Ajay Kumar at 17:37, 24 August 2023

2023-08-24T17:37:39Z

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{{Short description|Indian dynasty (c. 225 – c.340)}}
{{other uses|Ikshvaku (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}

{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri
| common_name = Ikshvakus
| today = [[India]]
| status =
| status_text =
| government_type = Monarchy
| year_start = Early 3rd century
| year_end = early 4th century
| event_end = Conquest of Ikshvakus by [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] Simhavarman and occupation of [[Nagarjunakonda|Vijayapuri]] by the [[Abhira dynasty|Abhiras]]
| p1 = Satavahana dynasty
| s1 = Pallava dynasty{{!}}Pallava Empire
| s2 = Abhira dynasty
| capital = [[Nagarjunakonda|Vijayapuri]]
| common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]<br>[[Prakrit]]
| religion = [[Shaivism]] ([[Hinduism]]), [[Buddhism]]
| title_leader = [[Maharaja]]
| image_map = {{South Asia in 350 CE|center||||none}}
| map_caption = Location of the Andhra Ikshvakus in c. 350 CE
}}

The '''Ikshvaku''' ([[IAST]]: Ikṣvāku) dynasty ruled in the eastern [[Krishna River]] valley of India, from their capital at [[Nagarjunakonda|Vijayapuri]] (modern [[Nagarjunakonda]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]]) for over a century during 3rd and 4th centuries CE. The Ikshvakus are also known as the '''Andhra Ikshvakus''' or '''Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri''' to distinguish them from their [[Ikshvaku dynasty|legendary namesakes]].

The Ikshvaku kings were [[Shaivism|Shaivites]] and performed [[historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] rites, but [[Buddhism]] also flourished during their reign. Several Ikshvaku queens and princes contributed to the construction of the Buddhist monuments at present-day [[Nagarjunakonda]].

== Political history ==

Ancient Sanskrit texts, such as ''[[Rigveda]]'', ''[[Atharvaveda]]'', and ''[[Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana]]'', mention a legendary king named [[Ikshvaku]] (literally, "gourd"). The [[Atharvaveda]] and [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] associate the Ikshvakus with non-Aryan people, distinct from the [[Aryan|Aryans]] who composed the hymns of the four [[Vedas]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Indian History Congress |title=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Parts 1-2 |pages=32–33}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ram Chandra Jain |title=Ethnology of Ancient Bhārata |publisher=Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, 1970 |page=18}}</ref> [[F. E. Pargiter]] has equated the ancient Ikshvakus with the [[Dravidian language|Dravidians]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Ram Chandra Jain |title=Ethnology of Ancient Bhārata |publisher=Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, 1970 |page=21}}</ref> Later texts, such as the ''[[Ramayana]]'' and the [[Puranas]], connect the [[Ikshvaku dynasty|dynasty of Ikshvaku's descendants]] to [[Ayodhya (legendary city)|Ayodhya]], the capital of the [[Kosala Kingdom]] in northern India.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3}}

A record of the Vijayapuri king Ehuvala Chamtamula traces his ancestry to the legendary Ikshvakus.{{sfn|Kotra Raghunath|2001|p=4}} The Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri seem to be same as the "Shriparvatiya Andhras" mentioned in the ''[[Matsya Purana]]''.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3}}

=== Chamtamula===
[[File:Nagarjunakonda Ayaka pillar inscription of the time of Vira-Purushadatta.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[Nagarjunakonda]] Ayaka pillar inscription of the time of Vira-Purushadatta (250-275 CE)]]
The dynasty's founder Vasishthiputra Chamtamula ([[IAST]]: Vāsiṣṭhīputra Cāṃtamūla; also transliterated Chantamula) rose to power after the decline of the [[Satavahana]] power. He is attested by the Rentala and Kesanapalli inscriptions. The Rentala inscription, dated to his 5th regnal year, calls him "[[Shri|Siri]] Cāṃtamūla". The 4-line Kesanapalli inscription, dated to his 13th regnal year, and inscribed on the pillar of a Buddhist [[stupa]], names him as the founder of the Ikshvaku dynasty.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4}}

