The Chindaka Naga Dynasty of Bastar

The Chindaka Naga dynasty, also called the Chindaka Nagas or the Nagavamshi rulers of Bastar, was a line of kings who ruled the region of Bastar and the surrounding country, known historically as Chakrakota, in present-day Chhattisgarh during the medieval period, generally dated to roughly the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. Ruling from centres around Chakrakota and Barsur, the dynasty is remembered for its patronage of temple building, seen in the celebrated temples of Barsur such as the Battisa and Mama-Bhanja shrines, and for its interactions and conflicts with greater powers of the age, including the Cholas of the far south and the Kalachuris of central India. Their kingdom belongs to the rich history of the central Indian region, in the same broad medieval world as the southern dynasties described in our guide to the Chola dynasty. Because the dynasty is known chiefly from inscriptions and the record is incomplete, this account keeps to general terms where details are uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• The Chindaka Nagas, or Nagavamshi, were a medieval dynasty of the Bastar region in present-day Chhattisgarh.
• They ruled the country historically known as Chakrakota, generally dated to roughly the eleventh to thirteenth centuries.
• Their centres of power lay around Chakrakota and Barsur.
• The dynasty was a notable patron of temple building, seen in the Barsur temples such as the Battisa and Mama-Bhanja shrines.
• The Chindaka Nagas interacted and clashed with greater powers, including the Cholas and the Kalachuris.
• The dynasty is known chiefly from inscriptions rather than a continuous chronicle.

Read on for the history, culture, and legacy in detail.

Quick Facts

Who Were the Chindaka Nagas?

The Chindaka Nagas, also known as the Nagavamshi, were a medieval dynasty who ruled the region of Bastar and the surrounding country in present-day Chhattisgarh, generally dated to roughly the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. The name Nagavamshi means the line or family of the Nagas, the serpent beings important in Indian tradition, and many ruling houses across India claimed such prestigious descent. Ruling the forested and mineral-rich country of Bastar, the Chindaka Nagas built a regional kingdom remembered for its temples and its interactions with the greater powers of the age. Known historically in connection with the country called Chakrakota, the dynasty held an important place among the ruling houses of medieval central India. Because they left no continuous chronicle, their history is reconstructed chiefly from inscriptions and is treated with scholarly caution. The Chindaka Nagas represent one of the notable regional dynasties of the central Indian forests and plateaus.

Where Is Bastar?

Bastar is a historic region in the southern part of present-day Chhattisgarh in central India, a land of dense forests, hills, plateaus and rivers long known for its distinctive tribal cultures and its mineral wealth. In medieval times this country, associated with the historic name Chakrakota, formed the heartland of the Chindaka Naga kingdom. The rugged and forested terrain shaped the character of the region, favouring a distinctive culture and a measure of seclusion from the great plains. Bastar lay between the spheres of the major powers of southern and central India, giving it a position that brought both contact and conflict with greater kingdoms. The region’s forests, rivers and resources supported its people and its rulers. Bastar developed a rich heritage of temples, traditions and local culture under the Chindaka Nagas and later houses. The region remains known today for its heritage, its forests and its enduring tribal traditions.

What Was Chakrakota?

Chakrakota was the historic name associated with the country ruled by the Chindaka Nagas, corresponding broadly to the Bastar region and its surroundings in present-day Chhattisgarh. The name appears in inscriptions and in the records of neighbouring powers, marking the kingdom as a recognised political entity of medieval central India. Chakrakota is particularly remembered in connection with the campaigns and conflicts that brought the region into contact with greater dynasties such as the Cholas. The centres of Chindaka Naga power, including places such as Barsur, lay within this country. As the territorial name of the kingdom, Chakrakota anchors the dynasty in the historical geography of the region. The precise extent and history of Chakrakota are reconstructed from inscriptions and references in other sources and are treated with caution by historians. The name of Chakrakota preserves the memory of the Chindaka Naga realm in the records of medieval India.

