Gangas
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| Official languages | Prakrit Kannada Sanskrit |
| Capitals | Early Ganga:Kolar Later Ganga:Talakad |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Preceding state | Satavahana |
| Succeeding states | Chola, Hoysala |
The Ganga also known as Western Ganga dynasty were a dynasty that ruled a large part of ancient Karnataka in India during 350 -550 CE. They continued to rule until the 10th century as feudatories of Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas.
Contents |
[edit] Origin
Theories
Several theories have been propounded regarding the origin of the Gangas. Some historians believe that the Gangas were immigrants from the North and were descendants of the Kanva dynasty of north India, [1]. Some of their inscriptions indicate they belogned to Jahnaveya kula and Kanvayana gotra. Others believe they hailed from Kongunadu in present day Tamil Nadu[2]
They also called themselves decendents of a ruler of Ikshavaku vamsha. Hence it is argued that they earlier must have ruled in Andhra Pradesh as successors of the Satavahana. A much later Pallava inscription calls them as decendents of two princess from Ayodhya who earlier to 4th. century founded a kingdom in Cuddapah. It is thus opined that they must have been decendents of the Ikshavaku in Andhra Pradesh and founded a kingdom in Cuddapah later moving to Kolar arount 350 C.E.[3].
Historians of Archeological Survey Of India believe the Gangas were sons of the soil who took advantage of the fall of the Satavahana empire and created a niche kingdom for themselves in Gangavadi (parts of south Karnataka) while the Kadambas, their contemporaries did the same over the rest of Karnataka. They believe that no immigrant invaders could have created a kingdom that lasted over 700 years in all and made such a significant contribution to the history and culture of Karnataka and Kannada language.[4]. Irrespective of where they originated from, they may have taken advantage of the invasion of South India by Samudra Gupta and carved out a small kingdom for themselves.
The area they controlled was called Gangavadi primarily included the present day districts of Mysore, Chamrajanagar, Tumkur, Kolar, Mandya and Bangalore. At times they also controlled small areas in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. They were during their early years, feudatories af the Nolamba-Pallavas and directly ruled Kolar and the Kongu Nadu on their behalf or sometimes independently. Hence the region was also known as Nollambavadi. They continued to rule until the 10th century as feudatories of Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas. Gangas initially had Kolar as their capital before moving it to Talakadu near Mysore around 466 C.E.
[edit] Art, Architecture and Religion
| Western Ganga Kings (350-999) | |
| Konganivarma Madhava | (350 - 380) |
| Madhava | |
| Harivarman | |
| Madhava II | |
| Vishnugopa | |
| Madhava III | |
| Avinita | (469 - 529) |
| Durvinita | (529 - 579) |
| Mushkara | (579 - 604) |
| Polavira | (604 - 629 |
| Srivikrama | (629 - 654) |
| Bhuvikarma | (654 - 679) |
| Shivamara I | (679 - 726) |
| Sripurusha | (726 - 788) |
| Shivamara II | (788 - 816) |
| Rajamalla I | (816 - 843) |
| Nitimarga Ereganga | (843 - 870) |
| Rajamalla II | (870 - 907) |
| Ereyappa Nitimarga II | (907 - 921 |
| Narasimhadeva | (921 - 933) |
| Rajamalla III | (933 - 938) |
| Butuga II | (938 - 961) |
| Marulaganga | (961 - 963) |
| Chavundaraya | (Minister 963- 986) |
| Marasimha II | (963 - 975) |
| Rajamalla IV | (975 - 986) |
| Rakkasa Ganga | (986 - 999) |
| Rajaraja Chola I (Chola) |
(985-1014) |
Literature in Kannada, Sanskrit and Prakrit flourished under the Gangas. Kavirajamarga refers to King Durvinita as one of the early writers in Kannada.
[edit] Sanskrit
During the these times, some important Sanskrit works were written[5][6][7]. Among them were Pujyapada's Sarvathasiddi , Jinendra Vyakaranaand KalayanaKaraka, Jinasena II wrote Adipurana, King Madhava II wrote Dattaka Sutra, King Durvinita wrote Vaddakatha,a translation from Prakrit, Shabdavatara a work on grammar and commentary on the 15th sarga of Bharavi's Kiratarjuniya, and a commentary on Panini's grammar, Sripurusha wrote Gajasastra, Hemasena or Vidya Dhananjaya wrote Raghavpandaviya, Jinasena I,738 C.E. wrote Harivamsha, king Shivamara II wrote Gajamata Kalpana and Sethubandha (Prakrit) Vidhibhasimha wrote Gadyachintamani and Kshatrachudamani. Chavundaraya wrote Charitrasara. Other well known scholars were Ajitasena, Bharavi, Akalanka or Nemichandrasiddanta.
