Indians | Ep 4: The Ikshvakus of Andhra Pradesh | A Brief History of a Civilization

Research, Script and Narration by Namit Arora;
Producer: The Wire;
Director: Natasha Badhwar;
Camera: Ajmal Jami;
Video Editor: Anam Sheikh.
Made possible by a grant from The Raza Foundation and contributions to The Wire by viewers like you. Join The Wire's KZbin membership program and help fund many such initiatives.
The story of India is one of profound and continuous change. It has been shaped by the dynamic of migration, conflict, mixing, coexistence, and cooperation. In this ten-part web series, Namit Arora tells the story of Indians and our civilization by exploring some of our greatest historical sites, most of which were lost to memory and were dug out by archaeologists. He will also focus on ancient and medieval foreign travellers whose idiosyncratic accounts conceal surprising insights about us Indians. All along, Arora surveys India’s long and exciting churn of cultural ideas, beliefs, and values-some that still shape us today, and others that have been lost forever. The series mostly mirrors-and often extends-the contents of his book, Indians: A Brief History of a Civilization. Bibliography appears below.
EPISODE 4: THE IKSHVAKUS OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Archaeological sites like Keeladi have pushed back the rise of complex societies in south India to at least the 6th century BCE. In the late first millennium BCE, a ‘cultural package’ from Aryavarta began moving south. It would radically reshape the religions, languages, and social norms of south India. It brought religions like Brahminism and Buddhism, new ideas of caste endogamy and patriarchy, and cremation of the dead. A major channel for this northern cultural package was the Satavahana Empire, and a successor state, the Ikshvaku Kingdom. Their elites, from the tribe of Andhras, had earlier become culturally Aryanized.
The Ikshvaku Kingdom thrived from c. 220-320 CE. The sprawling remains of its capital city, Vijayapuri, and its monuments, were discovered only in 1920. This kingdom supported multiple religions, traded with Rome, and built the only amphitheatre found in ancient India. It hosted Nagarjuna, also known as ‘the second Buddha’, and founder of Madhyamaka, or the influential ‘Middle Path’ school of Mahayana Buddhism. Curiously, Vijayapuri’s elite religiosity had a gendered bias-its kings mostly patronized Brahminism and sold themselves as descendants of Rama, while its queens and other wealthy women mostly patronized Buddhism and actively shaped its evolution. In this episode, Arora will also examine the changing religious landscape of India and the strategies used by Brahminism and Buddhism to win new patrons and followers.
PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY / FURTHER READING
Berger, Douglas, Nagarjuna, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005
Fogelin, Lars, An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism, OUP, 2015
Krishna Murthy, K., Nagarjunakonda: A Cultural Study, Concept Publishing Company, 1977
Longhurst, A.H., Buddhist Antiquities of Nagarjunakonda, ASI, 1938
Mohanty, R. K. and T. Thakuria, ‘Early Iron Age Megalithic Culture of Peninsular Indian and South India’, History of Ancient India, Vol.3, pp. 343-78, edited by D. Charkrabarti and M. Lal, Aryan Publisher and Vivakananda Center, New Delhi, 2014
Paul, Diana Y. (translator), The Sutra of Queen Srimala of the Lion’s Roar, Taishō Volume 12, Number 353, 2004
Sarkar, H. and B.N. Mishra, Nagarjunakonda, 2006
Singh, Upinder, Ancient India: Culture of Contradictions, Aleph Book Company, 2021
Singh, Upinder, The Idea of Ancient India, SAGE Publications, 2016
Soundararajan, K.V. (editor), R. Subrahmanyam, et al., Nagarjunakonda (1954-60), Volume II, ASI
Stone, Elizabeth R., The Buddhist Art of Nagarjunakonda, Motilal Banarasidas, Delhi, 1994
Subrahmanyam, R., et al., Nagarjunakonda (1954-60), Volume I, ASI, 1975
Sukumaran, Ajay, ‘A Flame beneath the Ground’, Outlook India, 2017
Westerhoff, Jan, Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka: A Philosophical Introduction, OUP, 2009
Join The Wire's KZbin Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. / @thewirenews

[@PKL2006]

Dude this is by far the best historical series ive ever come across. Brave, honest and challenging myths all the while providing knowledge and educating.

