Syllabus- History and culture of Ancient Telangana – Satavahanas, Ikshvakus and Vishnukundins; Rise and growth of Jainism and Buddhism; Socio-Cultural – Conditions- Language, Literature, Art and Architecture.
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day
1.Analyse the state of Buddhism during the vishnukund period.
Introduction:
Write briefly about development of religion during the Vishnukund period.
Body:
Mention the state of Buddhism during the Vishnukund period.
Conclusion:
- During their long rule, they have introduced Hindu – based culture in place of earlier composite culture and set an example for kings of the later period.
- Their styles of architecture and sculpture have been followed by the Pallavas in the south and Chalukyas in the west, which stands as a proof of their greatness.
- The fact that the most popular kings like the kakatiyas have taken Madhava Varma II, the Vishnukund king as their founder, speaks of splendour of the welfare administration of the Vishnukunds.
Content:
Vishnukunds have ruled the entire Telugu country on the northern bank of river Krishna for more than two hundred years.
State of Buddhism during the Vishukund period:
- By the first phase of the Vishnukund rule, Buddhism had huge spread in the society.
- The first generation Vishnukund rulers have patronised Buddhism though they themselves were the followers of Vedic religion.
- Vishnukund kings:
- Might have constructed on Buddhist arama Viharas on all four sides of their kingdom and
- Might have undertaken repairs and extensions to the already existing ones.
- Vishnukunds were the last Telugu kings who patronized Buddhism.
- By the end of 5th century B.C, to the south of Krishna river, in Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda areas another important branch in Buddhism- Vajrayana has taken shape.
- Buddhist Sangha relating to vajrayana branch:
- women, wine, mutton, deceitful mantras have all entered
- Gradually losing purity and affection of the people
- At last, they became infamous places of liars and women-seekers.
- Another development that has taken shape in Buddhism, has been the Brahmin supremacy in Buddhist Sanghas and arama – Viharas.
- These Brahamins gradually painted Buddha as the ninth avatara of Vishnu.
- As a result, some Buddhist holy Centres got turned into Vaishnava holy centres.
- They turned into Narasimha temples.
- Dharmapur had been Buddhist area right from Buddha time. During the time of Vishnukunds, it got changed to Ramalingeswara Swamy and Narsimha Swamy temples.
State of Jainism during the vishnukund period:
- Accordingly, Kannada literary text reveals that Prior to Vishnukund in the Srisailam (or Sriparvata) and Amrabad area was dominated with wide spread of Jainism.
- But, during the Vishnukunds period due to the followers of kapalika sect of Savism with their magic skills and Mantras, became responsible for the decline of Jainism.
- Jain temples became Saiva Temples.
- One such example was Srisailam Temple.
- Kumarilabhattu born in Andhra received Jain education in the beginning, but after realizing that there is nothing that could be appreciated in Jainism, Condemned Jainism and attracted many jains into Vedic religion.
- Indra Varma, the first king among the Vishnukunds, was also one among them.
Development of Architecture and Sculpture during the Vishnukund period:
- During the Vishnukund period, structures of architecture have demonstrated new style.
- Their capital cities and caves, temples, arama viharas have become the sources for structures of architecture.
- In Telangana, Vishnukund forts are there in their capitals of
- Amrabad
- Indra palanagar and
- keesaragutta.
- During the Vishnukund period, the Buddhist viharas and aramas that were constructed by the kings are notable one.
- Govindaraju has built Raja Vihara at chaityapuri.
- His Queen, paramabhattaraka Mahadevi has constructed at Indrapalanagaram, a Vihara on her name, known as paramabhattarika Mahadevi Vihara.
- At Undavelli in Guntur district, at Bhairavakonda in Nellore districts storeyed cave temples are famous one.
2. Discuss the socio-religious conditions during the Chalukyan period.
Introduction:
Write briefly about the Chalukyan rulers
Body:
Mention the socio-religious conditions during the Chalukyan Period.
Conclusion:
- In Telangana, Vemulavada chalukyas who patronized both Jainism and Saivism Constructed several Temples.
- The later chalukyas of kalyani were also great builders of temples, which were found in Telangana.
Content:
- The political Vacuum created after the decline of the Vishnukundins in Telangana was filled in by the Chalukyas of Badami and later by the Rastrakutas.
- Their presence in the Telangana can be attested from the availability of inscriptional sources.
