Andhra Ikshvaku

Andhra Ikshvaku

Andhra Ikshvakus (Sanskrit इक्श्वाकू, Telugu ఇక్ష్వాకులు) were one of the earliest recorded ruling dynasties of the Krishna-Guntur regions of Andhra Pradesh. They ruled the eastern Andhra country along the Krishna river during the later half of the 2nd century CE. Their capital was Vijayapuri (Nagarjunakonda). It is a strong common belief that Andhra Ikshvakus were related to the mythological Ikshvakus, although Andhra Ikshvakus seem to be a local tribe who adopted the title.

Archaeological evidence has suggested that the Andhra Ikshvakus immediately succeeded the Satavahanas in the Krishna river valley. Ikshvakus have left inscriptions at Nagarjunakonda, Jaggayyapeta, Amaravati and Bhattiprolu.

Although the Ikshvaku rulers practiced the Vedic religion, they were also great patrons of Buddhism. Most of the kings and their household donated to the Buddhist cause. Buddhism was at its height in the Andhra country during their reign. The Ikshvakus were supplanted by the Pallavas in the Deccan.