Where Was the Capital of the Chindaka Nagas?

The centres of Chindaka Naga power lay around Chakrakota and Barsur, within the Bastar region of present-day Chhattisgarh. Barsur in particular is remembered as an important seat associated with the dynasty, notable for its concentration of temples and monuments that reflect royal patronage. These centres served as the political, religious and cultural focus of the kingdom at different times. Set within the forested country of Bastar, they commanded the resources and population of the region. The association of the dynasty with Barsur and Chakrakota is drawn from inscriptions and from the surviving monuments of the area. As with other regional dynasties, the shifting importance of these centres reflected the changing fortunes of the kingdom. The centres around Chakrakota and Barsur thus form the geographical heart of the Chindaka Naga realm. Their monuments remain the most visible evidence of the dynasty’s power and devotion in the Bastar country.

What Are the Barsur Temples?

The Barsur temples are among the most celebrated monuments associated with the Chindaka Naga dynasty, a group of medieval temples at Barsur in the Bastar region that reflect the artistic and devotional culture of the kingdom. Among the notable shrines remembered at Barsur are temples traditionally known by names such as the Battisa temple and the Mama-Bhanja temple, admired for their carved stone architecture and sculpture. These temples, dedicated to Hindu deities, illustrate the religious patronage of the Chindaka Naga rulers and the flourishing of temple building in the region under their rule. Their remains are counted among the important ancient monuments of Chhattisgarh. The temples express the wealth, devotion and artistic ambition of the dynasty at its height. As with other sites of the period, their precise history is studied through tradition, inscriptions and archaeology. The Barsur temples stand as the enduring architectural emblem of the Chindaka Naga age in Bastar.

What Was the Battisa Temple?

The Battisa temple at Barsur is one of the notable shrines associated with the Chindaka Naga dynasty, remembered as a significant example of the medieval temple architecture of the Bastar region. The name Battisa is traditionally linked to a feature of the temple’s design, and the shrine is admired for its stone construction and carved detail in the style of the period. Dedicated to a Hindu deity, the temple reflects the devotional patronage of the Chindaka Naga rulers and the artistic traditions of the region. Its remains form part of the important group of monuments at Barsur that attest to the religious and cultural life of the kingdom. As with other temples of the age, the precise history of the Battisa temple is reconstructed from tradition and archaeology and is treated with care. The temple stands as one of the significant surviving monuments of the Chindaka Naga period. It contributes to the rich temple heritage of the Bastar country.

What Was the Mama-Bhanja Temple?

The Mama-Bhanja temple at Barsur is another of the notable monuments associated with the Chindaka Naga dynasty, a medieval temple remembered as part of the rich architectural heritage of the Bastar region. Its name, meaning maternal uncle and nephew, is linked in local tradition to the story of its building, a common way in which temples acquire popular names. The temple is admired for its carved stone architecture and sculpture in the style of the period and reflects the devotional culture supported by the Chindaka Naga rulers. Its remains, alongside the other temples of Barsur, bear witness to the flourishing of temple building under the dynasty. As with the other shrines of the region, the precise history of the Mama-Bhanja temple is studied through tradition and archaeology and is treated cautiously. The temple stands among the significant surviving monuments of the Chindaka Naga age. It adds to the distinctive temple heritage of the Bastar country.

How Did the Chindaka Nagas Relate to the Cholas?

The Chindaka Nagas came into contact and conflict with the great Chola dynasty of the far south, whose power at its height extended campaigns far into the Deccan and central India. The country of Chakrakota is remembered in connection with the campaigns associated with the Cholas, who are recorded in their inscriptions as having clashed with the rulers of the region. These encounters reflect the reach of Chola military power during its most expansive phase and the position of Bastar between the spheres of the great dynasties. For the Chindaka Nagas, the conflict with so formidable a power was a notable episode in their history. The details of these campaigns are drawn from the inscriptions of the Cholas and the Chindaka Nagas and are described cautiously by historians. The relationship with the Cholas illustrates how even a regional kingdom such as that of the Chindaka Nagas was drawn into the wider politics of medieval India.

