History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c15.s1.40

c15.s1.40

The meaning of the statement that Vindhyaśakti arose from the Kilakilā kings is that he arose first as their recognized feudatory or a full-fledged member of their confederacy. That he was constitutionally in a subordinate position is proved by the fact that the official deeds of the Vākāṭakas omit him and begin the line of their independent kings with Pravarasena. It is only in the family history [kshitipānupūrvi] given in the Ajanṭā cave inscription [Cave no. XVI], that Vindhyaśakti is described as the founder of the Vākāṭaka vaṃśa (Vākāṭaka-vaṃśa-ketuḥ). From the description it appears that Vindhyaśakti, whose strength grew in great battles and who by the valour of his arms gained (a kingdom) and became the banner of the Vākāṭaka dynasty and who remained a strict Brahmin throughout his career (chakāra puṇyeshu paraṃ prayatnam), was primarily a general of the Kilakilā Vrishas. His adoption of the name of his native town as his dynastic title shows that he had been an ordinary citizen and had no royal pedigree behind him. He takes patriotic pleasure in connecting himself with the Vindhyas and with Vākāṭa, his home. ‘Vindhyaśakti’ itself is obviously an assumed regnal name. He seems to have made large conquests in Andhra and Naishadha-Vidūra countries (§§75, 76A).