Satavahana dynasty

Satavahana Empire 𑀲𑀸𑀢𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦 Sātavāhana
Late 2nd century BCE–Early 3rd century CE
South-Asia 0-50 CE MAHAMEGHA- VAHANAS SAMATATAS INDO- SCYTHIANS INDO- GREEKS CHUTUS NORTHERN SATRAPS MITRAS WESTERN SATRAPS YUEZHIS INDO- PARTHIANS PANDYAS CHOLAS ◁▷ Approximate extent of the Satavahana Empire, in the early 1st century CE.
Capital	Pratishthana Amaravati
Common languages	Prakrit Sanskrit(Rarely)
Religion	Brahmanism Buddhism
Government	Monarchy
Raja
Historical era	Classical India
• Established	Late 2nd century BCE
• Disestablished	Early 3rd century CE
Preceded by Succeeded by Maurya Empire Kanva dynasty Western Kshatrapas Andhra Ikshvaku Chutu dynasty Vakataka dynasty Pallava dynasty Abhira dynasty
Today part of	India

TheSatavahanas(SādavāhanaorSātavāhana,IAST:Sātavāhana), also referred to as theAndhras(alsoAndhra-bhṛtyasorAndhra-jatiyas) in thePuranas,were anancient Indiandynasty.Most modern scholars believe that the Satavahana rule began in the late second century BCE and lasted until the early third century CE, although some assign the beginning of their rule to as early as the 3rd century BCE based on thePuranas,but uncorroborated by archaeological evidence. The Satavahana kingdom mainly comprised the present-dayAndhra Pradesh,Telangana,andMaharashtra.At different times, their rule extended to parts of modernGujarat,Madhya Pradesh,andKarnataka.The dynasty had different capital cities at different times, including Kotalingala (Telangana),Pratishthana(Paithan) andAmaravati(Dharanikota).

The origin of the dynasty is uncertain, but according to thePuranas,their first king overthrew theKanva dynasty.In the post-Mauryaera, the Satavahanas established peace in the Deccan region and resisted the onslaught of foreign invaders. In particular their struggles with theSaka(Western Satraps) went on for a long time. The dynasty reached its zenith under the rule ofGautamiputra Satakarniand his successorVasisthiputra Pulamavi.The kingdom had fragmented into smaller states by the early 3rd century CE.

The Satavahanas were early issuers of Indian statecoinagestruck with images of their rulers. They formed a cultural bridge and played a vital role in trade and the transfer of ideas and culture to and from theIndo-Gangetic Plainto thesouthern tip of India.

Origins

The date and place of origin of the Satavahanas, as well as the meaning of the dynasty's name, are a matter of debate among historians. Some of these debates have happened in the context ofregionalism,with the present-dayMaharashtra,Andhra Pradesh,KarnatakaandTelanganabeing variously claimed as the original homeland of the Satavahanas.

Etymology

Early coin ofSatakarni I(70-60 BCE). Obverse legend:
(𑀲𑀺𑀭𑀺) 𑀲𑀸𑀡𑀺(𑀲),(Siri) Sātakaṇi(sa).

Śātavāhana, Śālivāhana, Śātakarṇiseem to beSanskritisedversions of the indigenous nameSātakaṇi,which appear asSālavāhaṇainPrakritvernacular.

According to one theory, the word "Satavahana" (Brahmi script:𑀲𑀸𑀤𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦Sādavāhanaor𑀲𑀸𑀢𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦Sātavāhana,IAST:Sātavāhana) is aPrakritform of the SanskritSapta-Vahana( "driven by seven"; inHindu mythology,the chariot of thesun godis drawn by seven horses). This would indicate that the Satavahanas originally claimed association with the legendarysolar dynasty,as was common in ancient India.According toInguva Kartikeya Sarma,the dynasty's name is derived from the wordssata( "sharpened", "nimble" or "swift" ) andvahana( "vehicle" ); the expression thus means "one who rides a nimble horse".

Another theory connects their name to the earlier Satiyaputa dynasty. Yet another theory derives their name from theMundawordsSadam( "horse" ) andHarpan( "son" ), implying "son of the performer of ahorse sacrifice".Several rulers of the dynasty bear the name or title "Satakarni". Satavahana, Satakarni, Satakani andShalivahanaappear to be variations of the same word.Damodar Dharmanand Kosambitheorised that the word "Satakarni" is derived from the Munda wordssada( "horse" ) andkon( "son" ).

ThePuranasuse the name "Andhra" for the Satavahanas. The term "Andhra" may refer to the ethnicity or territory of the dynasty (seeOriginal homelandbelow). It does not appear in the dynasty's own records.

TheTamil epicCilappatikarammentions a "Nurruvar Kannar", who helpedCherakingSenguttuvanduring his Himalayan campaign. The direct translation of the term Nurruvar Kannar is "the hundred Karnas" or "Satakarni"; Nurruvar Kannar has therefore been identified with the Satavahana dynasty.

TheKathasaritsagaraascribes a mythical etymology in which a widowed, childless king named Deepakarni was prophesied to find a lion-riding child as his heir. During a jungle hunt, he found such a child riding ayaksha-turned-lion named Sāta. After adoption, the child became the king eventually and came to be known as Sātavāhana or Sāta-supported.

Original homeland

Early sculpture fromPauni,ancientVidarbha,where coins ofSatakarniwere also found.Pillar with NagaMucalindaprotecting the throne of the Buddha atPauni(Bhandara District). 2nd-1st century BCE.National Museum of India.

The use of the names "Andhra" and "Andhra-Jatiya" in the Puranas has led some scholars, such asE. J. RapsonandR.G Bhandarkar,to believe that the dynasty originated in the eastern Deccan region (the historicAndhraregion, present-dayAndhra PradeshandTelangana).AtKotilingalain Telangana, coins bearing the legend "Rano Siri Chimuka Satavahanasa" were found.Epigraphist and numismatist P. V. P. Sastry initially identified Chimuka with the dynasty's founder Simuka,Coins attributed to Simuka's successorsKanhaandSatakarni Iwere also discovered at Kotilingala.Based on these discoveries, historians such as Ajay Mitra Shastri, D. R. Reddy, S. Reddy, and Shankar R. Goyal theorised that Kotlingala was the original home of the Satavahanas.Ajay Mitra Shastristated that the finding of the coins at Kotilingala give "a clear pointer to the region where we have to locate the original center of the Satavahana political authority."However, the coin samples from Kotlingala are small, and it is not certain if these coins were minted there or reached there from somewhere else.Moreover, the identification of Chimuka of Kotilingala with the dynasty's founder Simuka has been contested by several scholars including P. L. Gupta andI. K. Sarma,who identified Chimuka as a later ruler.P. V. P. Sastry also later changed his view and stated that the two kings were different.In addition to the Kotilinga find, a coin of the Satavahana prince Saktikumara, who was in the fourth generation of the founder, has been reported as a stratified find from theKurnool districtof Andhra Pradesh.As for the Puranas, these texts could have been compiled at a later date and it is not certain if the Satavahanas were referred to as Andhras during their time.

