Telangana History Ikshvakus and their Contributions

Contents

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Among the feudatories who hastened the downfall of the Satavahanas, the Ikshvakus of the Krishna – Guntur region were prominent. The Puranas refer to them as ‘Sriparvateeya Andhras’ who held power in the region around Nagarjuna Konda. They referred to themselves as a branch of the celebrated dynastyof Ayodhya to which Lord Sri Rama belonged. But it is difficult to prove or support this view. But the history of Ikshvakus was written in the inscriptions found near Jaggayyapeta and Nagaijuna Konda which were in Prakrit language and Brahmi script. Based on the coins of ikshvakus which obtained at Nalgonda (phanigiri), khammam (Nelakonda palli) Districts and one temple constructed by ikshvaku officer ‘Elisiri’ on his name at Eleshwaram of Nalgonda district, historians and archaeologists anticipating that these ikshvakus ruled some places of the southern districts of Telangana. Historians like Dr. Bhandarkar, Rapson and others believed that the Ikshvakus of Telugu region belonged to the Surya Vamsa Kshatriyas of ancient Ikshvaku dynasty of North India.

The facts regarding the Ikshvaku dynasty, which ruled Telugu region after the Satavahanas were found during the excavations of Nagaijuna Konda or Sri Parvata neighbourhood. The inscriptions found here stated that Ikshvakus ruled this area with Vijayapuri as their capital. According to Itihasas, Ancient Ikshvaku dynasty ruled the Upper Gangetic plains including Ayodhya, Kosala and Saketa Janapadas. ‘Vayupurana’ states that Ikshvaku, 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 Assaka,. Mulaka kingdoms there. A Jain work of “Dharmamrutham” Karnataka reports that an Ikshvaku prince founded a kingdom near the mouth of the river Krishna with Pratipalapura as its capital. Historians believe that this Pratipalapura is today’s Bhattiprolu. Inscriptions found here state that a king called Kuberaka ruled this area, who belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty.

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 scholars 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. ‘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 (The same fact applies to the ancient north Indian Ikshvaku race also). 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 Yajnasri Satakamigia state of confusion prevailed in the Satavahana Kingdom and many minor dynasties took advantage of this situation and had become independent. The coins of vijaya satakarni and chanda siri satakami of later satavahanas of satavahana kingdom were obtained at krishna, godavari plains only. One king named Madhariputra sakasena who occupied the western part of Deccan Plateau, i,e the places of maharashtra and Telangana. One sub branch of satavahana ruled the places of Telangana districts and neighbouring Berar places which besides to eastern ghats, contemporary to madhariputra saka satakami.

As of the above stated, the places of madhira, Nelakondapally, khammam to\vn of khammam district were also under the rule of ikshvakus, because these ikshvakus were the subordinates of satavahanas at that period and also as per the title of “Dakshina padapathi” to santamula of ikshvaku king (founder of Ikshvaku dynasty) historians anticipates that he conquered the races of saka, abhira, yavana, gardhabhi, and also the kings of Asmaka, mulaka (Ancient Telangana region) kosala, kalinga etc. Based on these anticipations, we came to know clearly that the districts of khammam, Nalgonda, and Mahabubnagar of today’s Telangana were under the rule of ikshvakus.

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.whose names were unavailable till now.

Vasishtiputra Santamula-I (180-193 A.D.)

The earliest known king of the dynasty was Vasishtiputra Santamula who came into prominence in the second quarter of 3rd century A.D. following the end of Satavahana rule. So, he can be called as the founder of this dynasty. Very little is known about his empire. The inscriptions of santamula were also unavailable till the last decade. Recently the excavations conducted by the state archaeological department in the year of 2002-03A.D. at phanigiri village of Nalgonda district. Some cracked inscriptional plates (or) tablets were obtained in that excavations. One of that cracked inscriptional plate contains the name of santamula, and the name of mahatalavara also found in another phrase of other plate of cracked inscription. By observing these evidences historians anticipated that santamula worked as ‘Mahatalavara’ in the court of last satavahana king. By this inscriptional plate, we came to know that he was designated as mahatalavara in satavahana court, and later he became independent in Nagarjuna konda in the period of pulomavi.