No information is available about Chamtamula's parents, except that his father had multiple wives and daughters. Chamtamula had two [[uterine brother]]s, named Chamtasri ([[IAST]]: Cāṃtaśrī) and Hammasri (IAST: Hammaśrī). Chamtasri, who married Mahatalavara Skandashri of Pukiya family (he is Commander-in-chief and a feudatory), played an important role in the construction of a Buddhist ''[[chaitya|mahachaitya]]''.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4}}

The records of the later Ikshvaku kings describe Chamtamula as a great performer of the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] sacrifices such as Agnishtoma, Vajapeya and [[Ashvamedha]].{{sfn|Himanshu Prabha Ray|2003|p=140}}{{sfn|Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya|1974|p=116}} These descriptions are corroborated by archaeological discoveries, including those of Chamtamula's Ashvamedha-type coins, a tank used for the Avabhritha ceremony, the ''kurma-chiti'' (a tortoise-shaped sacrificial altar), and the skeleton of a horse. An inscription of the later Ikshvaku king Ehuvala Chamtamula states that Vasishthiputra Chamtamula won many battles with his valour.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4}}

Chamtamula had many wives.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5}} His daughter Adavi Chamtisri (IAST: Cāṃtiśrī) married ''Mahasenapati Mahatalavara Dandanayaka'' Khamdavishakha (IAST: Khamḍaviśāakha) of the Dhanaka family. He was succeeded by his son Virapurushadatta.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4}} An inscription dated to the 20th regnal year of Virapurushadatta mentions Chamtamula's death, which can be interpreted in various ways. It is possible that Chamtamula lived up to this time, having given up the throne at an earlier date; alternatively, it is possible that the inscription merely commemorates his death anniversary.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=8}}

=== Virapurushadatta ===
[[File:Nagarjunakonda Scythian soldier Palace site.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|"[[Indo-Scythian|Scythian]]" soldier, [[Nagarjunakonda]] Palace site.<ref name=CS>"In Nagarjunakonda Scythian influence is noticed and the cap and coat of a soldier on a pillar may be cited as an example.", in {{cite book |last1=Sivaramamurti |first1=C. |title=Indian Sculpture |date=1961 |publisher=Allied Publishers |page=51 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HL81AAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref name=AR>"A Scythian dvarapala standing wearing his typical draperies, boots and head dress. Distinct ethnic and sartorial characteristics are noreworthy.", in {{cite book |last1=Ray |first1=Amita |title=Life and Art of Early Andhradesa |date=1982 |publisher=Agam |page=249 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uQXqAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref>]]
Mathari-putra Vira-purusha-datta ([[IAST]]: Māṭharīputra Vīrapuruṣadatta) ruled for at least 24 years, as he is attested by an inscription dated to his 24th regnal year. He had multiple wives,{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5}} including three daughters of his paternal aunts (Chamtasri and Hammasri).{{sfn|P.R.Rao|1993|p=23}} He also married Rudradhara-bhattarika, the daughter of the ruler of [[Ujjain]] (''Uj(e)nika mahara(ja) balika''), possibly the [[Indo-Scythian]] [[Western Kshatrapa]] king [[Rudrasena II (Western Satrap)|Rudrasena II]].{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}}{{sfn|P.R.Rao|1993|p=23}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=(India) |first1=Madhya Pradesh |title=Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Ujjain |date=1982 |publisher=Government Central Press |page=26 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lo5hAAAAIAAJ |language=en}}</ref> [[Indo-Scythian|Scythian]] influence can also be noticed in the Palace of [[Nagarjunakonda]], especially through the reliefs of Scythian soldiers wearing caps and coats.<ref name=CS/><ref name=AR/> According to an inscription in Nagarjunakonda, a garrison of Scythians guards employed by the Ikshvaku kings may also have been stationed there.<ref>"The Iksvakus Kings employed Scythian soldiers as their palace guards, and also an inscription hints that a colony of Scythians existed at Nagarjunakonda.", in {{cite book |title=The Journal of the Institution of Surveyors (India). |date=1967 |publisher=Institution of Surveyors |page=374 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lIEAQAAIAAJ |language=en}}</ref>

