>[!tip ]  Vashista Maharshi Engaged with Ramba
>- V - Vashishtiputra santamula
>- M - Mahariputra virapurusha Datta -I
>- E - Ehubala santamula 
>-  R- Rudrapurusha Datta

IKSHVAKUS

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Ishvakus

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# Fall of satavahana then raise of ikshavaku
- Among the feudatories who hastened the downfall of the Satavahanas, the Ikshavakus of the Krishna-Guntur region were prominent.
- The purana's refer to them as "Sriparvatiya Andhras" who held power in the region around Nagarjuna Konda.
- They referred to themselves as a branch of the celebrated dynasty of Ayodhya to which Lord Sri Rama belonged.
- But it is difficult to prove or support this view.
```
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# Excavation findings 
- But the history of Ikshavakus was written in the inscriptions found near Jaggaiahpeta and Nagarjuna konda which were in Prakrit language and Brahmi script.
- Historians like Dr. Bhandarkar, Rapson and others believed that the Ikshavakus of Andhra belonged to the Surya Vamsa Kshatriyas of Ancient Ikshavakus dynasty of North India.
```

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# Establishment from facts
-  The facts regarding the Ikshavaku dynasty, which ruled Andhra after the Satavahana's were found during the excavations of Nagarjuna konda or Sri Parvata neighbourhood.
- The inscriptions found here stated that Ikshavakus ruled this area with Vijayapuri as their capital.
-  According to the Itihasas, Ancient Ikshavaku dynasty ruled the upper Gangetic plains including Ayodhya, Kosala & Saketa Janapadas.
```
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# From vayupurana
-  Vayupurana states that Ikshavaku, one of the nine sons of Manu was the founder of this dynasty and the later heirs of this dynasty went to Dakshinapatha and founded a kingdom there.
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# From Jain work 📚🕉
-  A Jain work of Karnataka reports that an Ikshvaku prince founded a kingdom near the mouth of the river Krishna with Pratipalapura as its capital.
```
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# where is pratipalapura
-  Historians believe that this Pratipalapura is today's Bhattiprolu.
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# From inscriptions
- Inscriptions found here state that a king called Kubiraka ruled this area, who belonged to the Ikshvakus dynasty.
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# From historians
- Prominent historians like Burgen, Caldwell and Rapson argue that a branch of the ancient Ikshvakus of North India came to the South and founded another kingdom there.
-  In this process they fought with the local minor kingdoms and races also.
-  But some scholar's dispute this, saying that the Ikshvakus of Andhra, belonged to a Dakshinapatha or southern Indian race, possibly who spoke a language nearer to either Kannada or Tamil.
```

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# Meaning of ikshavaku
-  Ikshvaku' means related to 'Sugar cane' in Sanskrit.
-  Some tribes who lived in Eastern Deccan and Vindhyas called themselves with names of animals and trees.
-  So the origin of this dynasty might have been from a tribal race.
```
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# Origination of ikshavaku
-  However, many believe that the Ikshvakus of Andhra originated in the Dakshinapatha itself and spread all over the south and were influenced by the Sanskrit language.
-  After the death of Yagnasri Satakarni, a state of confusion prevailed in the Satavahan a kingdom and many minor dynasties took advantage of this situation and had become independent.
-  One of them was the first Ikshvaku king and founder of the dynasty, Vashistiputra Santamula (chantamula)-I.
```

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# Ikshavaku dynasties
-  There were approximately four provinces in the Ikshvaku kingdom which were ruled by four different dynasties.
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# list of dynasties 
-  The names of these feudatories are Pugiyas, Hiranyakas, Dhanikas and Kulahalas.
-  Later on Anandas, Brihatpalayanas, Salankayanas and Vishnukundins took their places.
- A total of seven kings belonging to the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled for a hundred years.
- Four of them were mentioned in various inscriptions and ruled for 68 years (180-248 A.D) later, 3 more kings ruled for another 30 years.

```

• About the ikshavaku
  • Ikshavakus - Also called as Sri Parvateyas
  • Dynasty founder : Also called as Sri Parvateyas
  • Capital - Vijayapuri
  • Famous king - Veera purusha Datta
  • Official language - Prakrit
  • Official emblem - Lion
  • Religion - Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism (Golden age of Buddhism)

Vashishtiputra Santamula-l(180-193A.D)

