The Satvahanas (271 BC – 220 CE)

Sources :
1. Puranas throw much light on chronology and geneology.

• Matsya , Vaya, Vishnu, Barhmanda, Bhagvada

2. Sources of Social and cultural History

• Gathasaptasati, Brihatkatka, Kamasutra

3. Archeological Sources

• Nanaghat Inscription by Naganika(Wife Satkarni I)
• Nasik Inscription of Balasri (Mother of Gautamiputra Satkani)
•  gives information about Gautamiputra satkarni 
• Coins have Names of Rulers.

4. Puranas mentioned 30 andhra kings with total reign of 456 years.

5.Simuka (Founder of Satvahana Dynasty) of Andhra Race killed last Kanva ruler Susarma.

Important Satvahana Kings:

Simukha

• Founder , ruled for 23 years
• Expanded his territories upto Vidharba region.
• Capital : Pratisthanpura.

Kanha

• Second Ruler
• Extended the empire upto Nasik.
• Patronised Buddhism.

Satkarni I

• Achievement described in nanaghat inscriptions inscribed by his queen Naganika.
• Conquered Malwa, Anupa, Vidharba egion.
• Exercised Sway over Deccan, Konkan And Katiawar.
• Assumed the title of Dakshinpathapati.
• Performed Asvamedha and Rajasuya Yagya.
• Issued Aswamedha coins
• Promoted Vedic Religions
• Patronised brahmans by gifting land and cows.
• Hathigumpha inscription mentioned conflict with kharavela.

Satkarni II

• He had the longest rule of 56 Years.
• Occupied Kalinga after the death of kharavela.
• Coins of his time discovered at Sanchi.

Kunthala Satakani

• 13th king mentioned in Several Literary Works
• Sanskrit was replaced with Prakrit as official Language.
• His scholar minister :
• Sarvavarma who composed Kathantra vyakarna.
• Gunadya who composed Brihatkatka

Hala was 17th king Who compiled Gathasaptasati in Prakrit .

• Empire Suffered a temporary Setback After Hala .
• Sakas were powerful in western deccan in Ist AD
• Western Kshtarpa king Nahapana Occupied Western Deccan , parts of Maharashtra, Konkan , Malwa, kathiyawar, southern Rajasthan.

Now Hero Comes ...... To save the Empire 

Gautamiputra Satkarni

• 23rd King
• Outstanding Ruler of Ancient India.
• Revived the fallen fortunes of Satvahanas.
• Nasik Inscriptions by his mother recorded his presonality and listed his achievements.
• He Destroyed Shakas, Pahlavas And yavanas.
• Defeated Shaka King Nahapna.
• He restrucked the coins of Nahapana
• Assumed the title of "Trisamudra Taja Ritavata"
• Restored Caste Purity " Vinivarnita Varna Sankarma"
• Patronised Buddhism and Brahmanism
• Saka Resumed Conflict after his death.

Rudradaman(Saka) Established his authority over a greater part of western Deccan.

Yajna Sri Satkarni

• Last Important Ruler.
• Ousted Sakas From western Deccan.
• Nagarjuna - Famous Buddhist Philospher adorned his court.
• Issued Coins Having Ship Mast Image.
• Enlarged the Amaravati Stupa.

Satvahanas Rule Ended In 3rd CE.

Cultural Cultivation :

• Satvahanas Patronized buddhism and Brahmanism
• They also Built Chityas And Viharas.
• Amravati Stupa was Repaired by Vashishthputra pulamayi.

Some More Points

• The District was called Ahara as in Ashokan Times 
• Officials were called Amatyas and Mahamatyas
• Administration in Rural areas was Placed in the Hands of Gaulmika - Head of Military Regiment.
• It was a customary for the king to be named after his mother's name like Gautamiputra .
• Satvahanas started the practice of granting tax free villages to brahmans adn buddhist monks
• They issued potin , copper and bronze money , Coins of lead also found in large no,s in Deccan.
• Satvahanas were the first Rulers to make Land grants to the Brahamans.
• Gandhika were the traders of perfume.
• A Senapati was Appointed as provincial governer.
• Important wool Making centre : Uddayin 
• Mostly Inscriptions are found  in Maharashtra.
• Nanaghat Inscription(Pune) by Naganika (Wife of Satkarni I)
• Karle Cave Inscription is of Vasishtiputra Oulamayi II
• Inscription of Pulamayi II also found at Nasik