Raghu () was a ruler of the Kadamba dynasty in

South India South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territ ...

. He succeeded his father Bhageerath as king. Raghu's reign seems to have involved several military undertakings, as he is said to have "subdued his enemies by his valour". George Moraes interprets this to mean that Raghu quelled the rebellions of local chiefs who were eager to assert their independence after the death of King Bhageerath, as the

Talagunda pillar inscription The Tālagunda pillar inscription of Kakusthavarman is an epigraphic record in Sanskrit found in the ruined Pranavalingeshwara temple northwest of village Talagunda, Karnataka, India. It is engraved on hard grey granite and dated to between 455 ...

seems to imply that Raghu had to struggle to preserve the integrity of his inherited kingdom during the early years of his reign. The inscription also indicates that Raghu was a great warrior who was fond of personally partaking in battles, for it describes the king's face as being "marked with the weapons of his enemies in combat". Raghu seems to have had a cordial relationship with his younger brother,

Kakusthavarma Kakusthavarma () or Kakusthavarman was a ruler of the Kadamba dynasty in South India. He succeeded his brother Raghu as king. Under Kakusthavarma's rule the Kadamba kingdom attained the height of its power and influence, and the Kadambas enjoye ...

, who was appointed as ''Yuvaraja'' or

Crown Prince A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the wi ...

during his reign. Kakusthavarma seems to have held court at Palashika (present-day

Halasi Halasi (Kannada: ಹಲಸಿ, also Halsi or Halshi, in earlier times also called Halasige or Palasige) is a town in Khanapur Taluk, Belgaum District in Karnataka, India. It is 14 km from Khanapur and about 25 km from Kittur. As kno ...

), from where he issued land grants. The city of Palashika functioned as a secondary capital of the Kadamba kingdom, while

Banavasi Banavasi is an ancient temple town located near Sirsi in Karnataka. Banavasi was the ancient capital of the Kannada empire Kadamba that ruled all of modern-day Karnataka state. They were the first native empire to bring Kannada and Karnataka t ...

was the primary capital. Raghu probably died without any issue, as upon his death he was succeeded by Kakusthavarma.

References

{{reflist Kadambas 5th-century Indian monarchs