Ikshvaku Dynasty Governance
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Questions and Answers

What was the title of the king's wives?

  • Talavari
  • Mahagramika
  • Rakshakudu
  • Mahadevi (correct)

What was the equivalent of 'ahara' in Satavahana administration?

  • Mahagrama
  • Gram panchika
  • Village
  • Rashtra (correct)

What was the administrative division called that was under the authority of an officer called Mahagramika?

  • Village
  • Gram panchika
  • Rashtra
  • Mahagrama (correct)

Who was the supreme authority in the administration of justice?

<p>King (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the punishment for treason and offence against the king?

<p>Death (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the 'Tula-divya' test?

<p>To weigh the criminal and decide his culpability (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the officer who investigated crimes and imposed punishments at the centre?

<p>Mahadandanayaka (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the term for the ruler of the village during the time of Ikshvakus?

<p>Gram Panchi (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the last king of the Ikshvakulas according to the Manchikallu inscription?

<p>Rudrapurushadatta (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the tradition started during the reign of Rudrapurushadatta?

<p>Building shadow pillars near graves (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for the downfall of the Ikshvakus according to the Maidavolu Inscription?

<p>Pallava ruler Simhavarma (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the administrative system of the Ikshvakus based on?

<p>The administration of the Satavahanas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the title given to the Ikshvaku kings according to the Nagarjunakonda inscription?

<p>Samrat, Rajan and Maharaja (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Mahatalavaras in the administrative system of the Ikshvakus?

<p>Maintaining law and order (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the brother of Rudrapurushadatta?

<p>Virapurushadatta II (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the downfall of the Ikshvakus?

<p>The declaration of independence by the Brihatpalayanas (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of the Ikshvakus dynasty in terms of their coins?

<p>They did not issue gold and silver coins and remained small in size (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the geographical extent of the Ikshvakus kingdom based on the discovery of their coins?

<p>It extended to areas such as Nagarjunakonda, Phanigiri, Nelakondapalli, Vaddemanu, and Yeleswaram (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable achievement of the Ikshvakus in terms of their inscriptions?

<p>They were the first to inscribe in the Sanskrit language (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant cultural practice that started during the Ikshvakus time?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a Buddhist legacy of the Ikshvakus?

<p>The spread of Buddhism in Andhra (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who did the Ikshvakus serve as in the beginning?

<p>The Andhrabhrityuvulu (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of the Ikshvakus dynasty in terms of their rulers?

<p>They were the first to write their mother's name in front of their own name (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant intellectual achievement of the Ikshvakus?

<p>They were the first to issue inscriptions in Sanskrit (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mahadevi

Title used for the king's wives during the Ikshvaku period.

Ikshvaku Administrative Divisions

The Ikshvakus divided their kingdom into smaller units called Rashtras, which were essentially "states." Rashtras were further divided into groups of villages.

Rashtra vs Aahara

In the Ikshvaku administration, the term "ahara" was used as a synonym for Rashtra, which is basically a 'state.'

Ikshvaku Rashtras

These were three important Rashtras, or states, mentioned in Ikshvaku inscriptions. They indicate the geographical and administrative divisions of the kingdom.

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Rathikudu and Rathi

Administrators of Rashtras in the Ikshvaku era.

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Village in Ikshvaku Administration

The smallest unit of Ikshvaku administration, representing a group of houses or families. It was the foundation of their social and political structure.

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Hereditary Village Administration

Authority over village administration in the Ikshvaku period was passed down through generations, with the same family holding power over time.

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Gram Panchika

A group of five villages under the Ikshvaku system, forming a small administrative unit.

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Gram Panchi

The leader of a single village in the Ikshvaku period, responsible for its administration and welfare.

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Mahagrama

A large village under the Ikshvaku system, which required specialized administration. The head of the village was a Mahagramika. We can infer that this type of village was likely more complex than others.

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Talari - The Protector

The protector or guardian of an Ikshvaku village, responsible for safety and security.

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Talavara

Ikshvaku inscriptions use this term to refer to village officials, implying that they played a crucial role in local administration.

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Mahatalavari: The Overlord

A powerful official who had jurisdiction over several villages and other village officials. This indicates a hierarchical structure of administration within the Ikshvaku system.

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The King as Supreme Judge

Supreme authority in the Ikshvaku justice system, with the final say in all legal matters. The king was responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order in the kingdom.

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Mahadandanayaka

The Ikshvaku official responsible for investigating criminal cases and imposing punishments at the royal court. They served as a crucial link between the king and the people.

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Treason and its Punishment

Betrayal of the king or subversion of the kingdom was considered a serious crime in the Ikshvaku era, often leading to the death penalty.

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Nine Divine Tests

These were religious tests used in the Ikshvaku judicial system to determine guilt or innocence. They reflect the religious beliefs and practices of the time.