His daughter Kodabalishri (IAST: Kodabaliśrī) married the ruler of the Vanavasa country{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|pp=5-6}} (possibly the [[Chutu dynasty|Chutu]] ruler of modern [[Banavasi]]).<ref>{{cite journal |author=Michael Mitchiner |title=The Chutus of Banavasi and their Coinage |journal=The Numismatic Chronicle |volume=143 |year=1983 |jstor=42665170 |page=101 }}</ref> He had two sons, Eli Ehavuladasa (whose mother was Yakhilinika) and Evuvala Chamtamula (whose mother was Khamduvula, and who succeeded him on the throne).{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}}

=== Ehuvala Chamtamula ===
Vasishthi-putra Ehuvala Chamtamula ([[IAST]]: Vasiṣṭhīputra Ehuvala Cāṃtamūla) also ruled for at least 24 years, and is attested by inscriptions dated to the regnal years 2, 8, 9, 11, 13, 16 and 24. The Ikshvaku kingdom reached its zenith during his reign.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}} Several Hindu and Buddhist shrines were constructed during his reign.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}} His Patagandigudem inscription is the oldest known [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper-plate charter]] from the [[Indian subcontinent]].{{sfn|Singh|2017|p=173}}

The Ikshvaku kingdom seems to have suffered multiple foreign invasions during Ehuvala's reign. The Sarvadeva temple inscription credits his commander Anikke with victories on the battlefield. The memorial pillar of his general ''Mahasenapati'' Chamtapula, a Kulahaka chief, also alludes to battle victories.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=7}}

Hariti-putra Virapurushadatta, the son of Ehuvala and queen Kapanashri (Kapanaśrī), bore the titles of an [[heir apparent]]: ''Maharaja Kumara'' and ''Mahasenapati''. However, he did not ascend the throne, probably because he died before his father. Ehuvala was succeeded by Rudrapurushadatta, who was his son from Vammabhatta, the daughter of a ''Mahakshatrapa'' (the [[Western Kshatrapa]] ruler).{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=7}}

The [[Shakas]] (the Western Kshatrapas) appear to have greatly influenced the Ikshvaku kingdom during Ehuvala's rule. Some of the inscriptions issued during this period use the Shaka title ''svamin'' for the king. An inscription to commemorate Vammabhatta, issued during the 11th regnal year of his son Rudrapurushadatta uses this title ''svamin'' for all the preceding kings.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=7}}

=== Rudrapurushadatta ===
[[File:Nagarjunakonda pillar inscription of the time of Rudra-Purushadatta.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Nagarjunakonda pillar inscription of the time of Rudra-Purushadatta (300-325 CE)]]
Vasishthi-putra Rudra-purusha-datta ([[IAST]]: Vasiṣṭhīputra Rudrapuruṣadatta) is attested by two inscriptions. The [[Gurazala]] inscription, dated to his 4th regnal year, records a land grant to the deity Halampura-svamin by Nodu Keshri, for the increase of Keshri's life. The [[Nagarjunakonda]] inscription, dated to the 11th regnal year, records the erection of a pillar to commemorate the king's mother Vammabhatta.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=7}}

According to American academic [[Richard G. Salomon (professor of Asian studies)|Richard Salomon]] "a [[Nagarjunakonda]] memorial pillar inscription of the time of King Rudrapurusadatta attests to a marital alliance between the [[Western Ksatrapas]] and the Iksvaku rulers of Nagarjunakonda".{{sfn|Richard Salomon|1998|pp=93-94}}

=== Decline ===

An inscription dated to the 30th regnal year of the [[Abhira tribe|Abhira]] king [[Abhira dynasty|Vashishthi-putra Vasusena]] has been discovered at the ruined Ashtabhuja-svamin temple in Nagarjunakonda.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3}} This has led to speculation that the Abhiras, who ruled the region around [[Nashik]], invaded and occupied the Ikshvaku kingdom. However, this cannot be said with certainty.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4}}

By the mid-4th century, the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]] had gained controlled of the former Ikshvaku territory, and the Ikshvaku rulers may have been reduced to vassal status.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|pp=8-9}}