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• %%The earliest known king of the dynasty was Vashishtiputra Santamula who came into the prominence in the second quarter of 3rd century A.D, following the end of Satavahanas rule.%%
• %%So, he can be called as the founder of this dynasty, very little is known about his empire.%%
• %%However, he proclaimed independence by performing Ashwamedha Sacrifise.%%
• %% He married a Brahmin lady named Madhuri Devi.%%
• %%Santamula was a Staunch Hindu. Besides Ashwamedha, he performed other vedic sacrifices like Rajasuya and Vajapeya.%%
• %%He had two sisters, Santasri and Harmyasri.%%
• %%The eldest, Santasri followed Buddhism and constructed a Mahachaitya at Nagarjuna konda.%%
• %% She was married to Skandasri, the commander in chief and feudatory belonging to Pugiya family.%%
• %%Another sister, Harmyasri had two daughters, Vapisri and Shasthiri.%%
• %%The king's daughter was married to a high official 'Mahadanda Nayaka' who belonged to the noble family of Dhanakas.%%
• %%Santamula-I thus tried to protect the interests of the dynasty by forging matrimonial alliances with his feudatories.%%
• %%He donated lakhs of cows and land & gold to Brahmins and was called as "Mahadanapati"%%
• %%He was succeeded by his son Virapurusha Datta.%%

Mahariputra Virapurushadatta-l

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• He was known as "Asoka of south".
• %%He is son of Santamula, who ruled for 20 years, the greatest Ikshavakus king.%%
• %% Buddhism was developed in south India during his period, which was considered to be golden age in the history of Andhra Buddhism.%%
• %% He strengthened his kingdom through matrimonial alliances.%%
• %%He also married all the three daughters of his aunts, but the chief queen was "Rudra Battarika".%%
• %%Virapurusha's daughter Kondabalisiri was married to the ruler of Banavasi in Karnataka who belongs to Chutu family, king named Sivaskanda Naga Satakarni.%%

• %%Veerapurusha Dutta has married daughters of his paternal aunts.%%
• %%Which means the capital of Chutus was Banavasi or Vanavasi.%%
• %%The royal women and their relatives patronised Buddhism and made lavish donations to Buddhist monasteries.%%
• %%One among them was the royal treasurer Bodhisarma's niece named Upasika Bodhisree.%%
• %%She spreaded Buddhism in Tamrapani, Kashmira, Gandara, China, Torali, Aparanta, Vanga, Vanavasi, Yovana and Dramila (Tamil) regions.%%
• %%The biggest inscription found at Nagarjuna Konda was issued by her.%%
• %%She built Chaityas for Theravadas (They were Andhra Hinayanists) on Churadamagiri (Jaladammagiri) Mahayanas are called Chaityakas.%%
• %%She mentioned that Nagarjuna Konda was the world's famous Buddhist centre and 1000's of Buddhist monks were living in the monastry.%%
• %%Many buddhists from different countries of the world used to stay there for weeks, months and years.%%
• %%For all of them all facilities were provided and she constructed a Chatushala at Sriparvata, a Chatushala and she built a Arama on Devagiri and a Chaityalaya at Kulahavihara, dug a tank, and built maintop at Purvashila.%%
• %%She also constructed a dias at Bodhi tree in SriLanka.%%
• %%The aunt of Veerapurushadutta, Santisri, in the sixth year of reign rebuilt parvata and this function was led by Badanta Ananda, who belonged to Branch of Buddhism and the Uddasika Stupa (memorial) was changed to Dathugarba Stupa(relics).%%
• %%The two big universities were established one at Amaravati and other at Nagarjuna Konda.%%
• %%Four of her inscriptions were found at Nagarjuna Konda in which she mentioned that she constructed many Aaramas.%%
• %% She mentioned that she influenced her nephew (Veerapurusha Datta) in embracing Buddhism.%%
• %%There was a sculpture found at Nagarjuna Konda that he is suppressing a Shiva Linga into the Earth with his leg.%%
• %%Ayaka pillars were constructed by Santisri.%%
• During his old age, he became a Buddhist monk and abdicated the throne to his son Ehubala Santamula or Santamula II.

Ehubala Santamula

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• Ehubala was the third and last independent ruler of the Ikshvakus dynasty.
• Symbol of Ikshvakas Lion.
• Coins by name Deenara and Mashaka were under usage.

Rudrapurusha Datta(237-248A.D.)

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Cultural Scenario during Ikshvaku regime

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• Ikshvaku kings were known as Maharajas.
• They are mentioned as Rajya in charity inscriptions.

Administration:

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• There was a tradition of women using husband's job title for their name.
• For the administrative purpose, they have divided their kingdoms as States, Aaharas, Padhas. Rashtras were states that were ruled by Samantha kings.
• Satraps with titles MahaTalavara, Maha Danda Nayaka assisted king in administration.
• Amathyas Senathi, Mahadandanayaka etc, were other employees who assisted the king.

Economy :

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• Santhamula 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.
• Commerce and industry diminished. Agriculture has become main source of economy.
• This has led to the fall of Buddhism.
• As business and commerce diminished, villages thrived themselves for self-sufficiency.
• On Nagarjuna konda Roman business base was found. It shows that Roman businessman were staying there.
• There is a regular mention about Nigama Sabha and Setti Grahpati categories in

Ikshvaku's inscriptions.

