Western Gangas

Western Ganga was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka in

India which lasted from about 350 to 1000 CE. They are known as "Western
Gangas" to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in later centuries
ruled over Kalinga (modern Odisha and Northern Andhra Pradesh). The
general belief is that the Western Gangas began their rule during a time
when multiple native clans asserted their freedom due to the weakening of
the Pallava empire in South India, a geo-political event sometimes
attributed to the southern conquests of Samudra Gupta. The Western
Ganga sovereignty lasted from about 350 to 550 CE, initially ruling from
Kolar and later, moving their capital to Talakadu on the banks of the Kaveri
River in modern Mysore district.
Founder of Western
Gangas dynasty
The founder of the Western
Ganga dynasty was King
Konganivarma I. He established
the dynasty in the early to mid-
4th century CE in the region of
present-day Karnataka, India.
The Western Gangas were a
prominent South Indian dynasty
that ruled for several centuries
and made significant
contributions to the region's
history, culture, and architecture.
 Economy
The economy of the Western Ganga Dynasty was primarily agriculture
and trade-based. Agriculture formed the backbone of their economy,
with the majority of the population engaged in farming. The dynasty's
territory in present-day Karnataka had fertile lands, facilitating
agricultural productivity.

The Ganga rulers encouraged agricultural development and

implemented policies to boost agricultural production. They constructed
irrigation systems, including tanks and canals, to ensure a steady water
supply for cultivation.
The Western Ganga Dynasty had flourishing trade relations within their
territories and other regions. They had access to important trade routes
that connected the coastlines of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
The Western Ganga rulers issued their coinage. Gold, silver, and copper
coins with various denominations were minted.
The dynasty supported various crafts and guilds, which significantly
influenced their economy. Skilled artisans produced textiles, metalwork,
woodwork, pottery, jewelry, and other crafts.
 Administration
The administration of the Western Ganga Dynasty was organized hierarchically, with the
king at the top of the political and administrative structure. Here are some key aspects of
their administration:

Monarchy: The Western Ganga Dynasty was a hereditary monarchy, with the throne
passing from one generation to another within the royal family.
Feudal System: The kingdom was divided into smaller administrative units called Nadu,
each headed by a local chief known as a Nadugowda.
Central Administration: The king appointed key officials to assist the kingdom's
administration.
Taxation: The administration relied on a system of taxation to generate revenue for the
kingdom.
Military: The king appointed commanders and army chiefs to protect the kingdom from
external threats and maintain law and order.
 Literature
• The Western Ganga rule was a time of brisk literary activity in Sanskrit and Kannada.
However, many works are now considered extinct and are only known through
references to them.
• A summary of the Sanskrit writings Adipurana and Uttarapurana, written a century
earlier by Jinasena and Gunabhadra during the rule of Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I,
can be found in Chavundaraya’s work, the Chavundaraya Purana, which dates from 978
CE.
• The prose, written in clear Kannada, was primarily intended for the average person and
avoided references to challenging Jain doctrines and philosophical ideas.
• His writings appear to have been influenced by the works of his contemporaries, Ranna
and Adikavi Pampa.
• The work recounts the tales of 63 Jain adherents, including twenty-four Jain Tirthankar,
twelve Chakravartis, nine Balabhadras, nine Narayanas, and nine Pratinarayanas.
 Architecture
 Indigenous Jain elements and Pallava and Badami Chalukya features influenced the
Western Ganga architectural style.
 Square pillars, the stepped Vimana of the shrine with horizontal mouldings, and the
Ganga pillars with the customary lion at the base and the round pillar shaft on its head
are examples of the architectural features the Pallavas left behind.
 Similar traits are also present in the structures their subordinates, the Banas and
Nolambas, have built.
 The sculpture has been dubbed the greatest accomplishment in sculptural art in
mediaeval Karnataka due to its tranquil countenance, gracefully curled hair,
proportionate anatomy, size, and mix of skill and workmanship.

 The sitting Brahma is located at the pillar's summit, and its cylindrical or octagonal shaft
is adorned with creepers and other floral themes. The pillar's base typically bears
engravings of significant Jain figures and inscriptions.
 Religion
 The Western Gangas supported every major religion at the time, including Jainism and
the Hindu sects of Shaivism, Vedic Brahmanism, and Vaishnavism. Scholars have
countered that all Ganga kings may not have accorded all religions equal priority.
According to some historians, the Gangas were devout Jains.
 When King Shivamara I, the dynasty’s ruler, built numerous Jain basadis, Jainism gained
popularity in the region.
 It is thought that the reverence of spiritual leaders’ footprints, such as those of
Bhadrabahu in Shravanabelagola in the tenth century, might be compared to Buddhism.
 The dedication of the Gomateshwara monolith, the statue of Bahubali, the son of
Tirthankar Adinatha, exhibits some Brahminical influences (just as Hindus worshipped the
sons of Shiva).
 From the 7th through the 12th centuries, worship of minor deities like Yaksa and Yaksi,
formerly thought of as nothing more than the tirthankars’ attendants, was observed.
 Important kings
• Konganivarma I: Founder of the Western Ganga dynasty, he established the kingdom in the early to mid-4th
century CE.

• Durvinita: He was one of the early kings and succeeded King Buthuga. Durvinita's reign marked the
expansion and consolidation of the Western Ganga kingdom.

• Madhava I: He ruled in the late 4th century CE and continued the kingdom's growth and development.

• Vishnugopa: Known for his patronage of arts and literature, he was an influential king during the late 4th
century CE.

• Simhavishnu: One of the most illustrious rulers of the Western Ganga dynasty, he reigned in the early 5th
century CE. Simhavishnu was a great patron of arts, culture, and religion.

• Sripurusha: He was an early ruler of the Western Ganga dynasty and laid the foundation for its subsequent
growth.
.

• Butuga II: Known for his military prowess and expansion of the kingdom's territory.

• Avinita III: A prominent ruler who made significant contributions to the kingdom's administration and
governance.

• Durvinita III: Notable for his patronage of learning and literature, as well as the construction of temples.

• Sivamara II: Under his rule, the Western Ganga dynasty reached its zenith of power and influence.

• Durvinita IV: Known for his successful military campaigns and territorial expansion.

• Avinita VI: He was a patron of arts, literature, and religion, contributing to the flourishing cultural scene
during his reign.

• Sivamara III: An important ruler who continued the dynasty's legacy of patronizing art, culture, and religion.

• Madhava V: He played a crucial role in the kingdom's affairs during his reign.
Thank You