Vijaya Vengipura was a flourishing city in ancient Andhra after the decline of Sriparvata Vijayapuri of the Ikshvaku dynasty by about 4th Centyry A.D. Infact Prolemy (140 A.D.), refers to Vengi as the capital city of the /Salankayanas. During the Vishnukundi and early Eastern Chalukyan rule Vengipura played a crucial role as a political centre as well as a great cultural capital of Andhradesa. Due to indiscriminate occupation and devastation caused by the locals, Archaeological Survey of India at the direction of the Central Government planned systematic excavation and documentation of the various places in this village during the years 1984-87. Indeed, that was too late but whatever cultural remains could be retrieved were carefully recorded and studied. The present work is the result of that venture by the author who is ably assisted by a devoted team of staff of the Excavations Branch, Nagpur.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR I K Sarma
Dr. I.K. Sarma, M.A., Ph.D., P.G. Diploma in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology (b. 15th October 1937) has served in the Archaeological Survey of India since January, 1958. He is a native of Pallipadu village, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh (Pin 524 314). He retired in October, 1995 after a distinguished service as Director (Archaeology) in the Archaeological Survey of India holding charge of Museums, Monuments, Antiquity Sections, Conservation and Temple Survey Projects. Subseqently he served as Director, Salar Jung participated in many Archaeological Excavations (Nagarjunakonda, Kalibangan, Surkotda and Pauni), and directed the excavations at the famous historical sites of Amaraavati, Gudimallam, Guntupalli and Peddavegi (the ancient Vengipura). He has also organized various Site Museums in India. Dr. Sarma is member and Office-bearer in several learned bodies and participated in various National and International Conferences, visited China, Japan, Thailand, Rome, London, Norway (Stavenger) and Nepal etc., as an official delegate. He has contributed over 250 Research Papers on various aspects of Archaeology in reputed National and International Journals. He presided over the VIth Session of the A.P., History Congress (1982); Vth Annual Session of the Tamilnadu Numismatic Society (1990); 79rh Session of the Numismatic Society of India (1991); XIXth Session of the Place Names Society of India (1998); and XXIIIrd Session of the A.P. History Congress (January 1999). He was also the President of the South Indian Numismatic Society. (1996-2001) Dr. Sarma has to his credit several published works. More important being, Coinage of the Satavahana Empire (1980); The Development of Early Satva Art and Architecture (1982); Buddhist Monuments of China and South East India (1985); Religion in Art and Historical Archaeology and South India (1987); Studies in Early Buddhist Monuments and Brahmi Inscriptions of Andhradesa (1988); South Coinage (A Review of Recente Discoveries) (1992); Temples of the Gangas of Karnataka (1992); Early Brahmi Inscriptions from Sannati (1993) Parasurmesvara Temple at Gudimallam – A probe into its origins (Nagpur, 1994); Numismatic Researches, (Critical Studies from Excavated contexts, (New Delhi, 2000); Roots of Indian Civilizations (New Delhi, 2000); and Science of Archaeology in India, (New Delhi 2001). Dr. Sarma has edited several Felicitaation and Commemmoration Volumes. He is presently residing in Hyderabad.
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