Ushavadata (Brahmi:, ), also known as Rishabhadatta, was a viceroy and son-in-law of the Western Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana, who ruled in western India.

Name

Ushavadata's name is attested in his inscriptions as, which is derived from the Saka name *R̥śvadāta, meaning "rightly created".

Inscriptions

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.

Early life

Ushavadata was the son of one Dinika. 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 He believed in Brahmanism, and married Nahapana's daughter Dakshamitra.

Charity

Both of Ushavadata's inscriptions mention the following of his charitable acts: The Nashik inscription records more such acts, stating that Ushavadata exhibited very pious behaviour at the Trirashmi hills, where the Nashik caves are located: ""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

Military career

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). He also extended the realm by defeating other enemies. 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.