[@mjwarror3372]

Bhai agar upsc kar raha hai toh book padh lena nahi toh fail ho jayega

[@grapeshott]

Videos are also good for remembering facts, if they videos are according to scholarly mainstream historiography ​@@mjwarror3372

[@nirmalbhel3231]

There is also no proof of God, Allah, it is just a belief. Bible Quran says Earth was created by God before Sun, Plant and animals were created before Sun. This is not possible. Hindus believes that Rahu eats Sun during Solar Eclipse which is wrong

[@urrasscal8380]

typical leftist take of hhistory.

[@DurantaRangan]

Leftist propaganda

[@vikashkumar5807]

They destroyed the site because they want to built a dam and then people say why our people don't know about history😢😢

[@jaybhupathi912]

Most enlightening Episode serial. Excellent narration in simple english. Striking photographs. Courageously outspoken, provoking thought which is essential at this time. Thank you all contributing to this effort.

[@AdvKapatkarS]

I have been reading the Indian philosophy and this lecture connects the dots Thanks to you Sir- I hope people use their brain which “god” as they say, has given, before claiming supremacy

[@shaphyshaphy]

Watching thus series feels like putting puzzle pieces together. The present makes so much sense now.

[@mohammedzakaria2409]

A beautifl knowable History of Andhra Pradesh in Epac.4. Waiting for Nalanda one (Ep.5).

[@khsabbirahmed1788]

A great great great thanking to the whole TEAM for sharing this wonderful historical series...

[@gauravaggarwal6083]

This is such a gift….cant thank enough Namit, the Raza Foundation, and the Wire for it…🙏

[@mathewjoseph3778]

I look forward on Saturdays for a new episode 😀. A much needed initiative by the wire to present an scientific view on Indian history

[@vincentpinto1127]

Excellent series!! All top quality. In content, narration, simple and to the point, no chest thumping, textual transcript on screen. Looking forward to the rest of your ongoing work! Well done, to you and team!!

[@studyindia947]

This episode is my favorite in all over the KZbin ❤

[@najeerbehna221]

Z.p

[@goingmerry123]

My ancestors are from Andhra, from the ancient Kisna Godavari Delta

[@Pingu_astrocat21]

amazing series thank you for uploading

[@ChakmaNet]

Buddhism is the jewel of ancient India but unfortunately we lost that jewel from India.

[@skepticmind23]

Though I am a Telugu guy I don’t know many of the facts that are presented in the video..our curriculum taught us with all other stuff like Vijayanagara , Kakateeya, Alluri Seetha Ràmaraju, Mughals and other European history..but don’t know more about the buddisist heritage of our land..maybe the propaganda that our curriculum is designed by communists is wrong..probably the brahmanical ideologist have dominated..may be there are few errors in the video but overall the video is worth watching

[@Agnostic7773]

IDIYAT HAVE YOU EVER READ ANY HISTORY BOOK

[@skepticmind23]

I am a commerce student bro..I have studied history in school that’s it ..after that I didn’t ..the curriculum has the syllabus as mentioned above..not much about the content in the video..

[@rashmiraniwala7137]

Is the channel planning to have a hindi commentary for Namit Aroras Indians. I would love to show it to by mother who cannot appreciate it in English. I would urge making a hindi voice over...for better reach.

[@suryarp]

This is a phenomenal series....goosebumps, excitement, insight, wonder - all of them to be felt at once!

[@Rizwan-Ali]

This is the best historical series on the Indian sub-continent. Well done.

[@syedmohammadali4631]

Please hindi mein available karvaiye is series ko

[@studyindia947]

India's best show❤

[@AshokKrSimar]

Nice episode about south of India, It will be interesting to know more about 'shunya' cocept of Nagarjuna. Thanks Sir👍

[@gameversewizard7789]

There's a YT channel called "seeker to seeker" where he has explained about emptiness

[@senmuthuraj]

Excellent Narrative!

