Ikshvaks
Ikshvaks : Also called as Sri Parvateyas
Dynasty founder : VaashistiPuthra Sri Shantamula
Capital : Vijayapuri
Famed king : Veera Purusha Datta
Official language : Praakruta
Official Emblem : Lion
Religion : Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism (It was a Golden age for Buddism) Ikshavaks ruled Andhra State’s Eastern part during the end of 2nd century A.D
u They were Samanthas of Sathavahanas
u Capital of Ikshavaks was Vijayapuri. Puranas described Ikshavaks as Sriparvateeyas.
u It came to know through the inscription found at Nagarjuna Konda, that the area was called as Sri Parvata during the start of A.D
u According to Puranas, there were 7 Ikshavaka kings who ruled for 100 years. But, inscriptions are suggesting that there were only 4 kings.
Birth place of Ikshvaks:
u There are different opinions about the birth place of Ikshvaks.
u They belong to Ayodya of Utter Pradesh – Buller, Rapson
Belong to Tamil Nadu – Gopala Chari
Belong to Karnataka – Vogel
Belong to Krishna banks (Andhra) – Kaldwel
Inscriptions:
u Nagarjuna Konda &Jagaiahpeta Inscriptions – These two inscription were written in Brahmi script in Praakruta language.
u VishnuPurana& Jain’s Dharmamrita, etc, have mentioned that Ikshvaks came from Northern side.
u Buddist literature expresses that Ikshvaks have established Asmaka, Mulaka kingdom on Godavari banks.
u Jain compositon Dharmamrita, YashoDharma of Ikshvaka dynasty came to Andhra region from Arya rajya and established has kingdom in Pratipalapuram
According to Nagarjuna Konda inscription, the second king of Ikshvaka dynasty VeerapurushaDutta belongs to Shakyamuni dynasty (Goutama Buddha)
Vaashistaputra Sri Chanthamula (A.D-225-245)
u Chantamoola is the founder of Ikshvak dynasty. He dethroned last king of SathavahanasPulomavi –III and established Ikshvaka kingdom.
u He was patron of Vedic brahminism. He is devotee of Virupakshapati (Mahasena – Kartikeya)
u He performed Ashwamedha, Agnishotma, Agnihotra, Vajapayea yagnas
u He cleared the forests and brought new land under cultivation. He built many villages.
u He is a great Philanthropist. For tilling lands, he donated lakhs of ploughs, cows and agricultural lands to farmers.
u He donated gold, cows, villages, lands to Brahmins and extended his support for the spreading of Vedic Brahmanism.
u His inscriptions were found in Rentala, Kesanapalli, Dachepally
u AshwamedhaVedika, belongs to his period was found in Nagarjuna Konda.
u Shanti Sri was Chantamoola’s sister. She was a great patron of Buddhism. She rebuilt PaaravataMahaVihara.
u Chantamoola had a title Dakshinapadhapathi.
Matariputra Sri Veera Purusha Dutta (A.D 245-265)
u Veera Purusha Dutta is son of Chantamoola. Some Historians were opined based on an Architectural relic, that Veera Purusha Dutta was cruel to Vedics and likened Buddhism. A picture of Veera Purusha Dutta putting his legs on Shivalinga was found in Nagarjuna Konda.
u He was patron of Buddhism. His queens and palace ladies donated huge sums for Buddhist organizations. His period was Golden Age for Buddhism in Telangana.
u In A.D 250, he revived Maha Chaitya at Nagarjuna Konda and constructed Ayaka pillars.
u Gaya was abode for Hinayana Buddhists, Nagarjuna Konda has become holy place for Mahayana Buddhists
u Buddhists were worldwide visited Nagarjuna Konda.
u SimhalaVihara was built exclusively for foreigners.
u Niece of King’s Treasurer Bodhi Sharma, UpasikaBodhasiri was a Buddhist patron. She donated a lot to Buddhism.