The phanigiri inscription is very useful to know some how about the pre history of santamula. According to this inscription historians assumed that santamula Forked with a status called ‘Talavara’*in Nalgonda district in the period of last satavahana king. Historians anticipated that santamula disregarded (or) disobeyed pulomavi-III arid became independent at Nagarjuna konda. This 10 lined phanigiri inscription of ikshvaku king santamula is very important & tells about him.

According to this inscription, santamula conducted his son veerapurusha datta’s marriage with the daughter of santisri, who is the sister of santamula and also this inscription reveals that the conflicts which occured in the kingdom and also reveals the promise of santamula about the development of phanigiri buddhist site to cool down the conflicts in the kingdom, and also the words of “kshantamula maharaja”, “mahata- lavarasa” can be seen on this inscriptional plates.

However, he proclaimed independence by performing Aswamedha Yaga. He married a Brahmin lady named Matari Devi. Santamula was a staunch Hindu. Besides Aswamedha, he performed other vedic sacrifices like Rajasuya and Vajapeya. He had two sisters, Santisri and Harmyasri. The eldest, Santisri followed Buddhism and constructed a Maha Chaitya 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 Sashtisri. 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 cpws and land and gold to Brahmins and was called as ‘Mahadanapati’. He was succeeded by his son Veerapurusha Datta.

Maihariputra Veerapurusha datta-I (193-213 A.D.)

The rule of Veerapurusha Datta started sometime in the third quarter of the 3rd century, A.D. The records belonging to his reign were discovered at Amaravati, Jaggayyapeta and Nagaijuna Konda. Some of his inscriptions were issued in his twentieth ruling year, so it is presumed that he might have ruled for atleast 20 years. Veerapurusha married three daughters of his paternal aunts (Santisri and Harmyasri). Such marriages which are peculiar to Andhra were familiar even in early times. Another queen of Veerapurusha was Rudradhara-Bhattarika. According to historian D.C.Sarkar she might have been related to Rudrasena-II (254-274 A.D.), the Saka ruler of Western India. Veerapurusha’s daughter Kondabalisiri was married to the ruler of Vanvasa (Banavasi) in Karnataka. The ruler of Banavasi belonged to the Chutu family, a branch of Satavahana dynasty. Virapurusha, by forging matrimonial alliances with royal houses of Ujjain and Banavasi, continued the policy of his father in strengthening the Ikshvaku dynasty. He was succeeded by his son Vasishtiputra Ehubala Santamula-II. *

Veerapurusha patronised Buddhism and gave it back the fame it lost dining his father’s reign. Though Ikshvaku kings did not try to encourage Buddhism, their queens donated vigorously to the Buddhist cause and constructed a number of Buddhist monuments, The Bodhisri inscriptions clearly state the fact that Buddhism gained fame and popularity during Veerapurusha’s rule.

Ehubala Santamula (213-237A.D).

Ehubala Santamula was the third and last independent ruler of the Ikshvaku dynasty. He ruled for about 24 years and was overthrown by the Pallavas who occupied the Krishna-Guntur region by the end of the 3rd century A.D. The inscriptions of his period were found in the excavations at nagaijuna konda in 1954-61 A.D. The method of writing of inscriptions in Sanskrit language instead of prakrit language has been started with his rule only. The most number of Hindu temples were constructed during his reign. Pushpabhadra temple, Nandikeswara temple, kartikeya temple, Ashtabhuja temple, Navagraha temples of Nagaijuna konda were belongs to his rule only. Ehubala santamula was the first king that who constructed Hindu temples in southern country. In his reign of 11 years, his prime minister “Elisiri” has constructed a shaiva temple named “swarna devalaya” and laid an inscription there. Elisiri described himself about his victories in many wars in this inscription.

Unlike Santamula-I, who championed Vedic faith, his successors were Buddhists and made liberal donations to several Chaityas and Viharas in and around the capital city, Vijayapuri. Most of the inscriptions.at Nagaijuna Konda record the liberal donations made by the ladies of the Ikshvaku dynasty. The language used in these inscriptions was Prakrit. After the downfall of the Ikshvakus, Buddhism began to decline in the heart land of Telugu region.

