Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c11.s1.t1: Genealogy of the Chuṭus

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c11.s1.t1

Language: English

Genealogy of the Chuṭus

c11.s1.t1.1

Vinhukada Chuṭukulananda Śatakarni I Sivaskandanagasri Viṇhukaḍa Chuṭukulānada Śatakarni II

The well-known Naga inscription (*SII*, Vol. XX, No.1) speaks of Viṇhu Kada Chuṭukulānanda as a ruler there and his daughter Śivakhēda Nāgasiri had donated a Vihāra, a tank and the Naga image, sculptured by Naṭaka. Of late, one more inscription on an Ayaka Pillar mentioning the name of Sivasiri Pulumāvi is found (Mirasi, V.V. 1976, pp. 26-28). He is identified with Vāsiṣṭhiputra Puḷumāvi, a son of Gautamīputra Śātakarṇi. It is suggested that the rule of Śātavāhanas was extended over this part of Karnāṭaka and the queen in whose memory the Āyaka Pillar was set up probably hailed from Karnāṭaka and died at Banavāsi (*Ibid*). Thus, from these two inscriptions we find the establishment and continuation of the Sā́-tavāhana rule in the 2nd and 3rd century A.D.,respectively. It is likely, the extension of the Śātavāhana rule over this part may be slightly earlier i.e. from 1st century A.D., although there are no direct evidences to prove this suggestion. These two inscriptions any way clearly indicate Banavāsi as the capital of the Chuṭus.

c11.s1.t1.3

The whole of Banavāsi area is an ancient site with the cultural remains datable from about 1st century B.C.to 2nd century A.D. end. References even from the time of the Mauryan emperor Aśóka, have already been made above. It is because of the importance it had already gained as a place of commercial and religious importance and its strategic position as the acute circular bend of the river Varadā, that probably prompted the Chūṭus to make it their capital.

c11.s1.t1.4

Many brick structural/remains of the 1st and 2nd century A.D., coins belonging to the Chūṭus (Narasimha Murthy, A.V., 1975, pp. 48-49), and huge mounds supposed to be stūpas and extensive fort walls, found in the different parts of the locality are known over many years. The site of the period is very extensive, covering an area more than^100 Hectares.

c11.s1.t1.5

Recent excavations (IAR, 1970-71, P.29 and Sheshadri,M., 1970-71, pp. 56-57) of one of the partly disturbed mounds outside the fort and of a part of the site within the forts, have revealed two large imposing apsidal brick structures of the circa 2nd century A.D., besides terracotta figurines, coins, beads, bangles, potteries, including caoline painted potteries of every day use. Thus, during the Chutu reign Banavasi is flourishing city capital with numerous brick buildings etc.

c11.s1.t1.6

Fortification

c11.s1.t1.7

Naturally such an important city as a capital should have a fortification wall around it. Even today, the fort walls in ruins, enlarged in different periods are extant enclosing partly the present village of Banavāsi.

c11.s1.t1.8

Banavāsi (Fig.6) is in the Malnād region receiving very heavy rainfall, 300-400 mm. The whole region has a thick mantle of ever green forest grown on the thick soil cover. Consequently the local rock of the hills is not readily accessible. The fortification wall is therefore necessarily and largely of mud and for the purpose of increasing the strength of mud-bricks partly.

c11.s1.t1.9

Secondly, the location of Banavāsi too is worth noting in this context. It is on the left bank (Fig.7) of the river Varadā at the sharp bend of which point the river from the North-western direction takes abruptly an easterly turn. Here the river flows in a ^zsig-zag way thus providing considerable protection on the southern side.