Andhradesa

Āndhradeśa () is a historical region in the Deccan Plateau of the Indian subcontinent, deriving its name from the ancient Andhras tribe, who inhabited and ruled the region since the Iron Age. The core territory of Andhradesa encompassed Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. At its zenith, the Andhradesa extended its influence over parts of present-day Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The Āndhras were an ancient non-Aryan tribe who lived around the deltas of the Godāvarī and Kṛṣṇa rivers. Andhras were mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures such as the '' Aitareya Brahmana'' (c. 500 BCE)'', Ramayana, Mahabharata'' and ''Puranas''. Greek historian Megasthenes reported in his ''Indica'' (c. 310 BCE) that Andhras were living in the Godavari and Krishna river deltas, and were famous for their military strength which was second only to Mauryans in all of India. They had 30 fortified towns along the Godavari River and an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. They were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 232 BCE.

Etymology

Andhradesa, an ancient region, derived its name from the Andhras tribe that flourished along the Godavari and Krishna river deltas. The term Andhradesa is a compound word, derived from the words "Andhra" and "desa". "Andhra" refers to the ancient Andhras tribe, while "desa" denotes country or territory.

Other names
* Andhra
* Andhrapatha
* Andhramandala
* Andhrabhumi

Extent

The heartland of Andhradesa lay in the fertile deltaic regions of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. These mighty rivers, carrying vast quantities of silt from the Western Ghats, formed expansive deltas that enriched the surrounding lands. The Kolanu lake (Kolleru Lake), situated between these deltas, played a significant role in the region's ecology and history. The deltaic region, with its rich alluvial soil and abundant water resources, supported a thriving agricultural economy, fostering the growth of prosperous cities and towns.

Historically, Andhapura serving as its earliest capital. Later, Dhanakataka gained prominence which was visited by the Chinese Buddhist piligrim Xuanzang. Its core territory encompassed modern-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The ''Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'', as well as Ptolemy's writings, mention about Andhradesa.

At its zenith, the region extended its influence over parts of present-day Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Geographically, Andhradesa encompassed the eastern Deccan Plateau, bounded by the Balaghat Range to the west and the Eastern Ghats to the east. This region's diverse landscape, including fertile coastal plains and rugged plateaus, significantly influenced its historical trajectory and cultural development.

Religion

Buddhism spread rapidly among the non-Aryan tribes of the Andhra region, gaining wider acceptance there than in Aryan society. The number of Buddhist sites in the northern districts of the former Madras State, particularly within the Andhra region, greatly outnumbers those found in the southern districts. From Sālihunde in present-day Visakhapatnam district in the north to Chinna Ganjam in Guntur district in the south, and from Gooty in Anantapur district in the west to Bhattiprolu in the east, the Andhra region experienced remarkable growth in Buddhist culture and art during the three centuries before and after the birth of Christ. A study of various Buddhist sites across South India indicates the existence of five major ancient trade and pilgrimage routes, all converging at Vengi, located centrally in the Andhra region. Most Buddhist establishments were situated along these routes, which connected Vengi to Kalinga, Dravida, Karnata, Maharashtra, and Kosala.

Currency

The coinage of the period indicates that lead and potin were more commonly used than copper. The large and diverse range of coin issues suggests the existence of a vast empire extending from coast to coast. Additionally, the discovery of a significant number of Roman coins provides evidence of active maritime trade with the Romans.

Economy

The ''Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'' mentions of export of onyx stones, porcelain, muslin, cotton, perfumes, gum, and silk. Ptolemy refers to the Andhra people, trade along the eastern coast of India, and the ports of Kontakossyla, Koddura, and Allosygne. He also notes the port of Apheterion in the Maisolia region, corresponding to the Krishna River delta.

Maritime trade played a crucial role in the prosperity of Buddhism in the Andhra region for nearly six centuries, from approximately 300 BCE to 300 CE. Many Buddhists were drawn from the mercantile classes, whose wealth contributed significantly to the construction of major Buddhist sites such as Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, and other stupas. Ancient market towns in the Andhra region included Dhannakataka (circa 250 BCE), Kevurura, Vijayapura, and Narasala.

Subdivisions

Kingdoms

Various dynasties have ruled the region, including the Andhras (or Satavahana), Andhra Ikshvakus, Salankayana dynasty, Vishnukundina dynasty, Eastern Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, Nayakas and Vijayanagara Empire.

Culture and language

The Bhattiprolu script and the Telugu-Canarese script evolved in the Andhradesa.

See also

* History of Andhra Pradesh
* History of Telangana
* Amaravati art

References

Sources

* {{cite book, editor-first=Somasundara , editor-last=Rao, title=Comprehensive history and culture of Andhra Pradesh, publisher=Orient Longman, publication-place=Chennai, date=2003, isbn=978-81-89487-81-2, url=

History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Telangana
Telugu people