Rudrapurmha Datta (237-248 AM)

Ehubala Santamula was succeeded by his son Rudrapurusha Datta. During his ascension to throne, the Pallava king Simhavarma invaded the Ikshvaku kingdom, where upon a state of confusion prevailed. The kingdom suffered enormous military and financial losses and slowly started to decline. After Simhavarma, “Sivaskanda Varma” became the Pallava king and brought the whole of Ikshvaku kingdom under his control. This was recorded in the ‘Mydavolu inscription”. The weakening of friendly neighbour state of Mahakshatrapas, the revolt of Brihatpalayanas and other reasons might have contributed to the decline of the Ikshvaku kingdom.

Political Conditions

By the time Ikshvakus started to become independent, a number of minor dynasties were ruling the region to the South of the river Krishna. Prominent among them were the Pugiyas. Pugiprolu is contemporary Ongole of Prakasam district. This region was called as Pakanadu during Pallava, Chola reigns. Another dynasty was ‘Hiranyakas’ who ruled today’s Giddaluru (Prakasam district) and Nandyala (Kurnool district) regions and some parts of Kadapa also. They were called as the ‘Chaliki’ family, which later on became the Chalukya dynasty. Two more dynasties were Dhanaka and Kulahaka, but the pMcOs under their control could not be identified. However, they also ruled the Southern Andhra (Rayalaseeiria) region. Santamula merged all these regions into the Ikshvaku kingdom and maintained good relations with them. He formed matrimonial alliances with these families and strengthened his kingdom.

The first state formed after the decline of the Satavahana empire was the Ikshvaku kingdom. Its founder was Santamula-I who proclaimed independence and performed Aswamedha and other Yagas. He gave enormous donations and developed agriculture and other fields during his rule. His successors vigorously supported Buddhism and constructed many monuments which attract tourists even to this day. Nagarjuna Konda had become a very famous Buddhist educational centre and attracted many student and pilgrims not only from India but also from all over Asia.

Cultural Development

The 100 year period of Ikshvaku dynasty is considered as a turning point in the cultural and religious development of the region. As Ikshvakus supported both Vedic and Buddhist faiths, they flourished during this period, and the region became one of the most famous Buddhist educational centres of the world. Many Buddhist Stupas and Viharas were built. in and around Jaggayyapeta, Bhattiprolu, Chinna ganjam and other places. The Maha Chaitya was renovated at the Nagarjuna Konda. Students used to come from all over Asia to Nagarjuna Konda to get trained as the propagators of Buddhist faith.

During the same period, Vedic faith also flourished. Many Hindu temples were built along with Buddhist Stupas. Related Art and architecture developed under the rulers and Sreeparvata had become the centre of Buddhism, Saivism and Vaishnavism at the same time. Some argue that the tradition of worshipping Buddha as an incarnation (Avatara) of Vishnu started here. Pilgrims of different races and regions like Kashmir, Gandhara, China, Lata, Tosali, Vanavasa, Yavana, Dravida and Parur used to come here for learning and discussing the rules, and rituals of Buddhist faith. Buddhism was propagated from Andhra to China in the East, Kashmir in the north and Srilanka in the South. It

is said that Veerapurushadatta repressed the Vedic faith and championed Buddhism tremendously. All the women of Ikshvaku royal families patronised Buddhism.

Social Conditions

The kingdom of Ikshvakus spread over telan- gana contemporary districts of Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda, Madhira and Nelakondapally (Khammam district) and some other parts. They followed the model of Satavahana administration. Santamula-I followed the Vedic faith, performed many Yagas and also encouraged and supported agriculture. They followed Satavahanas in religious matters also. The kingdom was divided into states, Haras and Pathas. The highest officials were called as Mahatalavars, Maha Senapathis and Mahadanda Nayakas. Mahadanda Nayakas were appointed as governors of state.

Village life was stable and prosperous. Santamula used to donate lakhs of cows and other animals which helped the agriculture and related fields. Kolika or Kulika was the head of merchant guild. These guilds encouraged and supported Vedic and welfare programmes. But after Santamula’s death, Vedic faith was pushed down to second place and Buddhism replaced it. Vengi, Dhanyakataka and Nagarjuna Konda had become’ famous educational centres.