[@coastofkonkan]

Excellent, absolutely amazing, realistic & level headed historical perspective. Good job The Wire & all involved.

[@nijoyjohn4366]

This is an mazing body of work that you are coming up with, really a Gold dust in explaining and teaching History, all power to you Namit Sir

[@jamilkhan715]

I am a regular follower of this programme. Very educative. Thank you.

[@kamalahmad7482]

Appreciated, well narrated and nice presentation Mr Namit. I like history based on scientifically proven facts and based on intensive research. Thank you so much Mr Namit for such a beautiful work.

[@blvckkorpsekirumi9883]

The bhakt mindset is already set on their own history. whatever factual information we display infront of them is only seem to offend them not because the fact is opposite to what they believe but because they think who gave you rights to speak truth in post truth era

[@kaushalgagan6723]

Let them get offended😂 -Hitchens

[@blank4381]

What about the factual evidences of our Side we can say the same about you can’t we,they now to propel propaganda changed invasion theory to migration theory,while there is no proof of such large migration,go check out the skeleton of women of rakhigarhi to know if such migration ever occurred.

[@blank4381]

How is it factual I mean he started with malecha and dark skinned when Rama and Krishna were dark skinned and ravanas birth place is in up and kans was Krishna’s uncle.

[@kaushalgagan6723]

@@blank4381 mythical stories are mythical because time to time some people were tweaking the story according to their needs and writing a new book to do so, in those books they were referring people from south as primitive or monkey like have you ever seen a monkey which speaks your language? No because it's mythological stories to teach you good morals as far as evidence are concerned all the claims he is making is based on evidence either written in scriptures, written on slab and archeological sites. The claims you are making have no evidence to support it you have heard it that's why you are saying it.

[@kaushalgagan6723]

Why you guys are deleting my comments if you don't want to hear the truth it's ok but it won't change.

[@avaneeshyadav124]

Really appreciate the vivid elaboration of this series… it will surely help the viewer’s to connect with real history in the era of whatsapp university.

[@DS-rr8ih]

Real history? when they don't come on conclusion they assume or make story on their own agenda. These leftists medias are on its way to make India a islamic country. But if you not a hindu then this lie is for you.

[@telugodu71]

As a history enthusiastic, I feel very fortunate to have found this channel. Thank you!

[@b.k.choudhary6443]

Sir, your episodes are all no less than each other in their brevity, clarity, comprehensiveness, pleasing and captivating narration through your gifted voice. I love the videos inexplicably, Sir Namit Arora ❤❤❤

[@zoojarlakdawala9915]

What a tragedy, to have wilfully lost a civilization under the waters of a dam...

[@chandrabhushan1666]

I was always curious about the pre vedic history, unbiased and totally based on facts. Thanks for bringing this, it's bold, brave.

[@tsandip73]

Very nicely researched and narrated ! Great way to learn the factual history of India . A big Thank you to whole team behind this series.

[@nakulan420]

This explanation of theological dogma and social dogma between dharmic faiths and abrahamic faiths and within dharmic faiths gave me a whole new perspective on Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity

[@PKL2006]

Great work Namit Arora!

[@y.krishnamohan1915]

Real history .

[@mooncatcher1]

Excellent depiction of complex historical perspectives based on historical evidence in simple to understand format by Shri Namit Aurora, This could've been done only with deep understanding and analysis of the available resources; Great job by Aurora ji and thanks to Wire, as always.

[@DS-rr8ih]

Not a great job . What is the proof of GAUTMA BUDDHA or Jesus Christ or popat mmd.