How Did the Chindaka Nagas Relate to the Kalachuris?

The Chindaka Nagas also interacted and clashed with the Kalachuris, a powerful dynasty of central India whose territories lay near the Bastar region. As neighbouring powers, the Chindaka Nagas and the Kalachuris came into contact through the shifting relations of alliance, rivalry and conflict that characterised the medieval political order. The pressures from such greater neighbours shaped the fortunes of the Chindaka Naga kingdom over time. These interactions reflect the position of Bastar between the spheres of the major powers of central and southern India. The details of the relations between the Chindaka Nagas and the Kalachuris are drawn from inscriptions and are treated cautiously by historians. The encounters with the Kalachuris, like those with the Cholas, illustrate how the Chindaka Nagas navigated a political landscape dominated by larger kingdoms. Their relations with the Kalachuris form an important part of the regional history of medieval central India.

How Did the Chindaka Nagas Patronise Religion?

The Chindaka Nagas were patrons of religion, supporting temple building and the devotional life of their kingdom in keeping with the practices of medieval Indian rulers. The temples of Barsur, including the shrines traditionally known as the Battisa and Mama-Bhanja temples, bear witness to the dynasty’s support for Hindu worship and its patronage of temple architecture. Such patronage reinforced the legitimacy and prestige of the rulers and tied their rule to the sacred landscape of the Bastar region. The temples built or endowed under the dynasty reflect the devotional energy of the age and the artistic traditions of the region. The religious patronage of the Chindaka Nagas contributed to the rich temple heritage that survives in Chhattisgarh. As with other dynasties, the precise attributions of particular temples are studied through inscriptions and archaeology. Through their support for temple building, the Chindaka Nagas left an enduring mark on the religious and cultural heritage of Bastar.

What Was Chindaka Naga Art and Architecture Like?

Chindaka Naga art and architecture, seen in the temples of Barsur and other sites of the Bastar region, belonged to the medieval temple tradition of central India, with carved stone shrines and sculpture reflecting the devotional culture of the age. The temples associated with the dynasty display stone construction, carved ornament and images of deities in the styles that flourished across the region during the medieval period. This art reflects the wealth of the kingdom and the religious patronage of its rulers, as well as the regional character of Bastar. Much of this heritage survives in the ruins and remains of the temples at Barsur and nearby sites. The architectural achievements of the Chindaka Naga age form part of the rich temple heritage of Chhattisgarh. As with other regional traditions, the study of this art relies on surviving monuments and inscriptions. Chindaka Naga architecture stands as enduring evidence of the dynasty’s devotion and cultural ambition in the Bastar country.

What Do Inscriptions Tell Us?

Inscriptions are the principal source for the history of the Chindaka Nagas, since the dynasty left no continuous chronicle of its own. The epigraphs associated with the dynasty record names, titles, genealogies, grants and events, providing the scattered evidence from which historians reconstruct the outline of its history. References in the inscriptions of neighbouring powers, such as the Cholas, add further information, especially about the conflicts and campaigns involving the country of Chakrakota. Because the records are limited and spread across time, assembling them into a coherent narrative is difficult and leaves many gaps, so the names, dates and relationships of individual rulers are often uncertain. Scholars interpret these inscriptions with care, aware of their limits and of the traditional nature of genealogical claims such as descent from the Nagas. The inscriptional record is thus both the foundation and the boundary of what can be known about the Chindaka Nagas and their kingdom in Bastar.

How Did the Chindaka Naga Dynasty End?

