The Satavahana dynasty rose to power from the Deccan around 3rd century BC. Nearly the whole of present day Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and South India were under Satavahana law. They remained in power for around 400 years. Pratishthan Pura or present day Paithan was the initial capital of the Satavahanas. The rulers of this dynasty were followers of Brahmanism and started granting lands to Brahmins.

 

During Ashoka’s reign, he had divided the administration of his kingdom among the governors. One of Such governor was appointed to rule the Deccan region. Satavahana was the name of the governor who ruled the southern region of the empire under the Mauryan suzerainty. After the death of Ashoka, within a short time Simukha, the elder son of Satavahana carved out a partial independent kingdom by early 3rd century which eventually emerged as Satavahana Empire. A reference to the Sātavāhanas by the Greek voyager Megasthenes shows that they had 100,000 infantry and 1,000 elephants which shows they were warriors.

 

Simuka (228BC-205BC)

He was the elder son of Satavahana. He inherited a Vassal state, the southern region of the Mauryan empire from his father. He was also known as Sisuka, Sindhuka and Shivamukha. He was a tributary king during his initial reign and contemporary of Samprati Maurya and Salisuka Maurya.

Taking the advantage of weak Mauryan rulers, Simuka declared independence by establishing a new dynasty centered at Pratishthana Puram. His kingdom was extended from the east coast to present day Andhra-Maharashtra border. He was killed by his brother as he became wicked in his last year of power.

 

Kanha (205BC-187BC)

He was the younger son of Satavahana and was also known as Krishna. He ascended the throne as his brother Simuka’s son was minor. He extended the kingdom upto Nasik. He commissioned Buddhist caves at Nasik, favouring  Mahamatra officials of the Mauryan empire. During his last years he conquered south Indian regions.

 

Satakarni I (187BC-177BC)

He was the son of Simuka and ascended after his uncle’s death. He was also called as Sri Satakarni. He performed Ashwamedha to extend the kingdom. He conquered western Malwa region from Shungas. His kingdom extended from Vindhyas to Konkan. His rule lasted only for a short period and his wife Nayanika took control of the kingdom after his death.

 

Nayanika, was daughter of Maharathi Thanakayiro Kalalaya, who was scion of Ambiya family. She ruled as the regent for her elder son Vedisri for nearly 10years. Nayanika or Naganika inserted an inscription at Naneghat caves in Junnar, near Pune, which gives the complete information of the dynasty and her husband Satakarni I.

Naganika’s Naneghat inscription is considered as the funeral oration of a depressed wife. In the inscription of Naganika it is mentioned that Satakarni I was a brave and kind ruler. He performed Ashwamedha and Rajasuya Yagas many times and was titled “Apratithatachakra”. He is credited as “Dakshinapatheshwara” whose kingdom was from Narmada to Tungabhadra.

 

Purnotsanga (167BC-159BC)

The elder son Vedisri died during his minor age and the younger son succeeded his father.

Satisri also known as Purnotsanga, was the younger son of Satakarni I and Naganika. He ruled the Kingdom for a short period.

 

Skandasthambi (159BC-141BC)

Skandasthambi was Purnotsanga’s successor. There are no records available of his reign.

 

Satakarni II (141BC-85BC)

Satakarni II, the successor of Skandasthambi and was the greatest ruler of the dynasty. His reign of 56 years was the longest among the dynasty’s kings. He ended the reign of Shungas in the Avanthi region and occupied Ujjain. He annexed Kalinga after the death of Kharavela, the Mahameghavahana ruler. His kingdom extended upto Dahala, present day Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. He constructed the gateway to the Sanchi Stupa, which carried his name even today. His death was followed by the decline of the dynasty because of the attacks from Saka rulers.

 

Lambodara (85BC-67BC)

Lambodara was Satakarni II’s son who ruled for some years. His reign was not marked with any important events.

 

Apilaka (67BC-55BC)

Apilaka, son of Lambodara was the 8th ruler of the dynasty. His existence is known by large copper coins issued by him, which reads the legend as “Rano Siva Siri Apilakasa”. During his reign some territories on the western border have been conquered by the Sakas.

The rulers after Apilaka didn’t have any eventful reign. The list of kings followed by Apilaka were :

 

Meghasvati (55BC-37BC)

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Svati Satakarni (37BC-19BC): He annexed Magadha, by killing the last Kanva ruler Susharman

 

Skandasvati (19BC-12BC)

Mahendra Satakarni (12BC-9BC)

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Kuntala Satakarni (9BC-1BC): Sarvavarman, the author of the Prakrit work “Kantara Vyakarana” was present in his court.

