Ikshvaku Dynasty – Telangana History
Exam Ready Notes · Telangana History & Culture · High-Yield Points Highlighted
📌 Ikshvaku Dynasty – Key Facts
The Ikshvakus were one of the most important dynasties that ruled the Telangana–Andhra region after the decline of the Satavahanas. Their rule marked a golden age of Buddhism, art, architecture and trade in the Krishna valley.
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sri Santamula (Shantamula) |
| Capital | Vijayapuri (Nagarjunakonda) |
| Royal Emblem | Lion |
| Sanskrit Inscriptions | Started from Ehuvala Santamula |
| Marriage Tradition | Marrying aunt's daughters began with Ikshvakus |
| Rulers (Puranas) | 7 kings |
| Rulers (Inscriptions) | 4 kings |
| Rule Period | About 100 years |
👑 1. Vasishtiputra Santamula (220–233 C.E.)
He was the founder of the independent Ikshvaku kingdom. Together with the Pugiya and Hiranyaka families, he overthrew the Satavahana king Pulumavi III and declared independence.
He held the title 'Maharaja' and also received the title 'Shatasahasra Danapradata' (donor of hundreds of thousands). He followed the Vedic religion and issued many inscriptions at Rentala, Dachepalli and Kesanapalli.
Family: Wife – Matharishri; Daughter – Atavi Santishri; Son – Virapurushadatta; Sisters – Santashri and Harmashri.
👑 2. Madhariputra Sri Virapurushadatta (233–253 C.E.)
He was the son of Santamula; his mother was Madhuri. He was the greatest ruler of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
According to the Nagarjunakonda inscription, he had 5 wives. He married the two daughters of his aunt Harmashri – Bapishri and Shashtishri. The other three wives were Batti Mahadevi, Rudra Bhattari, and Santashri.
He first followed the Vedic religion and later embraced Buddhism. In a sculpture at Nagarjunakonda, the king is shown touching a Shivalinga with his right foot.
His only daughter was Kodabalishri. During his time, a woman named Upasika Bodhishri worked for the spread of Buddhism.
Inscriptions: Alluru, Uppugunduru, Nagarjunakonda, Amaravati, and Jaggayyapeta inscriptions.
👑 3. Ehuvala Santamula (253–277 C.E.)
He is also called Santamula II. The tradition of adopting the grandfather's name began with the Ikshvakus.
He followed both Vedic and Buddhist religions. From his time, inscriptions were carved in Sanskrit. He was the first king in South India to build Hindu temples.
In those days, women offered bangles to the Hariti deity for begetting children. Recently, an inscription of Ehuvala Santamula was found at Gummaduru, which contains details about a Buddhist university.
Temples built by him:
| Temple | Location |
|---|---|
| Pushpabhadra Narayanaswamy Temple | Vijayapuri |
| Kartikeya Temple | Vijayapuri |
| Nandikeshwara Temple | — |
| Navagraha Temple | Nagarjunakonda |
| Hariti Temple | — |
| Kubera Temple | Nagarjunakonda |
👑 4. Rudrapurushadatta (283–301 C.E.)
He was the last ruler of the Ikshvaku dynasty. During his time, the early Pallava kings attacked the Ikshvaku kingdom.
This is mentioned in the Manchikallu inscription issued by Simhavarma — it is the first Pallava inscription in Andhra region.
⭐ Important Additional Points
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Vishapatti Inscription | Mentions Parnika trade guild & betel leaf trade |
| First Sanskrit Inscription | Elisiri inscription (South India) |
| Temples by Virapurushadatta | Pushpabhadra & Navagraha temples at Nagarjunakonda |
| Nandikeshwara Temple | Built at Amaravati |
| Hariti Temple | Deity of young children |
| Saptamatrika Temple | Nagarjunakonda — childless couples worship here |
| Sculpture Material | Used light green stone |
| Buddhist Acharya | Bhavaviveka |
| Jaggayyapeta Sculpture | Buddha carved as king without crown / god |
| Title of Sri Santamula | Dakshinapatha Samrat |
| Ikshvaku Claim | Descendants of Buddha, from Lumbini region |
| Largest Buddhist Stupa | Nelakondapalli (South India) |
| Upasika Bodhishri | Built 7 viharas at Papila |
| First Temple in South India | Ashtabhuja Swamy Temple (built by Shakasena during Ehuvala Santamula) — also first Vaishnava temple |
| Great Commander | Anandu |
| Vijayapuri Built By | Vijaya Sri Satakarni |
| Santamula's Conquests | Defeated Shaka, Ajira, Yavana, Garbari tribes |
| Rentala & Dachepalli Inscriptions | Written in Prakrit |
| Virapurushadatta's Trade Effort | Appointed Parnika guild for foreign trade |
| Pallava Inscription | Manchikallu inscription by Simhavarma |
| Chief Justice | Called Mahatalavari |
| Social Practice | Sati Sahagamana was in practice |
| Yeleswaram Temple | Built by Elisiri (officer of Virapurushadatta) |
🏛️ Nagarjunakonda – Centre of Culture & Trade
During the Ikshvaku period, Nagarjunakonda developed as a great trading centre. The kings of Sri Lanka built the Simhala Vihara at Nagarjunakonda for their Buddhist monks.
Nagarjunakonda became a famous university. During this time, Amaravati sculpture fully blossomed.
The Virugal tradition of the Sangam dynasty began during this period. Virugal means bodyguards who live for the king and die for the king.
From their time, the tradition of mentioning years on inscriptions and carving sculptors' names on structures began. The Vishapatti inscription reveals that professional taxes were levied.
⚡ Exam Quick Revision
| Point | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Founder | Vasishtiputra Santamula (220–233 C.E.) |
| Capital | Vijayapuri (Nagarjunakonda) |
| Royal Emblem | Lion |
| Greatest Ruler | Virapurushadatta (5 wives) |
| Last Ruler | Rudrapurushadatta |
| Sanskrit Inscriptions | From Ehuvala Santamula |
| First Sanskrit Inscription | Elisiri inscription |
| First Hindu Temple (South India) | Ashtabhuja Swamy Temple |
| Largest Buddhist Stupa | Nelakondapalli |
| Pallava Inscription | Manchikallu (Simhavarma) |
| Chief Justice | Mahatalavari |
| Social Practice | Sati Sahagamana |
| Bodyguard Tradition | Virugal (Sangam dynasty) |
📌 Ikshvaku Dynasty – Telangana History & Culture · Exam-Focused Notes · G STUDIES
