________________
statement. The Digambara Jainas put 605 years instead of 470, between Vikrama and Mahāvira. Jacobi argued that figure 470 is too large by 60 years, and hence 605 is the right number.
There has been a Jaina story, "Kālaācārya Kathānaka" (Jacobi, ZDMO.34.247 E, esp. 286). This work tells how the Sakas conquered Gardabhilla, (father of Vikrama) or Gandhrvasena, king of Ujjain, but later on were expelled by Gardabhilla successor, Vikramāditya, who freed the world from debt and in celebration of this generosity, established a new era. After 135 years, however, another Saka king returned and overthrew the dynasty of Vikramaditya, establishing another era (the Saka era of 78 C.E.). Konow brings this account into relationship with certain Chinese historical records of the doings of the Saka and Kuşāņa dynasties. He makes out at least plausible case for the historicity of Vikrama as king of Mālava, and founder of the era of 58-57 B. C. Vincent Smith and Charpentier agree with this view.
Vikramāditya In the Light of Vaddamāņu Excavations
Vaddamāņu is a village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, and in this village, T.V.G. Sastri et al have carried out extensive archaeological work from 1981-1985.
The Rasabha kings of Gardabhilla line were originally. of Cedi origin (Bundelkhand). The evidences from archaeological remains in the ancient sites at the KrisnaGodavary basin of Andhra Pradesh bring out the following information: - The local tradition of Vikramāditya at Bhattiprolu. - Presence of Vikramāditya in Andhra is well authenticated in Hathigumpha inscriptions. - A number of coins of his descendents, the Sadas, from Amaravti, Bapatla, Kolanukonda, etc. - The pillar inscriptions of Siri Sada from Guntapalli.
The above data is further substantiated from Vaddamāņu excavations. The excavations on the hillock Peddakonda (a height of 100 km above ground level) have brought to light two important periods of structural activity which were associated with Jainism from 200 - 50 B.C. E., and 50 B.C. E. - 50 C.E. The existence of two stupas and ellipsoidal structures at Vaddamāņu are architecturally different
23 For Private & Personal Use Only
Jain Education International
www.jainelibrary.org
