Satavahana Dynasty and Culture

• 05 May 2025

For Prelims: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Inscriptions, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Mahayana Buddhism, Karle Chaitya, Nasik Viharas, Amaravati Stupa, Coins. 

For Mains: Contribution of Satavahana dynasty in polity, economy, inscriptions, religious patronage, and cultural sphere. 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has documented 11 ancient inscriptions in Peddapalli, Telangana belonging to the Satavahana dynasty.  

• Written in Brahmi script and Prakrit language, these 1st BCE–6th CE inscriptions offer key insights into the Satavahana era and early Deccan politics and culture. 
• The inscriptions confirm Telangana as part of Asmaka, one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas, highlighting its historic role and early ties to major dynasties. 

What are the Key Facts Regarding the Satavahana Dynasty? 

• About: The Satavahanas (1st century BC to the early 3rd century AD) succeeded the Mauryas in the Deccan and central India, with early rule centered in north Maharashtra (upper Godavari valley) and later expanding to Karnataka and Andhra. 
  • They are identified with the Andhras mentioned in the Puranas, though inscriptions do not use this name. 

• Important Rulers: 

Ruler	Reign Period	Key Achievements
Simuka	60 BC- 37 BC	Founder of the Satavahana dynasty and is mentioned as the first king in a list of royals in a Satavahana at Naneghat inscription.
Gautamiputra Satakarni	AD 106–130	Regarded as the greatest Satavahana ruler.
		Defeated the Shakas and destroyed the Kshaharata lineage (ruled by Nahapana).
		The empire extended from Malwa in the north to Karnataka in the south.
		Coins of Nahapana (Kshaharata ruler) were re-struck by Gautamiputra, symbolizing conquest.
Vashishthiputra Pulumayi	AD 130–154	Shifted capital to Paithan (Pratishthan) on the Godavari.
		Brought Andhra into the Satavahana fold.  Rudradaman (Western Kshatrapas dynasty) fought many wars with the Satavahanas, but to stop the conflict, Vashishtiputra Satakarni, son of King Pulumavi, married Rudradaman's daughter.
Yajna Sri Satakarni	AD 165–194	Regained lost territories in north Konkan and Malwa.
		Patron of trade and navigation; his coins depict ships.
		His reign marked the peak of maritime trade.

• Material Culture: Iron tools like hoes, ploughshares, and arrowheads were widespread, with smelting sites in Karimnagar and Warangal.  
• Agriculture: Iron tools and paddy transplantation boosted farming, making the Krishna-Godavari delta a major rice region.  
  • Cotton production, noted by Pliny (author of Natural History), was a hallmark of Andhra. 
• Urbanisation and Trade: Peddabankur (200 BCE–200 CE) featured brick structures, wells, and covered underground drainage. Pliny noted 30 walled towns in the eastern Deccan (Andhra region). 
  • The surge in trade is reflected in the spread of Roman and Satavahana coins in the Krishna-Godavari region. 
• Coins: Coins featured Prakrit inscriptions and symbols like ships with two masts, elephants (strength), lions (power), star pattern, Chaitya, and Dharmachakra. 
  • Coins were issued in lead, potin (a mixture of copper, lead, and tin), copper, and bronze, while gold was used as bullion. 
• Social Organization: The Satavahanas, originally a Deccan tribe, became brahmanized, with Gautamiputra Satakarni re-establishing the varna system disrupted by Shakas. 
  • The Satavahana dynasty showed matrilineal influence, with kings named after their mothers, but it remained patriarchal, with succession passing to the male heir. 
  • Craft and commerce flourished, with merchants, and artisans, especially gandhikas (perfumers) donating to Buddhist causes.  
• Administration: The 3-tier feudal system consisted of the Raja (King), who could issue coins, the Mahabhoja (second-rank rulers), and the Senapati (military chiefs with local authority). 
  • Districts (Ahara or Rashtra) governed by Mahamatras (officials). 
  • Military-based governance: 
    • Senapati (commander) acted as provincial governor. 
    • Gaulmika (military officer) maintained rural law and order. 
  • Military camps (Kataka, Skandhavara) served as administrative centers. 
  • The Roman historian Pliny noted that the Andhra kingdom (Satavahanas) had a large army with infantry, cavalry, and elephants, reflecting their military strength. 
• Religion: The Satavahana rulers, as Brahmanas, promoted Brahmanism, performing Vedic sacrifices like ashvamedha and vajapeya, and worshipping Vaishnava gods such as Krishna and Vasudeva. 
  • The Satavahanas supported Buddhism, granting land to monks in Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati, where Mahayana Buddhism thrived. 
  • The Satavahanas were the first to grant land to Brahmanas, but they granted land more often to Buddhist monks. 
• Architecture: The Satavahanas are known for their rock-cut architecture, with notable examples like the Karle Chaitya and Nasik Viharas. 
  • The Amaravati Stupa was reconstructed during the Satavahana period, featuring intricate sculptures of the Buddha's life. 
  • The Satavahanas patronised Buddhist art and architecture, as seen in the Ajanta Caves 9 and 10, and actively promoted the Amravati School of Art, known for its intricate and narrative sculptures. 
  • Inscriptions from Naneghat in Maharashtra highlight the dynasty’s religious patronage, particularly towards Buddhism, mentioning tax exemptions on lands granted to Buddhist monks. 
  • Nagarjunakonda prospered most in the second–third centuries under the patronage of the Ikshvakus, the successors of the Satavahanas.  
• Language: The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit, and their inscriptions were written in the Brahmi script. 
  • Gathasattasai (Gathasaptasati), a Prakrit text attributed to King Hala, is an important literary work from this period, containing 700 verses. 
• Decline: The dynasty declined around the 3rd century AD, and was succeeded by the Ikshvakus in eastern Deccan, who continued several Satavahana traditions, especially in Buddhist patronage.  
  • Later, the Pallavas rose to prominence in the southern region. 

Conclusion  

The discovery of Satavahana inscriptions in Telangana provides valuable insights into the dynasty’s political, religious, and cultural impact. The Satavahanas, renowned for their military strength, support for Buddhism, and matrilineal influences, significantly contributed to the development of trade, urbanization, and the shaping of early Deccan history. After their decline, the Ikshvakus emerged as their successors in the eastern Deccan, continuing many of their administrative and cultural traditions, especially the patronage of Buddhism. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Q. Examine the socio-political structure of the Satavahana dynasty, focusing on their administration, military system, and feudal relationships. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Prelims

Q. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? (2020)

“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.” 

(a) Ashoka 

(b) Samudragupta 

(c) Harshavardhana 

(d) Krishanadeva Raya 

Ans: (a)

Q. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? (2019) 

(a) Kanganahalli 

(b) Sanchi 

(c) Shahbazgarhi 

(d) Sohgaura 

Ans: (a)

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Mains 

Q. Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. (2013)