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Svatikarna (1BC-1CE)

Pulumavi I (1CE-36CE)

 

Arishta Karna (36CE-61CE)

He was 16th ruler of the dynasty and contemporary of Western Kshatrapa ruler Bhumaka. Bhumaka conquered Gujarat and invaded Satavahana kingdom. Western Malwa region was lost during the last years of Arishta Karna’s rule, which was annexed by Western Satraps. Eventually the capital was shifted to Junnar near Pune.

 

Hala (61CE-66CE)

He was 17th ruler of the dynasty. He is mentioned in many literary works of the period such as “Saptasatakam”, “Lilavati” and “Abhidana Chintamani”. His minister Gunadhya was the author of “Brihat Katha”. Hala had the title “Kavi Vatsala” and he was the author of “Gaha Sattasai” which is now available in Sanskrit as “Gatha Saptha Sati”. It is a collection of erotic verses written in Maharashtri Prakrit.

 He sent his commander Vijayananda to Srilanka to collect tribute from the king Silamagha. The king accepted the Suzerainty of Satavahanas. The Srilankan princess Lilavati was married to King Hala.

Although hala ruled only for 5 years, he patronized literature, art and Music. Because of literary works of his reign, it was confirmed that although they were Brahmins, Satavahanas used Prakrit as their official language in opposition to the Western Satraps who had Sanskrit as their official language.

He lost northern regions of Gujarat, Mawa and Magadha regions to Kshatrapas. The decline of the Satavahanas started after the death of Satakarni II reached its peak during his successor’s reign. Hala’s successors subsequently lost many territories to their enemy Western Satraps.

His weak successors were:

 

Mandalaka (66CE-71CE)

Purindrasena (71CE-76CE)

Sundara Satakarni (76CE-77CE)

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Chakora Satakarni (77CE-78CE): 

The glory of Satavahana Empire was lost and the empire had shrunk to an extent of small state during his reign.

 

Sivasvati (78CE-106CE)

Sivasvati was the successor of Chakora Satakarni. He married a brave lady “Gautami Balasri”, daughter of a warrior official who gave birth to a great son.

During his reign the western satraps occupied Northern Maharashtra, Vidarbha and proceeded towards the capital near Pune. The king was forced to shift the capital to Pratishtana Pura.

 

Gautamiputra Satakarni (106CE-130CE)

Satakarni was the son of Sivasvati and Gautami Balasri. He was the first king to use metronymic Gautamiputra before his name, which was followed by his successors and the rulers of his time.

 

During his accession to the throne, the fortunes of the dynasty had reached the lowest. Nahapana, the Satrap ruler, had previously conquered most of the properties of Satavahanas in the west. Kanishka, the Kushan ruler was perhaps trying to penetrate from the east. Satakarni consolidated the army and attacked on Western Satraps. Gautamiputra satakarni not only re-occupied all the lost territories, but also carried the war to Nahapana’s dominions and conquered his provinces of Kathiawar and Kakura. He fought vigorously, defeated and killed Nahapana in the battle. He uprooted the Kshaharata family of Nahapana.

 

The caves excavated by Gautamiputra as well as Nahapana are located at Nasik. He granted lands at Tirasmi peak to the Buddhist monks, which were previously owned by Nahapana’s son-in-law Rishabhadatta or Ushavadatta. The Kshatrapi coins of Nahapana were issued, re struck with Satakarni’s impressions on them.

The administration during his time was according to Dharma Shastra and social customs. Satavahanas never believed in the divine rights of a king. Since the Empire was very vast, administration was on a feudal system. Women were honoured, given high education and allowed to take part in religious and social gatherings.

 

The Pandavleni caves, monasteries, chaityas of Nasik, Karle, Bhaja are specimens of his architectural love.

Guatamiputra Satakarni is well claimed to be the establisher of Satavahana dynasty’s glory.

