An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.15

v1.c9.s18.15

The position of the early historical cultures in the s.-e Deccan [4.18.10] is more varied. At the outset stands the fairly impressive fortified settlement of DHARANIKOTA on the Krishna, originating in Mauryan times and later on with a wharf [14.8] and objects of Mediterranean origin. The famous Buddhist site of AMARAVATI, within the ancient limits of Dharanikota and with a few NBPW sherds, was probably Aśokan in origin. The site had megaliths too, but, needless to say, the Buddhist establishments are entirely independent of them. Amaravati illustrates how Buddhism penetrated into Megalithic surroundings. KESARAPALLE had an NBPW sherd in the upper megalithic levels. An impact from n. India in Mauryan times and a somewhat later one from the c. region, the latter exemplified in the early sculptures and inscriptions of Amaravati, seem to be indicated. A late but rich early historical phase is met with at NAGARJUNAKONDA, a hill-girt valley on the Krishna and the capital of the Ikṣvākus, who adorned it with Buddhist, Brāhmaṇical and secular edifices. Nagarjunakonda had a scanty historical but pre-Ikṣvāku occupation under the latest Sātavāhanas, who probably supplanted the local Neolithic [4.14.7] culture: though there are megaliths [4.17.7] in the valley, there is no megalithic habitation. Probably the megalith builders chose this inhospitable valley to build monuments to inter their dead, but being food-producing agriculturists lived away on fertile lands.