History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c17.s2.79

c17.s2.79

§ 184. Vīrakūrcha Kumāra Viṣṇu performed an aśvamedha, that is, he declared himself to be the successor of the Ikṣvākus. It was repeated by Śiva Skandavarman. Evidently Viravarman lost Kāñchī¹ which had to be conquered back by Kumāra Viṣṇu II.² The Velurpalaiyam plates do not call the latter a king. He, as a prince, seems to have conquered Kāñchī for his father. Both father and son had to fight the Cholas and probably also some other Tamil kings.³ Skandavarman II re-established himself at Kāñchī. In his time, the Gaṅgas and also the Kadambas were set up as feudatories on the Tamil frontiers (§ 188 ff.). Their similar titles indicate that they were all Mahārājas to the Vākāṭaka Emperor. Their being Dharma-mahārājas seems to imply that they all were appointed by the Samrāṭ, that they belonged to a Dharma Empire established by the Vākāṭakas. There was practically a continuous fight with the Cholas until Buddhavarman broke them.⁴