Ancient History of India : OLD NCERT Short Notes or Revision : CHAPTER-21 : The Satavahana Phase (Arora IAS) OLD NCERT Notes (Ancient India)

Successors of the Mauryas: The Satavahanas

Origin and Expansion:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Official language: Prakrit
Inscriptions: Prakrit in Brahmi script (like Ashoka)
Possible literary contribution:
- Gathasattasai (700 Prakrit verses) attributed to King Hala