Madhava Varma II
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Short description|King of the Vishnukundina dynasty}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
| title = Andhradhipati, Dakshinapatha, Trisamdradhipati, Paramaheswara, Janashraya
| image =
| succession = Vishnukundina King
| reign = c. 440 – c. 460
| predecessor = Madhava Varma I
| successor = Vikramendra Varma II
| dynasty = Vishnukundina
| issue = Vikramendra Varma I, Deva Varma
}}
Madhava Varma II was the most successful ruler of the Vishnukundina dynasty, controlling parts of the Deccan and eastern coast of India in the mid-5th century AD.{{fact|date=January 2025}} He is regarded as the greatest ruler of his dynasty. The Vishnukundina Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under him. It was during this period the Vishnukundina dynasty was raised, in its own estimation, to the imperial dignity.{{cite web | url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28680623-history-of-the-andhras | title=History of the Andhras: Upto 1565 AD }}Krishna Eao, B.V., 1942; Early Dynasties of the Andhra Desa, Madras; pp.422-427.Venkataramanayya, N.;1975I fhe Vishnukundins, Madras
The most notable military achievement of Madhava Varma II was his victory over the Vakataka emperor Prithvishena II. The daughter of Prithvishena II, Vakataka Mahadevi, was given in marriage to Madhava Varma II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/administration-in-andhra-from-earliest-time-to-13th-century-d-old-and-rare-book-nal163/|title = Administration in Andhra: From the Earliest Time to 13th Century A.D. (An Old and Rare Book) | Exotic India Art}}{{cite web | url=https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/people/the-vishnukundin-kings-of-andhra | title=The Vishnukundin Kings of Andhra | date=13 December 2017 }}
Early life
He was the son of Govinda Varma I and his wife Mahadevi. He had two sons - Vikramendra Varma and Deva Varma.{{cite book |last1=Fdaytalk |first1=Fdaytalk |title=Telangana History Ancient to Modern Period: Chapter Wise Most Common MCQ Questions |publisher=Fdaytalk |pages=612 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zay2DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Madhava+Varma+II%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT78 |access-date=23 December 2020}}
Reign
His predecessor was Madhava Varma I (c. 420 – c. 455). He is considered as the greatest ruler of the Vishnukundina 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.{{cite journal |last1=Ramakrishnan |first1=Mahalakshmi |title=(1) (PDF) Vishnukundina Empire {{!}} Mahalakshmi Ramakrishnan |url=https://www.academia.edu/25578228 |website=Academia edu |access-date=22 December 2020}}{{cite web |title=Vishnukundins- Andhra Pradesh PCS Exam Notes |url=https://andhrapradesh.pscnotes.com/appsc-group-1-mains/paper-i/andhra-pradesh-history/vishnukundins/ |website=Andhra Pradesh PSC notes |date=4 June 2017 |access-date=23 December 2020}}
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 Dharanikota, near the Amaravati Stupa) his capital. Keeping in view the constant threat from the Pallavas, he created an outpost to check their activities and appointed his son, Deva Varma and after his death the grandson Madhava Varma III as its Viceroy.{{cite book |last1=Ramanujan |first1=S.R |title=The Lord of Vengadam A Historical Perspective |date=15 August 2014 |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |isbn=9781482834635 |pages=268 |edition=E-book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rntPBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Madhava+Varma+II%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA23 |access-date=23 December 2020}}
Military strength
Madhava Varma II appears to have been a powerful warlord, with an army consisting 800 elephants, 1500 cavalry horses, 23 Chariots and many foot soldiers. This is Mentioned in Ipur Plates of Vishnukundina dynasty
Their army consisted of traditional fourfold divisions:
- Elephants
- Chariots
- Cavalry
- Infantry
The Hastikosa was the officer-in-charge of elephant forces and the Virakosa was the officer-in-charge of land forces. These officers issued even grants on behalf of the kings.
Venkataramanayya, N.;1975I fhe Vishnukundins, Madras, p.25Sankaramrayanan* S,j 1977? The Vishnukundinas and their times,
Delhi
Extent of the Kingdom
East –Bay of Bengal
West – Arabian sea
North – Reva, Narmada river.
South – Southern sea. May be Pulicat lake.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Southern Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra,Southern Odisha and Northern Karnataka
In Maharashtra Satara District One of Madhava Varma II inscriptions was found in Maharashtra.
Vishnukundinas coins were found in all over Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh{{Cite web|url=https://www.teluguwishesh.com/190-andhra-headlines-flash-news/67366-history-of-ancient-andhra-dynasty-vishnukundinas-historical-story.html|title=The History of Ancient Andhra Dynasty | Vishnukundinas Dynasty | Telugu Ancient Stories | Telugu Historical Stories|date=20 August 2015 }}
Religion
All the records of the Vishnukundinas and the kings prior to the Madhava Varma II seem to be patrons of Hinduism.{{Cite web|url=https://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/05-15/features3456.htm|title = The Sampradaya Sun - Independent Vaisnava News - Feature Stories - May 2015}}
Inscriptions
It is stated in the Tummalagudem Plates II that by his Madhava Varma II seized the royalty of the kings of
other dynasties and that his authority extended over the region
surrounded by the eastern southern and western seas and the
river Reva (Narmada) in the north. It is also stated that his
kingdom was hounded by the western sea and the river Seva in the
north.Sastry, B.I.; June, 1965? "Indrapalanagaram Copper Plates"
Bharathi, Vijayawada, pp.14-28
Sastry, B*H.? July, 1965? opoCit* pp.2-14Kielhom, F. ? 1896-97? ‘‘Chickulla plates of Vikramendra
From Velpuru inscription we learn that he led his army
southward across the river Krishna with a view to ecnquer the
Guntur region. It speaks of his presence in military camp
at Velpuru probably during the course of a war with the Pallavas,
Madhava Varma II extended his kingdom upto Narmada, exterminated the Salankayana Dynasty at Vengi, subjugated the rulers of
Pishtapura and Srikakulam and thus expended his kingdom to the
eastern sea. He vanquished the Pallavas and annexed northern
parts of Guntur district to his Kingdom.Sankaranarayanan, S; 1967-^8? "Velpuru stone inscription of ladhavavarman II", Epigraphia Indica Vol. XXXVII, Delhi,
pp.125 ff.
Khanapur plates:
Place: Satara district, Maharashtra.
The second plate mentions Maharaja Madhava Varma II who was a Sarvabhouma(emperor) and who performed the all ritual and asvamedha sacrifices. Defeated the Vakataka King Prithvishena II, and Married the Princess of Vakataka Mahadevi, He had the title of chaturvamsa, chaturasrama, dharm-karmasetu.