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Andhra Ikshvaku

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Andhra Ikshvaku

Andhra Ikshvakus (Sanskrit इक्ष्वाकु, Telugu ఇక్ష్వాకులు) were one of the earliest recorded ruling dynasties of the Guntur-Krishna-Nalgonda regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They ruled the Telugu country along the Godavari and Krishna River during the later half of the 2nd century CE. Their capital was Vijayapuri (Nagarjunakonda). It is a strong common belief that Andhra Ikshvakus were related to the mythological ikshvakus.

The region they ruled came to be known as Kammanadu. The term Kammanadu (variant spellings include Kammakaratam,Karmakaratam, Karmarashtra,Kammarashtra etc) was first found in 3rd century A. D. in the inscription of Ikshvaku king Purushadatta at Bethavolu near modern day Vijayawada.

Literary Evidence

Archaeological evidence has suggested that the Andhra Ikshvakus immediately succeeded the Satavahanas in the Krishna river valley. Ikshvakus have left inscriptions at Nagarjunakonda, Jaggayyapeta, Amaravati and Bhattiprolu.

The Puranas mention them as the Sriparvatiyas (Foresters), Rulers of Sriparvata (Forests) and Andhrabhrtyas (Servants of the Andhras). The Satavahanas were also known as Andhras but Several King's of House described themselves as Satavahanas and Never as Andhras.

References

Andhra Ikshvaku Wikipedia