Another section of scholars believe that the Satavahanas originated in western Deccan (present-dayMaharashtra).All four extant inscriptions from the early Satavahana period (c. 1st century BCE) have been found in and around this region. One of the earliest known Satavahana inscriptions was that found atCave No.19of thePandavleni CavesinNashik district,which was issued during the reign of Kanha (100–70 BCE).An inscription found atNaneghatwas issued by Nayanika (or Naganika), the widow ofSatakarni I;another inscription found at Naneghat has been dated to the same period on a paleographic basis. A slightly later inscription dated to the reign of Satakarni II has been found atSanchiinMadhya Pradesh,located to the north of Maharashtra.The majority of the other Satavahana inscriptions have also been found in western Deccan.On the other hand, the epigraphic evidence from eastern Deccan does not mention the Satavahanas before the 4th century CE.AtNevasa,a seal and coins attributed to Kanha have been discovered.Coins attributed to Satakarni I have also been discovered at Nashik, Nevasa, andPauniin Maharashtra (besides places in eastern Deccan and present-day Madhya Pradesh).Based on this evidence, some historians argue that the Satavahanas initially came to power in the area around their capitalPratishthana(modern Paithan, Maharashtra) and then expanded their territory to eastern Deccan.Carla Sinopoli cautions that the inference about the western Deccan origin of the Satavahanas is "tentative at best" given the small sample of early inscriptions.

Inscription of king Kanha (100–70 BCE)

Cave No.19 of Satavahana kingKanhaat theNasik Caves,1st century BCE.

Inscription of kingKanhain cave No.19, Nasik Caves. This is one of the oldest known Satavahana inscription, circa 100–70 BCE.Brahmi script:
𑀲𑀸𑀤𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦𑀓𑀼𑀮𑁂 𑀓𑀦𑁆𑀳𑁂𑀭𑀸𑀚𑀺𑀦𑀺 𑀦𑀸𑀲𑀺𑀓𑁂𑀦
𑀲𑀫𑀡𑁂𑀦 𑀫𑀳𑀸𑀫𑀸𑀢𑁂𑀡 𑀮𑁂𑀡 𑀓𑀸𑀭𑀢
Sādavāhanakule Kanhe rājini Nāsikakena Samaṇena mahāmāteṇa leṇa kārita
"Under King Kanha of the Satavahana family this cave has been caused to be made by the officer in charge of theSramanasatNasik".

Naneghatinscription. Dated to 70-60 BCE, in the reign ofSatakarni I.

Kanha's Pandavleni mentions the termmaha-matra(officer-in-charge), which indicates that the early Satavahanas followed theMauryanadministrative model.C. Margabandhu theorised that the Satavahanas were called Andhras because they were natives of eastern Deccan (the Andhra region), although they first established their empire in western Deccan after having served as Mauryan subordinates. Himanshu Prabha Ray (1986) opposes this theory, stating that the Andhra was originally an ethnic term, and did not come to denote the geographical region of eastern Deccan until well after the Satavahana period.According toVidya Dehejia,the writers of the Puranas (which could have been written after the Satavahana period) mistook the Satavahana presence in eastern Deccan as evidence for their origin in that region, and wrongly labelled them as "Andhra".

Puranas called the Satavahana kings as Andhra, Andhra-bhṛtya, or Andhra-jatiya. Andhra is both a tribal and a territorial name, the latter territorial denotation of present Telugu lands came into usage only well after the Satavahana period had ended, which meant that the term Andhra represented only the Andhra tribe (who had originated in North India along the Yamuna river banks as per Rigveda) and not the present Andhra region or its Telugu people. The termAndhrabhrityas(Andhra servants) may imply two things, one being that the Andhras were originally servants of the Mauryas or the Sungas. The other one, as per some scholars is that the expression is taken to indicate the servants of some other Andhra rulers. These scholars also suggest Kannada origin for the Satavahanas meaning that the dynasty originated in present-dayKarnataka,and initially owed allegiance to some Andhra rulers.A Satavahana inscription found on a slab of the upper drum (medhi) of theKanaganahallimahastupa mentions year 16 of Vasisthiputra Sri Chimuka Satavahana's reign, which can be dated from ca. 110 BCE.V. S. Sukthankartheorised that the territorial division Satavahani-Satahani (Satavahanihara or Satahani-rattha), in present-dayBellary district,was the homeland of the Satavahana family.However, Dr. Gopalchari challenged Sukthankar's theory by pointing out that not a single inscription of the early Satavahanas is found in Bellary District and that the only Satavahana inscription in Bellary District was that of Pulumavi, who belongs to the later-phase of Satavahana history.A stupa inKanaganahallivillage of Karnataka, dated between the first century BCE and first century CE, features limestone panels depicting portraits of Chimuka (Simuka), Satakani (Satakarni) and other Satavahana rulers.As per historian Parmanand Gupta, in the medieval times, Srisailam region or the Sriparvata area was known asKannaduandKannavisayawhich is the contracted form ofSatakarninaduandSatakarnivisaya,which seem to be identical with the territorial indicatorSatavahaniharaof the Myakadoni inscription of Pulumayi or theSatavahanirattaof the Hirahadagalli grant consisting of theBallariregion indicated to be the original homeland of the Satavahanas as per another historian V. S. Sukthankar.

Varna

Thevarnaof the dynasty is debated by modern scholars, who have variously argued forShudra,Kshatriya,andBrahmanaorigins of the dynasty.

ThePuranascall the founder of the Satavahana family avṛṣala(Shudra or low-born).

The Nashik inscription of Gautami Balashri describes her son Gautamiputra Satakarni aseka-bamhana(Sanskrit:eka-brahmana). Some scholars, such asV.V. Mirashi,have interpreted the term as "sole Brahmana", and argued that Satavahanas were Brahmanas.Hem Chandra Raychaudhuriinterprets the term as "unique Brahmana", and notes that the inscription also describes Gautamiputra as "the destroyer of the pride and conceit of Kshatriyas", which according to him strongly suggests that Gautamiputra claimed to be a Brahmana.

The critics of this theory point out that Gautamiputra's family had matrimonial relations with the non-BrahmanaShakas,and the Satavahanas could not have been Brahmanas because the same inscription also describes Gautamiputra as the one who stopped admixture of varnas (vinivatita chatu vana sankara).Historian V. Sundara Rama Sastry argues that the interpretation of the term "eka-bamhana" as "the only Brahmana" does not make sense as the king was obviously not the only member of his varna: instead, he interprets the term as an epithet indicating that the king "excelled even the Brahmans".HistorianR. G. Bhandarkarinterprets the term "the only protector" of the Brahmanas.

SomeJainworks and theDvātriṃśat-PuttalikārepresentShalivahana(whom some modern scholars identify as a Satavahana king) as of mixed Brahmana and Naga origin. Based on this, some scholars, such asD.C. Sircar,theorize that the Satavahanas were originally non-Brahmanas who started claiming Brahmana status after establishing matrimonial relations with some Brahmana families.

History

Information about the Satavahanas comes from thePuranas,some Buddhist and Jain texts, the dynasty's inscriptions and coins, and foreign (Greek and Roman) accounts that focus on trade.The information provided by these sources is not sufficient to reconstruct the dynasty's history with absolute certainty. As a result, there are multiple theories about the Satavahana chronology.

Foundation

South Asia
150 BCE

SATAVAHANAS

MAHAMEGHA-
VAHANAS

SAMATATAS

AUDUMBARAS

YAUDHEYAS

PAURAVAS

VRISHNIS

KUNINDAS

INDO-
GREEKS

GRECO-
BACTRIANS

MITRAS

ARJUNAYANAS

MALAVAS

SHUNGAS

PANDYAS

CHOLAS

CHERAS

LOULAN

HAN DYNASTY

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South Asia circa 150 BCE.

Simukais mentioned as the first king in a list of royals in a Satavahana inscription atNaneghat.The variousPuranasstate that the first king of the dynasty ruled for 23 years, and mention his name variously as Sishuka, Sindhuka, Chhismaka, Shipraka, etc. These are believed to be corrupted spellings of Simuka, resulting from copying and re-copying of manuscripts.Simuka cannot be dated with certainty based on available evidence. Based on the following theories, the beginning of the Satavahana rule is dated variously from 271 BCE to 30 BCE.According to the Puranas, the first Andhra king overthrew theKanvarule. He is named as Balipuccha in some texts.D. C. Sircar dated this event to c. 30 BCE, a theory supported by many other scholars.