Buddhist constructions by UpasikaBodhasiri
u She constructed monastery and Chatusshalas at Chuladammagiri on Nagarjuna Konda for the Buddist monks who go on preaching buddhism in Tamraparni, Kashmir, Gandhara, China, Toshali, Aparantha, Vanga, Vanavas, Yavana, Dharmila, Patara Kingdoms.
u She constructed a Chaitya at Kulavihara and a Bodhi tree arena at Simhalavihara.
u She constructed house at Mahadammagiri, and a prayer hall at Devagiri.
u She constructed Mantapashala at PurvaShailam, rock mantapam, choultries at many places for the wellbeing of Buddhist monks.
u Her inscriptions describe the development of Buddhism during the Ikshvaka regime. The inscription reveals about the export business, foreigners visits, Buddhist preaching at various countries
u Inscriptions of Veera Purusha Dutta (Praakruta)
u Amaravati inscription, Nagarjuna Konda inscription, Jaggaiah Peta insscription, Allur, Uppugundur
Wives of Veera Purusha Dutta
1) MahadeviBhattideva (Queen)
2) MahadeviRudradaraBhattarika (Ujjain princess)
3) He married his paternal aunt’s daughters Shanti Sri, Bapi Sri, Shasti Sri
Ehuvala Shanta Moola (AD 265-290)
u Ehuvala Shanta Moola is son of Veera Purusha Dutta. Vaidika, Buddhist religions were patronised in his regine.
u During his period, usage of Sanskrit started in inscriptions
u On his 11th year of Coronation, his sister KondaBalisiri has constructed and donated a monastery at Nagarjuna Konda for Mahishasakas, a Buddist sect.
u His Army Chief Yelisiri, has constructed a temple “Sarvadevadivasam” for Lord Kumara Swamy
u Prince Veera Purrusha Dutta has constructed a shiva temple pushapabhadra
u A palace women has given charity to Nodagiri Swamy
u Army chief Yelisiri, has built a temple on his name Yelesaraswamy, and many temples on the northern banks of Krishna River. He built a town there and developed it into a centre for Vedic Education.
u Yeleswaram is the holy place came on the name of Yelisiri. It is North-east entrance of Srisailam.
u Army Chief of Abhira Raja Saka Senani, Shivasena, has constructed Astabuja Narayana swamy temple on Nagarjuna Konda.
u During his period construction work of the temple went on fastly.
u During Shantamoola’s period, Navagraha, Kubera, Nodageshwara, Haarithi, Karthikeya temples were constructed.
u During his time, several temples were constructed in Manchikallu, Velpuru, Halanpuri, Vengi, Yeleswaram.
u One of his inscription was recently found in a pillar stone in Gummaduru. This inscription, which in praakruta language reveals that there existed a Buddhist study centre in earlier days.
u He carved a Sanskrit inscription at Nagarjuna Konda.
RudraPurusha Dutta (A.D 290-300)
u RudraPurusha Dutta is son of EhuvalaShantamoola. He is the last king of Ikshvakas
u His inscriptions were found in Gurajala and Nagarjuna Konda
u Manchikallu inscription reveals that Pallava King Simha Varma defeated RudraPurushadatta
u The inscription was found at Manchikallu at Vijayapuri.
u Mydavolu inscription which was written by Pallava King Shiva Skanda Varma mentions about the fall out of Ikshavaka Kingdom.
Cultural scenario during Ikshavaka regime:
u Ikshvaka kings were known a Maharajas. They are mentioned as Rajgya in charity inscriptions.
Administration
u There is a tradition of women using husband’s job title for their name.
u For the administrative purpose, they have divided their kingdoms as States, Aaharas, Padhas. Rashtras were states that were ruled by Samantha kings.
u Satraps with titles MahaTalavara, MahaDandaNayaka assisted king in administration. Amathyas, Senapathi, Mahadandanayaka etc., were other employees who assisted the king.
Economy
u Shanthamula cleared the forests and brought new land under cultivation. Foreign trade existed in those days. They did business with Rome. Roman coins were found in Nagarjuna Konda. After the fallout of Roman Empire, the business with Rome gradually decreased.
u Commerce and industry diminished. Agriculture has become main source of economy. This has led to the fall of Buddhism.
u As business and commerce diminished, villages thrived themselves for self-sufficiency.
u On Nagarjuna Konda roman business base was found. It shows that Roman businessman were staying there.
u There is a regular mention about Nigama Sabha and SettiGrahpati categories in Ikshvakas inscriptions.
u There is a mention about parnikaShreni (betel leaves) and PoosinShreni (sweets) in inscriptions
u During the excavations carried out at Nagarjuna Konda, houses of various professions were found. In one house, gold ornaments along with the dyes used for making them were found.
u Ear rings made with roman coins, necklaces were also found
u The official emblem of Ikshavaka was lion
u Names of the kings along with official emblems were encrypted on coins
u They used gold, lead and potin coins
u Coins with lion emblems were found in Krishna, Guntur, Godavari districts. The coins with name “Samina” were minted during Shanta moola’s regime. He was also known as IkshvakaSwamy.
u The coins with names mada-sa were minted by Veera Purusha Dutta.
u DeenaraMashaka were the names of the coins.
