Vishnukundina Dynasty of Andhras

              Vishnukundina Dynasty 

The Vishnukundina Dynasty (IAST: Viṣṇukundina) (Telugu: విష్ణుకుండినులు) was an Indian imperial power controlling the Deccan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and parts of South India during the 5th and 6th centuries, carving land out from the Vakataka Empire. It played an important role in the history of the Deccan during the 5th and 6th centuries. The dynasty initially ruled from Indrapalanagara (in present day Nalgonda district of Telangana), and later shifted to Denduluru, and Amaravathi.

All the records of the Vishnukundinas and the kings prior to the Madhava Varma II seem to be patrons of Hinduism.

From the time of the accession of Madhava Varma II, an aggressive self-assertion of the Vedic Brahmanism occurred. Elaborate Vedic ceremonies like Rajasuya, Sarvamedha, and Aswamedha were undertaken. The celebration of all these sacrifices represents the traditional spirit of the Brahmanical revival. Some of the rulers referred to themselves as 'Parama Mahesvaras'. The inscriptions refer to their family deity Sri Parvata Swami.

The names of rulers like Madhava Varma and Govinda Varma show their Vaishnavite leanings. Thus both the Hindu sects of Saivism and Vaishnavism might have received equal patronage from them.

For administrative convenience, the empire was divided into a number of Rashtras and Vishayas. Inscriptions refer to Palki Rashtra, Karma Rashtra, Guddadi Vishaya, etc.

    Architecture of Vishnukundina Dynasty 

Madhava Varma III appointed members of the royal family as Viceroys for various areas of the kingdom.

The king was the highest court of appeal in the administrator of justice. The Vishnukundina rulers established various kinds of punishments for various crimes. They were known for their impartial judgment and high sense of justice.

Make your way to the exquisite rock-cut caves of Undavalli with the spectacular 5-meter long reclining statue of Vishnu as Padmanabha in the outskirts of Vijayawada, and you will get a sense of the religious history of the region. The last layer, in this complex that started off as a Buddhist shrine, was added by the Vishnukundin kings of Andhra Pradesh. While you may not have heard of this dynasty, they played a significant role. Their reign marked the beginning of a Hindu revival in Andhra Pradesh. Evidence of which can be seen at the Hindu cave temples of Undavalli, Vijayawada, Bhairavakonda and Mogalarajapuram in Krishna, Guntur and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh are a testimony to their rule.

Outside the clutch of these temples, most of what we know of this dynasty, which ruled between 5th to 7th centuries CE, is through their coins and inscriptions.

Historians believe that Vishnukundin dynasty gets its name from the place where they originated, from the Vinukonda in Guntur district of present-day Andhra Pradesh. Vassals of the Vakatakas of Vidarbha who ruled between the 3rd to 6th centuries CE, the Vishnukundins declared their independence around 420 CE, setting their capital at Amarapur, present-day Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh. Later the capital was shifted to Bezawada present-day Vijayawada.

Undavali Caves - Best Heritage Site for 

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