The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c8.s8.15

v1.c8.s8.15

The earliest Vākāṭaka capital was probably Purikā, somewhere in Berar or the western Madhya Pradesha. This has not been identified so far. Later on the capital was changed to Nandivardhana, which may be either Nandpur, about thirty-four miles north of Nagpur, or Nagardhan (also spelt as Nandardhan), near Rāmtek, about thirteen miles north of Nagpur. The extensive fortifications near the former place, the ruins of which can still be seen, would seem to suggest that most probably Nandpur was the old Vākāṭaka capital.¹ Pravarasena, however, founded a new city, Pravarapura, named after himself, and moved his capital to it sometime before the 18th year of his reign.² It is unfortunate that modern research should still be unable to identify this capital. It has been suggested that Pavnar in the Wardha District, which has a strong fort overlooking a river, may be Pravarapura.³ Unless and until local investigations and excavations are made, it will not be possible either to confirm or to contradict this view.