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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Andhradesha
| settlement_type = Region
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[Andhra Pradesh]]<br />[[Telangana]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = Capitals
| blank1_info_sec1 = Andhapura<br /> [[Dharanikota | Dhanyakataka]]
}}

'''Āndhradeśa''' ({{Langx|te|ఆంధ్రదేశ}}; {{Translation|Country of [[Andhras]]}}) is a historical region in the [[Deccan Plateau]] of the [[Indian subcontinent]], deriving its name from the ancient [[Andhras]] tribe, who inhabited and ruled the region since the [[Iron Age]]. The core territory of Andhradesha encompassed [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]]. At its zenith, the Andhradesha extended its influence over parts of present-day [[Maharashtra]], [[Odisha]], [[Karnataka]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Gujarat]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The Andhras were an ancient non-Aryan tribe who lived around the deltas of the [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] rivers. Andhras were mentioned in the ancient [[Hindu texts|Hindu scriptures]] such as the ''[[Aitareya Brahmana]]'' (c. 500 BCE)'', [[Ramayana]], [[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Puranas]]''. Greek historian [[Megasthenes]] reported in his [[Indica (Megasthenes)|''Indica'']] (<abbr>c.</abbr> 310 BCE) that Andhras were living in the Godavari and [[Krishna]] river deltas, and were famous for their military strength which was second only to [[Maurya Empire|Mauryans]] in all of [[Indian subcontinent|India]]. They had 30 fortified towns along the Godavari River and an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. They were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor [[Ashoka]] in 232 BCE.

== Etymology ==
Andhradesha, an ancient region, derived its name from the [[Andhras|Andhra]] tribe that flourished along the [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] river deltas. The term Andhradesha is a compound word, derived from the words "Andhra" and "desha". "Andhra" refers to the ancient Andhras tribe, while "desha" denotes country or territory.

Other names are Andhra, Andhrapatha, Andhramandala and Andhrabhumi.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZM1k0My/page/3/mode/2up |title=A History of the Early Dynasties of AndhraDesa C. 200-625 A.D. : with a map of ancient Andhradesa and Daksinapatna |date=1942 |publisher=V. Ramaswami Sastrulu & sons (Madras) |pages=3}}</ref>

== Extent ==
[[File:India 2nd century AD.jpg|thumb|339x339px|Andhradesa in 2nd [[Common Era|CE]]]]
The heartland of Andhradesha lay in the fertile deltaic regions of the [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] rivers. These mighty rivers, carrying vast quantities of silt from the Western Ghats, formed expansive deltas that enriched the surrounding lands. The [[Kolleru Lake|Kolanu lake]] (Kolleru Lake), situated between these deltas, played a significant role in the region's ecology and history. The deltaic region, with its rich alluvial soil and abundant water resources, supported a thriving agricultural economy, fostering the growth of prosperous cities and towns.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZM1k0My/page/3/mode/2up |title=A History of the Early Dynasties of AndhraDesa C. 200-625 A.D. : with a map of ancient Andhradesa and Daksinapatna |date=1942 |publisher=V. Ramaswami Sastrulu & sons (Madras) |pages=3–4}}</ref>

Historically, Andhapura serving as its earliest capital. Later, [[Dharanikota|Dhanakataka]] gained prominence which was visited by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim [[Xuanzang]]. Its core territory encompassed modern-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'', as well as [[Ptolemy]]'s writings, mention about Andhradesha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Casson |first=Lionel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQWYkSs51rEC&pg=PA213 |title=The Periplus Maris Erythraei: Text with Introduction, Translation, and Commentary |date=2012-05-05 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-4320-6 |language=en}}</ref>

At its zenith, the region extended its influence over parts of present-day Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Geographically, Andhradesha encompassed the eastern Deccan Plateau, bounded by the Balaghat Range to the west and the Eastern Ghats to the east. This region's diverse landscape, including fertile coastal plains and rugged plateaus, significantly influenced its historical trajectory and cultural development.

