Rudrasena II

For the Western Satraps ruler, see Rudrasena II (Western Satrap).

Rudrasena II
Mahārāja
Vakataka king of Nandivardhana-Pravarapura
Reign	c. 385 – 390 CE
Predecessor	Prithivishena I
Successor	Prabhavatigupta (regent)
Spouse	Prabhavatigupta
Issue	Divakarasena, Damodarasena, Pravarasena II
House	Vakataka

Rudrasena II (r. c. 385 – 390 CE^[1]) was a ruler of the Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch of the Vakataka dynasty. While his reign was short, he notably married Prabhavatigupta, the daughter of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. His early death led to Prabhavatigupta ruling as regent for an extended period of time as his sons Divakarasena, Damodarasena, and Pravarasena II were all minors.^[2]

Rudrasena's brief reign was also notable for religious changes which were likely brought about by increased Gupta influence. Unlike his ancestors who were all devout Shaivites (worshippers of Shiva), Rudrasena became a devotee of Chakrapani or Vishnu. Rudrasena's change of faith was probably encouraged by his powerful father-in-law and his queen, who were both staunch Vaishnavites.^[3][4]

References

1. A.S. Altekar (2007). Majumdar, R.C.; Altekar, A.S. (eds.). The Vakataka-Gupta Age. Motilal Banarsi Dass. p. 100. ISBN 9788120800434.
2. Singh, Upinder (2009). A history of ancient and early medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Longman. p. 482. ISBN 978-81-317-1677-9. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
3. A.S. Altekar (1960). Yazdani, Ghulam (ed.). The Early History of the Deccan. Oxford University Press. pp. 174–175.
4. D.C. Sircar (1997). Majumdar, R.C. (ed.). The Classical Age (Fifth ed.). Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 180.