== Rulers ==
{{center|<mapframe text="[[Find spot]]s of the Ikshvaku inscriptions{{sfn|Himanshu Prabha Ray|2003|p=140}}" width="250" height="250" zoom="5" latitude="16.471" longitude="79.458">
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"properties": { "marker-symbol": "star", "marker-color": "302060", "title": "Nagarjunakonda", "description": "Vijayapuri, the Ikshvaku capital" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [79.2450909, 16.5231627] }
},
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"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Jaggayyapeta" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [80.1037721, 16.9021166] }
},
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"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Gurazala" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [79.6361748, 16.5556876] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Rentala" },
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},
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"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Uppugunduru" },
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/* Coordinates to be determined:
Kottampalugu, a field located to the north of Nagarjunakonda
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Four Ikshvaku rulers are known from the inscriptions and coins discovered at [[Nagarjunakonda]] ([[IAST]] names in bracket).{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3}} The inscriptions of these kings are dated in their regnal years instead of a [[calendar era]], so the exact dates of their reigns are uncertain. Historian K. R. Subramanian assigns Ikshvaku rule to approximately 225-340 CE.{{sfn|K. R. Subramanian|1989|p=83}}

Assuming 227 CE as the last date of the [[Satavahana]] king Puloma IV, and assuming that the Ikshvaku rule began immediately after that, scholar K. Krishna Murthy assigns the following dates to the kings, based on their inscriptions:{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=8}}

* Vasishthi-putra Chamtamula (Vāsiṣṭhīputra Cāṃtamūla), c. 227-250
* Mathari-putra Vira-purusha-datta (Māṭharīputra Vīrapuruṣadatta), c. 250-274
* Vasishthi-putra Ehuvala Chamtamula (Vasiṣṭhīputra Ehuvala Cāṃtamūla), c. 274-297; also spelt Ehavala
* Vasishthi-putra Rudra-purusha-datta (Vasiṣṭhīputra Rudrapuruṣadatta), c. 297-309

Historian [[Upinder Singh]] estimates the reigns of the Ikshvaku rulers as follows:{{sfn|Singh|2016|page=45}}

* Chamtamula (210-250 CE)
* Virapurushadatta (250-275 CE)
* Ehuvala Chamtamula (275-297/300 CE)
* Rudrapurushadatta (300-325 CE)

== Territory ==

The Ikshvakus ruled parts of present-day [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]]. Their inscriptions have been discovered at [[Nagarjunakonda]], [[Jaggayyapeta]], Kottampalugu, [[Gurazala]], Rentala, and Uppugunduru.{{sfn|Himanshu Prabha Ray|2003|p=140}}

== Religion ==
[[File:Goddess Deity relief near Nagarjunakonda.jpg|thumb|A goddess relief from Nagarjunakonda]]
[[File:Division of Buddha Relics - Limestone - Circa 3rd-4th Century AD - Nagarjunakonda - Archaeological Museum - Nagarjunakonda - Andhra Pradesh - Indian Buddhist Art - Exhibition - Indian Museum - Kolkata 2012-12-21 2355.JPG|thumb|A sculpture from [[Nagarjunakonda]], depicting the division of Buddha Relics]]

The Ikshvaku kings are known to have performed various [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] sacrifices.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5}} Vasishthiputra Chamtamula performed the Agnishtoma, Vajapeya and [[Ashvamedha]] sacrifices.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4}}{{sfn|Himanshu Prabha Ray|2003|p=140}} The reign of his grandson Ehuvala Chamtamula saw the rise of [[Brahmanism]], and the construction of several shrines, such as those of Nodagishvara-svamin, Pushpa-bhadra-svamin, and Sarva-deva.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}} The shrine of Sarva-deva ("all gods") was commissioned by his commander Elishri (Eliśrī) during his 11th regnal year. Six or seven versions of an inscription written in metrical Sanskrit were inscribed on its pillars. Prince Haritiputra Virapurushadatta commissioned the Pushpabhadra-savmin temple during the 14th regnal year of Ehuvala. The shrine of Nodagishvara-svamin was also built during Ehuvala's reign, and received a permanent endowment for its maintenance.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}}