TheMatsya Puranamentions that the Andhra dynasty ruled for around 450 years. As the Satavahana rule ended in the early 3rd century, the beginning of their rule can be dated to the 3rd century BCE. TheIndicaofMegasthenes(350 – 290 BCE) mentions a powerful tribe named "Andarae", whose king maintained an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. If Andarae is identified with the Andhras, this can be considered additional evidence of Satavahana rule starting in the 3rd century BCE. TheBrahmanda Puranastates that "the four Kanvas will rule the earth for 45 years;then(it) willagaingo to the Andhras ". Based on this statement, the proponents of this theory argue that the Satavahana rule began immediately after theMauryarule, followed by a Kanvainterregnum,and then, a revival of the Satavahana rule. According to one version of the theory Simuka succeeded the Mauryans. A variation of the theory is that Simuka was the person who restored the Satavahana rule by overthrowing the Kanvas; the compiler of the Puranas confused him with the founder of the dynasty.

Most modern scholars believe that the Satavahana ruler began in the first century BCE and lasted until the second century CE. This theory is based on Puranic records as well as archaeological and numismatic evidence. The theory that dates their rule to an earlier period is now largely discredited because the various Puranas contradict each other, and are not fully supported by epigraphic or numismatic evidence.

The oldest Satavahana inscription is the one found on a slab of the upper drum (medhi) of theKanaganahalliGreat Stupa mentioning year 16 of Vasisthiputra Sri Chimuka Satavahana's reign, which can be dated from ca. 110 BCE.

𑀭𑀸𑀜𑁄 𑀲𑀺𑀭𑀺 𑀙𑀺𑀫𑀼𑀓 𑀲𑀸𑀢𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦𑀲 𑀲𑁄𑀟𑁂 𑀯𑀙𑀭𑁂 𑁛𑁗 𑀫𑀸𑀢𑀺𑀲𑁂𑀓

Rano siri chimu(ka) sātavāhanasa soḍe vachare 10 6 mātiseka

"In the year sixteen 16 of King Siri Chimuka Sātavāhana"

— Kanaganahalli inscription of the 16th year of Simuka.

On another stone slab at Kanaganahalli, the king is possibly shown together with aNagaraja,and the inscription reads:

𑀭𑀸𑀚𑀸 𑀲𑀺𑀭𑀺 𑀙𑀺𑀫𑀼𑀓𑁄 𑀲𑀸𑀤𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦𑁄 𑀦𑀸𑀕𑀭𑀸𑀬 𑀲𑀔𑀥𑀸𑀪𑁄
Rājā Siri Chimuko Sādavāhano nāgarāya Sakhadhābho
"Lord King Simuka the Satavahana,NagarajaSakhadhābho "

— Kanaganahalli inscription of Simuka.

Early expansion

Sanchi donations (50 BCE- 0 CE)

The southern gateway of the Great Stupa atSanchiwas, according to an inscription (see arrow), donated under the rule of "King Satakarni", probablySatakarni II.Sinopoli

The inscription appears on the relief of a stupa at the center of the top architrave, at the rear. It is written in three lines in earlyBrahmi scriptover the dome of the stupa in this relief.Dated circa 50 BCE- 0 CE.

Text of the inscription:
𑀭𑀸𑀜𑁄 𑀲𑀺𑀭𑀺 𑀲𑀸𑀢𑀓𑀡𑀺𑀲/𑀆𑀯𑁂𑀲𑀡𑀺𑀲 𑀯𑀸𑀲𑀺𑀣𑀻𑀧𑀼𑀢𑀲/𑀆𑀦𑀁𑀤𑀲 𑀤𑀸𑀦𑀁
Rāño Siri Sātakaṇisa/āvesaṇisa vāsitḥīputasa/Ānaṁdasa dānaṁ
"Gift of Ananda, the son of Vasithi, the foreman of the artisans ofrajanSiri Satakarni"

Simuka was succeeded by his brotherKanha(also known as Krishna), who extended the kingdom up to Nashik in the west.His successorSatakarni Iconquered westernMalwa,Anupa(Narmadavalley) andVidarbha,taking advantage of the turmoil caused byGreekinvasions of northern India. He performedVedic sacrificesincludingAshvamedhaandRajasuya.Instead of the Buddhists, he patronised Brahmins and donated a substantial amount of wealth to them.TheHathigumpha inscriptionof theKalingakingKharavelamentions a king named "Satakani" or "Satakamini", who someidentify with Satakarni I. The inscription describes dispatching of an army and Kharavela's threat to a city. Since the inscription is only partially legible, different scholars interpret the events described in the inscription differently. According to R. D. Banerji and Sailendra Nath Sen, Kharavela sent out an army against Satakarni.According to Bhagwal Lal, Satakarni wanted to avoid an invasion of his kingdom by Kharavela. So, he sent horses, elephants, chariots and men to Kharavela as a tribute.According to Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya, Kharavela's army diverted its course after failing to advance against Satakarni.According to Alain Daniélou, Kharavela was friendly with Satakarni, and only crossed his kingdom without any clashes.

Satakarni's successorSatakarni IIruled for 56 years, during which he captured easternMalwafrom theShungas.This allowed him access to the Buddhist site ofSanchi,in which he is credited with the building of the decorated gateways around the originalMauryan EmpireandSungastupas.Satakarni II is known from a dedicatory inscription atSanchi.He was succeeded by Lambodara. The coins of Lambodara's son and successor Apilaka have been found in eastern Madhya Pradesh.However, Andrew Ollett argues that there is only one Satakarni, as the alleged first Satakarni is assigned ten years, and the second, fifty years by other scholars, but the only dated inscription of this king is Candankheda seal from his reign's year 30, around 60 BCE, and he ruled ca. 88–42 BCE.

Art of Sanchi

The Satavahanas contributed greatly to the embellishment of the Buddhist stupa ofSanchi.It was heavily repaired under King Satakarni II. The gateways and the balustrade were built after 70 BCE, and appear to have been commissioned by the Satavahanas. An inscription on the Southern Gateway records that it was the work of Satakarni II's royal architect Ananda.An inscription records the gift of one of the toparchitravesof the Southern Gateway by the artisans of the Satavahana EmperorSatakarni:

Gift of Ananda, the son of Vasithi, the foreman of the artisans of rajan Siri Satakarni

Sanchi under the Satavahanas 1st century BCE/CE.
		Architrave Architrave Yakshini. Pillar capital. Lion pillar capital. The Miracle of Walking in the air at Savrasti. Pipal tree. Miracle of the Buddha walking on the RiverNairanjana Bimbisarawith his royal cortege issuing from the city ofRajagrihato visit the Buddha. Foreigners making a dedication to the Great Stupa at Sanchi. Procession of kingSuddhodanafromKapilavastu.

First Western Satraps invasion under Nahapana

Main article:Western Satraps

See also:Saka-Satavahana Wars

Little is known about Apilaka's successors, except cryptic references to one Kuntala Satakarni. The next well-known ruler of the dynasty wasHāla,who composedGaha Sattasaiin Maharashtri Prakrit. Like Hala, his four successors also ruled for very short periods (a total of 12 years), indicating troubled times for the Satavahanas.

Epigraphic and numismatic evidence suggests that the Satavahanas earlier controlled the northernDeccan Plateau,the northernKonkancoastal plains, and the mountain passes connecting these two regions. During 15–40 CE, their northern neighbours - theWestern Kshatrapas- extended their influence into these regions.The Western Kshatrapa rulerNahapanais known to have ruled the former Satavahana territory, as attested by the inscriptions of his governor and son-in-law,Rishabhadatta.

