Ikshvakus And Their Cultural Contribution
The Ikshvaku Dynasty (c. 225-340 A.D) was a feudatory tribe under the patronage of the great Satavahana Empire that ruled the Andhra region, delta of the Krishna and Godavari rivers on the east coast, situating their capital at Dharanikota (present day Amravati). Their downfall around the 3 rd century C.E due to the internal skirmishes of its feudatories- the Abhiras, Traikutas, Brihatphalayans and the Salankayanas in order to gain power and the internal confusion rising due to such circumstances strengthened the hold of the ikshvakus.
As per the palaeographic and other archaeological evidences it appears that the ikshvakus were the first to grow powerful in the Krishna-Guntur region 1 and to throw off the Satavahana suzerainty in order to gain independent authority of the areas such as the Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar of present day Telangana and areas of Maharashtra.
The Ikshvaku rule in the Krishna- Guntur valley saw the continuation of Amravati school of art (150 B.C- 350 A.D) that reached its peak during the reign of the Satavahana dynasty. Nagarjunakonda remained the centre of major sculptural and architectural activities as evidenced by the relics, artifacts and inscriptions extracted during the excavations.
Origin
Although the origin of the Ikshvaku clan is still debatable but we do find references that are replete with the origin and existence of this dynasty. The Ikshvakus inscriptions obtained from Nagarjunakonda, Jaggayyapetta, Amravati and bhattiprolu record their activities such as donation, construction, religious faith, social outlook and so on. The Puranas * also record the existence of ikshvakus as Andhrabhrtyas (servants of the Andhras) and as Sriparvatiyas.
In the Ikshvaku inscriptions sriparvatiya is mentioned in relation to vijayapuri (ancient name of the Ikshvaku capital) as Sriparvate vijayapure which appears to be the ancient name of the Nallamalai Range.
As per a Kannada poem Dharmamrita, the Andhra Ikshvakus were the descendents of the renowned Ikshvakus of North India though its authenticity is debatable as this was possibly done to raise the status of the tribe in the eyes of the people.
The Andhra Ikshvakus certainly believed that claiming descent from the mythological Ikshvakus of Ayodhya to which Lord Rama (the mythological hero) also belongs would lend them familiarity and respect among their subjects. Oriental scholars such as Buhler and Rapson are of the view that northern Ikshvakus migrated to the south and established their Sovereignty.
The political history of the Ikshvakus who reigned for a brief period of about 100 years is one of achievements and advancements. Their capital at Vijayapuri along with other areas of Krishna-Guntur region witnessed extensible changes that are still marvelled and cherished. As stated earlier the main sources of their political accomplishments are basically the inscriptions found from pillars and temples and the coins with epithets of the king describing extent of their power.
The Prakrit inscriptions incised in Brahmi Script found at Nagarjunakonda (ancient Vijayapuri) serve as an important authority of the rule of the Ikshvakus. The Ikshvaku inscriptions belong to about middle and 2 nd half of 3 rd century A.D.
Art and Architecture
During the Ikshvaku reign The Ikshvakus are known for their dual affinities in terms of religious beliefs which were reflected in their art and architectural projects. Their inscriptions record facts such as donations for construction of chaityas and viharas at Bhattiprolu, Jaggayyapeta as well as building of temples during the reign of each ruler which points to the fact that they believed in both Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism and Brahminism.
Also, as per the inscriptions of Jaggapatteya, Kottampalugu and Nagarjunakonda, It seems that most of the Ikshvaku Women of royal families were patrons of Buddhism since they mostly funded for Buddhist construction. This reign marks the cultural and religious Growth and development of the Krishna- Guntur region.
So, the architectural splendour of the ikshvakus manifest in the Mahachaitas and Viharas and the richly ornate temples particulary at the site called Nagarjunakonda prove that they patronised both vedic and Buddhist faiths.
Ikshvaku sculpture
The sculptures of the ikshvakus are categorised under the declining phase of glorious art tradition that started with the Amravati and Jaggapatteya art in the 2 nd century B.C. Ikshvaku art acted as the last flicker in the lamp of the great tradition of satavahana art that started around 230 B.C.E. THE sculptural tradition of the ikshvakus had its own history of development.
