{"id":3565,"date":"2026-03-02T07:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T02:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=3565"},"modified":"2026-03-20T17:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T12:13:12","slug":"satavahana-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/satavahana-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Satavahana Era"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emergence of Satavahanas<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

The most important of the\u00a0native successors of the\u00a0<\/strong>Mauryas<\/strong>\u00a0in the north were the Shungas,\u00a0followed by the\u00a0<\/strong>Kanvas<\/strong>. In the Deccan and central India, the Satavahanas succeeded the Mauryas, although after a gap of about 100 years in the\u00a0first century BCE<\/strong>. They ruled over parts of Andhra, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. They were also known as the\u00a0Andhras<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Map: Satavahans<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Satavahana Dynasty - Rulers and their Contributions<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Period:\u00a060 BC - 225 AD<\/strong><\/td>\r\nCapital:\u00a0Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amravati\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Sources<\/strong>: The\u00a0Puranas and inscriptions<\/strong>\u00a0remain important sources for the history of Satavahanas.<\/li>\r\n\t
  • It majorly comprised present Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana. The early Satavahana kings appeared in Maharashtra and later in Andhra.<\/li>\r\n\t
  • Deccan state:<\/strong>\u00a0For the first time, a prominent state covering a major part of the Deccan was established.\r\n\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • Several rock-cut caves dedicated to the Buddha sangha bear evidence that they were situated in the trade routes linking the interior to the coastal parts of the Konkan region.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
    • It was also a period of brisk\u00a0Indo- Roman trade.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Simuka (60 BC- 37 BC)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Founder\u00a0<\/strong>of the Satavahana dynasty and is mentioned as the first king in a list of royals in a Satavahana at\u00a0Naneghat inscription<\/u><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Also referred to as Balipuccha in some texts.<\/li>\r\n\t
  • He was succeeded by his brother\u00a0Kanha\u00a0<\/strong>(Krishna).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Satakarni I (70- 60 BC)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Sources<\/strong>: Described as\u00a0Dakshinapathapati\u00a0<\/strong>in the\u00a0Naneghat inscription<\/strong>, which was written by his wife, Nayanika.\r\n\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • Mentioned in the\u00a0Hathigumpha inscription<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0of Kharvela.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Conquered western\u00a0Malwa\u00a0<\/strong>from Shungas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Hala<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Sources<\/strong>: Mentioned in\u00a0Matsya Purana<\/strong>\u00a0as the 17th ruler of the Satavahana dynasty.<\/li>\r\n\t
  • Literature<\/strong>: Compiled \u201cThe\u00a0Gatha Sattasai<\/strong>\u201d, a collection of poems.\r\n\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • Gunadhya\u00a0<\/strong>(composed\u00a0Brihatkatha<\/strong>) was a scholar in his court.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Gautamiputra Satakarni (106-130 AD):<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Sources and titles::<\/strong>\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • Described as Ekabrahman in\u00a0Nasik\u00a0<\/strong>(by his mother, Gautami Balashri) and\u00a0Nanaghad\u00a0<\/strong>inscriptions.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Title of Kshatriyadarpa Mardana (Destroyer of the Pride of Kshatriyas) in<\/strong>\u00a0Nasik inscription.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Known as the destroyer of the Sakas, Pahlavas and Yavanas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Patronage to Brahmins:<\/strong>\u00a0He patronised Brahmanism, but he also donated land to the Buddhist monks.\u00a0Karle inscription<\/strong>\u00a0mentions the grant of a village by him to the Buddhist monks.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Expansion of the empire<\/strong>: His rule extended from Malwa and Saurashtra in the north to Krishna River in the south and from Konkan in the west to Vidarbha in the east.\r\n\r\n
        \r\n\t
      • He captured the whole of Deccan and expanded his empire. His victory over Nagapana, the ruler of Malwa, was remarkable.<\/li>\r\n\t
      • According to the\u00a0Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman \u2160<\/strong>, he was defeated by Kardamaka ruler Rudradaman I, a Western Kshatrapa dynasty.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Vashishtaputra Pulamayi (130 \u2013 154 AD)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Sources<\/strong>:\u00a0Karla Caves' inscription<\/strong>\u00a0has mentioned him. His marriage with the daughter of Rudradaman \u2160 is mentioned in\u00a0Junagadh inscriptions.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Contribution<\/strong>: He extended his reign up to the mouth of the\u00a0Krishna Rive<\/strong>r and issued\u00a0coins\u00a0<\/strong>with images of ships inscribed on them.\r\n\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • He repaired the old\u00a0Amaravathi stupa<\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Yajna Sri Satakarni (165 \u2013 194 AD)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\t
  • Sources<\/strong>: The inscriptions at\u00a0Kanheri Caves<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0mention his reign.<\/li>\r\n\t
  • Expansion of the empire<\/strong>: He was the last great ruler of Satavahanas. He conquered Kokan and Malwa from the Shaka rulers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