First revival

A coin ofNahapanarestruck by theSatavahanakingGautamiputra Satakarni.Nahapana's profile and coin legend are still clearly visible.

The defeated "Saka-Yavana-Palhava"(Brahmi script:𑀲𑀓 𑀬𑀯𑀦 𑀧𑀮𑁆𑀳𑀯)mentioned in theNasik cave 3inscription of Queen Gotami Balasiri (end of line 5 of the inscription).

The Satavahana power was revived byGautamiputra Satakarni,who is considered the greatest of the Satavahana rulers.Charles Higham dates his reignc. 103– c. 127 CE.S. Nagaraju dates it 106–130 CE,the new consensus is shared by Shailendra Bhandare, Akira Shimada, and Oskar von Hinuber, who regardGautamiputra Satakarni's reign was ca. 60–85 CE, as it is evident from history that "Gautamiputra Saatakarni" in the year 78 CE defeated Vikramaditya of Ujjain, which in turn was celebrated and named "Yug Aadi" means Beginning of New Era (New Year for Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra (Gudi padwa), Telangana states). Ever since these states people followed Saatavaahana calendar.Andrew Ollett considers it as 60–84 CE.The king defeated by him appears to have been the Western Kshatrapa rulerNahapana,as suggested by Nahapana's coins overstuck with names and titles of Gautamiputra.TheNashikprashastiinscription of Gautamiputra's mother Gautami Balashri, dated to the 20th year after his death, records his achievements. The most liberal interpretation of the inscription suggests that his kingdom extended from the present-day Rajasthan in the north to Krishna river in the south, and from Saurashtra in the west to Kalinga in the east. He assumed the titlesRaja-Raja(King of Kings) andMaharaja(Great King), and was described as the Lord ofVindhya.

During the last years of his reign, his administration was apparently handled by his mother, which could have been a result of an illness or military preoccupation.According to the Nasik inscription made by his mother Gautami Balashri, he was the one...

…who crushed down the pride and conceit of theKshatriyas;who destroyed theSakas(Western Satraps),Yavanas(Indo-Greeks) andPahlavas(Indo-Parthians),... who rooted out the Khakharata family (the Kshaharata family ofNahapana); who restored the glory of the Satavahana race.

— Inscription of Queen Mother Gautami Balashri atCave No.3of thePandavleni CavesinNashik.

Gautamiputra was succeeded by his sonVasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi(or Pulumayi). According to Sailendra Nath Sen, Pulumavi ruled from 96 to 119 CE.According to Charles Higham, he ascended the throne around 110 CE,according to Shailendra Bhandare, Akira Shimada, and Oskar von HinuberVasisthiputra Sri Pulamaviruled ca. 85–125 CE,and Andrew Ollett considers it to be ca. 84–119 CE.Pulumavi features in a large number of Satavahana inscriptions and his coins have been found distributed over a wide area. This indicates that he maintained Gautamiputra's territory, and ruled a prosperous kingdom. He is believed to have added the Bellary region to Satakarni's kingdom. His coins featuring ships with double mast have been found on theCoromandel Coast,indicating involvement in maritime trade and naval power. The oldstupa at Amaravatiwas perhaps renovated during his reign.though recent scholarship tends to spread the dates of this wider.

Second Western Satraps invasion under Rudradaman I

Coin ofVashishtiputra Satakarni.

Pulumavi's successor was his brotherVashishtiputra Satakarni.According to S. N. Sen he ruled during 120–149 CE;according to Charles Higham, his regnal years spanned 138–145 CE.He entered into a marriage alliance with the Western Satraps, marrying the daughter ofRudradaman I.

TheJunagadhinscription of Rudradaman I states that he defeated Satakarni, the lord of Dakshinapatha (Deccan), twice. It also states that he spared the life of the defeated ruler because of close relations:

"Rudradaman (...) who obtained good report because he, in spite of having twice in fair fight completely defeated Satakarni, the lord ofDakshinapatha,on account of the nearness of their connection did not destroy him. "

— Junagadh rock inscription

According toD. R. BhandarkarandDineshchandra Sircar,the ruler defeated by Rudradaman was Gautamiputra Satakarni. However,E. J. Rapsonbelieved that the defeated ruler was his sonVasishthiputra Pulumavi.Shailendra Nath Sen andCharles Highambelieve that the defeated ruler was Vashishtiputra's successor Shivaskanda or Shiva Sri Pulumayi (or Pulumavi).

As a result of his victories, Rudradaman regained all the former territories previously held by Nahapana, except for the extreme south territories ofPuneandNasik.Satavahana dominions were limited to their original base in theDeccanand eastern central India aroundAmaravati.

Second revival

Coin ofYajna Sri Satakarni,British Museum.

Sri Yajna Sātakarni,the last person belonging to the main Satavahana dynastic line, briefly revived the Satavahana rule. According to S. N. Sen, he ruled during 170–199 CE.Charles Higham dates the end of his reign to 181 CE. His coins feature images of ships, which suggest naval and marine trade success.Wide distribution of his coins, and inscriptions at Nashik, Kanheri and Guntur indicate that his rule extended over both eastern and western parts of Deccan. He recovered much of the territory lost the Western Kshatrapas, and issued silver coinage, imitating them. During the last years of his reign, theAbhirascaptured the northern parts of the kingdom, around Nashik region.

Decline

After Yajna Satakarni, the dynasty was soon extinguished following the rise of its feudatories, perhaps on account of a decline in central power.On the other hand, the Western Satraps would continue to prosper for the next two centuries, until their extinction by theGupta Empire.Yajna Sri was succeeded by Madhariputra Swami Isvarasena. The next king Vijaya ruled for 6 years. His son Vasishthiputra Sri Chadha Satakarni ruled for 10 years.Pulumavi IV, the last king of the main line, ruled untilc. 225 CE.During his reign, several Buddhist monuments were constructed at sites includingNagarjunakondaandAmaravati.Madhya Pradesh was also part of his kingdom.

After the death of Pulumavi IV, the Satavahana empire fragmented into five smaller kingdoms:

1. Northern part, ruled by a collateral branch of the Satavahanas (which ended in early 4th century)
2. Western part aroundNashik,ruled by theAbhira dynasty
3. Eastern part (Krishna-Gunturregion), ruled by theAndhra Ikshvakus
4. South-western parts (northern Karanataka), ruled by theChutusofBanavasi
5. South-eastern part, ruled by thePallavas

Territorial extent

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INDO-
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SABEANS

MEROË

AKSUM

KUCHA

Tesinsky

WUSUN

Khotan

LOULAN

Ordos
culture

JIN

DONGHU

YUEZHI

KANGJU

Dinglings

Sarmatians

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PTOLE-
MIES

PARTHIAN
EMPIRE

SUNGAS

SATAVA-
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Main polities in Asia, circa -100.

The Satavahana territory included northernDeccanregion, spanning the present-dayAndhra Pradesh,MaharashtraandTelanganastates. At times, their rule also extended to present-dayGujarat,KarnatakaandMadhya Pradesh.The Nashikprashastiinscription issued by Gautami Balashri, the mother ofGautamiputra Satakarni,claims that her son ruled an extensive territory that stretched fromGujaratin the north tonorthern Karnatakain the south. It is not clear if Gautamiputra had effective control over these claimed territories. In any case, historical evidence suggests that his control over these territories did not last long.Moreover, this realm was not continuous: many areas in this region remained under the control of the hunter-gatherers and other tribal communities.