During the initial phases (Virapurushadutta’s reign) the carvings displayed on structures had less amount of stylisation and were made in low relief lacking vigour of mature Amravati trdition. The stupas were also plain with absolutely no anthropomorphic depiction and Buddha was represented in symbolic forms such as Wheel, Feet and throne with Swastika.
The mature phase was represented with sculptures having delicate poses and subtle expressions. Mostly the themes behind the depicted sculptures remain jatakas such as the Mandhatu- jataka. Figures carved in round appear during the 11th regnal year of Ehuvala Camtamula as found from the archaeological remains of a mutilated Buddha image found in an apsidal shrine from site 9 at Nagarjunakonda.
There is also an evolved phase in ikshvaku art, evidences of which were found through the dating of a long panel found from site 106 at Nagarjunakonda. This has been dated to 24th regnal year of EHUVALA CAMTAMULA and has intricate depictions of mithuna figures and scenes from the life of Gautama Buddha. Other sculptures of this phase are sculpted in bold relief and show evolved features such as depiction of human emotions and expressions. Such expressions are visible in the sculptures of mithuna couples and several other dwarf figures.
The sources behind the major themes are great canons of Buddhist Literature and more than a dozen jataka stories such as Sasa jataka, Mahapaduma jataka, Vessantra jataka and Mahahamsa jataka. The themes depicted in the sculptures include Mara’s attack and retreat, Muchalinda protecting Buddha and scenes from the lalit vistara.
In the Brahmanical art tradition of the Ikshvakus, the mature style of art appears to be prominent with intricately designed and beautifully carved reliefs of Sati, a female deity with two arms and Karttikeya sculptures carved in round.
The secular art tradition of the ikshvakus again coming from the mature phase but having different contents is manifest in the battle scenes depicted on pillars. Such scenes are indicate that the capital city of ikshvakus i.e. Vijayapuri did witness perils of war. An important scene depicted on the memorial of king Kulhaka-Chamtapula showing an elephant with a rider is a case in point.
,
The Ikshvakus were a dynasty of kings who ruled over the kingdom of Kosala in northern India from the 6th to the 4th centuries BCE. They were the first dynasty to rule over a united India, and their reign was marked by a period of great cultural and economic prosperity.
The Ikshvakus were patrons of the arts and sciences, and their court was a center of Learning and culture. They were also responsible for the construction of many important temples and monuments, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, which is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism.
The Ikshvakus were a powerful and influential dynasty, and their legacy can still be seen in the culture and history of India today.
The Ikshvaku dynasty was founded by Manu, the legendary first man in Hindu mythology. Manu was said to have been born from the mouth of Brahma, the creator god. He was a wise and just ruler, and he established the laws that would govern India for centuries to come.
Manu’s son, Ikshvaku, was the first king of the Ikshvaku dynasty. He was a powerful and successful ruler, and he expanded the kingdom of Kosala to include much of northern India. He was also a patron of the arts and sciences, and he established many schools and temples.
The Ikshvaku dynasty continued to rule over Kosala for many centuries. During this time, the kingdom reached its peak of power and prosperity. The Ikshvakus were patrons of the arts and sciences, and their court was a center of learning and culture. They were also responsible for the construction of many important temples and monuments, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, which is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism.
The Ikshvaku dynasty came to an end in the 4th century BCE, when the kingdom was conquered by the Nanda dynasty. However, the Ikshvakus left a lasting legacy on Indian culture and history. Their reign was a time of great cultural and economic prosperity, and their contributions to the arts and sciences are still celebrated today.
The Ikshvakus were a powerful and influential dynasty, and their legacy can still be seen in the culture and history of India today. Their reign was a time of great cultural and economic prosperity, and their contributions to the arts and sciences are still celebrated today. The Ikshvakus were a dynasty of kings who ruled over the kingdom of Kosala in northern India from the 6th to the 4th centuries BCE. They were the first dynasty to rule over a united India, and their reign was marked by a period of great cultural and economic prosperity.