[edit] Kannada
The Ganga period was a period of brisk literary activity in Kannada[8][9][10]. Some important Kannada works were Gajashtaka, a work on elephant management by King Shivamara II (late 8th century), Chavundaraya wrote Chavundarayapurana, or Trishashti LaksanPurana in978 C.E., Grammarian Gunavarma I, a contemporary of Chavundaraya was patronised by Ereyappa (886-913) wrote Shudraka and Harivamsha, Nagavarma I was patronised by Chavundaraya wrote Chandombudhi and Karnataka Kadambari, a work based on Bana's sanskrit work.
Recent excavations at Tumbula near Mysore revealed a set of copper plate inscriptions dated 444 C.E. The inscriptions mention king Kogunivarma, Madhavavarma, and Harivarma. While the inscriptions are in Sanskrit language, Kannada words have been used to describe the boundary of the village, indicating usage of Kannada in an administrative context.[11].
Another interesting inscription discovered at Beguru in present day Karnataka that deserves mention is the epigraph dated 890 C.E. that refers to a Bengaluru war. This is a Ganga inscription in old Kannada language and is the earliest mention of the name of Bangalore city to date.[12].
[edit] Religion
There are multiple opinions about the religion followed by the western Gangas. Some scholars believe that the Ganga rulers were Jains.[13]. However inscriptional evidence suggests otherwise. Inscriptions speak of the Kalamukhas, Pasupatas and Lokayatas who flourished in Gangavadi. King Madhava and Harivarman were devoted to cows and Brahmins. King Vishnugopa was a devout Vaishnava.[14]. There is evidence to the effect that early Ganga kings performed vedic sacrifices. Hence others believe that Durvinita was a Hindu and was either a Vishnavite or a Shaivite.[15]. However later Ganga records reveal a strong Jaina influence taking effect due to Jain saints and scholars such as Toranacharya, Pushpanandi, Pujyapada, Jinasena, Ajitasena, Akalanka or Nemichandrasiddanta. Many Jain basadis were built in Manne, Belagola, Kambadahalli. However irrespective of their actual faith, they remained tolerant to all faiths.
[edit] Architecture
- See also: Shravanabelagola and Kambadahalli
The Ganga style of architecture has been intimately studied by many historians. Their style is highly influenced by the Pallava and early Chalukya architectural styles with significant Jaina influence.[16]. Their architectural style has received many accolades from art critics. The monolith of Gomateshwara is considered perhaps the mightiest achievement of sculpture in Karnataka.[17]. Their free standing pillars called Mahasthambha or Bhrahmasthambha are also unique.[18] The crowning glory of Ganga architecture are their Jaina monuments and basadi. The Chavundaraya basadi, Chandragupta basadi, monolothic Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola and other structures (commissioned by a Ganga general Chamundaraya in 982 C.E) are a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the later Ganga kings build great Jaina monuments they also provided grants to build Hindu temples like the one in Sri Rangapattana near Mysore. The 9th century C.E. Jain Panchakuta basadi at Kambadahalli in Mandya district is an excellent combination of Vesara, Nagara and Dravdia styles. Recent discovery of two Gomateshwara statues and the differences they bear to the later day statue at Shravanabelagola here has aroused considerable interest.
Another unique legacy of the Gangas were the vast number of Virgal or hero stones they have left behind, containing fine sculptural details of war scenes, Hindu dieties, Jain Tirthankaras. One Virgal even shows soldiers carrying away the wounded from battlefield.
The early Gangas build fine Hindu temples with impressive dravidian gopuras, such as Kapileswara temple at Manne, the Hanumantesvara temple at Bannur, the Rameswara temple at Narasamangala, Bhoganandi shrine at Nandi which is a beautiful shrine with lovely sculptures and an exquisite tower. At Talakadu, they built the Maralesvara temple, the Arakesvara temple, the Patalesvara temple. Some of their other fine Hindu temples are the Mahalingesvara temple at Varuna, the Kallesvara temple at Aralaguppe, the Yoga Narasimha temple at Dadiga and Dadigesvara temple at Kodihalli. Some Ganga temples are also found in Tamil country, in Erode and Srinivasanallur, indicating they had ruled over this territory either as sovereign kings or as feudatories of the Pallavas.
