The Abhiras also called Abheeras, ruled Telanagana from c.208 CE to 280 CE and Maharashtra and Konkan until 375 AD were a powerful dynasty that emerged in the power vacuum following the decline of the Satavahanas in the western Deccan. Initially serving as military commanders for the Western Satraps (Sakas), they eventually declared independence and established a kingdom that, while brief in its sovereign zenith, played a significant role in the transitional period of Indian history.
Military Service: They initially entered the military service of the Western Satraps, rising to high ranks. Their martial prowess was crucial to the Saka rulers.
Path to Power: Their rise was gradual. By 181 AD, Abhira generals held significant influence, as evidenced by General Rudrabhuti being the commander-in-chief (senapati) for Saka ruler Rudrasimha I.
Independence: The fall of the Satavahanas (c. early 3rd century AD) created an opportunity. The Abhiras, with their established military power and the consent of their Saka overlords, declared partial independence around 208 CE and full independence in 228 CE under the leadership of Ishwarsena.
Mathariputra Sakasena (alias Saka Satakarni) (c. 208 – 228 CE)
Titles: Rulers used titles like Mahaksatrapa (Great Satrap), indicating their origins in the Saka administrative system.
Feudatories: They ruled with the help of feudatory chiefs, such as the Peribidehas mentioned in the Nagarjunakonda inscription, who held titles like great village chief, great commander (mahatalavara, mahadandanayaka).
Coinage: They issued their own coins (found in Saurashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana), similar in style to the Satavahanas and Western Kshatrapas, which facilitated commerce.
Integration: They assimilated into the Kshatriya varna through the Yaduvanshi claim and adopted Sanskrit, the language of administration and elites.
6. Art and Culture
Religion: The dynasty primarily practiced Hinduism (Saivism), as seen by the installation of an image of Astbhujasvamin (an eight-armed Vishnu? or Shiva?) as recorded at Nagarjunakonda.
Patronage: Despite being Shaivites, they continued the Satavahana tradition of patronizing Buddhist institutions. The large donation to the Nasik monastery is a prime example of this religious tolerance and support for learning and medicine.
Language: Sanskrit was used for inscriptions, marking a shift from the Prakrit commonly used by the Satavahanas.
Sassanid Persia: The Paikali inscription (293 AD) records an embassy from the "Abhiran Sah" (Abhira King) to congratulate the Sassanid Shahanshah Narseh on his coronation. This indicates the Abhiras were recognized as a significant power with diplomatic reach beyond India.
Gupta Empire: The Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta (c. 4th century AD) lists the Abhiras as a "frontier kingdom" that paid tribute to the Guptas. This refers to the remnants of the Abhira power after their decline.
Stabilizing the Deccan: They provided a period of stability and continuity in the western Deccan after the fall of the Satavahanas.
Bridge between Empires: They acted as a crucial transitional power between the ancient Satavahanas and the classical empires of the Vakatakas and Guptas.
Decline (c. 280 AD onwards): Around 280 AD, the Abhiras lost their paramount status due to simultaneous pressure from the Chutus and Ikshvakus in the Deccan. Vishnurudra Sivalananda Satakarni (c. 255 AD - c. 280 AD) Of Chutu Dynasty likely defeated the Abhiras and annexed Telangana. After this, Abhiras continued to rule smaller territories elsewhere, but Telangana came under Chutu/Ikshvaku control.
The Vakatakas: Became the dominant power in the northern Deccan, absorbing former Abhira territories.
The Kadambas: Rose to power in Karnataka, conquering the southern parts of the Abhira domain.
Petty Abhira Chiefs: Families like the one defeated by Kadamba king Mayurasarman and later by the Yadavas continued to hold local sway for centuries.
