Importance of Dhānyakaṭaka as a capital

In the 12^th–13^th century C.E Dhānyakaṭaka was the seat of power of the local chiefs, who owed their allegiance to the Kakaṭiyas in the Yenamadala inscription of Ganapamba. The town is referred as Dhanyankapura, identified with Dhānyakaṭaka^[1]. Even as late as 14^th century C.E Dhānyakaṭaka maintained its importance and Amarāvatī Mahācaitya retained its existence. This is proved by the Gaḍalādeniya rock inscription (1344 C.E) of Dharmmakīrtti (dist. Kandy, Ceylon). Dharmmakīrtti is credited for the restoration of two storeyed image house at Dhānyakaṭaka^[2].

Detailed description of Dharmmakīrtti’s worship of 18 cubit high stone image of Buddha in the stone built vihāra which he restored in Dhānyakaṭaka is preserved in the Saddarmmaratnākara, written by Vimalakirtti, the pupil of Dharmmakīrtti. This is the last mentioned document of the Buddhist establishment at Amarāvatī. After this, Buddhism ceased to retain its vitality and Amreśvara (Śaṃbhu) gradually appropriated the position once enjoyed by the Mahācaitya at Dhānyakaṭaka.

The above mentioned data undoubtedly prove the longevity of Amarāvatī Mahācaitya from 4^th century B.C.E to 14^th century C.E. It is undeniable that the exquisite sculptures in the monastic site enhanced the beauty of the religious complex and in turn made it a significant art centre of early Andhradeśa. The longevity of the art centre of Amarāvatī in comparison to the contemporary adjacent art centres is a complicated problem. It may be suggested that the problem of the survival of the ornate monastic complex of Amarāvatī can be studied in the background of the continued importance of the region of Dhānyakaṭaka/Dharaṇikoṭa. In fact the importance of Dhānyakaṭaka as a capital and megacity over a long period of time contributed greatly to the flourish of the Amarāvatī Mahācaitya. Thus the reason for the continued importance of Dhānyakaṭaka may be investigated in order to unravel the problem of the survival of the art centre Amarāvatī. In this regard it may be stated that Dhānyakaṭaka enjoyed several advantages in comparison to the other neibouring archaeological sites. Several factors may be identified which contributed greatly to the strategic significance of the region which in turn helped in the longevity of the Mahācaitya at Amarāvatī.

The geographical location of the region was conducive for the emergence of Dhānyakaṭaka. It may be highlighted that the region was girdled by forest and river. Having the combined advantage of a Vanadūrga (Chitramūla dhvaja rānya) and Jaladūrga with maritime trade, industry and cultural contacts with other countries, it became a strategic centre, politically as well as commercially^[3]. It became a prestigious seat of political authority of various dynasties of Andhra from pre-Christian era. In fact from the early centuries before the Christian era the history of Dhānyakaṭaka was closely interwoven with political development. During the reign of the Sadas, Sātavāhanas, Iksvākus, Pallavas, Viṣṇukuṇḍins, Śālaṅkāyanas, early Chālukyas and other royal houses till the medieval period Dhānyakaṭaka -Amarāvatī enjoyed a premier position within their territorial domain. The epigraphical and literary sources mentioned earlier confirm this.

The prosperity of the region was also favourable for the flourishing condition of Dhānyakaṭaka. One of the causes for its prosperity was its trading network. It may be stated that Andhra has a sea-coast of about 400 miles and hence provided a lucratic source of trade. It is facilitated with sea ports situated at the mouths of rivers consequently offering navigational approaches for commercial activities from early times^[4]. The position of Amarāvatī is at the head of the Kṛṣṇā delta. The Godāvarī delta is not separated from the Kṛṣṇā delta by a great distance. So it was possible to control the Godāvarī system as its position was at the head of the Kṛṣṇā River. In fact it may be pointed out that the Godāvarī -Kṛṣṇā delta by itself was a major centre of Early Historic sites. In deltaic zones and its peripheral zones, the major sites are Nāgārjunakoṇḍa, Peḍḍavegi (ancient Vengī), Sātanikoṭa, Amarāvatī and Dantavaktrunikoṭa^[5].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Chanda Ramprasad, 1982, ‘Some unpublished Amarāvatī Inscriptions’, Op.cit, p 262.

[2]:

Paranavitana S, 1994 (Reprint), ‘Gadaladeniya Rock Inscription of Dharmmakirtti Sthavira’ in Codrington H.W and Paranavitana S(ed), Epigraphia Zeylanica being Lithic and other Inscriptions of Ceylon, Vol IV, New Delhi, pp 97-98.

[3]:

Prasad P.R.K, 1991, ‘Pre-Sātavāhana Phase at Amarāvatī-Dharaṇikoṭa’, Op.cit, p 329.

[4]:

Rao Vinay Kumar, Op.cit, p 1.

[5]:

Chakrabarty Dilip.K, 2006, Op.cit, p 347.