Buddhism also flourished in Ikshvaku kingdom, and several princes and queens contributed to the construction of the Buddhist shrines.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5}} Chamtashri, the sister of Vasishthiputra Chamtamula, generously donated towards the construction of a ''mahachaitya'' ("great [[chaitya]]"), which was built during the 6th regnal year of her son-in-law Virapurushadatta, under the supervision of Ananda.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|pp=4-5}} A reliquary containing the tooth of [[Gautama Buddha]] (according to a local inscription) has been discovered among the ruins of the ''mahachaitya''. According to the Buddhist tradition, the relics were brought by Mahadeva, a missionary sent by the 3rd century BCE [[Maurya]]n empire [[Ashoka]] to propagate Buddhism.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5}}

Inscriptions dated to the regnal years 6, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, and 24 of Virapurushadatta's rule record the construction of Buddhist monuments by royal ladies and commoners.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5}} During the reign of Ehuvala Chamtamula, Mahadevi Bhattideva commissioned a monastery for the teachers of the Bhaushrutiya (Bhauśrutīya) Buddhist sect. Mahadevi Kodabalishri (Kodabaliśrī) commissioned a monastery for the leaders of the Mahishasaka (Mahiśāsaka) sect. Chandrashri (Candraśrī), an [[upasika]] performed many religious activities in favour of the Apara-mahavina-seliya sect. A [[stupa]] (now termed as Stupa No. 9 at Nagarjunakonda) was renovated during Ehuvala's reign. Kumara-nandin, a merchant, installed an image of Buddha with a Sanskrit inscription during the same period.{{sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6}}

== References ==

{{APhistory}}
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author=Himanshu Prabha Ray |title=The Archaeology of Seafaring in Ancient South Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHHzP4uVpn4C&pg=PA140 |year=2003 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-01109-9 }}
* {{cite book |author=K. Krishna Murthy |title=Nāgārjunakoṇḍā: A Cultural Study |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4gBSWyLTSzkC&pg=PA1 |year=1977 |publisher=Concept |oclc=4541213 }}
* {{cite book |author=K. R. Subramanian |title=Buddhist Remains in Andhra and the History of Andhra Between 225 and 610 A.D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vnO2BMPdYEoC&pg=PA83 |year=1989 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0444-5 }}
* {{cite book |author=Kandavalli Balendu Sekaram |title=The Andhras through the ages |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E6E5AQAAIAAJ |year=1973 |publisher=Sri Saraswati }}
* {{cite book |author=Kotra Raghunath |title=The Ikṣvākus of Vijayapuri: a study of the Nagarjunakonda inscriptions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oRZuAAAAMAAJ |year=2001 |publisher=Eastern Book Linkers |isbn=978-81-7854-005-4 }}
* {{Cite book |author=Richard Salomon | title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages | publisher=Oxford University Press | place=Oxford | year=1998 | isbn=0-19-509984-2}}
* {{cite book |author=Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya |title=Some Early Dynasties of South India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=78I5lDHU2jQC&pg=PA116 |year=1974 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-2941-1 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Upinder |title=The Idea of Ancient India: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Archaeology |date=2016 |publisher=SAGE Publications India |isbn=9789351506478 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KIWTCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |first=Upinder |last=Singh |title=Political Violence in Ancient India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6A4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA173 |year=2017 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-97527-9 }}
* {{cite book |author=P.R.Rao |title=Ancient and Medieval History of Andhra Pradesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wENuAAAAMAAJ&q=Ancient+and+Medieval+History+of+Andhra+Pradesh+by+P+R+RAO |year=1993 |publisher=Sterling publishers pvt. ltd. |isbn=978-81-207-1522-6 }}
{{ref end}}

== External links ==
* [http://hisoma.huma-num.fr/exist/apps/EIAD/works/ Early Inscriptions of Āndhradeśa]: includes several Ikshvaku inscriptions

[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Hindu dynasties]]
[[Category:History of Andhra Pradesh]]

Andhra Ikshvaku - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 17:37, 24 August 2023