Ushavadata

Ushvadata
Born2nd century?
Western Satrap kingdom
Died2nd century?
SpouseDakshamitra
Relatives
  • Dinika (father)
  • Nahapana (father-in-law)
  • Dakshamitra (spouse)
Military career
AllegianceWestern Satraps
Service years
2nd century
CommandsViceroy of southern Saka territories including Nasik, Karle & Junnar.
Conflicts
Saka-Malava War, Saka-Satavahana Wars

Ushavadata (Brahmi: U-ṣa-va-dā-ta, Uṣavadāta), also known as Rishabhadatta, was a viceroy and son-in-law of the Western Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana, who ruled in western India.

Name

Ushavadata's name is attested in his inscriptions as Uṣavadāta, which is derived from the Saka name *R̥śvadāta, meaning "rightly created".

Inscriptions

Nasik Cave inscription No.10. of Ushavadata, Cave No.10.

Much of the information about Ushavadata comes from his Nashik and Karle inscriptions. The Nashik inscription contains a eulogy of Ushavadata in Sanskrit, and then records the donation of a cave to Buddhists in a Middle Indo-Aryan language. The Karle inscription contains a similar eulogy, but in the Middle Indo-Aryan language.

Early life

Ushavadata was the son of one Dinika. He identifies as a Shaka (IAST: Śaka) in his Nashik inscription:

"[Success !] By permanent charities of Ushavadata, the Shaka, [son of Dinika], son-in-law of king Nahapana, the [Kshahara]ta Kshatrapa...."

— Inscription No.14a of Nahapana, Cave No.10, Nasik

He believed in the Vedic religion, and married Nahapana's daughter Dakshamitra.

Charity

Both of Ushavadata's inscriptions mention the following of his charitable acts:

The Nashik inscription records more such acts, stating that Ushavadata exhibited very pious behaviour at the Trirashmi hills, where the Nashik caves are located:

"Success! In the year 42, in the month Vesakha, Ushavadata, son of Dinika, son-in-law of king Nahapana, the Kshaharata Kshatrapa, has bestowed this cave on the Samgha generally...."

— Inscription No.12 of Nahapana, Cave No.10, Nasik

Nasik Pandavleni Caves, cave No.10

Military career

Ushavadatta campaigned in the north under the orders of Nahapana to rescue the Uttamabhadras, who had been attacked by the Malayas (identified with the Malavas). He also extended the realm by defeating other enemies.

The Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni appears to have defeated Rishabhadatta. An inscription discovered in Nashik, dated to the 18th year of Gautamiputra's reign, states that he donated a piece of land to Buddhist monks; this land was earlier in the possession of Ushavadata.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Catalogue of Indian coins of the British Museum. Andhras etc." Rapson. p. LVII
  2. ↑ Tripathi, Rama Shankar (1942). History of Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 216. ISBN 9788120800182. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  3. ↑ Harmatta, János (1999). "Languages and scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka Kingdoms". In Harmatta, János; Puri, B. N.; Etemadi, G. F. (eds.). History of civilizations of Central Asia. Vol. 2. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. p. 413. ISBN 978-8-120-81408-0.
  4. ↑ Shrimali 1992, p. 151.
  5. 1 2 Andrew Ollett 2017, p. 39.
  6. 1 2 Andrew Ollett 2017, p. 40.
  7. ↑ Senart 1906, p. 85-86.
  8. ↑ N. B. Divatia 1993, p. 42.
  9. ↑ Andrew Ollett 2017, pp. 39–40.
  10. ↑ Senart 1906, p. 82-83.
  11. ↑ Senart 1906, p. 78-79.
  12. ↑ Ashvini Agrawal (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas (Hardcover). Motilal Banarsidass. p. 58. ISBN 9788120805927.
  13. ↑ Upinder Singh 2008, p. 383.

Sources