Ancient India has witnessed several influential dynasties which have changed the course of our history. Many of us have been introduced to very few of them in our school days due to which we have a blurred perspective of our past. As a proud Indian, there is a need to explore these unknown aspects of our glorious history. Kadamba Dynasty is one such dynasty which few would be aware about.

The ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka – Kadambas prospered in the Konkan regions in Banavasi from 345 to 525 CE. It was founded by Mayurasharma who defeated the Pallavas of Kanchi with the help of native tribes. During the reign of King Kakushtavarma, their kingdom extended to large parts of modern-day Karnataka. They earned so much respect that women from Kadamba Dynasty married Kings of Gupta Dynasty of northern India as well. After a lot of bloodshed, King Shivakoti from Kadamba dynasty started following Jainism.

The Kadambas formed the earliest native kingdoms to rule the Western Ganga region with complete autonomy. They later went on to be the feudatory of bigger kingdoms like Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta empires for more than 500 years. They later disintegrated into smaller territories like Kadambas of Goa, Kadambas of Halasi and Kadambas of Hangal. The Kadambas dynasty used Kannada at an administrative level for the first time. They were so powerful that even Vijayanagara rulers who fought against Deccan sultanates hired people from Kadambas to take care of their Goan military naval fleet.

Kadamba coins are considered to be heaviest and possibly the purest of all medieval Indian gold coinage. They issued punch-marked as well as die struck gold coins. The 450 CE Halmidi inscriptions that belong to the Kadamba ruler Kakusthavarma points to the earliest use of Kannada script. There are many other fascinating facts about this powerful dynasty that will highlight the glory of Indian history!