Bit Bank

Who was the founder of Ikshvaku dynasty ? – Santamula-I

Who was the popular king among Ikshvakus? –Veerapurushadatta

Who was the last king of Ikshvakus? – Rudra purusha Datta

What was the capital of Ikshvakus ? Vijayapuri
What is the modem name of Vijayapuri, the capital of Ikshvakus? – Nagaijuna Konda
According to puranas, what is the name of Ikshvakus? – Sri parvatiyas

What are the sources of the history of Ikshvakus? – Puranas, inscriptions of Nagarjuna konda, Jaggayyapeta and phanigiri

Vijayapuri situated in which direction of Sreeparvatam ? – West

What is the inscriptional language during Ikshvakus ? – Prakrit
What was the Royal symbol of Ikshvakus ? – Lion
On whose invasion, was Ikshvaku empire destroyed? – Sivaskanda varma

Which literature mentions that there was a custom of marrying paternal Aunt’s daughter prevailing during Ikshvaku rule? – Buddhist literature

According to which inscriptions, Pallavas destroyed the Ikshvakus and occupied their Kingdom?Manchikallu inscription ofPallavas and Maidavolu inscription
According to puranas, how many kings in Ikshvaku dynasty ruled the court ? Eight
According to inscription, how many Ikshvaku kings are ruled ? – Five

After the downfall of Ikshvaku dynasty, the region to the south of river Krishna came under which rule ? – Pallavas

After the down fall of Ikshvaku dynasty which dynasty engaged in the region to the north of river Krishna ? – Brihatpalayana dynasty
Buddhism flourished during which Ikshvaku King? – Veerapurusha datta

What was the name of the period between the end of Satavahana rule and the emergence of the independent kingdom of Vengi chalukyas? –After Satavahana era

According to the inscription available at Nagarjuna konda, what was the name of Nagaijuna konda in the first century A.D. ? Sri Parvata

According to the inscription of Nagarjuna konda, Veerapurasha datta belonged to which dynasty ? – Sakya Dynasty

What was the other name of Ikshvaku king Santamula-I ? – Vasishtiputra Sri Santamula
Inscriptions of Santamula Phanigiri-I are available at? – Rentala, Dachepalli
After which yaga did Sri Santamula declare himself independent ? – Rajasuya Yaga
Santamula-I, performed which yagas other than Rajasuya ? – Agnishtoma, Agnihoma, and Vajapeya

Santamula-I was a devotee of? – Kartikeya
Who was the wife of Santamula-I – Mathari Devi

Santamula-I, belonged to which sect ? – – Vaidika

What were the names of the son and daughter of Santamula-I ? – Veerapurusha datta and Adavi Santisri

Who were the sisters of Santamula-I ?

– Harmyasri and Santisiri’. They were also known as (Hammasirika and Chatisiri)

Who was the wife of Skanda Visakha ? – Adavi Santisri

What are the names of the two daughters of Harmyasri who were also wives of Veera purusha Datta – Bapisri and Sashtisri (also known as Bapi sirika and Chatisiri)
The temple constructed by Virapurusha Datta in Nagaijuna konda ? Pushpa Bhadra swami temple

Veerapurushadatta married princess of Ujjain. What was the name of that princess?

– Rudrabhattarika

Who was the husband of Santisri? – Vasishti Putra Skanda sri

The Ikshvaku king, who issued crores of gold coins and donated thousands of cows ? .

– Santamula-I

The Ikshvaku king, who used lakhs of ploughs to have bring the land into irrigation ? –Santamula-I

The hill which had become famous as the Gaya of South ? – Nagaijuna konda

The word ‘Mahatalavara’ belongs to ‘Which language –Telugu

The title for Ikshvaku queens : – Mahadevi
Highest officials under Ikshvaku rule? – Mahatalavaras

The wives of Mathariputra sri Veerapurushadatta? – Bhattidevi, Rudra Bhattarika, Santisri, Bapisri, Sastisri
Who was the first Andhra king, who patronised Hinduism? – Santamula-I

Who constructed the first Hindu temple ? – Ikshvakus

Which is the important inscription among the inscriptions, that gives evidence of the development of Buddhism during Ikshvakus? – Upasika Bodhisri inscription

Like Satavahanas, Ikshvakus also used to join the names of whom before their original names ?

, – The names of their mothers

Santamula-I, the first Ikshvaku king, after whose defeat.laid the foundation for the kingdom? – Pulomavi-III

In which inscription did Veerapurusha datta, declare that they were the heirs of Buddha?

