An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t3.25

v1.c9.s19.t3.25

Phase II: The cultural assemblages of YELLESWARAM, DHARANIKOTA and NAGARJUNAKONDA show a general decline with the fall of the Ikṣvāku dynasty. Several minor rulers came to power. While the early Pallava rulers of the Guntur-Nellore region held control over Dhānyakaṭaka towards the close of the 4th century, a large number of copper-plates, coins, structures, etc., of the Viṣṇukuṇḍin kings from YELLESWARAM, NAGARJUNAKONDA, AMARAVATI, Sankaram, Ramathirtham (Dt Vishakhapatnam), etc., suggest that the Viṣṇukuṇḍins held control over the entire e. Deccan till the beginning of the 7th century. Rock-cut ventures in the E. Ghats as exemplified at Ramathirtham, Sankaram, Guntupalli, Undavalli and Vijayawada appear to be Viṣṇukuṇḍin in origin. The Buddhists continued their activity at AMARAVATI and other places.