 

Satakarni’s mother Balasri had inserted an inscription in Nasik which is dedicated to the achievement and life of her son. According to the inscription at Nasik cave no.2, Satakarni had defeated Sakas, Yavanas and Pahlavas in his reign. The extent of his kingdom comprised of present day Maharashtra, eastern Rajasthan, Malwa, Saurashtra, Upper Narmada, Vidarbha and Konkan region. Satakarni had the title of “Eka Brahmana”, “Dvija Kula Vardhana” and “Trisamudra Toyapita Vahana”

 

Vasishtiputra Pulumavi (130CE-158CE)

Pulumavi was the eldest son of Gautamiputra Satakarni. He had ruled the empire jointly with his father during the last years of Satakarni as he was bedridden. After the death of Satakarni, during his early reign, Gautami Balasri, his grandmother inserted the inscription at Nasik caves.

 

At the end of his father’s reign, he was defeated by Rudradaman I, of the Kardamaka family of Western Satraps. The Satraps had conquered Gujarat and western Malwa from Satavahanas. During his reign he was defeated by Rudradaman I twice. Due to the repeated attacks, he shifted the capital from Pratishtanapura to Amaravati in Andhra. During one of the last invasions by Rudradaman I, Pulumavi on his defeat agreed to arrange his brother’s marriage with Rudradaman’s daughter, which brought relief for some time.

Pulumavi could not extend his dominion as his father. He repaired the stupa at Amaravati. He is believed to have started trade relationships with Java & Sumatra islands.

 

Vasishtiputra Satakarni (158CE-165CE)

Vasishtiputra Satakarni was the youngest son of Gautamiputra Satakarni and brother of Vasishtiputra Pulumavi. He was also known as Sivasri Satakarni.

He had married Rudra Damanika, the daughter of Rudradaman I, the Satrap ruler on his brother’s order. The long standing rivalry between Satavahanas and Kshatrapas was kept under check for sometime by his marriage. The details of his wedding is discovered at Kanheri Cave inscription.

During his dispute of nomination to the throne between his sons, his father-in-law was involved and was defeated which seriously affected Satavahana power & prestige.

 

Sivaskanda Satakarni (165CE-172CE)

Sivaskanda Satakarni was the eldest son of Vasishtiputra Satakarni and Stepson of Rudra Damnika.

During his reign Satavahanas were defeated by Satraps and Northern Konkan and Northern Maharashtra were lost.

 

Yajnasri Satakarni (172CE-201CE)

Yajnasri Satakarni was the son of Vasishtiputra Satakarni and Rudra Damanika. He is credited as the last great ruler of the dynasty. He was also known as Gautamiputra Yajnasri Satakarni as Rudra Damanika was also called as Gautami.

 

He took advantage of the war of Succession between Jivadaman and his uncle Rudrasimha I in Westrn Satrap capital and occupied some of the lost territories. He was an able and ambitious ruler. He considerably retrieved the fallen glory of his dynasty. He ruled over the territory from Konkan to Andhra.

His inscriptions are found at Nasik, Konkan and at Chinna Ganjam in Andhra. He issued coins in which Ships were depicted as he was a lover of trade and navigation.

 

Buddhist monk “Nagarjuna” was present in his court and influenced him to build “sri Parvata Stupa” at NagarjunaKonda. The monk wrote “Suhrulekha” and dedicated it to the ruler. The monk Nagarjuna is considered as Second Thataghata or Second Buddha and Madhyamika, Shunyata philosophies were developed by him. The monk is also considered as Indian Einstein because of his concept of the theory of Relativity. 

 

Vijaya Satakarni (201CE-207CE)

Vijaya Satakarni also known as Gautamiputra Vijaya Satakarni was younger brother of Yajnasri Satakarni.

 

Chandra Sri Satakarni (207CE-217CE)

Chandra Sri Satakarni was son of Vijaya Satakarni. He is also known as Vasishtiputra Sri Chandra Satakarni.

The Vassals of the empire broke away and established independent kingdoms during is reign

 

Pulumavi III (217CE-225CE)

He was the last ruler of the dynasty. The relation between him and the previous ruler is not known. He was also known as Mathariputra Sri Pulumavi. Some Buddhist structures were constructed during his reign at NagarjunaKonda and Amaravati. After his death, the kingdom was divided between the Vassals which ended the Glory and existence of the Dynasty.

 

Some of the architectural works of Satavahanas

Amaravti Stupa, Nagarjuna Konda Stupa, paintings at caves IX & X of Ajantha, Inscriptions at Pandavaleni caves of Nasik, Naneghat inscription by Balasri at Junnar, Gateway at Stupa.

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