 Mantapa, Panchakuta Basadi (9th. cen. Jain), Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Roof sculpture, Panchakuta Basadi (Jain), Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Roof sculpture,Panchakuta Basadi (Jain) , Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Roof sculpture, Panchakuta Basadi (9th. century.Jain), Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Roof sculpture, Panchakuta Basadi (Jain), Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Roof sculpture, Panchakuta Basadi (Jain), Kambadahalli Mandya District |
 Roof sculpture, Panchakuta Basadi (Jain), Kambadahalli Mandya District |
[edit] Administration
Succession
Research has shown that the Gangas were followers of Arthashastra in their governance. Succession to the throne was hereditary though there were many instances when this was overlooked. Avanita handed over the reigns of the kingdom to Durvinitas younger brother and the former had to fight for the throne. Shivamara appointed his younger brother Vijayaditya as his successor and not his own son.
Cabinet and Command
During the lenghty Ganga rule, though more often than not they remained feudatories of larger empires, they seem to have had a full hand in their own administration. In fact some of the most well known Jaina scholars like Vijayakirti, Pujyapada and Pushpadanta acted as advicers to the Ganga kings indicating tremendoues autonomy. Positions high in administrative hierarchy were Sarvadhikari (prime minister), Shribhandari (treasurer), Sandhivirgrahi (foreign minister), Mahapradhana also perhaps a chief minsiter and the term Dandanayaka was attached to their titles to indicate they also served as comanders, Mamevergade (steward of royal household), Mahapasayita (master of robes), Gajasahani (commander of Elephant corps), Thuragasahani (commander of cavalry).
Local and Land governance
Other posts in the kingdom to handle local issues were Antahpuradhyaksha (superintendent), Mahapadiyara (chief guard), Hadapada (betel carrier), Rajasutradhari (personal secretary), Rahasyadhikrita (private secretary), Mahamatra (archivist of inscriptions), Rajjuka (survey official) and Lekhaka (accountant). Even in administrative matters, hereditary succession was common. The kingdom was divided into Nadu which was further divided into Vishayas (districts) headed by Vishayapati, Kampana (group of villages) and Grama (village) headed by a Gramakuta.
Coinage
The Gangas used Kannada and Nagari inscriptions in their coins[19]. The most common feature of Ganga coinage was the usage of elephant on the obverse and floral petal symbols on the reverse. Commonly, the Kannada legend Bhadra or a royal umbrella or a conch shell appears on top of the elephant symbol. The denominations are the same usual pagoda weighing 52 grains. The fanam wighed one tenth of the pagoda and very rarely half pagoda. Quarter fanams are rare.
[edit] References
- Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, A Concise History of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002)
- Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
[edit] Notes
- ^ According to Dr. B. L. Rice and Prof. K. P. Jayaswal, History of Karnataka, Arthikaje
- ^ Claimed by historians Robert Sewell, M. Arokiyaswamy and S. V. Vishwanatha, History of Karnataka, Arthikaje
- ^ Claimed by historian Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, A Conside History of Karnataka, 2001
- ^ According to historians R. S. Panchamukhi and Lakshminarayana Rao, History of Karnataka, Arthikaje
- ^ Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, Concise history of Karnataka, pg.39-52
- ^ Arthikaje, History of Karnataka
- ^ Prof K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India pg.309-330
- ^ Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, Concise history of Karnataka, pg.39-52
- ^ Arthikaje, History of Karnataka
- ^ Prof K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India pg.355-366
- ^ [1]Discovered by N. Havalaiah, Principle investigator, Department of Studies in Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore and epigraphist H.M. Nagaraja Rao, Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies. An article in "The Hindu", January 24th., 2004
- ^ 9th century Ganga inscriptionThis has been recorded by historian R. Narasimhachar in his Epigraphia of Carnatica (Vol. 10 supplementary). An article in "The Hindu", August 20th., 2004
- ^ Dr. Lewis Rice, S. R. Sharma and M. V. Krishna Rao propounded the Jain theory, History of Karnataka, Arthikaje.
- ^ Concise History of Karnataka, Dr. S.U. Kamat, 2001
- ^ Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri has claimed the Gangas were Hindu , History of Karnataka, Arthikaje.
- ^ Their style has been studied by Dr. Devarakinda Reddy and Dr. I.K. Sharma, Dr. M.V. Krishna Rao, Concise History of Karnataka, Dr. S.U. Kamath
- ^ According to historian Dr. M. Seshadri, Concise History of Karnataka - Dr. S.U. Kamath
- ^ According to art critic Dr. Vincent Smith, Concise History of Karnataka - Dr. S.U. Kamath
- ^ [2], Indian Coins, Govindaraya Prabhu S,. Coins with Kannada legends have been discovered from the rule of the Gangas, according to Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, A Concise History of Karnataka, 2001