– Nagaquna konda

According to Vishnupurana and ‘Jaina dharma mruta’Ikshvakus were the heirs of? –Buddha

What is the ruling period of Ikshvakus? – From 225 A.D. to 300 A.D.

Santamula-I, ruled his country by attracting the feudatories of Satavahanas towards himself. What were the names of the dynasties of those feudatories? – Pugiya and Devaka

Santisri, who got the titles Mahatalavari and Mahanamapati, was wife of ? – Skandha sri

The Ikshvaku king who donated ’Satasahasrahala? – Santamula-I

The Ikshvaku king who issued the inscription of Nagarjuna konda, Uppugonduru, Jaggayyapeta and Allur: – Veerapurusha datta

The Ikshvaku king, who initiated the marriages with maternal or fraternal cousins (menarikam):

–Veerapurushadatta

What is the name of- the daughter of Veerapurushadatta ? – Kondabala siri (Konda balasri)

Who was the husband of Konda balasri? – Sivaskandha Satakami(Banavasi king)

Among Ikshvaku kings whose reign is said to be golden age for Buddhism? The reign of Veerapurashadatta
To whom Konda Balasri constructed a Buddhist vihara on Nagaijuna konda ? – for Mahisakas

In whose reign did Sreeparvatam flourish with the Buddhists of Mahayana branch ?

–Veerapurushadatta

Name one famous woman who had given donations to Buddhists ? – Upasika Bodhisri
Buddhists of Andhra propagated Buddhism upto China in the east and upto Kashmir in the west. Who extended help for their propagation: – Upasika Bodhisri

Mahasanghika were called during the period of Ikshvakus as ? – Andhakas

What is the name of the son of Virapurusha- datta ? – Ehubala Santamula-I

Who issued Chejarla inscription ? – Kandara raju

According to Chejarla inscription, between which two dynasties waged war against each other?

– Between Ikshvakus and Anandagotrikas

In whose reign, were Buddhist institutions and Hindu temples constructed in the valley of Nagarjuna konda abundantly? – Ehubala Santamula-I

Who constructed ‘Sarvadevadhikasam’ temple for Kumara swami? – Elisiri

In which places the inscription of Rudra purushadatta was discovered ? Nagarjuna konda, and Gurajala
Where was the Manehikallu inscription found ? – Near Vijayapuri

In which year did Pallavas occupy the Guntur mandal from Ikshvakus ? – 300A.D.

The script of Manehikallu inscription is similar to which inscription? — Inscriptional script of Nagaijuna Konda

Name The Ikshvaku king, who destroyed the Sivalingam, according to the architecture of Ikshvaku period ? – Veerapurusha datta

The social evil during the period of Ikshvakus? – Sati sahagamanam

First Island museum in India? – Nagaijuna konda island museum

Brihatpalayanas were the feudatories of whom? – The Ikshvakus

During Ikshvaku period, the trade guilds were called as? –Nigamas

Who constructed the Chaitya near Nagaijuna konda ? – Santisri

The coins discovered at Nagarjuna konda belonged to which country ? – Rome

During Ikshvakus, rule what ware the Collective name for various villages ? – Grama Panchika
The temples of Ikshvaku period was discovered at Nagaijuna konda. What were they?

– Pushpabhadra swami temple, Ashta Bhujaswami temple and Hariti temple

The coins which were under circulation: – Suvama, Phanam, Dinar, Marakan

Which were the important ports during Ikshvakus? – Motupatfi and Ghantasala
During which period Nagarjuna konda, Pratipalapuram and Kontakosala were famous social cities ? – Period of Ikshvaku

Which dynasty comes into mind when we visit the Nagaijuna konda ? – Ikshvakus

Temple architecture was initiated in which period ? – Ikshvakus
Where is the Ashtabhuja Narayana’ temple is located? – Nagaijuna konda

Who constructed Chaitya griha on Chandragiri, Nagaijuna konda? –Bodhisri

What is the modem name for Pratipalapuram ? – Bhattiprolu

According to Puranas, for how many years Ikshvakus rule the region? –100 years

What do we know through Rajasuya Yaga of Santamula-I? – Santamula-I conquered the surrounding kingdom with his courage
Among Ikshvaku kings, who gave Halampura Swami a donation? – Rudra purushadatta

