Ushvadata | |
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Born | 2nd century? Western Satrap kingdom |
Died | 2nd century? |
Allegiance | Western Satraps |
Years of service | 2nd century |
Commands held | Viceroy of southern Saka territories including Nasik, Karle & Junnar. [1] [2] |
Battles/wars | Saka-Malava War, Saka-Satavahana Wars |
Spouse(s) | Dakshamitra |
Relations |
|
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.
Ushavadata's name is attested in his inscriptions as Uṣavadāta, which is derived from the Saka name *R̥śvadāta, meaning "rightly created". [3]
Much of the information about Ushavadata comes from his Nashik and Karle inscriptions. The Nashik inscription contains an 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. [4]
Ushavadata was the son of one Dinika. [5] 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 [6]
He believed in Brahmanism, [7] and married Nahapana's daughter Dakshamitra.
Both of Ushavadata's inscriptions mention the following of his charitable acts: [5]
The Nashik inscription records more such acts, stating that Ushavadata exhibited very pious behaviour at the Trirashmi hills, where the Nashik caves are located: [8]
"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 [9]
Nasik Pandavleni Caves, cave No.10 | |
|
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). [10] He also extended the realm by defeating other enemies. [11]
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. [12]
Ushvadata | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | 2nd century? Western Satrap kingdom |
Died | 2nd century? |
Allegiance | Western Satraps |
Years of service | 2nd century |
Commands held | Viceroy of southern Saka territories including Nasik, Karle & Junnar. [1] [2] |
Battles/wars | Saka-Malava War, Saka-Satavahana Wars |
Spouse(s) | Dakshamitra |
Relations |
|
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.
Ushavadata's name is attested in his inscriptions as Uṣavadāta, which is derived from the Saka name *R̥śvadāta, meaning "rightly created". [3]
Much of the information about Ushavadata comes from his Nashik and Karle inscriptions. The Nashik inscription contains an 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. [4]
Ushavadata was the son of one Dinika. [5] 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 [6]
He believed in Brahmanism, [7] and married Nahapana's daughter Dakshamitra.
Both of Ushavadata's inscriptions mention the following of his charitable acts: [5]
The Nashik inscription records more such acts, stating that Ushavadata exhibited very pious behaviour at the Trirashmi hills, where the Nashik caves are located: [8]
"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 [9]
Nasik Pandavleni Caves, cave No.10 | |
|
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). [10] He also extended the realm by defeating other enemies. [11]
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. [12]