Religious conditions
u Veeragal tradition was popular during those days. Veeragal means, worshipping the war heroes who martyred for king.
u Shantamoola was patron of Vedic religion. He was devotee of VirupaakshapatiMahansena. He is devotee of Ujjain Mahasena. He performed many Yagnas. He donated Lands, cows to Brahmins. His Hiranyakoti Charity sculpture was found at Nagarjuna Konda. He helped for the spread of Brahmin religion.
u A picture of Shantamoola wearing the royal attire with right hand hold high and left hand abdomen was found at Nagarjuna Konda.
u During the excavations, AshwamedhaYagnavatika of Shantamoola was found
u Buddhism was wide spread during his period. Sister of Shantamoola, Shanti Siri has revived the Mahachaitya at Nagarjuna Konda. Buddhist Monk Bhadantananda supervised this revival works.
u Veera Purusha Dutta was initially a Vedic patron. Influenced by his paternal aunts and his wives he accepted Buddhism.
u Shantisiri has built a Chattushala rock atrium near Maha Chaitya at Nagarjuna Konda
u AparaMahavinashailis, Mahishashakas, BahuShrutiyas of various Buddhist sects lived in Viharas of Nagarjuna Konda
u Wife of Veera Purusha Dutta, Queen MahadeviBhattiniDevarani built a Devi Vihara on her name and donated it to Bahushrutiyas of Buddhism.
u Nagarjuna Konda was world renowned. Buddhist from various countries visited PaaravataMahavihara and Nagarjuna Konda
u On a sculpture on Nagarjuna Konda, we can see the picture of battle. That belongs to Veera Purusha Dutta regime.
u MahaSangeekaas were there at Nagarjuna Konda. During that time, Buddhists worshipped Bodhi Tree, Triratna, Swastik, Dharma Chakra, Fish symbols.
u Buddha belongs to Ikshvaka dynasty, and there was heavy praise on Buddha in their inscriptions.
u There was mention about Buddhist scriptures Dighanikaya, Maghanikaya, Panchamatruka in their inscriptions.
u The tradition of writing the names of Sculptors began from this period
u With the construction of Buddhist pillars, consecration pillars were also started. Consecration pillars (mudupu) were constructed after the desires were fulfilled.
u Gradually, dhupadeepa system increased in Bouddhaviharas, which lead to the fall of Buddhism. During the Ikshavakas, many Buddhists started writing in Sanskrit leaving Praakruta language. Due to this distance between Buddhists and common people increased.
u According to Hiuentsang writings it came to know that in Vijayapuri there lived a Buddhist logician by name Bhava Viveka
u Andhaka was the name given to Andhra state Mahasangeekas.
Education-Literature
u Usage of Sanskrit in inscriptions began during Ikshavakas regime.
u Mahayana Buddhists have taken Sanskrit language for their preaching and writings. Hence, Sanskrit has become official and literary language.
u Vedic education was restricted to Brahmins
u Nagarjuna Konda was a famous educational centre. Students from many Asian countries visited Nagarjuna Konda was studying higher education in Buddhist literature
u There were telugu words like Vihuvala, Anikki, Bapi, Adavi, Remmanaka in Ikshvakas names.
u The sculptors of Nagarjuna Konda have given beautiful round script to the Telugu language
u On his 11th year of Coronation, EhuvalaShantamoola has put a Sanskrit inscription. This is the first Sanskrit inscription in Southern India.
Domestic and foreign students were studied at Dhanyakataka. There used to stay around 7700 Buddhist monks.
u DapangSangarama was built based on the DhanyakatakaSangarama
u Almanacs with Tidhi, Vara, Star, Fortnight, months were under usage. There were seasons also.
u Nayasena, a patron of Jainism, who belongs to Karnataka wrote a book Dharma amrita Kavyam.