- The Badami Chalukyas ruled the Deccan region, their capital Badami or Vatapi was situated in Karnataka, they controlled some parts of Telangana region.
- Similarly, the Rastrakutas who succeeded the Badami Chalukyas also exercised their control over parts of Telangana region by evolving a systematic administrative system.
- Thus, both these major ruling families though belonging to the region outside Telangana were instrumental in evolving an organized social structure in Telangana.
- Around the time when the Badami chalukyan power was in decline, two important chalukyan families such as Vemulavada chalukyas and Mudigonda Chalukyas emerged in Telangana.
- They were contemporary to the Rastrakutas of Malkhed and the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi.
Society
- During the chalukyan period:
- Vedic Brahman religion gained prominence and
- Varna system has taken stable shape.
- Four fold Varna system was prevalent.
- Brahmins had first place in society because of their:
- Sanskrit education,
- Study of Vedas and Vedangas and
- Serving as teachers.
- Kshtriyas had occupied second position as an administrators and warrior class.
- During Chalukyan period many sudras entered into the service of army.
- In the Varna Society, vaishyas occupied third position. Their occupations are traders. They were called as Sreshti, Setti and Komati.
- Being the devotees of Gomateswara (Jainism), they are called as gomatlu or Komatlu.
- During this time, they organised into guilds (or) nakarams and carried the internal and external business, helped them to become rich.
- Sudras are fourth group in Varna Society. Based on their occupation they emerged into many castes.
- Among them, who occupied Agriculture and entered into Army service emerged as powerful communities.
- Those who occupied or adopted handicrafts such as Pottery, Blacksmith, Carpentre etc., were remained low position in Varna Society.
- Thus, Occupational based caste society and hierarchical class society came into stabilisation during this period.
Religious Conditions:
Buddhism:
By the 7th Century A.C, Buddhism began to decline and incorporated into Hinduism, as ninth incarnation of Vishnu and got worshiped along with Hindu gods.
Jainism:
- Though Buddism declined, Jainsim continued to receive royal patronage.
- During the time of Vemulavada Chalukyan king Arikesari II, Tribhuvanatilaka Vasadi was built and 24 Tirthankaras along with ‘Chakrasvaris’ were installed by Jinavallabha, brother of the pampa (famous Kannada poet).
- Baddega another king of the same line constructed Subhadhamma Jinalaya and appointed Somadeva, a famous Jaina poet.
- The reign of Kalyani Chalukyas witnessed the growth of several jain Centres.
- They were endowed with rich donations.
- The growing popularity of Saivism in Telangana region from 10th century resulted in Jaina – Saivte conflicts.
- consequently, Jainism had to give way to the puranic faith.
- Thus many Jain Temples got converted into Saivate Temples.
Shavisim:
- Among those who received Agraharas from the Chalukyan kings, Brahmins.
- During the time of Chalukyas, Vedic religion was in highest position.
- Kumarilabattu, who propagated purvamimamsa Vedanta method, belonged to this age only.
- Because of self-reforms of Vedic religion peoples’ interest towards rituals and charities, idol worship and construction of major temples, has increased.
- The one development during this age, temple construction was taken up by the Government as a movement and a Social necessity.
- It became the tradition of Chalukyan kingdoms Kings that the number of wars that were fought have to be equaled by the construction of same number of temples.
- Savism had popular, many Savite temples were built.
- Srisailam emerged as an important Saivite Centre along with its four main gateways, which include:
- Tripurantakam (east)
- Siddhavatam (South)
- Umamaheswaram (north) and
- Alampur (west)
- Rajarejeswara temple of Vemulavada emerged as an important Saivite centre.
- In these temples Lord Siva is worshipped along with Mahasena and Ganapati.
Vaishnavism
- Along with Saivism, Vaishnavism also progressed in Telangana.
- Puranic theism which replaces Vedic Brahmanism emerged as a temple centered and ritual oriented cult with bhakti or devotion as its base.
- As a result, temple building activity gained momentum from the 10th Century onwards.
Prelims Questions of the day:
1.How much was collected from agricultural gross yield as the form of agricultural land tax during Chalukyan Period?
- One-sixth
- One-tenth
- One-fourth
- One –third
Answer: A
Explanation:
Taxes during Chalukyas Period:
- Agricultural land tax was one of the important tax.
- This was colleted 1/6 of gross yield.
- Other taxes were water tax from Tanks/ Canal, housetax, export and import taxes.