Founder : Isvarasena
Language : Sanskrit
Religion : Hinduism (Saivism)
1. Origins and Rise
Ethnic and Social Background: The Abhiras were traditionally a pastoral community (cowherds), often referred to as Gavali rajas. They claimed descent from the Yaduvanshi Kshatriya clan, linking themselves to the lineage of Lord Krishna.Military Service: They initially entered the military service of the Western Satraps, rising to high ranks. Their martial prowess was crucial to the Saka rulers.
Jaithraka
Varahadeva
Regaresvaradeva
84 CE : Daulatpur Yashti Inscription of Regaresvaradeva during the reign of Chastana 6th year
General Bapaka
Path to Power: Their rise was gradual. By 181 AD, Abhira generals held significant influence, as evidenced by General Rudrabhuti being the commander-in-chief (senapati) for Saka ruler Rudrasimha I.
188 CE - Abhira Sivadatta
The first major attempt at seizing power was by Abhira Sivadatta, who briefly deposed Rudrasimha I in 188 AD before being ousted.
Independence: The fall of the Satavahanas (c. early 3rd century AD) created an opportunity. The Abhiras, with their established military power and the consent of their Saka overlords, declared partial independence around 208 CE and full independence in 228 CE under the leadership of Ishwarsena.
2. Rulers
The Puranas mention ten Abhira kings ruling for 67 years (or 167 years according to the Vayu Purana), though only a few are known by name from inscriptions and coins.Mathariputra Sakasena (alias Saka Satakarni) (c. 208 – 228 CE)
Likely the elder brother of Ishwarsena who ruled first. His coins and the Kanheri Cave inscription suggest rule over Maharashtra and parts of Telangana, adopting the Satavahana title "Satakarni" to claim legitimacy.
Claimed kingship; coins found in Peddapalli (Telangana); regional authority, not fully sovereign
Key Rulers (c.228 CE - 248 CE)
Madhariputra Ishwarsena (alias Mahaksatrapa Isvaradatta) (c. 228 – 248 CE)
Key Rulers (c.228 CE - 248 CE)
Madhariputra Ishwarsena (alias Mahaksatrapa Isvaradatta) (c. 228 – 248 CE)
The true founder of the independent Abhira kingdom. Son of Sivadatta and Queen Mathari. His Nasik inscription of his 9th regnal year (237 AD) is a key record. He usurped the throne of the Western Kshatrapas between 236-239 AD and some historians assign Kalachuri-Chedi era in 248-49 AD to Ishwarasena, but there is no credible evidence.
Vashishthiputra Vasusena (c. 248 – 280 CE)
Vashishthiputra Vasusena (c. 248 – 280 CE)
The last significant sovereign Abhira ruler. His reign is attested by the Nagarjunakonda inscription of his 30th regnal year (278 AD). After his death, the dynasty lost its paramount status.
Other Chiefs: Other minor rulers and chiefs like Yasobhuti (known from coins, c. 280 AD) and Abhira Kottaraja (mentioned in the Kamasutra) ruled smaller territories, likely as feudatories or regional governors after the dynasty's decline until 375 CE.
Other Chiefs: Other minor rulers and chiefs like Yasobhuti (known from coins, c. 280 AD) and Abhira Kottaraja (mentioned in the Kamasutra) ruled smaller territories, likely as feudatories or regional governors after the dynasty's decline until 375 CE.
3. Administration
The Abhira administration was likely a continuation of the Satavahana and Saka models.Titles: Rulers used titles like Mahaksatrapa (Great Satrap), indicating their origins in the Saka administrative system.
Feudatories: They ruled with the help of feudatory chiefs, such as the Peribidehas mentioned in the Nagarjunakonda inscription, who held titles like great village chief, great commander (mahatalavara, mahadandanayaka).
4. Economy and Trade
Trade Guilds: The Nasik inscription of Ishwarsena records a substantial investment of 3500 Karsapanas into trade guilds (sreni) at Govardhana (Nasik) to fund medicine for Buddhist monks. This indicates a continued patronage of mercantile activity and the importance of trade routes passing through their territory.Coinage: They issued their own coins (found in Saurashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana), similar in style to the Satavahanas and Western Kshatrapas, which facilitated commerce.