The Chindaka Naga dynasty declined and faded as the political order of central India changed and new powers rose in the region during the later medieval period. As with many regional dynasties, the pressures from greater neighbours, internal troubles and the shifting balance of power gradually eroded the independent authority of the Chindaka Nagas. The Bastar region subsequently came under the rule of other houses, as the historical record of the area continued under new dynasties in later centuries. The precise circumstances and timing of the dynasty’s end are reconstructed from inscriptions and are described cautiously by historians. Rather than a single dramatic fall, the decline of the Chindaka Nagas appears as a gradual transition in the long history of the Bastar country. Their passing marked the close of one chapter in the regional history of central India. The end of the Chindaka Nagas illustrates the fate of many regional dynasties as the political landscape of the subcontinent evolved.

Why Are the Chindaka Nagas Significant?

The Chindaka Nagas are significant as one of the notable medieval dynasties of central India and as the rulers who gave the Bastar region, historically known as Chakrakota, an important chapter of its history. Their patronage of temple building, seen in the celebrated temples of Barsur, left a rich architectural and devotional heritage that survives in Chhattisgarh. Their interactions and conflicts with greater powers such as the Cholas and the Kalachuris illustrate how a regional kingdom was drawn into the wider politics of medieval India. The dynasty’s history, reconstructed chiefly from inscriptions, offers insight into the ruling houses of the central Indian forests and plateaus. The temples and monuments of the Chindaka Naga age remain among the important heritage of the region. For students of Indian history, the Chindaka Nagas offer a vivid example of a regional dynasty of Bastar. Their significance rests on this blend of temple patronage and engagement with the great powers of their time.

The Chindaka Naga Dynasty Today

The Chindaka Naga dynasty is remembered today chiefly through the temples of Barsur and the broader heritage of the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The surviving temples, including the shrines traditionally known as the Battisa and Mama-Bhanja temples, draw visitors, historians and admirers of ancient architecture, standing as enduring symbols of the dynasty’s devotion and artistry. The region of Bastar retains the temple heritage, traditions and cultural character of its medieval past, alongside its celebrated tribal cultures. Scholars continue to study the inscriptions and monuments of the Chindaka Nagas to refine the understanding of the dynasty and its place in the history of central India. For readers of Indian history, the Chindaka Nagas offer a striking example of a regional dynasty of the central Indian forests and its temple heritage. Their legacy endures in the carved stone temples of Barsur and in the rich heritage of the Bastar country.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Ministry of Culture, Government of India (indiaculture.gov.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Chhattisgarh (chhattisgarhtourism.co.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Chindaka Nagas?

The Chindaka Nagas, also known as the Nagavamshi, were a medieval dynasty who ruled the Bastar region and the surrounding country known as Chakrakota in present-day Chhattisgarh, generally dated to roughly the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. They are remembered for their temple patronage at Barsur and their conflicts with greater powers.

Where did the Chindaka Nagas rule?

The Chindaka Nagas ruled the region of Bastar in present-day Chhattisgarh, historically known as the country of Chakrakota, with centres of power around Chakrakota and Barsur. The region was a forested and mineral-rich land of central India.

What are the Barsur temples?

The Barsur temples are a group of medieval temples at Barsur in Bastar associated with the Chindaka Naga dynasty, including shrines traditionally known as the Battisa and Mama-Bhanja temples. They are admired for their carved stone architecture and are among the important ancient monuments of Chhattisgarh.

Did the Chindaka Nagas fight the Cholas?

The country of Chakrakota, ruled by the Chindaka Nagas, is remembered in connection with campaigns associated with the great Chola dynasty of the far south, whose power extended into central India at its height. These encounters are recorded in inscriptions and are described cautiously by historians.

How do we know about the Chindaka Nagas?

The Chindaka Nagas are known chiefly from inscriptions, since the dynasty left no continuous chronicle of its own. References in the inscriptions of neighbouring powers, such as the Cholas, add further information, though many details remain uncertain and debated.

What happened to the Chindaka Naga dynasty?

The Chindaka Naga dynasty declined and faded as the political order of central India changed and new powers rose in the later medieval period. The Bastar region subsequently came under the rule of other houses in later centuries.