Chiefs and Kings in the South

  • The new kingdoms that emerged in the Deccan and further south, including the kingdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Tamilakam (the name of the ancient Tamil Country), became stable and prosperous.
  • In Deccan and Central India, covering parts of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the Mauryas were succeeded by the Satavahanas.
  • The Satavahanas were also known as the Andhras.
  • Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty
  • Powerful Satavahana rulers: Satakarni I, Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni (the greatest of the Satavahanas), Sri Yojna Satakarni.
  • The Satavahanas have been mentioned in the Aitareya Brahmana and Kathasaritsagar (written by Somadeva).
  • The Satavahana king Hala was a poet and is said to have composed Gathasaptasati (also called the Sattasi), an anthology of 700 erotic verses in Maharashtri or Paisachi Prakrit.
  • Coins minted by the Satavahanas were in silver, lead and alloy of copper.
  • The portrait of the king and his name were inscribed on the silver coin.
  • Sri Satakarni I performed two Asvamedha sacrifices and several Vedic sacrifices.
  • The kingdom was famous for the production of rice and cotton.
  • The Satavahanas began the practice of land grants to Brahmans and Buddhist monks.
  • Buddhism flourished throughout the Satavahana period.
  • Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh became i mpor t ant Buddhi st cent r es under t he Satavahanas.
  • Brahmanism also flourished under the Satavahanas.
  • Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most powerful ruler of the Satavahanas and a supporter of Brahmans.
  • During this period, the Hindu gods were Indra, Vasudeva, the Sun and the Moon, Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Ganesha and Pashupati.
  • Gautamiputra Satakarni was succeeded by his son, Vasistiputra Pulomavi.
  • The Satavahana kings patronised Prakrit.
  • Rudradaman-I, the Saka ruler, defeated the Satavahanas twice.
  • The Satavahanas had a matriarchal society.
  • Their coins were predominantly of copper and lead; however, silver issues are also known.
  • They contributed a few Ajanta paintings.
  • Attacks of Sakas of Ujjaini, Abhiras of Nasik area, Ikshuakus of t he east, etc. caused t he col lapse of Satavahanas.