As per historianM. Govinda Pai,Ptolemy (100–170 CE) states that when Siro Polemaios (Vasishthiputra Sri Pulumayi) was ruling from his capital Paithan in the north (reign c. 85-125 CE), another Satavahana prince called Baleokouros or Baleokoura (Vilivayakura) was ruling from Hippokoura (Huvina Hipparagi) of Basavana Bagewadi taluk ofVijayapura districtof present Karnataka in the south who was none other than his own son. Pai identifies this prince Vilivaya-kura as another form of Vilivaya Kumara (meaning the son of Vilivaya), and he goes on to prove that Vilivaya is indeed merely another rendering of Pulumayi which was transformed as perPrakritrules, the spoken form of this language during that period, and due to common parlance. Thus, Vilivayakura means a son ofPulumayiwho was ruling from Huvina Hipparagi in present Karnataka. Pai identifies all the 10 cities mentioned by Ptolemy as lying between the river Benda (or Binda) orBhima riverin the north and Banaouasei (Banavasi) in the south, viz. Nagarouris (Nagur), Tabaso (Tavasi), Inde (Indi), Tiripangalida (Gadhinglaj), Hippokoura (Huvina Hipparagi), Soubouttou (Savadi), Sirimalaga (Malkhed), Kalligeris (Kalkeri), Modogoulla (Mudgal) and Petirgala (Pattadakal), as being located in Northern Karnataka.

The Satavahana capital kept shifting with time. The Nashik inscription describes Gautamiputra as the lord of Benakataka, suggesting that this was the name of his capital.Ptolemy(2nd century CE) mentionedPratishthana(modernPaithan) as the capital of Pulumavi.At other times, the Satavahana capitals includedDharanikotaandJunnar.M. K. Dhavalikartheorised that the original Satavahana capital was located at Junnar, but had to be moved to Pratishthana because ofSaka-Kushanaincursions from the north-west.

Several Satavahana-era inscriptions record grants to religious monasteries. The settlements most frequently mentioned as the residences of donors in these inscriptions include the sea ports ofSopara,Kalyan,Bharuch,Kuda (unidentified), andChaul.The most frequently mentioned inland settlements include Dhanyakatakam/Dharanikota,Junnar,Nashik,Paithan, andKarad.

Other important Satavahana sites in western Deccan include Govardhana, Nevasa,Ter,and Vadgaon-Madhavpur. The ones in eastern Deccan include Amaravati, Dhulikatta, Kotalingala and Peddabankur.

Administration

Ashoka with his Queens, atSannati(Kanaganahalli Stupa), 1st-3rd century CE. The inscription "Rāya Asoko" (𑀭𑀸𑀬 𑀅𑀲𑁄𑀓𑁄,"King Ashoka" ) inBrahmi scriptis carved on the relief.

The Satavahanas followed the administration guidelines of theShastras.Their government was less top-heavy than that of the Mauryans, and featured several levels of feudatories:

• Rajan, the hereditary rulers
• Rajas, petty princes who struck coins in their own names
• Maharathis, hereditary lords who could grant villages in their own names and maintained matrimonial relations with the ruling family
• Mahabhojas
• Mahasenapati (civil administrator under Pulumavi II; governor of ajanapadaunder Pulumavi IV)
• Mahatalavara ( "great watchman" )

The royal princes (kumaras) were appointed as viceroys of the provinces.

Theaharaappears to have been the largest geographical subdivision of the Satavahana polity. Several inscriptions refer toaharasnamed after the governors appointed to rule them (e.g. Govardhanahara, Mamalahara, Satavanihara and Kapurahara).This suggests that the Satavahanas attempted to build a formal administrative and revenue collection structure.

The inscriptions of Gautamiputra Satakarni suggest the existence of a bureaucratic structure, although it is not certain how stable and effective this structure was. For example, two inscriptions from Nashik Cave 11 record donations of agricultural land to ascetic communities. They state that the ascetics would enjoy tax exemption and non-interference from the royal officials. The first inscription states that the grant was approved by Gautamiputra's minister Sivagupta on the king's verbal orders, and preserved by the "great lords". The second inscription records a grant by Gautamiputra and his mother, and mentions Syamaka as the minister of the Govardhanaahara.It states that the charter was approved by a woman named Lota, who according to archaeologistJames Burgess' interpretation, was the chieflady-in-waitingof Gautamiputra's mother.

The Satavahana-era inscriptions mention three types of settlements:nagara(city),nigama(market town) andgāma(village).

According to Sastri, "the Satavahanas were described as 'lords of the three oceans' and promoted overseas colonization and trade. Under them, Buddhist art attained the superb forms of beauty and elegance preserved to this day in the cave-temples of western India and the survivals from the stupa of Amaravati, Goli, Nagarjunikonda".This tradition was followed by successors of Satavahana in the eastern and western Deccan.

Economy

Indian ship on lead coin ofVasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi,testimony to the naval, seafaring and trading capabilities of the Satavahanas during the 1st–2nd century CE.

The Satavahanas participated in (and benefited from) economic expansion through intensification of agriculture, increased production of other commodities, and trade within and beyond the Indian subcontinent.

During the Satavahana period, several large settlements emerged in the fertile areas, especially along the major rivers. The amount of land under agricultural use also expanded significantly, as a result of forest clearance and construction of irrigation reservoirs.

The exploitation of sites with mineral resources may have increased during the Satavahana period, leading to the emergence of new settlements in these areas. Such sites facilitated commerce and crafts (such as ceramic ware). The increased craft production during the Satavahana period is evident from archaeological discoveries at sites such asKotalingala,as well as epigraphic references to artisans andguilds.

The Satavahanas controlled the Indian sea coast, and as a result, they dominated the growing Indian trade with the Roman Empire. ThePeriplus of the Erythraean Seamentions two important Satavahana trade centres: Pratishthana and Tagara. Other important urban centres included Kondapur, Banavasi and Madhavpur.Nanaghatwas the site of an important pass that linked the Satavahana capital Pratishthana to the sea.

Religion

ThePompeii Lakshmiivory statuette was found in the ruin ofPompeii(destroyed in an eruption ofMount Vesuviusin 79 CE). It is thought to have come fromBhokardanin the Satavahana realm in the first half of the 1st century CE. It testifies toIndo-Roman trade relationsin the beginning of our era.

The Satavahanas patronizedBrahmanismandVedic sacrifices,and claimedBrahmanicalstatus,although they also made generous donations to Buddhist monasteries.The lay people in the Satavahana period perhaps generally did not exclusively support a particular religious group.

TheNaneghatinscription of Nayanika, recorded on the walls of a cave, mentions that her husband Satakarni I performed severalVedicsacrifices, includingashvamedha(horse sacrifice),rajasuya(royal consecration), andagnyadheya(fire ceremony).The inscription also records substantial fees paid to Brahmin priests and attendees for these sacrifices. For example, 10,001 cows were granted for theBhagala-Dasaratrasacrifice; and 24,400 coins were granted for another sacrifice, whose name is not clear.

A number of Buddhist monastic sites emerged in the Deccan region during the Satavahana period. However, the exact relations between these monasteries and the Satavahana government is not clear.ThePandavleni Cavesinscription issued during the reign of Kanha states that the cave was excavated bymaha-matra(officer-in-charge) of theshramanas(non-Vedicascetics). Based on this, Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya concludes that Kanha favouredBuddhism,and had an administrative department dedicated to the welfare of Buddhist monks.

However, Carla M. Sinopoli notes that although there are some records of donations to the Buddhist monasteries by the Satavahana royals, the vast majority of the donations were made by the non-royals. The most common among these donors were merchants, and many of the monasteries were located along the important trade routes.The merchants probably donated to the monasteries, because these sites facilitated trade by serving as rest houses, and possibly by directly participating in the trade.The monasteries appear to have been an important venue for displaying charitable donations, including the donations made to non-Buddhists (especially Brahmins).

