Satvanha dynasty detail explanation
Satavahana Dynasty
Satavahana Dynasty was an ancient Indian Dynasty based in the Deccan. The term “Satvahana” originated from the Prakrit which means” driven by seven” which is an implication of the Sun God’s chariot that is driven by seven horses as per Hindu mythology. The Sunga dynasty came to an end around 73 BCE when their ruler Devabhuti was killed by Vasudeva Kanva. The Kanva dynasty then ruled over Magadha for about 45 years. Around this time, another powerful dynasty, the Satavahanas came to power in the Deccan area. Pratishthan, which is also known as Paithan, was the capital of Satavahana kingdom. It is located on the banks of the river Godavari in Aurangabad district. The Satavahana was an important successor to the Mauryan Dynasty. The Satavahanas ruled for about 450 years. They were also referred to as Andhras in the puranas.After the death of Ashoka, it was difficult for his successors to maintain the vast empire. Soon the provinces started to declare independence. As a result, the Mauryan lost hold over North-west and it faced a series of foreign invasions. Kalinga declared its independence and the Satavahanas established their rule in the far south.
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| Satvahana Dynasty Mindmap |
Satavahana Dynasty – Political History
Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana Dynasty.Simuka was followed by Krishna, under whom the kingdom was extended till Nasik. Sri Satakarni was the third ruler of the Satavahana Dynasty. Berar and western Malwa was conquered by him. Ashvamedha sacrifices were performed by him for his victory in the war. The early Satavahana rulers were based in North Maharashtra and their successors gradually extended the power over Andhra and Karnataka. The Mauryan were succeeded immediately by the Sungas in the North. The last ruler of the Sungas Dynasty, Devabooti, was murdered by his minister Vasudeva Kanva. Thus, Sungas were followed by Kanvas in the North. However, in Deccan and Central India, the Mauryas were succeeded by the natives, Satavahanas. ‘Andhras’ mentioned in the Puranas are considered to be identical with the Satavahanas. According to the puranas the Andhras are believed to have ruled for 300 years, which is assigned to the satavahana Dynasty. Gautamiputra Satakarni (A.D. 106 – 130) is considered to be the greatest king of the Satavahana Dynasty. He defeated the Shakas and he claimed that the kshatriya ruler Nahapana was destroyed by him. This is evident from the silver coins of Nahapana which were restricted by Gautamiputra satakarni. The Satavahana empire under him extended from Malwa in the North to Karnataka in the South. His achievements are mentioned in the Nasik inscription by his mother Gautami Balasri. He called himself the only brahmana. He adopted the title, Dakshina Pathapati. Vashishtiputra Pulumayi (A.D. 130 – 154) was the immediate successor of Gautamiputra satakarni. He extended the Satavahana Dynasty up to the mouth of river Krishna. His coins and inscriptions were found in Andhra and thus evident that around the second century Andhra too came under Satavahana Dynasty. He set up the capital of the Satavahana empire at Pratishthan in the district of Aurangabad. Post Mauryan age was known for invasions from outside the successors of Vashishti Putra Pulumayi were Vashishtiputra Satakarni and Shivaskanda Satakarni. Satavahanas were defeated twice by the Shaka ruler of Saurashtra, Rudradaman I. Yajna Sri Satakarni ( A.D. 165 – 194) was one of the later rulers of the Dynasty. He recaptured the North Konkan and Malwa from the Shakas. His coins had ships represented, which shows his love for trade and navigation. Hala was the seventeenth king of the Satavahana Dynasty. He wrote a book called Gathasaptasati, which is also known as Sattasai.
Satavahana Dynasty – Administration
The administration of the Satavahana Dynasty was based on Dharmashastras. Satvahana administration empire was divided into various parts: - janapadas (province)governed by royal princess, aharas (district) governed by amatyas, gramas (villages) governed by gramikas.The districts in Satavahana empire were known as ahara and their officials were known as mahamatras and amatyas. Senapathi was appointed as the provincial governor. The military regiment consisted of 25 horses, 9 chariots, 9 elephants and 45 cavalries. The head of the regiment was known as Gaulmika, who administered the rural areas. The Satavahana rule was of military character which is evident from the usage of terms such as kataka and skandhavaras. The kingdom had three grades of feudatories. First grade was formed by the King (Raja) Second grade was formed by Mahabhoja. Third grade was formed by Senapati. The Brahmanas and Buddist monks were granted tax free villages and cultivated fields, which eventually became independent Islands within the kingdom. The society was made stable by enforcing Varna system.
Satavahana Dynasty – Society
Satavahana Dynasty followed a Patriarchal society, but there are some traces that show matrilineal structure was followed by Satavahanas. It was a custom for the kings to be named after their mother. This shows the importance given to the women in Satavahanas period. The four-fold Varna system was claimed to be established by Gautamiputra Satakarni. Their was caste and class hierarchy during satvana period .
1 Classes: - Mahabhoja, maharathis, mahasenapatis.
2 class: - amatyas, mahamatras, bhandhgarikas and others non official like merchants, head of traders, chief of the trade guild.
3 class: - physicians, goldsmith, cultivator, scriptwriter.
4 class: -gardener, carpenter, fisherman, blacksmith.
Satavahana Dynasty – Economy
Trade and industry made remarkable progress during the Satavahana reign. Guilds were organised by the merchants in order to increase the activity. The rulers of Satavahana Dynasty mostly issued the lead coins and even copper, bronze money were issued .The art of paddy transplantation was known to the people of the Deccan. The Krishna-Godavari doab was made into a great rice bowl for about two centuries. Andhra was known for cotton production and its products. There was an increasing trade which is evident from the Roman and Satavahana coins.
Satavahana Dynasty – Religion
The Satavahanas were Brahmanas. Ashvamedha vajapeya (Horse sacrifice) was performed by the kings and queens of the Satavahana Dynasty. Vaishnava gods such as Krishna and Vasudeva were worshipped largely by the Satavahanas. Tax free lands were given to the Buddist monks by the rulers and promoted Buddhism. Mahayana form of Buddhism was followed widely in the Satavahana empire.
Satavahana Dynasty – Architecture
Chaitya and Vihara were the most common religious structures that were constructed by the Satavahana Dynasty. Karle in western Deccan is the most famous chaitya constructed by Satavahanas. Inscriptions of Nahapana and Gautamiputra are kept at three viharas in Nasik. Under the reign of Satavahana Dynasty Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati became the seat of Bhuddhist culture. The most important stupas of this period are Amravati and Nagarjunakonda. The Amaravati stupa is full of sculptures that depict the various scenes from the life of the Buddha. The Nagarjunakonda stupa contains Buddhist monuments and also the earliest Brahmanical brick temples. During satvana period new caves at Nashik, karle, kaneri cave in Deccan. Amaravati stupa was also created in this period. Bhaje cave created by hinyana sect (Buddhism).
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