[@xr55]

There is evidence for all of them. Gautam Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. Jesus Christ was the founder of Christianity and Prophet Mohammad was the founder of Islam. They have been mentioned in historical text which aren't their own. For example, the existence of Jesus is proved by the manuscripts of both the Romans and the Jews who weren't Christians at the time of Jesus.​@@DS-rr8ih

[@xr55]

This is evidence for all three through historical text not their own. Some were documents by travellers and some by empires. For example, Jesus was acknowledged by both the Jews and the Romans who weren't Christians. The Romans and the Israelites were once a great empire. The same cannot be said about Hinduism or Hindu gods as it has not been mentioned or identified elsewhere. It simply doesn't exist. ​@@DS-rr8ih

[@ziamthamel]

I am Malaysian... I country surrounded rama influenced civilization example Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore... All have influences of Ramayana story like #hikayatsriramayana . So don't box your mindset n think differently

[@jikkkjvghj]

It's mainly Buddhism not Ramyana. Ramya is just a folk tale with no proof

[@paulomi9351]

​@@jikkkjvghjha ha 🤣😂 The ikshvaku lineage started from Jain tirthankar rishabhdev or adinath whose sign or lanchan is bull and yaksha or guardian attendant diety is gomukh yaksha and yakshini chakreshwari mata whose vehicle is Garuda He attained shiv pad Nirvana or moksha on mount kailash or asthapad In his lineage or vansh ,lord Ram was born While 22nd tirthankara neminath or arishthnemi whose sign or lanchan is conch shell and yakshi goddess amba or ambika was cousin of Krishna himself.they were chandravanshi or from lunar Dynasty from yaduvanshi lineage 😊

[@jikkkjvghj]

@@paulomi9351 nice fol lore son. Keep believing in it where the proof of ram then. Og wait woh toh man Mein Hai reality Mein nahin 🤣🤣🤣

[@Agnostic7773]

@@paulomi9351 JAINS DEFENDING LORD RAM GREAT

[@paulomi9351]

@@Agnostic7773 Jainism whose ancient name is shraman dharma or anekantawad way ancient dharma than Buddhism Cosmic view of universe in Jainism whose ancient name is shraman dharma or anekantawad also called saman dhamma Jina rishabhdev or adinath, son of swayambhu Manu or kulkar, nabhi kulkar or ajanabhi and rishabhdev attained shiv pad Nirvana or moksha on mount kailash or asthapad His sign or lanchan is bull and yaksha or guardian attendant diety is gomukh yaksha and yakshini chakreshwari mata whose vehicle is Garuda His son chakravarti Bharat after whom bharatvarsh got its name ruled over entire bharatkshetra (1 Arya khund and 5 malech khund) in vast jambudweep, innermost dweep of madhyalok or middle realm of universe whose centre is mount meru or sumeru or axis mundi or galactic centre So geographic reference is Jambudweepey bharatkshetrey bharatkhundey or Arya khundey bharatvarshey India...... The ikshvaku lineage started from jina rishabhdev or adinath to which 22 out of 24 Jain tirthankaras belong along with lord Ram who was raghuvanshi or suryavanshi from lineage of king Raghu and king nahusha While 22nd tirthankar neminath or arishthnemi whose sign or lanchan is conch shell 🐚 and yakshi goddess amba or ambika or kushmanandi was cousin of Krishna himself. They were chandravanshi or lunar Dynasty king from yaduvanshi lineage

[@sanjayyadav-ld6wk]

इस एपिसोड को हिंदी में भी शुरुआत करें,आपके दर्शकों में भी बढ़ोतरी होगी।।

[@maksrms]

No.Many Hindi listeners will shiver at the first line of this video as blasphemy. Free and logical thinking is sadly not allowed in today's India.

[@masalachic2461]

@@sanjayyadav-ld6wk English is fine as everyone can understand and appreciate.

[@kcdarshan]

Most comprehensive discussion please continue the series

[@mohammmdhaneef8357]

Commendable job..A big thumbs up for presenting Indian history in simple and straightforward

[@maheshwaranarumugham8454]

Thanks

[@meghadeepa7900]

These are gem ❤️

[@VishnuSandhi]

I studied at Nagarjuna sagar , and never new this. Thanks for the video.

[@gramma248]

I totally agree with the comment below. This is sot informative and also up to date with the latest in archaic genetics, and what that sheds on the migrations of peoples. It seems as if the author is smashing lots of current "myths' in India about past history. And I appreciate the tracking of gender differences. I can't wait for the next episode. I am heartbroken about the loss of Vijayapuri, but I too probably would have voted for food. I looked up the book on Amazon and it is $45 for a kindle edition. Yikes. The other books in the bibliography at the end of each episodes are also very expensive. I am not right now near a university library, where I'm sure I could find these sources and will once I return home.