Language

Most of the Satavahana inscriptions and coin legends are in aMiddle Indo-Aryan language.This language has been termed "Prakrit"by some modern scholars, but this terminology can be considered correct only if the term" Prakrit "is defined broadly to include every Middle Indo-Aryan language that is" not exactly Sanskrit ". The language of the inscriptions is actually closer to Sanskrit than to the literary Prakrit used in theGaha Sattasaianthology attributed to the Satavahana king Hala.

The Satvahanas also usedSanskritin political inscriptions, but rarely.A fragmentary inscription found close to the Nashikprashastiof Gautamiputra Satakarni uses Sanskrit verses invasanta-tilakametre to describe a deceased king (probably Gautamiputra). A Sanskrit inscription found atSannatiprobably refers to Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni, one of whose coins also features a Sanskrit legend.

According to Gunadya, besides Sanskrit and Prakrit there is another language called 'Desi' which may mean the native language or the language of common man. Commenting on the Desi language Dr.D.C.Sircar remarks "It was apparently EarlyTeluguwhich was in older times very closer toTamilthan it is now was the mother tongue of the common people ". Later Satavahana kings like Gauthamiputra Satakarni, Vastistiputra pulamovi and Yajna Satakarni had their names in two languages i.e.; Prakrit and Desi, a native language.

The Satavahanas also issued bilingual coins featuring Middle Indo-Aryan language on one side, and Desi language (possibly Old Tamil) on the other side.

Inscriptions

Inscription ofGautamiputra Satakarni,Nasik CavesNo.3, Inscription No.4. Circa 150 CE.

SeveralBrahmi scriptinscriptions are available from the Satavahana period, but most of these record donations to Buddhist institutions by individuals, and do not provide much information about the dynasty. The inscriptions issued by the Satavahana royals themselves also primarily concern religious donations, although some of them provide some information about the rulers and the imperial structure.

The earliest extant Satavahana inscription is fromNashik Cave 19,which states that the cave was commissioned byMahamatraSaman of Nashik during the reign of king Kanha.

AtNaneghat,an inscription issued by Nayanika, the widow ofSatakarni I,has been found. It records Nayanika's lineage and mentions the Vedic sacrifices performed by the royal family.Another inscription at Naneghat comprises names of Satavahana royals, appearing as labels over theirbas-reliefportraits. The portraits are now completely eroded, but the inscription is believed to be contemporary to Nayanika's inscription on a paleographic basis.

The next oldest Satavahana-era inscription appears on a sculpted gateway element of Stupa 1 atSanchi.It states that the element was donated by Ananda, who was the son of Siri Satakarni's foreman of artisans. This inscription is probably from the reign ofSatakarni II.

Coinage

Satavahana bilingual coinage in Prakrit and Dravidian (possiblyOld Tamil) (c.150 CE)

Bilingual coinage of SriVasishthiputra PulumaviinPrakritandDravidian(possiblyOld Tamil), and transcription of the obversePrakritlegend.

Obverse:Portrait of the king. Legend inPrakritin theBrahmi script(starting at 12 o'clock):
𑀭𑀜𑁄 𑀯𑀸𑀲𑀺𑀣𑀺𑀧𑀼𑀢𑀲 𑀲𑀺𑀭𑀺 𑀧𑀼𑀎𑀼𑀫𑀸𑀯𑀺𑀲
Raño Vāsiṭhiputasa Siri-Puḷumāvisa
"Of King Lord Pulumavi, son of Vasishthi"

Reverse:Ujjainandarched-hillsymbols. Legend inDravidian(more closer toTamiland to a lesser extentTelugu),and the Dravidian script,essentially similar to the Brahmi script(starting at 12 o'clock):
𑀅𑀭𑀳𑀡𑀓𑀼 𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀺𑀣𑀺 𑀫𑀸𑀓𑀡𑀓𑀼 𑀢𑀺𑀭𑀼 𑀧𑀼𑀮𑀼𑀫𑀸𑀯𑀺𑀓𑀼
Arahaṇaku Vāhitti Mākaṇaku Tiru Pulumāviku
or:Aracanaku Vācitti Makaṇaku Tiru Pulumāviku
"Of King Tiru Pulumavi, son of Vasishthi"

The Satavahanas were the earliest Indian rulers to issue their own coins with portraits of their rulers, starting with kingGautamiputra Satakarni,a practice derived from that of theWestern Kshatrapashe defeated.The Western Satraps themselves had been following the features of the coins of theIndo-Greekkings to the northwest.

Thousands of lead, copper andpotinSatavahana coins have been discovered in the Deccan region; a few gold and silver coins are also available. These coins do not feature uniform design or size, and suggest that multiple minting locations existed within the Satavahana territory, leading to regional differences in coinage.

The coin legends of the Satavahanas, in all areas and all periods, used aPrakritdialect without exception. In addition, some reverse coin legends are inDravidian(more similar toTamilthanTelugu,in the Dravidian script (similar to theBrahmi scriptapart from a few variations).

Several coins carry titles or matronyms that were common to multiple rulers (e.g. Satavahana, Satakarni, and Pulumavi), so the number of rulers attested by coinage cannot be determined with certainty. The names of 16 to 20 rulers appear on the various coins. Some of these rulers appear to be local elites rather than the Satavahana monarchs.

The Satavahana coins give unique indications as to their chronology, language, and even facial features (curly hair, long ears and strong lips). They issued mainly lead and copper coins; their portrait-style silver coins were usually struck over coins of the Western Kshatrapa kings. The Satavahana coins also display various traditional symbols, such as elephants, lions, horses and chaityas (stupas), as well as the "Ujjainsymbol ", a cross with four circles at the end.

Other examples

• 
  Early Satavahana coinage,Satakarniissue,Maharashtra–Vidarbhatype, 1st century BCE.
• 
  Satavahana 1st century BCE coin inscribed in Brahmi: "(Sataka)Nisa".British Museum
• 
  Coin of GautamiputraYajna Satakarni(r. 167 – 196 CE).

Cultural achievements

Satavahana architecture atCave No.3of thePandavleni CavesinNashik.This cave was probably started during the reign of Gautamiputra Satakarni, and was finished and dedicated to the BuddhistSamghaduring the reign of his sonVasishthiputra Pulumavi,circa 150 CE.

The Satavahanas patronised thePrakritlanguage instead ofSanskrit.The Satavahana kingHālais famous for compiling the collection ofMaharashtripoems known as theGaha Sattasai(Sanskrit:Gāthā Saptashatī), although from linguistic evidence it seems that the work now extant must have been re-edited in the succeeding century or two. Through this book, it was evident that agriculture was the main means of livelihood. Also many sorts of superstitions had prevailed. Additionally, Gunadhya, the minister of Hala, was the author ofBrihatkatha.

Sculptures

Madhukar Keshav Dhavalikarwrites that "The Satavahana sculptures unfortunately has never been recognized as an independent school in spite of the fact it has its own distinctive characteristic features. The earliest in point of time is that in the Bhaja Vihara cave which marks the beginning of sculptural art in the Satavahana dominion around 200BC. It is profusely decorated with carvings, and even pillars have a lotus capital crowned with sphinx-like mythic animals."Dhavalikar also writes that in Chankama "the panel occurring on the west pillar of Northern Gateway portrays a very important event in Buddha's life. It depicts votaries, two each on either side of what looks like a ladder which actually is the promenade which Buddha is supposed to have walked. It is said that Buddha, after attaining Enlightment, spent four weeks near the Bodhi tree. Of these, the third week he spent walking along the promenade (chankama) to and fro. "

Along with some of the above major Satavahana sculptures some more sculptures existed—namely,Dvarapala, Gajalaksmi, Shalabhanjikas,Royal Procession, Decorative pillar, etc.

Bronze

Royal earrings,Andhra Pradesh,1st century BCE.

