Phanigiri

The archaeological evidence securely places the principal Buddhist occupation of Phanigiri in the early historic period, broadly from the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE. Earlier claims connecting the foundation of the Mahastupa specifically with the Mauryan period and Emperor Ashoka are not firmly established by the published archaeological evidence and are therefore best treated as possible rather than proven.

Phanigiri flourished during the Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods. Excavations have exposed stupas, chaityagrihas, viharas, congregation halls, sculptures and inscriptions associated with this period. The site's location on an ancient route linking different parts of the Deccan contributed to its importance as a Buddhist religious and cultural centre.

The Mahastupa is the principal monument of the complex. Earlier excavations exposed its drum, dome and associated architectural elements, including ayaka platforms. A relic deposit discovered during conservation work in January 2015 contained a red-ware pot enclosing a silver reliquary with 11 miniature beads, three silver flower petals and three gold flower petals. No bone relics were reported from this deposit. Archaeologists have associated the deposit with the paribhogika category because it contained objects rather than identifiable bodily relics; this classification should be regarded as an archaeological interpretation rather than proof that the objects belonged to the Buddha or a particular monk.

Excavations have revealed apsidal chaityagrihas as well as other chaitya structures, including circular and octagonal examples identified during later field seasons. Votive stupas and other ritual structures were also exposed. The architectural remains demonstrate the complexity and long development of the Buddhist establishment at Phanigiri.

Excavations have exposed several vihara units containing monastic residential spaces. Later excavations also revealed a substantial 24-pillared congregation hall measuring approximately 17.05 m by 10.55 m, together with additional architectural remains. Earlier excavation reports also documented a stone-pillared hall and three viharas. Because the number of exposed structural units has increased with subsequent excavations, the complex is better described as containing several viharas and congregation halls rather than assigning a single final number.

Excavations have recovered numerous limestone sculptural panels, including representations of episodes from the life of the Buddha and Jataka narratives. Published studies identify Jataka representations from Phanigiri, including Mandhata and Losaka scenes. The sculptures demonstrate strong connections with the artistic traditions associated with the Amaravati region. The site has also yielded Buddha and Bodhisattva images and other sculptural fragments.

Later excavations revealed important stucco sculpture, including a life-size Bodhisattva image dating to the Ikshvaku period. These finds provide evidence for the use of both limestone and stucco sculpture within the Buddhist complex.

Phanigiri has yielded several Brahmi inscriptions recording Buddhist donations, individuals and officials associated with the monastic establishment. These records provide evidence for the participation of monks, nuns, lay donors and administrators in the religious life of the complex.

A Roman gold aureus of Emperor Nero (54–68 CE) was recovered during archaeological excavation at Phanigiri. The coin weighs approximately 7.3 grams. Its presence provides evidence for the movement of Roman currency into the Deccan and is consistent with the wider commercial connections between the Roman world and peninsular India during the early centuries CE. The coin should not, by itself, be used to claim that Phanigiri functioned as a banking centre or that a specific range of commodities was exchanged there.

A potin coin measuring about 1.5 cm in diameter was reported from the Phanigiri complex. Contemporary archaeological reporting describes a male bust on the obverse and a ship motif with a legend that was preliminarily read by officials as Mahakshatrapa. Because the reading and attribution were reported as preliminary, the coin should be described cautiously rather than treated as definitively identified.

Excavations have produced coins associated with the Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Western Kshatrapas and Mahatalavaras, in addition to Roman currency. More recent excavations have also produced a substantial hoard of Ikshvaku-period lead coins. These finds demonstrate the broad monetary and commercial connections of the settlement.

Fragmentary inscriptions from Phanigiri belong to the Ikshvaku period and provide evidence for the administration and patronage of the Buddhist establishment. One fragment is associated with the reign of Ehavala Chamtamula, while other records preserve information about donors and religious works.

A major inscription from Phanigiri belongs to the reign of Rudrapurushadatta and is dated to his 18th regnal year. It is written in Sanskrit and Prakrit in Southern Brahmi. The inscription records the erection of a Dharma-chakra by the king's chief physician and contains four Sanskrit verses referring to Shiva, Krishna/Vishnu and the Buddha. The inscription is historically important because its regnal year extends the previously known reign of Rudrapurushadatta.

Aggrabhisaja = Chief Physician.
Mahasenapati = Great Commander / military official.
Bhadamta = Venerable, a respectful designation used for a monk.
Navakaammika = Superintendent or overseer of works.
Hemanta-paksha = Winter fortnight, appearing in the dating formula of the Rudrapurushadatta inscription.