Coinage of the Ikshavakus (A Treasure Trove from Sekuru (V), Chebrolu (M), Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh)

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Preface The Ishkvakus ruled the Andhradesa from Sriparvata Vijayapuri as their capital city identified with Nagarjunakonda during the 3rd Century A.D. They followed the administrative system of their predecessors i.e., the Satavahanas, and were considered as tolerant rulers to all religions. They built innumerable of Buddhist Stupas, Viharas, Chaityas and Silamandapas for the benefit of the Buddhist Sangha and also a few Brahmanical temples and donated munificent grants to these establishments.

Introduction The occurrence of a good number of coins belonging to Gautamiputra Satakarni, Vasishtiputra Pulumavi, Yajna Sri Satakarni etc., and also an epigraph of the king Gautamiputra Vijaya Satakarni' dated in his 6 regnal year, attests to the fact that the Satavahanas had their sway over the Nagarjunakonda valley, before the Iksvakus took it over. After the decline of the Satavahana rule in Andhradesa, several minor dynasties rose to power; which include the Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri in Nalgonda and parts of Guntur region, the Pallavas in Nellore-Guntur region, the Salankayanas in the Godavari region and in the next phase, Vishnukundins, Brihatpalayanas and Anandagotrins in Guntur area. Of these, the Salankayanas maintained amicable relations with the Ikshvakus, the Brihatpalayanas closely related to the Ikshvakus were busy to establish their power at Masulipatnam as attested by the Kondamudi copper plates of Jayavarman². The Pallavas and Anandagotrins were always marching towards Vijayapuri till it was finally occupied by Mayurasarman of the Kadamba dynasty.