Vishnukundina

Vishnukundina dynasty
420–624
Historical map of India AD 606
Capital		Eluru, Amaravati
Languages		Sanskrit ,Telugu
Religion		Hinduism
Government		Monarchy
Janasraya		Indra Varma
		Vikramendra Varma II
		Govinda Varma II
Historical era		Classical India
•	Established	420
•	Disestablished	624
Preceded by Succeeded by Vakataka dynasty Eastern Chalukyas Pallava Dynasty

The Vishnukundina dynasty (IAST: Viṣṇukundina) was an Indian imperial power controlling the Deccan, Orissa and parts of South India during the 5th and 6th centuries, carving land out from the Vakataka Empire. It played an important role in the history of the Deccan during the 5th and 6th centuries.

By 514, the Vakatakas were reduced to the areas of present-day Telangana area. The area north of the Godavari, Kalinga, became independent. The area south of the Krishna River fell to the Pallavas. The Vishnukundin reign came to an end with the conquest of the eastern Deccan by the Chalukya, Pulakeshin II. Pulakeshin appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as Viceroy to rule over the conquered lands. Eventually Vishnuvardhana declared his independence and started the Eastern Chalukya dynasty.

"Vishnukundina" is a Sanskritised name for Vinukonda. Several attempts have been made by scholars to find out the origins of this dynasty, but no definite conclusions have been reached yet. The early rulers of the dynasty migrated to the west in search of employment and under the Vakatakas they might have attained feudatory status.

During the reign of Madhava Varma, they became independent and conquered coastal Andhra from the Salankayanas and might have shifted their capital to a place in the Coastal Andhra.

The Vishnukundin reign might be fixed between the end of the Salankayana and the rise of the Eastern Chalukyan power in 624. Some historians mention Vishnukundins reign was from 420 to 624, while some other historian say there reign was from early 5th century to the 7th century.