Origin of the Western Ganga Dynasty
Hey there! Let’s look at the Ganga dynasty. They originated from Ayodhyapur, settled in Ahichhatra, and later moved to southern India, establishing new kingdoms in Karnataka and Kalinga.
Inscriptions from the twelfth century claim descent from the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty of Ayodhya. They migrated south and worshiped the goddess Ganga, from whom the dynasty is said to be named.The Western Ganga Dynasty oversaw parts of Karnataka in southern India from around 350 to 1000 CE.
Did you know? – Lord Rama was from the Ikshvaku dynasty.
Key Rulers
- Konganivarman Madhava: A visionary founder of the dynasty around 350 CE.
- Madhava II: Boldly expanded the kingdom while fostering Jainism.
- Durvinita: Championed literature and courageously defended the kingdom.
- Sivamara II: Fostered the arts and built magnificent temples.
- Rachamalla IV: Created the iconic Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola.
Fun Activity: Can you trace your family tree and add a vital contribution of each family member?
Society, Culture, and Art
The historical approach to education used to value a broad range of knowledge instead of specializing in one area. It encouraged people to explore diverse subjects like animal communication and arts. Princes were under pressure to become skilled in sciences and arts important for governing and diplomacy. They were celebrated for their wide-ranging expertise, from poetry to social psychology, in inscriptions, a testament to their impressive knowledge and skills.
The Western Ganga’s Hindu temple architecture is known for its intricate sculptures, elaborate ornamentation, and unique Dravidian style, which features pyramidal towers (shikhara) and pillared halls (mandapas).
They had a tradition of setting up hero stonesor ‘veeragallu’ in Kannada. These stones were used to honour warriors who died bravely in battle or defending their kingdom, a tradition that inspires awe and respect for their courage.
A famous veeragallu of Atakuru was erected in memory of a hound named Kali, who died while fighting a wild boar.
Fun Activity: Plan a visit to the Vishveshwarayya Museum in Bengaluru to see this fantastic hero stone on display.
The Kunigal Kere was built by Sri Purusha, one of the famous and brave kings of the Ganga dynasty, in 870 AD.
Known temples built by Ganga rulers in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kolar are the Nageshvara temple at Begur- near Bengaluru; Kolaramma temple in Kolar; Rameshvara temple at Nagamangala, and Kalleshvara temple at Aralaguppe.
Did you know?
In the Kolaramma temple, there’s a special place called the ‘hundi.’ It’s like a small hole in the ground where people drop coins as a tradition. The interesting part is when you drop a coin, you hear its sound after a little while. That’s because the ‘hundi’ is a deep well, a unique feature that piques curiosity and invites exploration.
References:
- https://www.uniselinus.education/sites/default/files/2023-05/revinahalli%20nanjegowda%20raveesh.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_the_Western_Ganga_Dynasty#:~:text=The%20Western%20Ganga%20Dynasty%20ruled,Talakad%20in%20Mysore%20district%2C%20Karnataka.
- https://tumbe.org/uploads/1/408_pdf.pdf
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/44155754#:~:text=The%20early%20Western%20Gangas%20rose%20into%20priminence%20in,of%20Salem%20and%20Coimbatore%20districts%20of%20Tamil%20Nadu.
- https://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Journal/Journal2/pdf/ohrj-03.pdf