[@studyindia947]

Thankuuuu soooo much sir thanku sir ❤

[@krishnaprasad9743]

Best video. Thanks a lot. Long live sir. I am from Tamil Nadu.

[@drjagritisingh6569]

South indians were always way ahead than North Indians, please don't get sanskritized ,we need india ethnolinguistically diverse that's what males india special.

[@jyothinekkalapudi6440]

Thank you for the well explained information Sir.

[@sasi0263]

hats off sir, the way you have presented-Amazing

[@ayushbhambore2218]

Please bring such series in Hindi as well so that I can show this to my parents.

[@AdityaChaudhary-oo7pr]

what an amazing series ...

[@murthyds5878]

Superb narration with a comfortable pacing. However, the loud music is too dominating, distracting and annoying. What's the point of this music? Request The Wire team to clean up and reduce greatly or remove the background music all together. Thanks

[@RandomBerserker]

Man this is one of the best historical narrated series I've came across. ❤

[@moonshine.melody]

absolutely love this series

[@AnirimaGhosh]

I don’t mind if you make even 100 episodes of them. I will watch every one.❤❤❤❤

[@srashtishukla9495]

I don't mind you want to watch 100 episodes but in curriculum to such videos being a upsc student as well as a student I don't recommend you to watch such shows in such shows they just show thier propoganda of north vs south and nothing so basic read and moreover go for historians reputed historians. Not such who have no knowledge and speaking thier own stories. Book's tell more than the speaker's.dude

[@xr55]

​@@srashtishukla9495 UPSC student? 🤣 If you really read ancient and medival history, you would know that it matches with the video description. Atleast, spend some time in studying history before commenting and calling it as a propaganda. 🤡

[@Abhijeetkumar-ht2sw]

Best series on History

[@devidaughter7782]

I have just completed a utube on the Goddess Aditi, who may be the 'original' Lajja Gauri, as per the Vedic description of 'Aditi Uttanapada' - the one who crouched with her legs lifted. I love all the Mother Goddess figures you have brought in, and how you validate the tribal spiritual/religious traditions as just as important as the Brahmanical one that is presented as 'THE representation of Hindu thought'!

[@devidaughter7782]

I am so very delighted to have 'discovered' your work; it is just what I was looking for - a critical analysis of the past without the religious layer of idealization. I will be watching more of your work, and using it to inform the videos I make for my own channel that connects yoga and mythology.

[@sureshmunagala8597]

This is excellent Mr. Arora!!!

[@gopalaraodasari7743]

Sir, This has been very insightful episode especially about submerged city of Vijayapuri and Nagarjunakonda, what would be the findings closer to Coast roughly around delta near Rajahmundry with a lot of islands and forestry. Was there an active port around this time?

[@rajeevchawla51]

बहुत सुन्दर लेकिन, बहुत दुखद भी...... मानो, उस शहर के नसीब में बदनसीबी ही लिखी थी. पहले विरोध ने उस शहर को मार डाला और फ़िर, विकास ने उसको हमेशा के लिए डूबो दिया. लेकिन, इन्तजार कीजिए वक्त फिर कभी करवट बदलेगा और, आज जो कहीं खो गए हैं वो फिर से आज़ाद हवा में सांस लेंगे और, सूरज की सुनहरी रोशनी में वो नहाएंगे.....❤❤❤❤

[@adamweilergurarye5422]

Thank you!

[@sapnamelanta2381]

This is best series...on Indian history.... .

[@blank4381]

The opeaning itself is filled with agenda Ravana was born in Uttarpradesh and kans was Krishna’s own uncle and both Rama and Krishna were of dark complexion,Raza foundation sponsored.

[@thevoid7460]

Your inability to distinguish mythology from history is a problem that plagues many, and the world is worse off for it.

