History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c17.s1.t2.8

c17.s1.t2.8

167. The identity of the Śrī-Parvata has been recently established by Dr. Hirananda Śāstri from the newly discovered inscriptions at N ā - g ā r j u n i k o ṇ ḍ a, i.e. ‘Nāgārjuna’s Hill,' in the district of Guntur, on the Kṛṣṇa. The inscriptions belong to the third century A.D. The hills which enclose a valley were fortified; there are remains of a brick fortification, the bricks of which are of the Mauryan type. The place was a strong military position and seems to have been a provincial capital since the Mauryan times or earlier. The natural defences were strengthened artificially by brick and stone fortifications. The bricks measure 20" x 10" x 3" which are the measurements of the bricks dug out at Bulandibagh.¹ It is evident that the place was a fortified capital of the empire of the Sātavāhanas, whose coins (forty-four in number) were found along with mason's tools in the remains of a monastery.