    Table - Satavahanas Dynasty<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    Art and Architecture during Satavahanas<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Art and Architecture<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    \r\n
      \r\n\t
    • As the Satavahanas acted as a\u00a0bridge between North and South India<\/strong>, similarly, their material culture was a fusion of both local Deccan elements as well as northern ingredients.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Contributions: Caves 9 and 10 of Ajanta paintings<\/strong>\u00a0were patronised by Satavahana.\r\n\r\n
        \r\n\t
      • They patronised and promoted\u00a0the Amravati School of Art.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
      • They\u00a0enlarged Ashokan Stupas<\/strong>\u00a0and replaced the earlier bricks and wood with stone.\u00a0Example: Amaravati Stupa and the Nagarjunakonda Stupa.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
      • Development of rock-cut architecture:<\/strong>Chaityas and viharas\u00a0<\/strong>were cut from solid rock in north-western Deccan. Chaitya was a place of worship, whereas Vihara (monastery) was a place of residence for monks. Eg.\u00a0Karle Chaitya<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0Ajanta Caves<\/u>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    \r\n

    Amravati School of Art (Andhra Pradesh)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

    		\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • Nature<\/strong>: It was developed\u00a0indigenously<\/strong>\u00a0and not influenced by external cultures.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Material used<\/strong>: White marble.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Theme<\/strong>: It mainly had a\u00a0Buddhist\u00a0<\/strong>influence.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Sculptures are generally part of narrative art, so there is less emphasis on the individual features of Buddha. The sculptures generally depict the life stories of Buddha and the Jataka tales.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Location<\/strong>: It developed in the\u00a0Krishna-Godavari<\/strong>\u00a0lower valley, in and around\u00a0Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    \r\n

    Amravati Stupa (Andhra Pradesh)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

    		\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • Discovery<\/strong>: It was discovered by\u00a0Colin Mackenzie<\/strong>\r\n
        \r\n\t
      • Amravati Stupa was\u00a0built during the 3rd century BC<\/strong>\u00a0by Satvahanas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
      • Features<\/strong>: The\u00a0domical stupa structure<\/strong>\u00a0is covered with a relief stupa sculpture slab which is a unique feature.\r\n\r\n
          \r\n\t
        • Themes<\/strong>: The sculptures on stupas are drawn on themes based on\u00a0Jataka and other Buddhist stories<\/strong>. The dream of Queen Mayadevi is also depicted here.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
        • Patrons<\/strong>:\u00a0Ikshvakus\u00a0<\/strong>were responsible for building the stupas at Nagarjunakonda and their equally beautiful carvings.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

          Table - Art and architecture during Satavahanas\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

          Polity and Administration\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
            \r\n\t
          • Nature:\u00a0<\/strong>Satavahans\u00a0retained some of the administrative features of Mauryas.\u00a0<\/strong>The king was represented as the upholder of dharma. They had\u00a0a decentralised\u00a0<\/strong>administration.\r\n\r\n
              \r\n\t
            • Aharas<\/strong>: sub-divisions of the Kingdom into districts (administered by Amatyas or Mahamatras).<\/li>\r\n\t
            • Rashtras:\u00a0<\/strong>The administrative divisions were also called\u00a0Rashtras,\u00a0<\/strong>and their officials were called\u00a0Maharashtrikas<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
            • Grama:\u00a0<\/strong>It was the lowest level of administration under the charge of a\u00a0Gramika or Gaulmika<\/strong>\u00a0(head of the military regiment consisting of nine chariots, nine elephants, twenty-five horses and forty-five-foot soldiers)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
            • Major officials<\/strong>\u00a0associated with the administration:\r\n\r\n
                \r\n\t
              • Senapati:\u00a0<\/strong>Provincial governor<\/li>\r\n\t
              • \u00a0Feudal system:\u00a0<\/strong>had three grades of feudatories:\r\n\r\n
                  \r\n\t
                • Raja ( had the right to strike coins),<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Mahabhoja<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Senapati.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Language:\u00a0<\/strong>The official language was\u00a0Prakrit,\u00a0<\/strong>but the script was\u00a0Brahmi<\/strong>. The Satavahanas also used\u00a0Sanskrit\u00a0<\/strong>in political inscriptions, but rarely.<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Military administration:\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n
                    \r\n\t
                  • Katakas and Skandhvaras:\u00a0<\/strong>These were the special military camps or cantonment areas.<\/li>\r\n\t
                  • Military strength: According to\u00a0Pliny<\/strong>, the Andhra kingdom maintained an army of 100,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry and 1000 elephants.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                  • The practice of tax-free villages:\u00a0<\/strong>The Satavahanas\u00a0started the practice of granting tax-free villages to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks.<\/strong>\u00a0The cultivated fields and villages granted to them were declared\u00a0free from intrusion by royal policemen, soldiers, and other royal officers.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
                  • Revenue was collected both in\u00a0cash and kind<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                    Economy\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

