Origins of Andhra people
Origins of Andhra people: Historically, the Telugu-speaking Andhras were cited alongside the Pulindas in the edicts of Emperor Asoka, dating back 2500 years. The discovery of Satavahana coins in locations like Kondapur (near Warangal) and Kotilingala, inscribed with names like Sadvahana/Srimukha, led to the belief that the original homeland of the Andhras was in Western Maharashtra, from where they later migrated to the current Andhra Pradesh, particularly the region between the Godavari and Krishna Rivers.
It is now clearly established that the Andhras possessed an extensive empire extending from Nasik in Maharashtra to Srikakulam close to the Bay of Bengal at the delta of the River Krishna, even in the era of Pushya Mitra Sunga from Pataliputra (Patna).
Yajna Sri Satakarni, from the Andhra Satavahana dynasty, claimed that his horses quenched their thirst with waters from all three oceans: the Indian Ocean to the South, the Bay of Bengal to the East, and the Arabian Sea to the West.
The Roman author Pliny expressed sorrow that gold was being extracted from Rome to pay for imports from India during the splendid era of the Satavahanas. Gold coins from the Roman period can be discovered in various locations across Andhra, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, including Eluru along the East Coast. Yajna Sri Satakarni constructed a Mahachaitya at Sriparvata to honor Acharya Nagarjuna. Soonya vadam and Rasa vadam from the Buddhist philosophy of Acharya Nagarjuna were originated in the Telugu region itself.
Suhrullekha, composed in Sanskrit, was created by Acharya Nagarjuna in the Satavahana era.
The Satavahana people followed the formal Hindu religion. Currently, society exhibits both Patrilineal and Matrilineal characteristics.
Kings prefixed their names/titles with their Mother’s name. Kingship was passed down solely through the male lineage
It is noteworthy that, as Hyuantsang indicates, in his later years, Acharya Nagarjuna resided under the guidance of the Satavahana kings. Taranath of Tibet informs us that Acharya Nagarjuna resided in Sriparvata, thought to be Amaravati (Guntur).
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Epigraphic data concerning the Southern Gate (Toranam) of Sanchi Stupa indicates that the Toranas on the South and West sides of the Sanchi Stupa were sculpted and constructed by artists led by Ananda, who served under King Sri Satakarni of the Andhra Satavahanas, around 2000 years ago. Clearly, images of Ajanta Caves (Nos. 9 and 10) in Maharashtra are reproductions of Amaravati sculptures.
The languagesspoken during the Satavahana eraincluded either Prakrit, Desi, or Sanskrit. Desi is considered to be anearlyform of the Telugu language.
Andhra monarch Pulamavi defeated Susarma (from the Kanva dynasty), and the Andhras governed Patna (Pataliputra of Magadha Rajya) for ten years approximately 2000 years ago.
Gowtamiputra Satakarni conquered and removed Nahapana of the Western Kshatrapa (Gujarat and Maharashtra) approximately 1900 years ago
Buddhism in Andhra
The Buddha’s manifestation as a deity occurred in Nagarjuna Konda. Buddhists chanted the Digha Nikaya and Madhyama Nikaya in the same manner as the slokas of the Vedas. Worshipping Buddha through the construction of Stupas by the Hinayana sect began in Andhra land during the Ikshvaku period, around 1700 years ago.
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