Excavations at Nagarjunakonda
By Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran
Summary
Nagarjunakonda, literally the hill of Nāgārjuna, is a large rocky hill along the right bank of the Krishna River in the Palnad Taluk of the Guntur District of the Madras Presidency. In the 1920s and 1930s archaeologists from the Archaeological Department carried out systematic excavations there, uncovering a valley dotted with numerous mounds that mark the sites of ancient Buddhist monuments. These remains include dozens of stupas, chaityas and viharas as well as groups of standing limestone pillars and the foundations of a palace. The article describes how the valley is naturally fortified on three sides by hills and on the fourth by the Krishna River, making it an ideal location for a monastery complex and royal settlement. Early excavations led by Rangaswami Sarasvati and later by Mr. Longhurst revealed the breadth of the site and produced a wealth of sculptures, inscriptions, coins, stone slabs and pottery. A particularly significant discovery was a basilica-like structure interpreted as an apsidal chaitya and numerous relief sculptures depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, Jataka stories and donors. Roman influence is evident in sculptural motifs such as a bearded figure wearing a tunic and drinking from a rhyton, while local artistic traditions are represented by depictions of Yakshis and palace scenes. The author carefully interprets inscriptions and stylistic features to reconstruct the chronology of the site. Inscriptions record donations from kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty who ruled in the second and third centuries CE. The article relates these findings to literary traditions and earlier art at Amaravati, arguing that Nagarjunakonda was an important centre of Mahayana Buddhism. The discussion extends to plate inscriptions listing donations by kings and queens, an analysis of the seated Buddha images found in situ and commentary on the design of the monastic complexes. Attention is given to the discovery of a palace site with double-storied structures, carved railings, gateways and baths, illustrating that the valley served as both a religious and secular centre. By collating archaeological, epigraphic and artistic evidence, the article presents Nagarjunakonda as a vibrant settlement that fostered an advanced urban culture with close links to Roman trade networks and later became a significant pilgrimage centre.
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Conclusion
The excavations at Nagarjunakonda reveal a unique convergence of art, architecture, religion and trade in early historic India. They show that this valley housed a dense complex of monasteries, stupas and palatial structures created under the patronage of the Ikshvaku kings, and that its artisans drew on both indigenous and foreign motifs. The findings illuminate the spread of Mahayana Buddhism, the interaction between India and the Roman world and the sophistication of Deccan urban planning. By documenting the remains and interpreting them in the light of inscriptions and literature, the article underscores Nagarjunakonda’s importance for understanding the cultural history of South India.