                    The period was known for remarkable progress in trade and economy.<\/p>\r\n

                      \r\n\t
                    • Progress in the fields of trade and industry:\u00a0<\/strong>Increased activities of organised merchant guilds\u00a0(Sethi)\u00a0<\/strong>were witnessed during this period.<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • Trade: Ptolemy\u00a0<\/strong>mentions many ports in the Deccan. (Western port: Kalyani; Eastern ports: Gandakasela and Ganjam)\r\n\r\n
                        \r\n\t
                      • Trade centres: Pratishthana and Tagara\u00a0<\/strong>were two important Satavahana trade centres mentioned by the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.\u00a0Sopara and Bharuch\u00a0<\/strong>were import trading outposts.<\/li>\r\n\t
                      • Import items:<\/strong>\u00a0wine, cloth, choice unguents, glass and sweet clover.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                      • Agriculture:\u00a0<\/strong>Economic expansion through the\u00a0intensification of agriculture<\/strong>\u00a0was done.\r\n\r\n
                          \r\n\t
                        • Paddy\u00a0<\/strong>transplantation was known, and other agricultural crops were being cultivated. In foreign accounts,\u00a0Andhra\u00a0<\/strong>was mentioned for its\u00a0cotton\u00a0<\/strong>products.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                        • Other occupations: Gandhikas<\/strong>\u00a0(perfumers) were mentioned as donors (a general term to connote all kinds of shopkeepers).<\/li>\r\n\t
                        • Extensive coinage system:<\/strong>\u00a0Issued\u00a0potin<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(a mixture of copper, tin and lead), copper and bronze coins. The Satavahana kings mostly used lead as a material for their coins. Silver coins, called\u00a0Karshapanas\u00a0<\/strong>were used for trade.\r\n\r\n
                            \r\n\t
                          • The coins were inscribed with animal motifs and\u00a0names of \u2018Satakarni\u2019 and \u2018Pulumavi\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0with different shapes.\r\n\r\n
                              \r\n\t
                            • On one side, most of the Satavahana coins had the figure of an elephant, horse, lion or Chaitya. The other side showed the\u00a0Ujjain symbol<\/strong>\u00a0- a cross with four circles at the end of the two crossing lines.\u00a0The dialect used was Prakrit.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                            • Other purposes<\/strong>: Although the coins were\u00a0devoid of any beauty or artistic merit<\/strong>, they constituted a valuable\u00a0source material for the dynastic history<\/strong>\u00a0of the Satavahanas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                              Religion and Society<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
                                \r\n\t
                              • Religion:\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n
                                  \r\n\t
                                • The Satavahana rulers were\u00a0Brahmanas<\/strong>, and they represented the march of triumphant Brahmanism.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                • They performed Vedic sacrifices such as Ashvamedha and Vajapeya paying liberal sacrificial fees to the Brahmanas.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                • They also worshipped a large number of\u00a0Vaishnava\u00a0<\/strong>gods, such as Krishna and Vasudeva.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                • They also patronised Buddhism by giving land grants to the monks.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                                • Society<\/strong>:<\/li>\r\n\t
                                • Social structure:<\/strong>\u00a0Varna and Ashrama systems continued to govern the society. The society consisted of four Varnas:\u00a0Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra.<\/strong>\r\n
                                    \r\n\t
                                  • Due to flourishing trade and commerce,\u00a0merchants and artisans formed an important social strata<\/strong>. Merchants generally named themselves after the towns to which they belonged.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                                  • Position of women:<\/strong>\u00a0The position of women was better compared to other kingdoms, as kings bore their mother\u2019s name instead of their fathers\u2019. This shows a\u00a0matrilineal social structure,\u00a0<\/strong>especially in the royal families.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
                                  • The emergence of\u00a0large settlements\u00a0<\/strong>was seen in fertile areas due to agricultural expansion.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                    Decline of Satavahana Period<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

                                    Various reasons mentioned below were collectively responsible for the decline of the Satvahana dynasty:<\/p>\r\n

                                      \r\n\t
                                    • Line of weak rulers:\u00a0<\/strong>Rulers after Yajnashri Satakarni were considered poor and weak. He was the last powerful Satavahana ruler.\r\n\r\n
                                        \r\n\t
                                      • Huge empire:<\/strong>\u00a0The kingdom was divided between Yajnasri Satakarni's successors, who were inefficient in handling a huge empire.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                                      • Loss of centralised power:\u00a0<\/strong>After the death of Yajna Satakarni and the rule of weak rulers, there was a rise of its feudatories, possibly as a result of a loss of centralised power.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                      • Division of empire:\u00a0<\/strong>The Satavahana empire broke up into five smaller kingdoms after the death of Pulumavi IV:<\/li>\r\n\t
                                      • Satavahanas kings were succeeded by the\u00a0Kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                        Satavahanas succeeded Mauryas & ruled over parts of Andhra, Maharashtra, Karnataka & Madhya Pradesh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":15512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[40,686],"class_list":{"0":"post-3565","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-quest-level-3","8":"tag-quest","9":"tag-satavahana-era"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3565"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20311,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3565\/revisions\/20311"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}