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Rudrapurushadatta

Last ruler of the Ikshvakus, known for starting the tradition of building shadow pillars near graves. This provides insight into the funerary customs of the Ikshvaku dynasty.

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Virapurushadatta II

Brother of Rudrapurushadatta, another king of the Ikshvaku dynasty. This information helps to understand the relationships and political structure of the Ikshvaku era.

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Shared Administrative System

The Ikshvakus used the same administrative system as the Satavahanas but with some changes to reflect their own rule.

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The Ikshvaku King's Authority

In the Ikshvaku administration, the king had absolute power and was considered a despot. This means they had unlimited authority and could make decisions without being challenged.

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Centralization of Power

All power and authority in the Ikshvaku kingdom were centralized in the hands of the king. This system was based on a strong monarchical structure.

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Ancient Texts as Administrative Guides

Ikshvaku kings based their administration on ancient Indian texts like the Dharmasastras and Smritis, which provided guidelines for social and legal matters.

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Titles of Ikshvaku Kings

These titles, found in inscriptions, reveal the high status and recognition given to the Ikshvaku kings. Using multiple titles highlighted their prestige and divine right.

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Divine Right Monarchy

During the Ikshvaku period, kings claimed divine right to rule - a belief that they were chosen by God. They used religious ceremonies such as Vedic sacrifices to legitimize their reign.

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Study Notes

Marriage Alliances

  • Officials had marriage alliances with royal families.
  • King's wives had the title: Mahadevi.

Provincial Governance

  • The Ikshvakus divided the kingdom into Rashtras (states) and a group of villages.
  • Rashtra remained the equivalent of 'ahara' in Satavahana administration.
  • Pugi rashtra, Hiranya rastra, and Munda rashtra are mentioned in the inscriptions.
  • 'Rathikudu' and 'Rathi' refer to the administrators of a Rashtra.

Local Governance

  • The last division of their administration was the village.
  • Village administration authority was hereditary.
  • 5 villages are together called Gram Panchika (గ్రాం పంచిక).
  • Gram Panchi (గ్రాం పంచి) was the ruler of the village during the time of Ikshvakus.
  • The administrative division called Mahagrama was under the authority of an officer called Mahagramika.
  • Protector/Rakshakudu of the Village was Talari.
  • Ikshvaku inscriptions refer to 'Talavara' as village official.
  • One who had authority over several village officials could be taken as 'Mahatalavari'.

Judicial Administration

  • The king is the supreme authority in the administration of justice.
  • The Mahadandanayaka investigates crimes and imposes punishments at the centre.
  • Treason and offence against the king were punishable by death.
  • There were nine divine tests (దివ్య పరీక్షలు) for conviction.

Rulers

  • Rudrapurushadatta (283-301 AD): son of Ehuvala Santamula, last king of Ikshvakulas, and started the tradition of building shadow pillars near graves.
  • Virapurushadatta II: brother of Rudrapurushadatta.

Administrative System

  • The Ikshvakus followed the administration of the Satavahanas with minor changes.
  • The king was the supreme authority and a despot in administration.
  • All powers were vested in the king's hands.
  • The king used to carry on the administration as detailed in the Dharmasastras and Smritis.
  • The Nagarjunakonda inscription describes Ikshvaku kings as Samrat, Rajan, and Maharaja.
  • Divine right monarchy was established during their time.
  • The king used to declare themselves as divine right monarchs through the Vedic sacrifices (Asvamedha, Vajapeya, and Agnistora).
  • Officials such as Yuvarajas, Mahatalavaras, Mahasenapatis, Mahadandanayakas, Kostagarika, and Amatyas helped the king in governance.

Coins

  • Ikshvaku coins were found at Nagarjunakonda, Phanigiri, Nelakondapalli, Vaddemanu, and Yeleswaram.
  • The kingdom extended to these areas.
  • Satavahana coins were found extensively, but Ikshvaku coins were found in a limited manner.
  • The latter did not issue gold and silver coins.
  • They remained small in size.

Uniqueness

  • Bangles were offered to Harati (goddess who protects babies) for progeny.
  • Buddhism flourished in Andhra during the time of Ikshvakus.
  • The Ikshvakus built temples for the first time in the history of India.
  • They were the first dynasty to issue inscriptions in Sanskrit.
  • They were the first dynasty to inscribe date, month, year, and names of sculptors for the first time in inscriptions.
  • They started the tradition of marrying daughters of royal families.
  • The tradition of writing Mother's name in front of the king's name was taken from Satavahanas and ended with Ikshvakus.
  • The worship of mother gods started during their time.
  • Sati started during their time.

Theories Regarding the Origin of Ikshvakus

  • There is no unanimous opinion among historians regarding the original home of the Ikshvakus.
  • They initially served as Mahatalavaras and Mahasenapatis under the Satavahanas.

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Description

This quiz covers the governance and administration of the Ikshvaku dynasty, including their provincial governance, marriage alliances, and titles. It also touches on the Satavahana administration.

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