An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t3.23

v1.c9.s19.t3.23

Phase I: The excavations at NAGARJUNAKONDA have laid bare in great detail the cultural assemblage of the Ikṣvāku period. The dynasty rose to prominence in the early decades of the 3rd century, when the main activity, both political and religious, shifted to NAGARJUNAKONDA (ancient Vijayapurī) almost eclipsing the earlier city of Dhānyakaṭaka. The fortifications of Vijayapuri on the right bank of the Krishna enclosing an extensive trapezoidal area covering two rugged hillocks were initially of mud, 26 m wide at the base, and was subsequently strengthened by massive brick wall on top, 2 to 3 m wide on all sides except the w. facing the river. The main gateways were on the e. and w., and a postern gate existed on the n. There was a ditch all around nearly 4 m deep and 28 to 44 m wide. The structures inside the citadel comprised residential buildings, an *aśvamedha* complex and temples of Mahāsena, besides barracks, stables, cisterns, etc. Outside the citadel were widely spread well-planned residential houses amidst a variety of religious edifices. The layout of roads was distinguished by memorials for the dead heroes and royal personages. A huge canal with ramps on both sides, 10 m wide and 2 m deep, is an interesting feature. Architectural ventures of a grand scale are an amphitheatre, a royal bathing ghat, a burning ghat, a multistoreyed temple (*Sarvadevādhivāsa*) and large temples for Kārttikeya. Interesting secular buildings outside the citadel include flat-roofed pillared halls, wayside rest-houses, clubs, etc. The amphitheatre [14.2] with acoustic properties is a remarkable conception. Ample evidence of Roman contact can be gleaned from the representations in sculpture, exchange objects like Roman coins, amphorae [11.9], glass, precious ornaments, etc. Sculptural depictions backed by material evidence prove the existence of numerous games and amusements such as dice playing, dancing, animal and human fights, sometimes mixed (elephants, horse and cocks, cock-and-man, ram-and-man fight, etc.) and wrestling.