Several metal figurines are found that could be attributed to the Satavahanas. A hoard of unique bronze objects were also found fromBramhapuri.Numerous articles obtained from there were Indian but also reflected Roman and Italian influence. A small statue of Poseidon, wine jugs, and a plaque depicting Perseus and Andromeda were also obtained from the house from where the objects were found.The fine elephant in theAshmolean Museum,the Yaksi image in theBritish Museum,and the cornucopia found in Posheri, kept atChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalayacan also be attributed to the Satavahana period.

Architecture

The sculptures of theAmaravati Stupaand the widerAmaravati stylerepresent the architectural development of the Satavahana periods. They builtBuddhist stupasin Amravati (95 feet high). They also constructed a large number of stupas at Goli,Jaggiahpeta,Ghantasala, Amaravati Bhattiprolu, and Shri Parvatam. Caves IX and X, containing Ajanta paintings, were patronised by Satavahana, and the painting throughout the caves appear to have started with them. Ashokan Stupas were enlarged, the earlier bricks and wood works being replaced with stone works. The most famous of these monuments are the stupas, the most famous among them being the Amravati Stupa and theNagarjunakondaStupa.

Paintings

The Satavahana paintings are the earliest surviving specimens—excluding prehistoric rock art—in India, and they are to be found only at theAjanta Caves.There were two phases of artistic activity of Ajanta: the first occurring in the 2nd to 1st centuries BC, when Hinayana caves were excavated during Satavahana rule; the later in the second half of the 5th century under the Vakatakas. Vagaries of nature and some vandalism have taken a heavy toll on the Ajanta Caves. Only a few fragments related to the Satavahanas have survived in Caves No. 9 and 10, both of which arechaitya-grihaswith stupas.

The most important surviving painting of the Satavahana period at Ajanta is theChhadanta Jatakain Cave No. 10, but that, too, is only fragmentary. It is a painting of an elephant named Bodhisattva with six tusks, related to a mythological story. The human figures, both male and female, are typically Satavahanas, almost identical with their counterparts on the Sanchi Gateways so far as their physiognomy, costumes, and jewellery are concerned. The only difference is that the Sanchi figures have shed some of their weight.

Art of Amaravati

Main article:Amaravati Stupa

The Satavahana rulers are also remarkable for their contributions toBuddhist artand architecture. They built great stupas in theKrishna RiverValley, including the stupa atAmaravatiinAndhra Pradesh.The stupas were decorated in marble slabs and sculpted with subjects includingscenes from the life of the Buddha,portrayed in a characteristic slim and elegant style. The regionalAmaravati styleof sculpture also influenced the sculpture of Southeast Asia.

• 
  Amaravati Marbles,fragments of Buddhist stupa
• 
  Fragment of Amaravati stupa
• 
  Mara's assault on the Buddha, 2nd century,Amaravati style
• 
  Scroll supported by IndianYaksha,Amaravati Stupa,2nd–3rd century CE.

List of rulers

MultiplePuranascontain chronology of Satavahana kings. However, there are inconsistencies among the various Puranas over the number of kings in the dynasty, the names of the kings, and the length of their rule. In addition, some of the kings listed in the Puranas are not attested via archaeological and numismatic evidence. Similarly, there are some kings known from coins and inscriptions, whose names are not found in the Puranic lists.

The reconstructions of the Satavahana kings by historians fall into two categories:

• According to the first one, 30 Satavahana kings ruled for around 450 years, starting from Simuka's rule immediately after the fall of the Mauryan empire. This view relies heavily on the Puranas, and is now largely discredited.
• According to the second (and more widely accepted) category of reconstructions, the Satavahana rule started in around first century BCE. The chronologies in this category contain a smaller number of kings, and combine Puranic records with archaeological, numismatic and textual evidence.

Because of uncertainty regarding the establishment date of the Satavahana kingdom, it is difficult to give absolute dates for the reigns of the Satavahana kings.Therefore, many modern scholars do not assign absolute dates to the reigns of the historically attested Satavahana kings, and those who do vary greatly with each other.

List based on Archeology

Himanshu Prabha Rayprovides the following chronology, based on archaeological and numismatic evidence:

List of Satavahana dynasty rulers

Serial. Nu	Ruler	Reign
1	Simuka	before 100 BCE
2	Kanha	c. 100–70 BCE
3	Satakarni I	c. 70–60 BCE
4	Satakarni II	c. 50–25 BCE
Kshatrapainterregnum rule with vassal Satavahana kings
5	Hāla(vassal under Kshatrapas)	c. 20–24 CE
6	Nahapana(Kshatrapas King)	c. 54–100 CE
Restored Satavahana dynasty
7	Gautamiputra Satakarni	c. 86–110 CE
8	Pulumavi	c. 110–138 CE
9	Vashishtiputra Satakarni	c. 138–145 CE
10	Shiva Shri Pulumavi	c. 145–152 CE
11	Shiva Skanda Satakarni	c. 145–152 CE
12	Yajna Shri Satakarni	c. 152–181 CE
13	Vijaya Satakarni	until c. 200 CE
Regional Satavahana rulers of south-eastern Deccan:
14	Chandra Shri	3rd century CE
15	Pulumavi II	3rd century CE
16	Abhira Isvarasena	3rd century CE
17	Madhariputra Sakasena	3rd century CE
18	Haritiputra Satakarni	3rd century CE

List based on Puranas

The variousPuranasgive different lists of the Satavahana rulers. TheMatsya Puranastates that 30 Andhra kings ruled for 460 years, but some of its manuscripts name only 19 kings whose reigns add up to 448.5 years. TheVayu Puranaalso mentions that there were 30 Andhra kings, but its various manuscripts name only 17, 18, and 19 kings respectively; the reigns add up to 272.5, 300, and 411 years respectively. Many of these kings are not attested by historical evidence. On the other hand, some Satavahana kings attested by numismatic evidence (such as Rudra Satakarni) are not mentioned in the Puranas at all.

Different scholars have explained these anomalies in different ways. Scholars such asR. G. Bhandarkar,D. C. SircarandH. C. Raychaudhuritheorised that theVayu Puranamentions only the main imperial branch of the dynasty, while theMatsya Puranaputs together princes of all its branches.

The names of the Andhra kings (inIAST), as mentioned in the various Puranas, are given below. These names vary across different manuscripts of the same Puranas, and some names are missing in some of the manuscripts. The list given below for each Purana contains the most exhaustive version. In the Puranas, Krishna (IAST: Kṛṣṇa) is described as brother of the first king, who overthrew the Kanva king Susharman. All other kings are described as sons of their predecessors. The first king of the Andhra-Bhrityas is also known as Shudraka or Suraka in theKumarika KhandaofSkanda Purana(not present in the table below).

