188 / 822
E t e r n a l I n d i a
encyclopedia
LURE - THRU THE AGES
SATAVAHANAS 235 B.C. - 225 A.D.
Overview
*
The first major royal dynasty of the Dec-
can.
*
The main source of information: puranas
{Mathsya, Vishnu and Bhagavata
) Prakrit
inscriptions (at Karle, Nasik, Kanheri),
and coins.
*
The empire extended from the Konkan
coast in the west to the Godavari and
Krishna deltas in the east, Tungabhadra
and Chandravalli in the south.
*
Original homeland was Maharashtra; later
moved to the south and came to be called
as
'Andhras'.
*
The first ruler of the dynasty was Simukha.
*
Greatest ruler was the Gautamiputra Sa-
takami (Nasik inscription).
*
They were mainly the followers of Brah-
minism.
*
Ruled for 460 years; from 235 B.C. to 225
A.D. with 30 kings (puranas, V.V. Mi-
rashi).
Advent
*
The Satavahana dynasty was founded by
Simukha in 235 B.C.; after the death of
Asoka, being a feudatory of the Mauryas
he became independent and ruled for 23
years (235-212 B.C.)
Chronology
*
Simukha
(235-212 B.C.)
*
Krishna
(212-195B.C.)
*
Satakami
* Vedsiri and Satisiri Satakarni II
*
Hala
(20-24 A.D.)
* Gautamiputra Siri Satakami
(70-95 A.D.)
*
Pulamayi II -
(96-119 A.D.)
*
Siri Satakami (129-149 A.D.)
*
Siva Siri Pulamayi (150-156 A.D.)
*
Siri Sivakhanda
*
Satakami
*
Siriyana
*
SvamiSakesana
*
Pulamayi IV
Wars
*
Conquest of western Malwa and Alupa
and Vidarbha by Satakarni I.
*
Capture of eastern Malwa by Satakami II.
*
Overthrow of Saka Nahapana by Gautami-
putra Satakami; capture of Rishika, As-
maka, Mulaka and Vidarbha.
Gautamiputra Satakarni
(70-95 A.D.)
He was the great ruler in the.line of
Satavahanas; brought under his rule vast terri-
tories; has been described as the destroyer of
Sakas, Yavanas and Pallavas; the Nasik in-
scription issued by his mother is the chief
source of information regarding his reign;
greatest achievement was the defeat of Saka
ruler Nahapana and the capture of Aparanta,
Alupa, Saurashtra, Kukura, Akara and Avanti;
he also held his sway over Rishika, Asmaka,
Mulaka and Vidarbha; ruled over the whole of
the Krishna basin and its south, Saurashtra and
Malwa (north), Berar and Konkan; took up the
title of
'Tri-Samudra-toya-pita Vahana'
lost
most of his territories won from Nahapana
before his death (conclusion derived through
the geography of Ptolemy and Junagadh in-
scription of Rudradaman); to retain his con-
quered territories he followed a policy of mat-
rimonial alliance; he was succeeded by his son
Vashishtiputra Pulamavi.
Administration
Followed a simple administrative system;
kingship was hereditary; local administration
was conducted by feudatories like
rajas, ma-
habhojas
; law as laid down in Dharmashastra
was followed; the empire was divided into
Janapadas
and
Aharas,
looked after by
Amatya; village was the smallest unit under
gramika.
Mainly Vedic religion was followed with
sacrifices like Ashwamedha; Varna system
was recognised; sub-castes also existed.
Agriculture was the main occupation and
land revenue was the chief source of income,
important commercial centres like Banavasi,
Nasik, Amaravati etc. existed; Mainly cloth,
muslin, cornelian beads, spices and pearls
were exported, merchants' guilds were known
as
nigamas
or
shrenis.
Rock-cut architecture of the period is at
Nasik, Karle and Kanheri, Amaravati.
Prakrit was the official language with
Brahmi script; Kannada was the popular spo-
ken language,
Gatasaptashati
-a Prakrit work
with 700 poems written by Hala,
Brihatkatha
of Gunadhya,
Katantra
of Sarvavarma (San-
skrit grammar), were written; built
chaityas
and
viharas:
the
chaityas
at
Bedsa
and
Karle
are attributed to their period the stupas of the
period were mainly found in Andhra pradesh
(Amaravati, Ghantasala, Nagarjunakonda).
Decline
The Satavahana rule came to an end dur-
ing the reign of Pulamayi IV; the kingdom was
divided into 5 minor dynasties (the Chutas,
Pallavas, Ikshuvakus, Abhiras etc.); weak suc-
cessors after the rule of Gautamiputra Sa-
takarni contributed to their decline.