Objective Bits

1.Which of the following districts of Telangana rule of ikshvakus as per the anticipations of historians and Archaeologists?
1. Nalgonda 2. Mahabub nagar
3. Khammam 4. All of the above
Ans 1

2. Who were referred to as Sreeparvatiyas and Andhra bhrityas by puranas ?
1. Ikshvakus 2. Abhiras
3. Early Pallavas 4. Chutunagas
Ans 1

3. According to Puranas, Ikshvakus ruled for how many years ?
1. 100 years 2. 200 years
3. 300 years 4. 500 years
Ans 1

4. According to puranas, how many kings ruled in Ikshvaku dynasty ?
1. Ten 2. Seven 3. Five 4. Four
Ans 2

5. The capital of Ikshvakus ?
1. Nagarjuna konda 2. Vijayapuri
3. Amaravati 4. Sri parvatam
Ans 2

6. Who was the founder of Ikshvaku dynasty?
1. Vasishti putra Santamula
2. Veerapurusha datta
3. Ehubala Santamula
4. Rudra Purushadatta
Ans 1

7. Sri Santamula, the founder of Ikshvaku dynasty, followed which religion ?
1. Vaidika 2. Buddhism
3. Jainism 4. None of these
Ans 1

8. Sri Santamula gave his sister in marriage to Whom ?
1. Vasishtiputra Skandasri ‘
2. Veerapurusha datta
3. Mahasena
4. Kshatrapa
Ans 1

9.The woman who had the titles Mahatalavara, Mahadanapatni
1. Santisri 2. Adavi Santisri
3. Harmyasri 4. None of the above
Ans 1

10. “Mahatalavara” means:
1. The person who conquered many kingdoms
2. Great feudatory
3. Emperor
4. Mahamantri
Ans 2

11 Who among the following was the daugh¬ter of Sri Santamula ?
1. Santisri 2. Adavi Santisri
3. Vapisri 4. Sastisri

Ans 2

12. The king who helped a lot for the develop¬ment of agriculture by giving lakhs of cows, ploughs and gold coins in the form Of donation:
1. Sri Santamula 2. Veerapurushadatta
3. Ehubala Santamula 4. Rudra Purushadatta
Ans 1

13. Among Ikshvaku kings, whose period was considered as golden age in the history of Buddhism?
1. Sri Ehubala 2. Rudra Purushadatta
3. Sri Santamula 4. None of the above
Ans 2

14. During the reign of Virapurusha datta,
which among the following flourished as a great holy place for Mahayana Buddhists ?
1. Amaravati 2. Sri parvatam
3. Ghantasala 4. Vijayapuri
Ans 2

15. Which of the following informs us that Virapurusha datta was a follower of the vedic religion first and adopted Buddhism later?
1. Inscriptions of Amaravati
2. Evidences of Nagaijuna konda sculpture
3. Writings of Huien-Tsang
4. Inscription of Sri Santamula
Ans 2

16. Who was the mother of Ehubala Santamula?
1. Vasishti Bhattidevi 2. Mahadevi
3. Santisri 4. None of the above
Ans 1

17. The last king of Ikshvaku dynasty:
1. Rudra Purushadevi 2. Sri Santamula 3. Veera Purusha datta 4. None of the above
Ans 1

18. Among the following who conquered Rudra Purushadatta ?
1. Pallava Narasimha Varma
2. Sivaskanda varma
3. Buddha Yankara
4. Shanti Varma
Ans 1

19. During Ikshvaku period, which was the foremost profession?
1. Foreign trade 2. Agriculture
3. Sale of textiles 4. All the above
Ans 2

20. Who started the self supporting rural sys¬tem in Andhra desa ? .
1. Satavahanas 2. Ikshvakus , •
3. Chalukyas 4. Pallavas
Ans 2

21. ‘Ulika Pramukh’ means
1. Military chief 2. Leader of srenis
3. Maha Mantri 4. Feudatories
Ans 2

22. In which metal, did Ikshvakus issue the coins?
1. Lead 2. Gold
3. Silver 4. All the above
Ans 1

23. Dinars which were in circulation during Ikshvakus were imported from :
1. Tamil Country 2. Rome
3. North 4. Persia Tt
Ans 2

