CHAPTER-21 : The Satavahana Phase
Ancient History of India
OLD NCERT
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Successors of the Mauryas: The Satavahanas
Origin and Expansion:
- Successors to Mauryas in Deccan and Central India (after a 100-year gap).
- Considered descendants of the Andhras mentioned in Puranas.
- Gradually expanded into Karnataka and Andhra.
Struggles with the Shakas:
- Main rivals were Shakas who controlled upper Deccan and western India.
- Gautamiputra Satakarni (106-130 AD) revived Satavahana power:
- Defeated Shakas and many Kshatriya rulers.
- Ended the Shaka Kshaharata lineage (including Nahapana).
- Expanded empire to Malwa, Kathiawar, possibly Andhra.
Later Satavahanas:
- Ruled until 220 AD.
- Vashishthiputra Pulumayi (130-154 AD):
- Ruled from Paithan (Pratishthan) on the Godavari River.
- Andhra became part of the Satavahana kingdom.
- Continued conflict with Shakas for Konkan coast and Malwa.
- Yajna Sri Satakarni (165-194 AD):
- Last great Satavahana king.
- Recovered north Konkan and Malwa from Shakas.
- Patron of trade and navigation.
- Decline and Fall: Successors couldn’t maintain the empire. Destroyed by 220 AD.
The Satavahanas: Material Culture and Social Organization
Material Culture:
- Blend of local Deccan and northern influences.
- Ironworking:
- Megalith builders used iron.
- Blacksmith’s shop found in Karimnagar district.
- Satavahanas may have exploited local iron ores.
- Gold:
- Evidence of ancient gold workings in Kolar fields.
- Satavahanas used gold but didn’t issue gold coins (unlike Kushans).
- Construction:
- Regular use of fire-baked bricks at Peddabankur (200 BC – 200 AD).
- Flat, perforated roof tiles more common under Satavahanas than Kushans.
- Many brick wells from the 2nd century discovered at Peddabankur.
Social Organization:
- Brahmanical Influences:
- Satavahanas claimed Brahmin status despite tribal origins.
- Gautamiputra Satakarni:
- Described himself as a Brahmin.
- Claimed to have re-established the varna system.
- First rulers to make land grants to Brahmins.
- Artisans:
- Gandhakas (perfumers) mentioned as donors in inscriptions.
- “Gandhi” derived from the term “gandhika” (became general term for shopkeeper).
- Importance of Mothers:
- Kings often named after mothers (e.g., Gautamiputra, Vashishthiputra).
- Suggests high status for mothers in Satavahana society.
The Satavahanas: Administration and Religion
Administration:
- Inherited structures from Mauryas:
- Districts (ahara)
- Officials (amatya, mahamatra)
- Administrative divisions (rashtra)
- High officials (maharashtrika)
- Rural administration:
- Gaulmika – head of military regiment (9 chariots, 9 elephants, 25 horses, 45 foot soldiers)
- Maintained peace and order
- Military influence:
- Terms like “kataka” and “skandhavara” used for military camps and settlements
- Coercion as a key element
Feudalism:
- Introduced tax-free land grants to Brahmins and Buddhist monks.
- Three grades of feudatories:
- Raja (highest grade, king with right to mint coins)
- Mahabhoja
- Senapati
- Enjoyed some local authority
Religion:
- Promoted Brahmanism:
- Rulers performed Vedic sacrifices.
- Worshipped Vaishnava gods (Krishna, Vasudeva).
- Supported Buddhism:
- Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati (AP) flourished under Satavahanas and Ikshvakus.
- Nasik and Junar (Maharashtra) supported by traders.
Satavahana Architecture
Rock-cut Architecture (Maharashtra):
- Chaitya (shrine): large halls with columns (e.g., Karle Chaitya – 40m long, 15m wide, 15m high)
- Vihara (monastery): central hall with a verandah entrance (e.g., Nasik caves with inscriptions from 1st-2nd century AD)
Stupas (Andhra Pradesh):
- Large round structures built over Buddhist relics.
- Amaravati Stupa:
- Begun around 200 BC, reconstructed in 2nd century AD.
- 53m diameter at base, 33m tall.
- Decorated with sculptures depicting Buddha’s life.
- Nagarjunakonda (under Satavahana successors, Ikshvakus):
- Flourished 2nd-3rd century AD.
- Both Buddhist monuments and early Brahmanical brick temples.
- Nearly 20 monasteries, stupas, and mahachaityas.
Satavahana Language
- Official language: Prakrit
- Inscriptions: Prakrit in Brahmi script (like Ashoka)
- Possible literary contribution:
- Gathasattasai (700 Prakrit verses) attributed to King Hala