[@seatq]

@@thevoid7460okay if you don’t want History mixed with mythology then why mention Rama at all in this Historical series? Faith is a matter of belief, why bring evidence into it?

[@thevoid7460]

​@@seatq Uff. Because it’s important for historians to understand and discuss how mythology/faith impacts history and actual historical events, which it powerfully does! Not just in India but around the world. Need examples?

[@seatq]

@@thevoid7460Uff then then left historians should come out openly and say Allah is a myth too.

[@anbalagapandians1200]

Super News ThankyouSir

[@dishasawant4385]

This series is so precious!

[@afnaankazmi8524]

Quran explains beautifully about previous human civilisations I invite all intellectuals here to study Quran as well and do your own research as I believe people here are more tolerant and wish to ponder over God and truth

[@cinefile0075]

Debate with Ex Muslim sahil on Islamic scriptures. Hes teaching real Islam to Muslim. Doing great work in spreading Islamic theology

[@srinivasvaranasi1645]

A great episode once again.

[@rajat1704]

Great job 👍

[@rakeshbaishya1109]

I'm loving this series.

[@ybabblloo]

Superb video clear and concise

[@devvartyadav4467]

Really engrossing....eager to watch all episodes

[@user-white-rabbit]

By 300CE, Kadambas of Karnataka were at their military peak. Constantly driving away Pallavas of Kanchi from constant transgressions. GET THE MAP RIGHT DUDE?! 06:21

[@sumitbharti7062]

Excellent

[@dhananjay1108]

The REAL history class

[@animeshkumar1684]

Incredible, thank you 🙏

[@JyotiKumari-ic9eh]

Thanku for this amazing series ❤

[@mdjaffer3286]

Can't help to wait for next episode

[@ambayeldi]

Much needed history Series

[@roudribagchi4019]

Waiting for the next episode.

[@MOONLIGHT-zu4ru]

Best of the best series ❤

[@mohimam7367]

Very unique initiative. Thanks. Plz cover till modern history.

[@sourabhniggati5783]

What an amazing show!

[@Hussain78629]

Please is series ko hindi mein bhi upload kijiye

[@ajaylokare5384]

Absolutely great episode

[@Bertie.athenaeum]

Vedanta didn't begin till 8 C.E. The "mimamsa" school was the school of Vedic/Astik philosophy that was prevalent then. And, kudos to the whole team for producing such an excellent series. This really is a service to the people in the extreme times when knowledge is being colluded to make a case for hatred.

[@Agnostic7773]

YEAH DULLITS COMPOSED UPANISHADS AFTER INDEPENDENCE

[@space-time-somdeep]

Every Indian student deserve a teacher like you sir.. in schools and colleges

[@sundardasbhagat1049]

Sanskrit language comes later from Original Pakrut language whose script was either brahmi.Sanskruit language is culturised version of Prakrit and unani

[@Advaitvaadi]

Great informative episode

[@InosukeHashibira-h8q]

this is brilliant

[@kumarshiv8475]

We all would like to know whether Buddha was considered as one of the avatars of Vishnu or was it a myth?

[@vijaykather285]

It was Myth ...as always Brahmins created it.

[@srinubabukarri3167]

Great info sir

[@xr55]

Truth is Bitter to the Bhakths.

[@the_machine_mb]

Please make more videos in this series.

[@genuinebombayite1966]

Another wonderful episode, Namit! You are doing a fabulous job with this series!

[@akhilpeterpan]

Looking forward to read your book soon .

[@amirusmani1]

again awesome video

[@mybirdie47]

Very nicely explained sir

[@zyaulhasan6425]

I'm a huge fan of this series, and I was thinking how awesome it would be if it could be made available in Hindi too. The storyline is incredible, and having it in Hindi would open up a whole new audience. Any chance we could make that happen? It would be a dream come true for many fans.

[@nirmalbhel3231]

There is also no proof of God, Allah, it is just a belief. Bible Quran says Earth was created by God before Sun, Plant and animals were created before Sun. This is not possible. Hindus believes that Rahu eats Sun during Solar Eclipse which is wrong