Puranic genealogy of Andhra dynasty

#	Ruler	Coins	Epigraphy	Bhagavata	Brahmanda	Matsya	Vayu	Vishnu	Reign (years)	Alternative names and reigns
1	Simuka	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	23	Śiśuka (Matsya), Sindhuka (Vayu), Śipraka (Vishnu), Chhismaka (Brahmanda)
2	Kṛṣṇa(Kanha)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	18
3	Śatakarṇi I	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	10	Śantakarṇa (Bhagavata), Mallakarni - 10 or 18 years (Matsya), Śri Śatakarṇi (Vishnu)
4	Pūrṇotsanga			✓	✓	✓		✓	18	Paurṇamāsa (Bhagavata)
5	Skandastambhi				✓	✓			18	Śrivasvani (Matsya)
6	Śatakarṇi II	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	56
7	Lambodara			✓	✓	✓		✓	18
8	Āpīlaka	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	12	Apītaka (Matsya), Ivīlaka (Vishnu), Hivilaka (Bhagavata)
9	Meghasvāti	✓		✓	✓	✓		✓	18	Saudāsa (Brahmanda)
10	Svāti (Śatakarṇi)			✓	✓	✓		✓	12
11	Skandasvāti				✓	✓			7	Skandasvati - 28 years (Brahmanda)
12	Mṛgendra-Svātikarṇa				✓	✓			3	Mahendra Śatakarṇi (Brahmanda)
13	Kuntala-Svātikarṇa				✓	✓			8
14	Svātikarṇa				✓	✓			1
15	Pulomavi I	✓		✓		✓	✓	✓	24	Pulomavi - 36 years (Matsya), Aṭamāna (Bhagavata), Paṭimavi (Vayu), Paṭumat (Vishnu), Ābhi -Brahmanda
16	Gaurakṛṣṇa			✓		✓	✓	✓	25	Gorakśāśvaśri (Matsya), Nemi Kṛṣṇa (Vayu), Arishṭakarman (Vishnu)
17	Hāla			✓		✓	✓	✓	5	Hāleya (Bhagavata); 1 year in one manuscript
18	Mandalaka			✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	5	Talaka (Bhagavata), Saptaka (Vayu), Pattalaka (Vishnu), Bhavaka (Brahmanda)
19	Purindrasena			✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	5	Purīṣabhiru (Bhagavata), Purikaṣena - 21 years (Vayu), Pravillasena (Vishnu), Pravillasena - 12 years (Brahmanda)
20	Sundara Śatakarṇi			✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	1	Sundara Svatikarṇa (Matsya), Sunandana (Bhagavata)
21	Cakora Śatakarṇi (Chakora)			✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	0.5
22	Śivasvāti			✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	28	Svātisena - 1 year (Brahmanda), Śivasvāmi (Vayu)
23	Gautamīputra	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	21	Yantramati - 34 years (Brahmanda), Gotamīputra (BhagavataandVishnu); 24 years according to inscriptions
24	Pulomavi II(Vashishtiputra)	✓	✓	✓		✓		✓	28	Purīmān (Bhagavata), Pulomat (Matsya), Pulimat (Vishnu). See also:Vashishtiputra Satakarni.
25	Śivaśri	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	7	Madaśirā (Bhagavata)
26	Śivaskanda Śatakarṇi	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	7
27	Yajñaśri	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	29	Yajñaśri Śatakarṇi - 19 years (Brahmanda), Yajñaśri - 9, 20 or 29 years (Matsya)
28	Vijaya	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	6
29	Candraśri (Chandrashri)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	3	Candravijaya (Bhagavata), Daṇḍaśri (BrahmandaandVayu), Vada-Śri or Candra-Śri-Śatakarṇi - 10 years (Matsya)
30	Pulomavi III	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	7	Sulomadhi (Bhagavata), Pulomavit (Matsya), Pulomarchis (Vishnu)

List of rulers

S. Nagaraju relies on the Puranic lists of 30 kings, and gives the following regnal dates:

List of Satavahana dynasty rulers

S. No	Ruler	Reign
1	Simuka	(r. 228 – 205 BCE)
2	Krishna	(r. 205 – 187 BCE)
3	SatakarniI	(r. 187 – 177 BCE)
4	Purnotsanga	(r. 177 – 159 BCE)
5	Skandhastambhi	(r. 159 – 141 BCE)
6	Satakarni II	(r. 141 – 85 BCE)
7	Lambodara	(r. 85 – 67 BCE)
8	Apilaka	(r. 67 – 55 BCE)
9	Meghasvati	(r. 55 – 37 BCE)
10	Svati	(r. 37 – 19 BCE)
11	Skandasvati	(r. 19 – 12 BCE)
12	Mrigendra Satakarni	(r. 12 – 9 BCE)
13	Kunatala Satakarni	(r. 9 – 1 BCE)
14	Satakarni III	(r. 1 BCE – 1 CE)
15	Pulumavi I	(r. 1 – 36 CE)
16	Gaura Krishna	(r. 36 – 61 CE)
17	Hāla	(r. 61 – 66 CE)
18	Mandalaka aka Puttalaka or Pulumavi II	(r. 69 – 71 CE)
19	Purindrasena	(r. 71 – 76 CE)
20	Sundara Satakarni	(r. 76 – 77 CE)
21	Chakora Satakarni	(r. 77 – 78 CE)
22	Shivasvati	(r. 78 – 106 CE)
23	Gautamiputra Satkarni	(r. 106 – 130 CE)
24	Vasisthiputraaka Pulumavi III	(r. 130 – 158 CE)
25	Shiva Sri Satakarni	(r. 158 – 165 CE)
26	Shivaskanda Satakarni	(r. 165–172)
27	Sri Yajna Satakarni	(r. 172 – 201 CE)
28	Vijaya Satakarni	(r. 201 – 207 CE)
29	Chandra Sri Satakarni	(r. 207 – 214 CE)
30	Pulumavi IV	(r. 217 – 224 CE)

Mid-Chronology of Satavahana rulers

Apart from the two traditional views (long and short chronologies) there is another kind of analysis pointing out to a "Mid-Chronology", as it was already proposed by Dr. Dehejia and others, and particularly most recently by Shailendra Bhandare, who regards Satavahana's rule extended more than three centuries (c. 150 BCE to 250 CE)with the flourish of trans-national trade, urbanism and monumental architecture in South India.

Bhandare regards Simuka to have ruled since around 160–150 BCE and that this date would still fit in well with Pargiter's 460 years to the Satavahanas, as it would fix the end of the dynasty around 300 CE, not too far from the mid-3rd century as consensus approximately lies.Regarding Siri Satakani and his wife Naganika, Bhandhare considers their rule to have been somewhere around 110 +/- 20 BCE.

List by Shailendra Bhandare

Bhandare also suggests the following sequence of reigns, based on his analysis of Satavahana coinage:

• Gautamiputa Satakani (ca. 60–85 CE)
• Vasithiputa Siri Pulumayi (ca. 85–125 CE)
• Vasithiputa Siri Satakani (ca. 125–152 CE)
• Vasithiputa Siva Siri Pulumayi (ca. 152–160 CE)
• Vasithiputa Siri Khada Satakani (ca. 160–165 CE)
• Vasithiputa Vijaya Satakani (ca. 165–170 CE)
• Siri Yaña Satakani (ca. 170–200 CE)
• Gotamiputa Siri Cada (ca. 200–215 CE)
• Gotamiputa Siri Vijaya Satakani (ca. 215–225 CE)

Shailendra Bhandare's edited list by Andrew Ollett

On the other hand, based to a large degree on Shailendra Bhandare's work, with slight corrections, Andrew Ollett (2017) mentions the following reigns for the whole Satavahana dynasty:

• Vasisthiputra Sri Chimuka Satavahana (ca. 120–96 BCE)
• Krsna (ca. 96–88 BCE)
• SriSatakarni(ca. 88–42 BCE)
• Sakti
• Mantalaka
• Sundara
• Gautamiputra Siva Satakarni (?–60 CE)
• Gautamiputra Sri Satakarni (ca. 60–84 CE)
• Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi (ca. 84–119 CE)
• Vasisthiputra Sri Satakarni (ca. 119–148 CE)
• Vasisthiputra Sivasri Pulumavi (ca. 148–156 CE)
• Vasisthiputra Sriskanda Satakarni (ca. 156–170 CE)
• Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni (ca. 171–199 CE)
• Gautamiputra Srivijaya Satakarni (ca. 200–205 CE)
• Vasisthiputra Sricanda Satakarni (ca. 206–220 CE)
• Mathariputra Sri Pulumavi (ca. 220–230 CE)

See also

• Magadha
• History of India
• History of Hinduism
• List of Indian monarchs
• List of wars involving India

References

Sources

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External links

• Media related toSatavahanaat Wikimedia Commons