Kangavarma of Kadamba

Kangavarma was a ruler of the Kadamba Dynasty of India. He ruled from c.360/5 until c. 385/90.[1] Talagunda inscription indicates that his rule was a turbulent one with many bitter wars.[1] He was succeeded by Bhagiratha.[2]

Talagunda pillar inscription.

Legacy

Mayurasharma (345 to 360AD), who founded his dream empire, the Kadamba empire, on a well-established footing, left it to his son Kangavarma, who had to wage many costly wars.[3] As the wars he waged were always not fruitful, they got the epithet "terrible wars". According to Talagunda inscriptions the period of the reign of Kangavarma was between 360 and 385 AD.[4] According to Prof. Jouveau-Dubreuil, Prithivisena I of the kingdom of Vakasaka defeated Kangavarma. In spite of this defeat, Kangavarma was able to establish himself as an independent ruler commanding allegiance from the feudal leaders of the districts in his kingdom.[5] According to Talagunda records he was considered a very popular king of the Kadamba country.[2] His son, Bhagiratha, succeeded him and reigned up to 420 AD, and he was successful in regaining the territory which his father had lost in the war. His reign has been described as one of the finest of the Kadamba dynasty.[6]

Kadamba dynasty

The Kadamba dynasty, though popular in the history of the Dekkan, did not receive its due share in history books but the rulers who succeeded Mayurasharma who established the kingdom, were very successful in furthering the cause of their dynasty, till they lost their control to the Chalukyas of Badami around the seventh century.[7]

Mythical origin is attributed to the first ruler Mayaurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty, though he in fact was a historical figure. It is established that the authenticity of the name "Kadamba" is attributed to the Kadamba tree which was in the courtyard of their residence when the kingdom was first established. [8]

References
  1. Mishra, Phanikanta (1979). The Kadambas. Mithila Prakasana. pp. 19–20.
  2. Shetty, Sadanand Ramakrishna (1994). Banavasi through the ages. Printwell. p. 44.
  3. Sreenivasa Murthy, H. V.; Ramakrishnan, R. (1977). A History of Karnataka, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. S. Chand. p. 52.
  4. Mishra, Phanikanta (1979). The Kadambas. Mithila Prakasana. p. 20.
  5. Moraes 1931, p. 17.
  6. Moraes 1931, p. 17-18.
  7. Moraes 1931, p. ix.
  8. Moraes 1931, p. 8-9.
Bibliography
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