- Taxes on Market or Santhas. These were collected in the form of kind or cash such as dramas, mada, panam, gadyana etc.
- Barter system was in vogue in the villages.
- Besides these, other measures, such as Sola, Manika, Adde, Kuncham, Seru, Manugu and Putti etc., are in Vogue during those times.
2. Who was the last ruler of Badami Chalukya dyansty?
- Kirtivarman II
- Vikramadiya II
- Vijayaditya
- Vinayaditya
Answer: A
Explanation:
- The last Badami Chalukya king, Kirtivarman II, was overthrown by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga in 753.
- At their peak, the Chalukyas ruled a vast empire stretching from the Kaveri in the south to the Narmada in the north
3.Which of the following inscription represent the military achievements of Kharavela?
- Amaravati
- Magulla
- Hathigupha
- Guntupalli
Answer: C
Explanation:
- The Hathigumpha Inscription (“Elephant Cave” inscription), from Udayagiri, near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, was inscribed by Kharavela, the then Emperor of Kalinga in India, during 2nd century BC.
- It faces straight towards the Rock Edicts of Ashoka at Dhauli, situated at a distance of about six miles.
- The inscription represents the military achievements of Kharavela.
4.Which of the following statement is incorrect related to the famous work “Vikramarjuna Vijayam”?
- It was Mahabharata in the Jain version
- Lord Arjuna as a hero in that.
- It was written by Ponna
- Both A and B
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Pampa was famous for his works Vikramarjuna Vijayam which was Mahabharata in the Jain version with Arjuna as a hero.
- He also wrote Adipuranam.
- For his enormous contributions to literature, he was called Adi Kavi.
5.“Gaadhasapthasati” work of king Hala during Satavahana period, describes which of the following?
- Village life of people
- External trade
- Sovereign power of king
- Victories of king
Answer: A
Explanation:
“Gaadhasapthasati” literary work of king Hala during Satavahana period, describes village life during that period.
6.Which of the following temple was built to commemorate Vikramaditya-II victory over the Pallavas?
- Mallikarjuna Temple
- Lokeshwara Temple
- Rajarajeshwari Temple
- None
Answer: B
Explanation:
Built in the 8th Century, the Virupaksha temple is also known as the Lokeshwara temple, named not after the king or a deity but after the queen — Lokamahadevi who commissioned this magnificent monument to commemorate her husband Vikramaditya II’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
7.Who was the founder of the Vemulavada Chalukyan Kingdom?
- Jayasimha Varma
- Vijayaditya
- Vinayaditya
- Pulkasein I
Answer: C
Explanation:
Vinayaditya Yuddhamalla (750-780 A.D.)
- According to historians, Vinayaditya yuddhamalla was the founder of Vemulawada Chalukya dynasty.
- He was the son of Dhanasraya Jayasimha varma
8.Which of the following statement is correct regarding the chalukyan king Pulakesin II?
- He sent an ambassador to the Persian king Khusrau II
- He was the first ruler in South India to issue gold coinage
- Both A and B
- None
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Chalukyan king, Pulakesin II sent an ambassador to the Persian king Khusrau II in 625 A.D. And received one from him. He was the first ruler in south India to issue Gold Coins.
9.Which of the following literary work was done by Acharya Nagarjuna?
- Brihatkatha
- Gaadhasapthasati
- Suhrullekha
- Nithisastramukthavali
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Nagarjuna was an Indian Mahayana Buddhist thinker, scholar-saint and philosopher.
- He is widely considered one of the most important Buddhist philosophers.
- Nagarjuna is widely considered to be the founder of the madhyamaka (centrism, middle-way) school of Buddhist philosophy and a defender of the Mahayana movement.
- India in the first and second centuries CE was politically divided into various states, including the Kushan Empire and the Satavahana Kingdom.
- Suhrullekha is the literary work was written by Acharya Nagarjuna
10.Which of the following Chalukyan ruler changed the capital of Chalukyas from Pistapur to Vengi?
- Pulakesin II
- Vishnukundinas
- Vijayaditya
- Kirtivarman II
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Pulakesin II, the renowned ruler of Chalukyas conquered Vengi (at a battle near Eluru) in 624 from Vishnukundinas and installed his brother as its ruler.
- Vishnuvardhan The son of Pulakesin II Vishnuvardhan established the eastern branch of the chalukyas with its capital first at Pistapur and later at Vengi.