Previous Year Question

The Ikshvaku rulers, who emerged in the Andhra region after the decline of the Satavahanas, are referred to in the Puranas as the ‘Sriparvatiya Andhras’. Historians identify them with the Ikshvakus of the Nagarjunakonda region.

Sriparvata was an ancient geographical name associated with the Nallamala range and the Nagarjunakonda region. The capital of the Ikshvakus was Vijayapuri, the remains of which have been discovered in the Nagarjunakonda region. Their political association with the Sriparvata region explains the designation ‘Sriparvatiya’.

An important early ruler of the Ikshvaku dynasty was Vasishthiputra Sri Santamula I. He was followed by rulers such as Virapurushadatta. Inscriptions of these rulers have been discovered at Nagarjunakonda and surrounding areas.

The religious policy of the Ikshvaku rulers was also noteworthy. Santamula I performed Vedic sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha and Vajapeya and patronized Brahmanical religion, while several women of the royal family made donations to Buddhist institutions, stupas and monasteries. Thus, both Brahmanical and Buddhist traditions received patronage under their rule.

Nagarjunakonda developed during this period into an important Buddhist religious and educational centre. Numerous monasteries, chaityas, stupas and inscriptions have been discovered there.