Coins and Artifacts from Peddabankur Excavations
Peddabankor is an early Buddhist site discovered in the 1960s in Peddapalli District at the confluence of two small streams in Telangana, India. Located 18 miles from Karimnagar, it is a place of archaeological interest and the excavations here revealed apsidal rubble walled structures, brick structures, brick built and terracotta wolf. The site also shows covered underground drains to channel waste water into soakage pits.
Peddabankur is a small village now but was an important settlement during the Satavahana period extending over a 30 hectare area. About 10 kilometers from Peddabankur was the fortified site which is one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes, the Greek historian and diplomat who visited India in the 3rd century BCE.
History & Significance
The stupa must date from the third century BCE because an inscription of the first quarter of the second century BCE records the veneering of the existing stupa. Roman coins and a terra cotta figure of a Roman trader have been recovered, indicating the site's connection to international trade routes.
There is no direct evidence of a monastery but a site of this size needed monks for the regular rituals. From the absence of the Buddha in reliefs, it seems to be a Theravada Buddhist site, where anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha was avoided.
About 10 kilometers from Peddabankur was the fortified site which is one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes, further establishing the region's historical importance during the Mauryan and Satavahana periods.
Archaeological Findings
Coins
- Punch marked coins
- Roman coins – indicating international trade
- Satavahana coins
Iron Objects
- Agricultural implements
- Carpentry and domestic implements
- Weapons – spear heads, spikes, arrow heads
Artifacts
- Seals
- Beads and bangles
- Terracotta and kaolin human figures
- Antimony rods
- Dice
- Coin moulds
Inscriptions & Structures
- Brahmi labels belonging to the 1st century
- Apsidal rubble walled structures
- Brick structures
- Terracotta wolf
- Underground drains with soakage pits
Evidence for the forging of iron was found in the Peddabankur excavations. This is a significant discovery as it indicates advanced metallurgical skills during the Satavahana period. The presence of various iron implements – from agricultural tools to weapons – suggests a well-developed economy with specialized craftsmen.
Excavation & Infrastructure
The site shows covered underground drains to channel waste water into soakage pits – a remarkable example of urban planning and sanitation from the ancient period. This sophisticated drainage system indicates a well-organized settlement with a strong civic administration.
Excavations revealed:
- Apsidal rubble walled structures – likely religious or administrative buildings
- Brick structures – indicating permanent construction
- Brick built and terracotta wolf – possibly a symbolic or decorative element
About 10 kilometers from Peddabankur was the fortified site which is one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes, further establishing the region's historical importance during the Mauryan and Satavahana periods.
Legacy – A Window into Ancient India
Peddabankur stands as a remarkable testament to the rich cultural and economic history of the Deccan region. From its early Buddhist stupa to its sophisticated urban planning, from Roman coins to iron forging evidence, the site offers a comprehensive glimpse into life during the Satavahana period.
The discovery of Roman coins and a terra cotta figure of a Roman trader reveals the extensive trade networks that connected this region to the wider ancient world. The Brahmi inscriptions and Theravada Buddhist characteristics further enrich our understanding of the religious and cultural landscape of the time.
Peddabankur is not just an archaeological site — it is a window into the past, a testament to human ingenuity, and a reminder of the enduring legacy of ancient Indian civilization.
- Location: Peddapalli District, Telangana (18 miles from Karimnagar)
- Discovery: 1960s
- Period: Satavahana period (3rd century BCE to 1st century CE)
- Site Area: 30 hectares
- Nearby Site: One of 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes
- Religious Affiliation: Theravada Buddhism
- Key Finds: Punch marked coins, Roman coins, Satavahana coins, Brahmi inscriptions, iron implements, terracotta figures, seals, beads
- Infrastructure: Underground drains with soakage pits, apsidal rubble structures, brick buildings
- Trade: Roman trade connections evidenced by coins and terra cotta figure
- Metallurgy: Evidence of iron forging
- Artifacts: Seals, beads, bangles, antimony rods, dice, coin moulds
- Inscriptions: Brahmi labels from 1st century CE
- Monastic Asia – Peddabankur
- Wikipedia – Satavahana Dynasty
- Wikipedia – Megasthenes
- Government of Telangana – Department of Archaeology and Museums
- ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) – Excavation Reports
Peddabankur – where ancient Buddhist heritage meets the legacy of the Satavahanas, and the whispers of the past echo through the ruins.