

Territorial Divisions

Key Administrative Features

• Land Revenue System: An innovative system based on land productivity that fueled agricultural growth and trade​​
• Judicial System: A robust judicial framework ensuring law and order​
• Military Organization: Strategic use of cavalry and elephants in warfare​
• Diplomatic Relations: Careful maintenance of alliances with neighboring kingdoms​

Administrative Officials

• Lekhakas – Writers and scribes who maintained records​
• Rajamantri – Royal ministers
• Senapati – Military commanders

Economy and Trade

Coinage System

• Coins were typically made of copper and bore various symbols including conches and chakras​
• Gold coins of King Bhagiratha (390–415 CE) bearing the old Kannada legend “Sri” and “Bhagi” have been discovered​
• A 5th-century copper coin with the Kannada script inscription “Srimanaragi” was discovered at Banavasi​
• Coins with the epithet “sri dosharashi” belonged to King Krishnavarman II​

Trade and Commerce

• Banavasi and other centers served as vital trading hubs​
• Maritime activities contributed to economic prosperity and cultural exchange​
• Guilds and associations flourished, suggesting a vibrant internal and external trade network​

Religion and Society

Religious Patronage

The Kadambas were followers of Vedic Hinduism while also showing remarkable religious tolerance by patronizing multiple faiths.​Hinduism:

• Mayurasharma was a Brahmin by birth and promoted Brahminic faith​

• Kings were devotees of Kartikeya (Murugan/Skanda)​

• The Madhukeshwara Temple at Banavasi dedicated to Lord Shiva was patronized by Kadamba rulers​

Jainism:

• Several later Kadamba kings, including Shivakoti, adopted Jainism​
• Kings made grants to Jain establishments including temples, basadis, and monasteries​
• Inscriptions reference various Jain sects: Nirgranthas, Shvetapatas, Yapaniyas, and Kurchakas​
• The Halsi grant of King Kakusthavarman begins with an invocation to Jinendra (Lord of the Jinas)​
• King Mrigeshavarman made grants for activities including temple maintenance, anointing images with ghee, worship, and decorating with flowers​

Society

• Society was broadly divided into castes based on the Varna system – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras​
• Brahmins held high social status​
• Women had property rights and educational access​
• The Kadambas established Agraharas (Brahmin settlements) for education and religious purposes​

Language and Literature

Kannada Language Development

• The Kadambas were the first rulers to use Kannada as an additional official administrative language​
• Three Kannada inscriptions from their early rule at Banavasi have been discovered​
• The Halmidi inscription (c. 450 CE) is evidence of early administrative use of Kannada​
• Several Kadamba dynasty coins bearing Kannada inscriptions “Vira” and “Skandha” have been found​

Important Inscriptions

Patronage of Literature

• Court poets like Durvinita and Ravikirti composed works in Sanskrit and Prakrit​
• Adikavi Pampa, the first great poet of Kannada, wrote his epics in Banavasi (though in a later period)​
• The dynasty promoted Sanskrit, Prakrit, and early Kannada literature​

Art and Architecture

Features of Kadamba Architecture

• Kadamba Shikara: A stepped pyramidal tower rising without decoration, topped with a pinnacle (Stupika or Kalasha)​
• Vimana: Usually square in plan with a pyramidal tower and horizontal stepped stages​
• Garbhagriha: Square sanctum surrounded by a circumambulatory path (pradakshina patha)​
• Use of locally sourced stone giving regional character​

Important Architectural Monuments

• Madhukeshwara Temple, Banavasi: Built in the 5th–9th century; dedicated to Lord Shiva; the only visible standing monument from Kadamba times​
• Pranaveswara Temple, Talagunda: Houses the famous Talagunda pillar inscription​
• Hattikeshwara, Kalleshwara, and Someshwara temples at Halasi: 5th-century monuments representing the oldest surviving Kadamba structures​
• Jain Basadis at Halasi: The most ancient stone temple in Karnataka​

Jain Monuments:

• Jain temples at Shravanabelagola and Halebid​
• Ratnatraya Basti at Bilgi​

Architectural Legacy

Kadamba architecture constituted an important link between Satavahana, Pallava, and Chalukya architecture. Many temples at Aihole, Badami, and Hampi were later built incorporating the Kadamba style.​

Decline of the Kadamba Dynasty

Causes of Decline

• External Invasions: Successive attacks by the Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Gangas weakened the dynasty​
• Internal Conflicts: Later rulers could not match the military prowess of early kings​
• Military Defeats: The last significant ruler, Krishnavarman II, was defeated by the Pallavas around 540–565 CE​

Absorption by Chalukyas

• By the 6th century, the Kadamba kingdom was absorbed into the Chalukya Empire of Badami​
• The Badami Chalukyas rose to prominence at the decline of the Kadamba kingdom​
• Kirtivarman I of the Chalukyas (566–597 CE) conquered the Kadamba territory​

Later Kadamba Branches

Legacy and Significance

Historical Significance

• First Indigenous Dynasty: They were the first native rulers of Karnataka, ending the rule of foreign dynasties like Satavahanas and Pallavas​
• Kannada Administrative Language: Pioneers in using Kannada for official purposes​
• Foundation of Regional Identity: Their era serves as a starting point for studying Karnataka as an enduring geo-political entity​

Cultural Contributions

• Architectural Innovation: Founded the Kadamba style of architecture that influenced Chalukya and Hoysala styles​
• Religious Harmony: Promoted both Hinduism and Jainism, fostering religious tolerance​
• Literary Patronage: Contributed to Sanskrit and early Kannada literature development​

Important Inscriptions – Summary Table

Conclusion