The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c8.s3.2

v1.c8.s3.2

Vindhyaśakti was succeeded by his son Pravarasena I in *c.* A.D. 275. The Puranic tradition, which is unanimous in crediting him with a long reign of sixty years, seems to be well founded. He performed as many as four horse-sacrifices, which we may legitimately suppose marked the ends of four long campaigns. He alone among the Vākāṭaka rulers is given the title of *samrāṭ*, emperor, and it is but reasonable to assume that this could have been earned only by a long and successful military career. And finally we have to note that he was succeeded not by his eldest son but by a grandson: this happens only when a king has a very long reign. We can therefore accept the Puranic statement and credit Pravarasena I with the long reign of sixty years assigned to him, which terminated in *c.* A.D. 335.