Gundaram Inscriptions

(Prelims: History of Ancient India)
(Mains: General Studies Paper-1 Indian Heritage and Culture, World History and Geography and Society)

Why in News

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has documented eleven inscriptions during a comprehensive epigraphic survey in the Gundaram Reserve Forest, located about 10 km from Peddapalli district in Telangana.

About Gundaram Inscription

Discovery site: Inscription engraved on a rock called 'Sittammalodi' near Gattusingaram village.
- Presently this place is located in Gundaram Reserved Forest Area (Peddapalli district, Telangana).
Period: 1st century BC to 6th century AD (period of about 700 years)
Script: Inscriptions are engraved in early Brahmi script, which was widely prevalent during Maurya period.

Dynasties mentioned: The inscriptions mainly mention the Satavahana dynasty and the Chutu dynasty.
- In this, a person of 'Haritiputra' dynasty describes himself as a friend of Satavahana prince 'Kumar Hakusiri', this is evidence of political/social relations between the two dynasties.
Religious symbols: Another inscription mentions auspicious religious symbols like trishula and damaru, indicating that the area east of the hill belonged to Siri Devarana.
Connection with Buddhism: An inscription mentions a man building a cave for Buddhist monks. Archaeologists speculate that the place may have once been a cremation ground or monastery complex for Buddhist monks.
Satavahana genealogy: The inscriptions mention the names of Kumar Saksiri, Akusiri, and other Satavahana princes, providing insight into the genealogy and regional administration of the Satavahana period.
Connection between Telangana and Asmaka Janapada: These inscriptions corroborate the evidence of an earlier inscription found at Makkutraopet (Velagatoor Mandal, Karimnagar) which mentions Telangana as part of the ‘Asmaka’ Mahajanapada.
- This Mahajanapada was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of India in the 6th century BCE.

Evidence of dynastic relations: The mention of friendship between Haritiputra and a Satavahana prince indicates a previously unknown relationship between the Satavahanas and the Chutu dynasty. It helps in understanding the complex political and social alliances between dynasties in ancient India.
Early evidence of religious symbolism: The use of religious symbols such as the trident and damaru indicates the connection between religion and power in the ancient Deccan, a rare example of the early use of religious symbols in Indian history.
Buddhist influence: The mention of a burial site of possible Buddhist monks near the inscriptions indicates the presence and influence of Buddhism in the region, underlining the religious and cultural diversity in the Satavahana period.

About Satavahana Dynasty

Introduction: It was a major South Indian dynasty of ancient India, which ruled large parts of South and Central India after the Mauryan period.
Reign: 1st century BC to 3rd century AD.
Founder: Simuka
Capital: Initially Pratishthana (Maharashtra) and later Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh).
Dominion: Extended to parts of present-day Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha
Inscriptions: Gundaram (Telangana), Nasik, Karle; evidence of links with Chutu dynasty.

Major Rulers

Satakarni I: Performed Ashvamedha Yajna; patronised Vedic religion
Gautamiputra Satakarni: Most powerful ruler; defeated Sakas, Yavanas and Pahlavas
Vasishthiputra Pulumavi: Built Buddhist structures at Amaravati
Yajnashri Satakarni: Last major ruler; Promoted maritime trade

Cultural Contributions

Patronage of Sanskrit and Prakrit languages.
Use of inscriptions in early Brahmi script.
Patronage of Buddhism, especially the development of the Mahayana tradition.
Construction of stupas, chaityas, viharas at Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.
Satavahana coins: Impression of scripts and religious symbols on silver and lead coins.

Economic Features

Political Importance

The Satavahanas challenged the Shakas of North India and established stability and cultural integration in the south.
This dynasty serves as a bridge between the decline of the Mauryas and the rise of the Guptas.