Ikshvaku Dynasty Governance

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.