Madhava Varma II, Most Powerful King of Vishnukundinas

Madhava Varma II, Most Powerful King of 

Vishnukundina Dynasty 

Madhava Varma II, He was the Most Powerful King of the Vishnukundina dynasty. The reign of Madhava Varma II (c. 440 – c. 460) was a golden age in the history of the Vishnukundinas. He is regarded as the greatest ruler of his dynasty. The Vishnukundina Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under him. He defeated Prithvishena II, the powerful Vakataka king. The daughter of Prithvishena II, Vakataka Mahadevi, was given in marriage to Madhava Varma II.

The Most Notable Military Achievement of Madhava Varma II was his Victory over the Powerful Vakataka Emperor Prithvishena II , This alliance gave them Great Power and made it easy for the Vishnukundinas to extend their influence to the east coast and vanquishing the petty chieftains lingering on in that area. Madhava Varma II led his arms against Ananda Gotrikas who were ruling over Guntur, Tenali and Ongole, probably enjoying subordinate position under the Pallavas of Kanchipuram, Vengi Kingdom, and Salankayanas Dynasty.

This alliance gave them great power and made it easy for the Vishnukundinas to extend their influence to the east coast and vanquishing the petty chieftains lingering on in that area. Madhava Varma II led his arms against Ananda Gotrikas who were ruling over Guntur, Tenali and Ongole, probably enjoying subordinate position under the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.

He built Ramalingesvara Swamy temples at every place where he won a battle. He occupied Kalinga and invaded the Pallavas of Kanchipuram in his 33rd regnal year. He wrote 'Janasraya'. he had an epithet- 'Trivara Nagara Bhavnagata Sundari Hridaya Nandana' ( The one who brought happiness to the beautiful maidens living in the buildings of the city of Trivara)

After occupying these areas from the Ananda Gotrikas, Madhava Varma II made Amarapura (modern Amaravati) his capital. Keeping in view the constant threat from the Pallavas, he created an out-post to check their activities and appointed his son, Deva Varma and after his death the grandson Madhava Varma III as its Viceroy.

Madhava Varma II next turned his attention against the Vengi kingdom which was under the Salankayanas. The Vengi region was annexed. The Godavari tract became part of the Vishnukundina territory. After these conquests the capital might have been shifted to Bezwada (Vijayawada), a more central location than Amarapura. These extensive conquests entitle him to the title of the lord of Dakshinapatha (southern country). After these various conquests Madhava Varma performed many Asvamedha, Rajasuya and other Vedic sacrifices.

Military Conquests

Greatest among the Vishnukundinas kings was Madhava Varma II. He fought and won more than 100 battles. As a mark of his victory in each battle, he installed a Shiva linga on Keesaragutta. He has also built Ramalingeshwara swami temple at every place where he won the battle. Even today these Ramalingeshwara temples built at Velpuru, Ipur, Indrapala Nagaram, and Keesaragutta are receiving acts of worship.

Madhava Varma occupied Kalinga, with the help of Prabhakara, his relative and ruler of Gunapasa Puram.

Madhava Varma II defeated Pallavas in his 33rd regnal year. Expanded upto Gundlakamma river. Madhava Varma defeated the last ruler of the main Vakataka line, Prithvisena and married his daughter VakatakaDevi. In the west, the Vakataka Kings of Maharashtra were very powerful. Vishnukunds and Pallavas wer always engaged in wars. Hence, in order to prevent the Pallava invasions, Madhava Varma II shifted capital to Denduluru pura, located near Vengi. He also raised the wall and strengthened the fort of Amarapuri, which was his 1st capital.

Deva Varma was Madhava Varma’s son. Deva Varma was appointed as the viceroy of Amarapuri.

He is the Pride of Telugus (Andhras) and 

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana People's 

He is the Rashtraputra of Telugus.