24. Where is the great ‘Dhvani Vijnana’ con-struction ‘Sabda gelari’ located? /
1. Nagaijuna konda 2. Amaravati
3. Vijayapuri 4. Kanchipuram
Ans 1

25. ‘Hariti’ means
1. The goddess who protects the children ‘
2. The goddess who pxmishes the sinners ‘
3. One Raga in music
4. One great construction/building
Ans 1

26. Who performed Aswamedha, Vajapeya, and Agnistoma yagas?
1. Rudra purushadatta 2. Virapurusha datta 3. Santamula 4. None of the above
Ans 3

27. During whose period, worship of mother goddess, and Nagapuja, the custom of aborigines, was practiced ?
1. Satavahanas 2. Pallavas
3. Ikshvakus 4. None of the above
Ans 3

28. ‘Veeragallulu’ means: .
1. Memory symbol of courageous leaders who died in the war
2. Soldiers who fled from the war
3. Place where wrestling competitions held t
4. Secret room
Ans 1

29. ‘Construction of Mudupu stupas’ means :
1. The stupas carved secretly
2. The stupas with great skill
3. The stupas erected after the fulfilment of desires or wants
4. The stupas which was destructed
Ans 3

30. Who constructed the stupa erected by
Yajnasri Satakarni for Acharya Nagaijuna? 1. Santamula 2. Santisri
3. Sashtisri4. Gautami Balasri
Ans 2

31. Among Ikshvakus, who used Sanskrit lan¬guage in inscriptions?
1. Santisri 2. Sri Santamula
3. Ehubala Santamula 4. Rudra purushadatta
Ans 3

32. The Ikshvaku king whose name was mixed with Tamil and Telugu words ?
1. Ehubala (Ehubala) Santamula
2. Sri Santamula
3. Rudra Purusha datta
4. None of the above
Ans 1

33. Theravada-people practice to which religion?
1. Vaidika 2. Buddhism
3. Jainism 4. None of these
Ans 2

34. Among Indian inscriptions, whose inscriptions revealed the year lor the first time?
l.Ashoka 2. Satavahanas
3. Ikshvakus 4, Pallavas
Ans 3

35. Whom of the following king of ikshvakus mentioned in the inscriptional plates obtained in the excavations held at phani- giri of Nalgonda district ?
1. Sri santamula 2. veera purusha datta
3.. Ehubala santamula 4. Rudrapurusha datta
Ans 1

36. In which of the following places of Telangana that the coins of ikshvakus era found?
1. phanigiri 2. Dhoolikatta
3. peddabankur 4. kotilingala
Ans 1

37. What was the name for Trade Groups dur¬ing Ikshvaku period?
1. Nigamas 2. Phanim
3. Grama panchika 4. None of these
Ans 1

38. The first island museum established in India?
1. Amaravati 2. Nagarjuna konda
3. Nalanda 4. Bhattiprolu
Ans 2

39. A group of villages were called with the
following name .
1. Grama panchika 2. Phanim
3. Sreni 4. Hariti
Ans 1

40. Which social evil was practiced during Ikshvaku period?
1. Sati sahagamanam 2. Foeticide
3. Human sacrifice 4. Religious riots
Ans 1

41. Where were the buildings which are famous for their beauty during Ikshvaku period located?
a.Vijayapuri b. Sri parvatam
c. Manchi kallu d. Alampuram
1. a, b, c, d 2. a, b, c 3. a, b 4. b, c, d
Ans 3

42. Where was the temple of Ashtabhuja Narayana Swami located?
1. Vijayapuri 2. Nagaijuna konda
3. Manchikallu 4. Alampuram
Ans 2

43. The king who took up the construction of Buddhist monuments along with Hindu temples?
1. Vasishtiputra Santamula
2. Veerapurusha datta
3. Ehubala Santamula
4. Rudra purusha datta
Ans 3

44. The title ‘Apratihata Sankapana’ belongs to which king?
1. Veerapurusha datta
2. Mahasena
3. Kshatrapa
4. Vasishti putra Santamula
Ans 4

45. In which of the following kingdom does santamula of ikshvakus worked as ‘Mtthatalavara’ as per the inscription found in telangana ?
1. kingdom of vishnukundina
2. kingdom of satavahana
3. kingdom of salamkayana
4. kingdom of vakataka
Ans 2