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• There is a mention about Parnika Shreni (betel leaves) and Poosinshreni (sweets) in inscriptions.
• 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.
• Ear rings made with Roman coins, necklaces were also found.
• The official emblem of Ikshvaku was lion.
• Names of the kings along with official emblems were encrypted on coins.
• They used gold, lead and potin coins.
• Coins with lion emblems were found in Krishna, Guntur, Godavari districts.
• The coins with name "Samina" were minted during Shantamoola's regime. He was also known as Ikshvaka swamy.
• The coins with names Mada-sa were minted by Veera Purusha Datta.
• Deenara Mashaka were the names of the coins.

Religious Conditions

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• Veeragal tradition was popular during those days. Veeragal means, worshipping the war heroes who matyred for the king.
• Shantamoola was patron of Vedic religion. He was devotee of Virupaakshapati Mahasena.
• 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.
• A picture of Shantamoola wearing the royal attire with right hand hold high and left hand abdomen was found at Nagarjuna konda.
• During the excavations, Aswamedha Yagnavatika of Shantamoola was found.
• Buddhism was wide spread during his period. sister of Shantamoola, Shanti Sri has revived the Mahachaitya at Nagarjuna konda.
• Buddhist monk Bhadantananda surprised this revival works.
• Veera Purusha Datta was initially a Vedic patron influenced by his paternal aunts and his wives. He accepted Buddhism.
• Shantisiri has built a Chattushala rock atrium near Mahachaitya at Nagarjuna konda.
• Apara Mahavinashailis, Mahishashakas, Bahu Shrutiyas of various Buddhist sects lived in Viharas of Nagarjuna Konda.
• Wife of Veera Purusha Datta, queen Mahadevi Bhattini Devarani built a Devi Vihara on her name and donated it to Bahushrutiyas of Buddhism.
• On a sculpture of Nagarjuna konda, we can see the picture of battle that belongs to Veera Purusha Datta regime.

Education- Literature:

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• Usage of Sanskrit in inscriptions began during Ikshavakas regime.
• Mahayana Buddhists have take Sanskrit language for their preaching and writings.
• Hence, Sanskrit has become official and literacy language.
• Vedic education was restricted to Brahmins.
• Nagarjuna Konda was a famous educational centre. Students from many Asian countries visited Nagarjuna Konda was studying higher education in Buddhist literature.
• There were telugu words like Vihuvala, Anikki, Bapi, Adavi, Remmanaka in Ikshavakas names.
• The sculptors of Nagarjuna Konda have given beautiful round script to the Telugu language.
• On his 11th year of coronationa, Ehuvala Shantamoola has put a Sanskrit inscription.
• This is the first Sanskrit inscription in Southern India.
• Domestic and foreign students were studied a Dhanyakataka. There used to say around 7700 Buddhist monks.
• Dapang Sangarama was built based on the Dhanyakataka Sangarama.
• Almancs with Tidhi, Vara, Star, Fortnight, months were under usage. There were seasons also.
• Nayasena, a patron of Jainism, who belongs to Karnataka wrote a book Dharma amrita Kavyam.

Constructions:

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• During Ishavakas period Shaivism and Vaishnavism were popular.
• There were temples in Vijayapuri for Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti. Ikshavakas are Shaivites.
• Vaishnavism was also popular. Astabuja Narayana temple built during the period of Ehuvala Shantamoola is the first Vaishnava temple in Andhra Kingdom.
• Hareeti Temple which was found during excavation in Nagarjuna Konda shows that during the period there ws Shakti worship.
• 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.
• Amaravati Sculptural tradition has entered final phase during Ikshvakas period.
• Velpuru was famous shrine for Hindus and Buddhists. There existed a Temple for Yama Boota Grahakaswamy.
• Temples on Nagarjuna Konda were constructed according to Agama traditions.
• Mahasena, Pushabhadra, Astabuja Narayana, Nodageshwara, Hareeti Temples built on Nagarjuna Konda belongs to their period. They built a complicated Avabrudha bathing ghat.
• Some temples were built in Elephant shaped
• During their period, Agama sculpture took complete shape.
• Astabuja Narayna temple was designed with various pictures.
• During Ikshvakas period, Buddhist Viharas, Pillars were constructed at Sripavatam, Jaggaiahpet, Ramireddypalli, Chinaganjam, etc.
• Scholar Burges has commented that the Ajanta picture are coloured versions of Jaggaiahpeta sculptures.
• Sati Sahagamana was first found in Amaravati Sculptures.
• There were forced Sati Sahagamanas.
• Mandhata sculpture belonging to this period was found at Jaggaiahpeta.
• There were 20 Viharas constructed at Nagarjuna Konda.