The Vakataka dynasty ruled large parts of central India, including present-day Vidarbha, between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE.

They succeeded the Satavahanas and played a crucial role in shaping the political, cultural, and religious landscape of ancient Deccan.

These rulers were patrons of art, literature, and architecture, and their reign coincided with the flowering of the Ajanta caves and the spread of Brahmanical Hinduism.

1 . Vindhyashakti I (Reigned c. 250–270 CE)

Vindhyashakti I is recognised as the founder of the Vakataka dynasty and the originator of its power base in eastern Berar, already known as Vidarbha. Very little concrete information is available from his reign beyond a brief reference in the Cave XVI inscription at Ajanta. That inscription describes him as the banner of the Vakataka family and as a dvija or twice‑born of high lineage. The record also mentions his military strength and a large cavalry without offering detailed achievements.

Historians note that the Puranic tradition attributes a 96‑year reign to him, but this is treated with scepticism due to a lack of corroborating evidence. Vindhyashakti I did not carry any imperial title in surviving records. He is credited with laying the fundamental political foundations upon which his successors built a more expansive state.

2 . Pravarasena I (Reigned c. 270–335 CE)

Pravarasena I succeeded Vindhyashakti I and elevated the Vakataka dynasty into a major empire encompassing Vidarbha and the Deccan. He assumed the unique imperial title of Samrāṭ among Vakataka rulers. He performed multiple Vedic sacrifices, including four ashvamedha horse sacrifices and a Vajapeya sacrifice. His capital was Kanchanaka, often identified with Nachna in modern Madhya Pradesh. He forged an important political alliance by marrying his son Gautamiputra to a daughter of the Naga king Bhavanaga. Those alliances likely secured the northern border as he expanded influence southwards to Andhra and westwards into parts of Malwa and Gujarat.

His reign is documented in later inscriptions and Puranic tradition as one of consolidation and territorial expansion.

3 . Rudrasena I (Reigned c. 335–355 CE)

Rudrasena I was the grandson of Pravarasena I and inherited the Nandivardhana‑Pravarapura branch of the dynasty, which included parts of Vidarbha. His capital was located at Nandivardhana near the modern Nagpur district. His rule followed the long and robust reign of his grandfather and is characterised by continuity rather than aggressive expansion. He maintained administrative stability in the region and upheld cordial relations with the Vatsagulma branch. Evidence of his reign is found in copper plate grants and inscriptions that mark an orderly succession. Rudrasena I did not adopt the imperial title used by his grandfather.

He served as a transitional ruler, ensuring dynastic cohesion during a period of structural division.

4 . Sarvasena I (Reigned c. 335–355 CE)

Sarvasena I was the younger son of Pravarasena I and the founder of the Vatsagulma branch, which centred in Vidarbha. He took the title Dharma‑Mahārāja and established his capital at Vatsagulma, now identified with Washim in eastern Maharashtra. He is traditionally credited with composing a Prakrit text called Harivijaya, which celebrated a legendary tree brought by Krishna. That work is lost but is praised by later literary sources. His reign combined er,a founding political administration and cultural patronage in Vidarbha.

He created a lasting branch of the dynasty that later patronised Buddhist art at Ajanta. His rule is evidenced by genealogical data in subsequent copper plates.

5 . Vindhyasena (Vindhyashakti II) (Reigned c. 355–400 CE)

Vindhyasena succeeded his father Sarvasena I in the Vatsagulma branch. His reign lasted at least thirty‑seven years, as recorded in his Washim copper plate charter. That grant describes him as Dharma‑Mahārāja and mentions a land grant in the Nandikata region identified with present‑day Nanded. He carried out military operations against the kingdom of Kuntala, likely ruled by the Kadambas and is credited with victory in that region. His domain included the southern Vidarbha parts of western Maharashtra and the Marathwada area. The charter and inscriptions reflect stability and regional authority under his rule.

Vindhyasena maintained cordial relations with the Nandivardhana branch and benefited from a shared dynastic identity.

6 . Pravarasena II (Reigned c. 420–455 CE)

Pravarasena II belonged to the Nandivardhana‑Pravarapura branch and succeeded Damodarasena. He was the son of Rudrasena II and Prabhavatigupta, the daughter of Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. His reign is documented by the largest number of copper plate inscriptions in the dynasty. He moved the capital to a new city called Pravarapura, now located near Mansar in Nagpur district. Pravarasena II is described as a powerful and liberal ruler whose administration fostered prosperity.

He maintained relationships with the Gupta overlordship through his maternal lineage. He also upheld dharmic kingship and authorised grants to Brahmins across Vidarbha and adjoining lands. His rule bridged dynastic traditions with Gupta influence and enriched local administration.

7 . Narendrasena (Reigned c. 455–480 CE)

Narendrasena succeeded his father, Pravarasena II, around the mid‑fifth century. He is credited with restoring Vakataka fortunes after a succession crisis or invasion by the Nala dynasty in Vidarbha. He married Ajjhitabhattarika, a princess from the kingdom of Kuntala, probably the Kadamba house. Inscriptions assert that his authority was acknowledged by contemporary rulers of Kosala, Mekala and Malwa. He seems to have expanded his realm into central India and solidified alliances.

His reign is marked by the recovery of territory and dynastic prestige without dramatic conquest. Copper plate records document the realisation of authority across wide regions.

8 . Harishena (Reigned c. 475–510 CE)

Harishena was the last significant ruler of the Vatsagulma branch and the final major patron of Vakataka art and architecture. He succeeded Devasena and ruled until roughly 510 CE. His minister Varahadeva commissioned the construction and elaborate decoration of Ajanta Cave 16, Cave 17 and Cave 19. His inscriptions claim conquests of Kuntala, Avanti, Kosala, Kalinga, Lata, Andhra and Trikuta regions. Under his rule, the Vatsagulma branch eclipsed the Nandivardhana branch and may have achieved leadership over both branches.

He oversaw the culmination of Vakataka sponsorship of Buddhist monuments, which reached its height at Ajanta. His death was followed by the rapid collapse of the dynasty as regional powers such as the Kadambas, Kalachuris, and Chalukyas absorbed former Vakataka territories.

The eight rulers constituted the core leadership that defined the Vakataka presence in Vidarbha. Their reigns covered a period from the mid-third century to the early sixth century. Each played a distinct role in expanding governance, supporting religious traditions, conducting diplomatic alliances and commissioning significant architectural works.

Their chronological succession forms a coherent narrative of state formation, political transition and cultural patronage in ancient central India. Their recorded deeds and inscriptions continue to serve as key sources for reconstructing the history of Vakataka rule.