Kadamba Empire: Map & History
The Kadamba dynasty were an ancient royal family from modern Karnataka, India, that ruled northern Karnataka and the Konkan from Banavasi in present-day Uttara Kannada district in India.
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The Kadamba dynasty were an ancient royal family from modern Karnataka, India, that ruled northern Karnataka and the Konkan from Banavasi in present-day Uttara Kannada district in India. The kingdom was founded by Mayurasharma in c. 345, and at later times showed the potential of developing into imperial proportions. An indication of their imperial ambitions is provided by the titles and epithets assumed by its rulers, and the marital relations they kept with other kingdoms and empires, such as the Vakatakas and Guptas of northern India. Mayurasharma defeated the armies of the Pallavas of Kanchi possibly with the help of some native tribes and claimed sovereignty. The Kadamba power reached its peak during the rule of Kakusthavarma.
Modern Countries Once Part of Kadamba Empire
At its mapped extent, Kadamba Empire covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Kadamba Empire's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Kadamba Empire in Depth
History
There are several legends regarding the origin of the Kadambas. According to one such legend the originator of this dynasty was a three-eyed four-armed warrior called Trilochana Kadamba (the father of Mayurasharma) who emerged from the sweat of the god Shiva under a Kadamba tree. Another legend tries to simplify it by claiming Mayurasharma himself was born to Rudra and the earth goddess. According to yet another legend, Mayurasharma was born to the sister of a Jain Muni under a Kadamba tree. Other legends tie them without any substance to the Nagas, and the Nandas of northern India. An inscription of c. 1189 claims that Kadamba Rudra, the founder of the kingdom, was born in a forest of Kadamba trees. As he had "peacock feather"-like reflections on his limbs, he was called Mayuravarman.
Economy
Inscriptions and literature are the main source of information about the economy and the factors that influenced it. According to Adiga, from studies conducted by historians and epigraphists such as Krishna, Kalburgi, Kittel, Rice, B.R. Gopal and Settar, it is clear the kingdom depended on revenues from both agricultural and pastoral elements. Numerous inscriptions, mainly from the modern Shimoga, Bijapur, Belgaum, Dharwad and Uttara Kannada regions (the ancient divisions of Belvola-300, Puligere-300, Banavasi-12,000) mention cattle raids, cowherds and shepherds. The numerous hero stones to those who fought in cattle raids was an indication of not only lawlessness but also of the importance of herding.
Culture
The religion of the Kadamba dynasty has been the subject of discussion among historians and epigraphists based on inscriptions, copper plates, and literary references. While the dynasty is widely acknowledged to have patronized both Hinduism and Jainism, scholars have differed regarding the personal religious affiliation of its rulers. No inscription explicitly identifies the family's sectarian affiliation, and historians therefore interpret their faith primarily from the religious character of their inscriptions, grants, and patronage. Many historians, including Kamath, Nilakanta Sastri and Moraes, describe the Kadambas as a Brahmin family associated with the Vedic tradition.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kadamba dynasty (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Kadamba Empire: Key Facts
| Capital | Banavasi |
|---|---|
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Founded | 345 CE |
| Dissolved | 525 CE |
Facts from Wikidata Q1479952 (CC0).
Kadamba Empire Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Kadamba Empire appears, with the other states of the time.
Kadamba Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 202,263 km² in 550 CE.
Kadamba Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Kadamba Empire exist?
The Kadamba Empire is dated to 353 CE – 554 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of the Kadamba Empire?
The capital of the Kadamba Empire was Banavasi.
How large was the Kadamba Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 550 AD the Kadamba Empire covered about 202,263 km².
How did the map of the Kadamba Empire change over time?
The Kadamba Empire appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 400 CE to 500 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.