The Ikshvakus were patrons of the arts and sciences, and their court was a center of learning and culture. They were also responsible for the construction of many important temples and monuments, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, which is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism.
The Ikshvakus were a powerful and influential dynasty, and their legacy can still be seen in the culture and history of India today.
Who were the Ikshvakus?
The Ikshvakus were a dynasty of kings who ruled over the kingdom of Kosala in northern India. They were descended from the god Vishnu, and their most famous ruler was Rama, the hero of the Ramayana.
What was their cultural contribution?
The Ikshvakus were patrons of the arts and sciences, and they built many temples and palaces. They also made significant contributions to the development of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism.
What are some of their famous temples?
Some of the most famous temples built by the Ikshvakus include the Ramachandra Temple in Ayodhya, the Lakshmana Temple in Sirpur, and the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.
What are some of their famous palaces?
Some of the most famous palaces built by the Ikshvakus include the Indraprastha Palace in Delhi, the Vidisha Palace in Vidisha, and the Ahichhatra Palace in Ahichhatra.
What are some of their famous contributions to Hinduism?
The Ikshvakus were patrons of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and The Mahabharata. They also built many temples and monasteries, and they supported the work of many scholars and teachers.
What was their impact on Indian history?
The Ikshvakus were a powerful and influential dynasty that played a major role in the development of Indian history. They were patrons of the arts and sciences, and they built many temples and palaces. They also made significant contributions to the development of Hinduism.
What was their legacy?
The Ikshvakus left a lasting legacy on Indian history and culture. Their temples and palaces are still standing today, and their contributions to Hinduism are still studied and revered.
Question 1
The Ikshvakus were a dynasty of kings who ruled over the kingdom of Magadha in ancient India. They were the first dynasty to rule over Magadha, and they were responsible for the construction of many important temples and monuments.
Which of the following is not a temple or monument that was built by the Ikshvakus?
(A) The Mahabodhi Temple
(B) The Sanchi Stupa
(C) The Ajanta Caves
(D) The Ellora Caves
Answer
(D) The Ellora Caves were built by the Chalukyas, a later dynasty that ruled over Magadha.
Question 2
The Ikshvakus were a Buddhist dynasty, and they were responsible for the spread of Buddhism in India. They were also patrons of the arts, and they commissioned many works of art that depict the life of the Buddha.
Which of the following is not a work of art that depicts the life of the Buddha?
(A) The Sarnath Buddha
(B) The Amaravati Buddha
(C) The Gandhara Buddha
(D) The Mathura Buddha
Answer
(C) The Gandhara Buddha is a work of art that depicts the Buddha in a Hellenistic style. The Ikshvakus were a Buddhist dynasty, and they would not have commissioned a work of art that depicted the Buddha in a non-Buddhist style.
Question 3
The Ikshvakus were a powerful dynasty, and they ruled over Magadha for over 300 years. They were eventually overthrown by the Nanda dynasty, but their legacy continues to this day.
Which of the following is not a legacy of the Ikshvakus?
(A) The construction of many important temples and monuments
(B) The spread of Buddhism in India
(C) The patronage of the arts
(D) The overthrow of the Nanda dynasty
Answer
(D) The Ikshvakus were overthrown by the Nanda dynasty, but they were not responsible for the overthrow of the Nanda dynasty. The Nanda dynasty was overthrown by the Mauryan dynasty, which was a later dynasty that ruled over Magadha.
Question 4
The Ikshvakus were a significant dynasty in Indian history, and their legacy continues to this day. They were responsible for the construction of many important temples and monuments, the spread of Buddhism in India, and the patronage of the arts.
Which of the following is not a true statement about the Ikshvakus?
(A) The Ikshvakus were a Buddhist dynasty.
(B) The Ikshvakus were responsible for the construction of many important temples and monuments.
(C) The Ikshvakus were patrons of the arts.
(D) The Ikshvakus were overthrown by the Nanda dynasty.
Answer
(D) The Ikshvakus were overthrown by the Mauryan dynasty, not the Nanda dynasty.