5. Society
Pastoral Roots: Their identity as former cowherds (Gavali) remained a notable social characteristic, even after they became kings.Integration: They assimilated into the Kshatriya varna through the Yaduvanshi claim and adopted Sanskrit, the language of administration and elites.
6. Art and Culture
Religion: The dynasty primarily practiced Hinduism (Saivism), as seen by the installation of an image of Astbhujasvamin (an eight-armed Vishnu? or Shiva?) as recorded at Nagarjunakonda.
Patronage: Despite being Shaivites, they continued the Satavahana tradition of patronizing Buddhist institutions. The large donation to the Nasik monastery is a prime example of this religious tolerance and support for learning and medicine.
Language: Sanskrit was used for inscriptions, marking a shift from the Prakrit commonly used by the Satavahanas.
7. Foreign Relations
Western Satraps (Sakas): Their relationship evolved from being subordinates to rivals. Ishwarsena's conquest of the Saka throne around 236 AD was their greatest military and political achievement.Sassanid Persia: The Paikali inscription (293 AD) records an embassy from the "Abhiran Sah" (Abhira King) to congratulate the Sassanid Shahanshah Narseh on his coronation. This indicates the Abhiras were recognized as a significant power with diplomatic reach beyond India.
Gupta Empire: The Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta (c. 4th century AD) lists the Abhiras as a "frontier kingdom" that paid tribute to the Guptas. This refers to the remnants of the Abhira power after their decline.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Founding an Era: Their most enduring legacy was the foundation of the Kalachuri-Chedi era in 248-49 AD by Ishwarsena. This calendar was used for centuries by subsequent dynasties like the Kalachuris and the Chedis.Stabilizing the Deccan: They provided a period of stability and continuity in the western Deccan after the fall of the Satavahanas.
Bridge between Empires: They acted as a crucial transitional power between the ancient Satavahanas and the classical empires of the Vakatakas and Guptas.
9. Chronology, Dating, and Decline
Peak (c. 228 – 280 AD): The period from Ishwarsena to Vasusena represents the height of Abhira sovereign power.Decline (c. 280 AD onwards): Around 280 AD, the Abhiras lost their paramount status due to simultaneous pressure from the Chutus and Ikshvakus in the Deccan. Vishnurudra Sivalananda Satakarni (c. 255 AD - c. 280 AD) Of Chutu Dynasty likely defeated the Abhiras and annexed Telangana. After this, Abhiras continued to rule smaller territories elsewhere, but Telangana came under Chutu/Ikshvaku control.
The Vakatakas (to the north) and Kadambas (to the south-west).
Final End: The Abhiras were finally supplanted by their own feudatories, the Traikutakas, around 375 AD. Petty Abhira chieftains like Lakshmideva (defeated by the Yadavas of Devagiri) and Kampalacontinued to rule small pockets until as late as the 13th century, but without any sovereign authority.
Final End: The Abhiras were finally supplanted by their own feudatories, the Traikutakas, around 375 AD. Petty Abhira chieftains like Lakshmideva (defeated by the Yadavas of Devagiri) and Kampalacontinued to rule small pockets until as late as the 13th century, but without any sovereign authority.
10. Successor States/Vassals
The Traikutakas: Were direct feudatories of the Abhiras who overthrew them and annexed their core territories in coastal Maharashtra and Konkan by 375 AD.The Vakatakas: Became the dominant power in the northern Deccan, absorbing former Abhira territories.
The Kadambas: Rose to power in Karnataka, conquering the southern parts of the Abhira domain.
Petty Abhira Chiefs: Families like the one defeated by Kadamba king Mayurasarman and later by the Yadavas continued to hold local sway for centuries.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/44148188
https://www.jstor.org/stable/24665991
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