Constructions
u During Ikshavakas period Shaivism and Vaishnavism were popular
u There were temples in Vijayapuri for Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti. Ikshavakas are Shaivites.
u Vaishnavism was also popular. Astabuja Narayana temple built during the period of EhuvalaShantamoola is the first Vaishnava temple in Andhra Kingdom.
u Hareeti Temple which was found during excavation in Nagarjuna Konda shows that during that period there was Shakti worship.
u Vijayapuri was a great Hindu centre. It came to know that women who sought children donated bangles at Hareeti Temple. Hareeti is goddess of Children.
u Amaravati Sculptural tradition has entered final phase during Ikshvakas period.
u Velpuru was famous shrine for Hindus and Buddhists. There existed a Temple for Yama- BhootaGrahakaswamy
u Temples on Nagarjuna Konda were constructed according to Agama traditions
u Mahasena, Pushabhadra, Astabuja Narayana, Nodageshwara, Hareeti Temples built on Nagarjuna Konda belongs to their period. They built a complicated Avabrudha bathing ghat.
u Some temples were built in Elephant shaped.
u During their period, Agama sculpture took complete shape.
u Astabuja Narayana temple was designed with various pictures
u During Ikshvakas period, Buddhist Viharas, Pillars were constructed at Sriparvatam, Jaggaiahpet, Ramireddypalli, Chinaganjam, etc
u Scholar Burges has commented that the Ajanta pictures are coloured versions of Jaggaiahpeta sculptures.
u Sati Sahagamana was first found in Amaravati Sculptures
u There were forced Sati sahagamanas
u Mandhata sculpture belonging to this period was found at Jaggaiahpeta
u There were 20 Viharas constructed at Nagarjuna Konda
Nagarjuna Konda Architecture
1. Buddha comes from heaven. Kings goes towards Buddha. Five queens are seen objected for this.
2. Rejecting Queens Requests, King lays down and welcomes Buddha.
3. While approaching Buddha, King with his left leg pushes the Shiva Linga.
4. With 8 followers, with ordinary clothes, King takes Sansyasa
5. King donates his propeprty and cash to Buddhist monks and poor
u These 5 sculptures were found at Nagarjuna Konda. These are called speaking humanitarian sculptures
u Buddhist bases belonging to Ikshavaka period were found at Phanigiri, Gajulabanda, Vardhamanukota, Yeleswaram of Nalgonda district and Nelakondapalli and Mudigonda in Khammam district.
Important points
u Capital of IkshavakaVijayapuri
u Puranas described Ikshavakas as Sri parvateeyas
u According to Scholar Kaldwel, birth place of Ikshavakas is Krishna banks.
Vasista Putra Sri Chantamoola
u Vasista Putra sriChantamoola is the founder of Ikshavaka kingdom
u He is devotee of Virupakshapati
u For land cultivation he donated lakhs of plows, cows to farmers
u AshwamedhaVedika, belongs to his period was found in Nagarjuna Konda.
Mathari Putra Sri Veera Purushadutta
u His period was golden era for Buddhism in Telangana
u Gaya was abode for Hinayana Buddhists, Nagarjuna Konda has become holy place for Mahayana Buddhists.
u Niece of King’s Treasurer Bodhi Sharma, UpasikaBodhasiri was a Buddhist patron. She donated a lot to Buddhism.
u Veerapurusha Dutta had married daughters of his paternal aunts.
EhuvalaShantamoola
u During his regime, usage of Sanskrit on inscriptions was started.
u During his regime, there were huge temple constructions
u During his regime temples of Navagraha, Kubera, Nodageshwara, Hareeti, Kartikeya were built
u RudraPurushadutta was the last ruler of Ikshavakas
u During their period Samantha Kings with titles Mahatalavara and Mahadandanayakas were assisted the King.
u Roman coins and roman businessmen base was found at Nagarjuna Konda
u There was mention about betel leaves and sweets in some inscriptions
u Symbol of Ikshvakas Lion
u Coins by name Deenara and Mashaka were under usage.
Religion
u Veerapurushadutta was initially patron of Brahminism. Influenced by his wives and paternal aunts he converted into Buddhism.
u Nagarjuna Konda was world famous. Many from various countries visited PaaravataMahaviharam and Nagarjuna Konda
u During their period tradition of writing Sculptors name on the constructions was started
u Buddhist poets wrote in Sanskrit rather than Praakruta
u Hiuentsang described that Bhava Viveka lived in VijayapuriVihara
u MahaSangeekas in Andhra were known as Andhakas
u There were telugu words like Vihuvala, Anikki, Bapi, Adavi, Remmanaka in Ikshvakas names.
u EhuvalaChantamoolas inscription in Nagarjuna Konda was the e first Sanskrit inscription in South India.
u DapangSangarama was built based on the DhanyakatakaSangarama
u Almanacs with Tidhi, Vara, Star, Fortnight, months were under usage.
u Astabuja Narayana temple built during the period of EhuvalaShantamoola is the first Vaishnava temple in Andhra Kingdom.
u The official language during their period was Praakruta.
u Temples on Nagarjuna Konda were built on Agama tradition
u Madhata Sculpture of this period was found at Jaggaiah pet.
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