The Historian's Narrative (The Story)

Welcome to our exploration of Early Historic Telangana.

When we picture the 6th century BCE, our minds instinctively wander to the Indo-Gangetic plains, imagining the bustling urbanization of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas. But let us shift our focus southward, beyond the formidable Vindhya ranges, to the Deccan Plateau.

The Deccan was not an isolated wilderness during this period. Instead, it was undergoing its own socio-political transformation, serving as a vibrant meeting ground where Aryan and non-Aryan cultures blended and evolved.

At the center of this story stands the Asmaka (Assaka) Mahajanapada. Among the sixteen Mahajanapadas mentioned in the Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya and the Jain Bhagavati Sutra, Asmaka holds a unique distinction—it was the only Mahajanapada located in Dakshinapatha (South India).

Its territory covered the present-day Nizamabad district of Telangana and the Nanded district of Maharashtra, making it an important political bridge between North and South India. Its capital, Bodhan, was known by several ancient names, including Pothan, Pothali, Poudanyapuram, Pattiya, and Bahudhanyapuram. The city flourished as an important center of both Jainism and Buddhism.

According to Jain traditions, Bodhan was the kingdom of Bahubali, the son of Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara. Buddhist literature presents another fascinating picture. The Suthanipatha narrates the journey of the Brahmin scholar Bavari, who migrated from the north and established an ashram at Badanakurthi on the banks of the Godavari River in search of spiritual enlightenment.

Before the rise of the mighty Satavahana Empire, Telangana consisted of numerous early settlements and small kingdoms. One such settlement was Andhakarattam (Andhra Rattam), recognized as the earliest settlement of the Andhras. Further east lay the Sebaka Kingdom, where archaeological excavations have uncovered ancient forts and coins of King Silakasa, proving the existence of organized political authority and urban life. Another prominent kingdom was Mahishmati, which gained fame for its flourishing textile industry and earned a special mention in Kautilya's Arthasastra.

The era of these independent kingdoms eventually came to an end with the imperial expansion of Magadha. During the 4th century BCE, Mahapadmananda of the Nanda dynasty, determined to eliminate Kshatriya kingdoms, invaded the Deccan. He conquered Asmaka and Mulaka, incorporating Telangana into the expanding Magadhan Empire.

Although this conquest ended the political independence of Telangana's early kingdoms, it integrated the region into the wider political and economic framework of India, paving the way for the rise of the Mauryas and later the Satavahanas, who would dominate the Deccan for centuries.

Core Historical Notes

1. Asmaka (Assaka) Mahajanapada

Geographical & Historical Significance

• The only Mahajanapada among the 16 Great Mahajanapadas located in Dakshinapatha (South India).
• Covered the present-day Nizamabad district (Telangana) and Nanded district (Maharashtra).

Capital

• Bodhan
• Ancient names:
  • Pothan
  • Pattiya
  • Pothali
  • Poudanyapuram
  • Bahudhanyapuram

Jain Connections

• Jain texts state that the region was ruled by Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara, during the Rigvedic period.
• His son Bahubali inherited the kingdom and ruled from Poudanyapuram.
• A 525-bows-long statue of Bahubali reportedly stood at Pothana and later inspired the famous Gomateshwara statue at Sravanabelagola.

Buddhist Connections

• The Suthanipatha records that the Brahmin scholar Bavari migrated from Posalarajya and established an ashram at Badanakurthi (Adilabad) on the Godavari River.
• Buddhist literature states that Sujatha, a contemporary of Gautama Buddha, ruled Bodhan during this period.

Origin Myth

• According to the Vishnupurana, Asmaka was founded by an Ikshvaku prince.
• His mother Tilaka underwent a surgical delivery using an instrument called "Asmaka," from which the prince derived his name.

Decline

• The rulers of Asmaka belonged to the Kshatriya caste.
• During the 4th century BCE, Mahapadmananda of the Nanda dynasty invaded South India.
• He conquered both Asmaka and the neighboring Mulaka Kingdom.
• His army camped at Nandadehara (present-day Nanded).

2. Andhakarattam (Andhra Rattam)

Location

• Situated along the Godavari River.

Historical Importance

• Mentioned in the Buddhist text Suthanipatha.
• Considered by historians to be the earliest settlement of the Andhras.

Cultural Significance

• The Katha Saritsagara narrates the story of King Deepakami, regarded as an Andhra ruler.
• The text reflects the interaction between:
  • Aryans
  • Yakshas
  • Nagas
  • Dravidians
• It illustrates the cultural blending between Aryan and indigenous communities.

3. Sebaka (Sabara) Kingdom

Location

• Flourished between Andhakarattam and the Kalinga Kingdom.

Important Archaeological Sites

• Peddabankur
• Dhulikatta (Karimnagar district)

Capital

• Dhulikatta

Archaeological Evidence

• Excavations at Dhulikatta uncovered:
  • Ancient mud fort
  • 3rd-century BCE coins
• The coins bear the Brahmi inscription:
  • "Raja Seelakasa"
• These findings confirm the historical existence of King Silakasa.
• The kingdom was later incorporated into the Satavahana Empire.

4. Mahishmati Kingdom

Location

• Spread across the present-day Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts.

Economic Importance

• Flourished around the 4th century BCE.
• Famous for its highly developed textile industry.

Literary References

• Praised in Kautilya's Arthasastra for its textile production.
• Also mentioned in the Sinhala Buddhist text Mahavamsa.

Quick Revision Points

• Asmaka → Only South Indian Mahajanapada.
• Capital → Bodhan (Poudanyapuram, Pothan, Pothali, Pattiya, Bahudhanyapuram).
• Jain Connection → Bahubali ruled Asmaka.
• Buddhist Connection → Bavari established an ashram at Badanakurthi.
• Andhakarattam → First settlement of the Andhras.
• Sebaka Kingdom → Capital Dhulikatta; King Silakasa's coins discovered.
• Mahishmati → Famous textile center; mentioned in Arthasastra.
• Mahapadmananda → Conquered Asmaka and Mulaka in the 4th century BCE, ending their independence and integrating Telangana into the Magadhan Empire.