Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c11.s1.t1.2

c11.s1.t1.2

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.