Coinage of the Ikshavakus: A Treasure Trove from Sekuru (V), Chebrolu (M), Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

Born on 27.08.1950 at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. B. Subrahmanyam had pursued his post-graduation in ancient Indian History and Archaeology in the P.G. Centre at Guntur and took his M.A. degree in 1974 from Andhra University, Waltair. He joined in State Archaeological department as Technical Assistant in 1975. Since then, he actively participated in explorations, major excavations and transplantation of temples. He took his Ph.D. degree from Mysore University, Mysore in 1986. He also obtained P.G. Diploma in Public Relations from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad in 1993. at present he is working as Research & Training Officer in the State department of Archaeology & Museums, Hyderabad. He contributed a good number of research papers to various reputed journals and also to Indian History Congress, A.P. History Congress etc. He discovered a good number of new Buddhist settlements in North-Coastal Andhra Pradesh and conducted excavations at famous Buddhist sites, namely, Dantapura, Thotlakonda, Bavikonda, Dharapalem, Gopalapatma,. Amalapuram, Pavurallakonda, Majeru etc., and brought to light fresh information hitherto unknown. Apart from his participation in numerous seminars, he has to his credit published works, namely, Thotlakonda: A Buddhist Site in A.P. (1992), directory of Monuments: Antiquarian remains in Ananthapur district; A.P. Vol. I (1993), Pre, Proto and Early Historic Cultures of Krishna-Tungabhadra valley (1997), Andhra desamulo Buddha dhatu peteekalu (Telugu, 1997) etc. For his outstanding discovery of Buddhist relic caskets from Mahachaitya at Bavikonda (a Buddhist site in Visakhapatnam, A.P.) he has been awarded incentives in 1994 besides, personal appreciations by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Born on 17th July 1959 at Kurnool, a bustling town in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. K. (Konakondala) Padmanabha, M.A., Ph.D., after his schooling at New Delhi, had his college education in the Osmania University at Hyderabad. His brilliant educational career secured him First Class in B.A. (History) in 1980 and also first place in the college. He took his M.A. Degree in Archaeology from Osmania University in First Class in 1982 and stood University Second I n rank. For his outstanding thesis “Life Under The Hoysalas As Depicted in The Sculptures”, the University of Mysore has awarded him Ph.D. Degree in 1987. His zeal for research has kept him engaged in his post-doctoral research on Vijayanagar sculptures. His interested fields are Archaeology, Indian Art and Architecture and he has to his credit research articles contributed in various journals. He is associated with various learned societies in India abroad. He was elected as a Member of Royal Society for Asian Affairs, London (M.R.A.A.) on 13th November 1985. Again, Royal Archaeological Institute, London (M.R.A.I.) elected him its member on 12th March, 1986.

Dr. Pedarapu Chenna Reddy (Born in 1959) got his Post Graduate Degree (1984) from S.K. University, Aanantapur, M.Phil. (1986), Ph.D. (1988) and P.G. Diploma in Epigraphy (1988) from S.V. University, Tirupati and P.G. Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management (2001) from Andhra University, Waltair. His book Guilds in Medieval Andhra Desa was widely acclaimed by the academicians and students alike. Dr. Reddy has to his credit more than 42 research papers on various aspects of ancient, medieval and modern history published in National and International Journals, Felicitation and Commemorative volumes. He is the life member of Indian History Congress, South Indian History Congress, A.P. History Congress, Epigraphical Society of India, Numismatic Society of South India, Andhra Pradesh Janapada Sahitya Samiti, Piligrimage Society of India, Folklore Society of South Indian Languages, Ropckart Society of India, world Telugu Federation etc. He has attended the annual sessions of these and various other professional bodies and presented research Indian History Congress and presently Joint Secretary of South Indian History Congress & A.P. History Congress. He was the district Chariman and President of Lions Club International (324 D3), Vice-President Indian Red Cross Society, Srisailam. 17 M. Phil’s, and 2 Ph.D. Degrees were awarded under his guidance and 5 Ph.D’s are in advanced stage of completion. He is an active Social and academic worker and is instrumental in establishing in Government Degree College and Dr. Ambedkar Open University Study Centre in the Srisailam Project for the poor, dalilt and tribal people. He received several felicitations, and awards such as Global Telugus Glory award (1995); Sahiti Sarswati Siripi anjaneyulu State award (1999); Best Teacher Award by Bandaru Sarojini Devi Memorial Foundation (2000). Moreover, his Bio-data was published in Who is who in the world and V.I.P.’s of A.P. International (1995-96).