== Religion ==
[[Buddhism]] spread rapidly among the non-Aryan tribes of the Andhra region, gaining wider acceptance there than in [[Āryāvarta|Aryan]] society. The number of Buddhist sites in the northern districts of the former Madras State, particularly within the Andhra region, greatly outnumbers those found in the southern districts. From Sālihunde in present-day [[Visakhapatnam]] district in the north to Chinna Ganjam in [[Guntur]] district in the south, and from Gooty in [[Anantapur]] district in the west to [[Bhattiprolu]] in the east, the Andhra region experienced remarkable growth in Buddhist culture and art during the three centuries before and after the birth of Christ. A study of various Buddhist sites across [[South India]] indicates the existence of five major ancient trade and pilgrimage routes, all converging at [[Vengi]], located centrally in the Andhra region. Most Buddhist establishments were situated along these routes, which connected Vengi to [[Kalinga (region)|Kalinga]], Dravida, [[Karnata kingdom|Karnata]], Maharashtra, and [[Kosala (Mahajanapada)|Kosala]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Ramachandran |first=T. N. |title=NĀGĀRJUNAKONDA |url=https://ignca.gov.in/Asi_data/84090.pdf |journal=Director General Archaeological Survey of India |pages=9}}</ref>

=== Mahayana Legacy ===
{{Main|Mahayana}}

[[File:Buddhist Expansion.svg|thumb|[[Silk Road transmission of Buddhism|Buddhist expansion in Asia]]|302x302px|left]]
The Andhra region was not merely a centre for traditional [[Buddhism]], it was the crucible where [[Mahayana|Mahayana Buddhism]] was forged. This school developed primarily under the influence of the [[Mahāsāṃghika|Mahasanghika]] sects near the [[Dhanyakataka|Amaravati]] and [[Nagarjunakonda]] regions. It was here that the legendary philosopher Acharya [[Nagarjuna]] (c. 150–250 CE) formulated the ''[[Madhyamaka]]'' (Middle Way) philosophy based on the concept of ''[[Śūnyatā|Sunyata]]'' (Emptiness).<ref name="Xing65-66">Guang Xing. ''The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to the Trikaya Theory.'' 2004. pp. 65–66 "Several scholars have suggested that the Prajñāpāramitā probably developed among the Mahasamghikas in Southern India, in the Andhra country, on the Krishna River."</ref><ref name="Williams-2009">Williams, Paul. ''Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations 2nd edition.'' Routledge, 2009, p. 47.</ref><ref name="Hirakawa Akira 1993, p. 263">Akira, Hirakawa (translated and edited by Paul Groner) (1993. ''A History of Indian Buddhism''. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass: pp. 253, 263, 268</ref>

Nagarjuna's intellectual work, conducted at the university near the [[Krishna River]], transformed the faith from a monastic practice into a global movement. Today, Mahayana is the largest and most widespread branch of Buddhism in the world, dominating the religious landscapes of [[China]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]], and [[Vietnam]]. The iconography found in the [[Amaravati art|Amaravati School of Art]], the first to depict the Buddha in human form, set the aesthetic standard for Mahayana art that traveled along the [[Silk Road]], linking Andhra to the spiritual life of [[East Asia]].

== Currency ==
The [[Coinage of India|coinage]] of the period indicates that lead and potin were more commonly used than copper. The large and diverse range of coin issues suggests the existence of a vast empire extending from coast to coast. Additionally, the discovery of a significant number of [[Roman Republic|Roman]] coins provides evidence of active maritime trade with the Romans.<ref name=":0" />

== Economy ==
The ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' mentions of export of onyx stones, porcelain, muslin, cotton, perfumes, gum, and silk. [[Ptolemy]] refers to the Andhra people, trade along the eastern coast of India, and the ports of Kontakossyla, Koddura, and Allosygne. He also notes the port of Apheterion in the Maisolia region, corresponding to the [[Krishna River|Krishna River delta]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |title=NĀGĀRJUNAKONDA |url=https://ignca.gov.in/Asi_data/84090.pdf |journal=Director General Archaeological Survey of India |pages=8,9}}</ref>

