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(1) #Thread on Deccan Emperor Harishena Vakataka (हरिशेन वाकाटक) & #Ajanta Cave #History
The Vakataka Empire had marital alliances with the #Gupta Empire, and in its early days, had allied with the Guptas to expel the Western Satraps (Indo-Scythian rulers) from Gujarat.
The Vakataka Empire had marital alliances with the #Gupta Empire, and in its early days, had allied with the Guptas to expel the Western Satraps (Indo-Scythian rulers) from Gujarat.
(2)
The Vakatakas were powerful #Hindu dynasty of #Deccan in 3rd-6th centuries CE.
Emperor Harishena ruled from 475-510 CE. His capital was Vatsagulma (today’s Washim, Maharashtra).
The Vakatakas were powerful #Hindu dynasty of #Deccan in 3rd-6th centuries CE.
Emperor Harishena ruled from 475-510 CE. His capital was Vatsagulma (today’s Washim, Maharashtra).
(3)
The #Ajanta inscription describes the ambitions of the Emperor, which materialized in extensive territorial conquests. The #Vakataka Empire spanned much of the northern #Deccan plateau.
The #Ajanta inscription describes the ambitions of the Emperor, which materialized in extensive territorial conquests. The #Vakataka Empire spanned much of the northern #Deccan plateau.
(4)
Vakatakas, being a #Hindu dynasty, were free of prejudices for other panths.
Many #Buddhist caves at Ajanta were created during this period. They are regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
Vakatakas, being a #Hindu dynasty, were free of prejudices for other panths.
Many #Buddhist caves at Ajanta were created during this period. They are regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
(5)
Varahadeva was a devout #Buddhist Minister in the court of Emperor Harishena Vakataka. Varahadeva was son of Hastibhoja, an efficient minister of Harishena’s father, Devasena.
Varahadeva was a devout #Buddhist Minister in the court of Emperor Harishena Vakataka. Varahadeva was son of Hastibhoja, an efficient minister of Harishena’s father, Devasena.
(6)
Cave no.16 of the #Ajanta caves was excavated by Varahadeva, in dedication to the #Buddhist Sangha.
A cave painting of Cave #16 shows Bodhisattva, in the form of 7 y.o child Mahasodha, preached Law. The audience can be seen listening to the discourse with rapt attention.
Cave no.16 of the #Ajanta caves was excavated by Varahadeva, in dedication to the #Buddhist Sangha.
A cave painting of Cave #16 shows Bodhisattva, in the form of 7 y.o child Mahasodha, preached Law. The audience can be seen listening to the discourse with rapt attention.
(7)
[L] : Dancing artist. The hand gestures shown are very similar to the dance forms still practised in India
[R] : Gautama Buddha’s brother, Prince Nanda, getting initiated into Buddha’s monastic order. His head is shaven under a monk’s observation for the initiation process.
![(7)[L] : Dancing artist. The hand gestures shown are very similar to the dance forms still practised in India[R] : Gautama Buddha’s brother, Prince Nanda, getting initiated into Buddha’s monastic order. His head is shaven under a monk’s observation for the initiation process.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtytYw0XEAo0Brg.png "(7)[L] : Dancing artist. The hand gestures shown are very similar to the dance forms still practised in India[R] : Gautama Buddha’s brother, Prince Nanda, getting initiated into Buddha’s monastic order. His head is shaven under a monk’s observation for the initiation process.")
![(7)[L] : Dancing artist. The hand gestures shown are very similar to the dance forms still practised in India[R] : Gautama Buddha’s brother, Prince Nanda, getting initiated into Buddha’s monastic order. His head is shaven under a monk’s observation for the initiation process.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtytbDJXUAcP2zJ.png "(7)[L] : Dancing artist. The hand gestures shown are very similar to the dance forms still practised in India[R] : Gautama Buddha’s brother, Prince Nanda, getting initiated into Buddha’s monastic order. His head is shaven under a monk’s observation for the initiation process.")
[L] : Dancing artist. The hand gestures shown are very similar to the dance forms still practised in India
[R] : Gautama Buddha’s brother, Prince Nanda, getting initiated into Buddha’s monastic order. His head is shaven under a monk’s observation for the initiation process.
(8)
The Vakataka-Gupta Age is thus rightly called as the 'Golden Age of Indian Civilisation' - or the 'Classical Age' - due to such creative cultural upsurge in all its fields.
The Vakataka-Gupta Age is thus rightly called as the 'Golden Age of Indian Civilisation' - or the 'Classical Age' - due to such creative cultural upsurge in all its fields.