Maritime trade played a crucial role in the prosperity of Buddhism in the Andhra region for nearly six centuries, from approximately 300 BCE to 300 CE. Many Buddhists were drawn from the mercantile classes, whose wealth contributed significantly to the construction of major Buddhist sites such as [[Amaravathi, Palnadu district|Amaravati]], [[Nagarjunakonda]], and other stupas. Ancient market towns in the Andhra region included [[Dharanikota|Dhannakataka]] (circa 250 BCE), Kevurura, [[Nagarjunakonda|Vijayapura]], and Narasala.<ref name=":1" />

== Subdivisions ==

=== Kingdoms ===
Various dynasties have ruled the region, including the [[Satavahana Dynasty|Andhras]] (or [[Satavahana]]), [[Andhra Ikshvakus]], [[Salankayana dynasty]], [[Vishnukundina dynasty]], [[Eastern Chalukyas]], the [[Kakatiyas]], [[Nayaka dynasties|Nayakas]] and [[Vijayanagara Empire]].

== Language ==
The linguistic history of Andhradesa is characterised by the transition from Prakrit and Sanskrit to the indigenous [[Telugu language]].

* [[Bhattiprolu script|Bhattiprolu Script]]''':''' One of the earliest precursors to the Southern scripts, discovered in the [[Amaravati Stupa|Bhattiprolu Stupa]] (c. 3rd century BCE). It contains unique features not found in [[Brahmi script|Ashokan Brahmi]], suggesting a regional variation in literacy very early on.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopalachari. K. |url=https://archive.org/details/EarlyHistoryOfTheAndhraCountry/page/n15/mode/2up?q=bhattiprolu |title=Early History Of The Andhra Country |date=1941}}</ref>
* [[Telugu-Kannada alphabet|Telugu-Kannada Script]]''':''' Between the 4th and 10th centuries CE, the Telugu-Kannada script evolved from the Brahmi used by the [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahanas]] and [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Andhra Ikshvakus]]. This script eventually diverged into the modern distinct scripts of Telugu and [[Kannada]].

== Art ==

=== Amaravati School of Art ===
{{Main|Amaravati School of Art}}

[[File:British Museum Asia 14.jpg|thumb|271x271px|[[Amaravati Stupa]]]]
Andhradesa was home to the [[Amaravati art|Amaravati School of Art]], one of the three major styles of ancient Indian art alongside [[Art of Mathura|Mathura]] and [[Gandhara art|Gandhara]].

* The Amaravati Style''':''' Known for its use of Palnad marble ( green-white [[limestone]]), the art of this region is famous for its narrative vivacity. Unlike the static figures of earlier styles, Amaravati sculptures depict crowded, energetic scenes with deep relief and fluid movement.
* Iconography''':''' The Amaravati school was a pioneer in transitioning from [[Aniconism|aniconic]] symbols (representing Buddha with a throne or feet) to [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] forms (representing Buddha as a human). This style travelled via maritime trade routes to [[Southeast Asia]], influencing the art of [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].
* Stupa Architecture: The Maha Chaitya at Amaravati and the structures at Nagarjunakonda were grand architectural feats. These stupas were unique for their ''Ayaka'' platforms, projections at the four cardinal points topped with five pillars, representing the five major events in Buddha's life.

== See also ==

* [[History of Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[History of Telangana]]
* [[Amaravati art]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book|editor-first=Somasundara | editor-last=Rao|title=Comprehensive history and culture of Andhra Pradesh|publisher=Orient Longman|publication-place=Chennai|date=2003|isbn=978-81-89487-81-2|url=}}

[[Category:History of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:History of Telangana]]
[[Category:Cultural regions]]
[[Category:Historical regions in India]]
[[Category:Mahayana]]
[[Category:History of Buddhism in Asia]]

Andhradesa - Revision history

AliNiazOfficial at 21:59, 19 March 2026