The Satavahanas: Legacy of Ancient Deccan Civilization

The Satavahanas, emerging in the 1st century BC in the Deccan region, succeeded the Mauryans in Central India. Ruling over areas including Andhra, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, they left a significant mark on Indian history. With notable rulers like Gautamiputra Satakarni and Vasishthiputra Pulumavi, they fostered a rich cultural and economic landscape, marked by metallurgy, agriculture, and trade.

The Satavahana Dynasty: Civilization, Administration, and Cultural Flourish in Ancient Deccan

The Emergence and Expansion of the Satavahanas

• Rise of the Satavahanas: Satavahanas rose in the 1st century BC in the Deccan region. They were the native successors of the Mauryans in Deccan and Central India.
• Origins of the Satavahanas: They are believed to be identical to the Andhras mentioned in the Puranas. The Satavahana kings are referred to as “Andhrabhrityah.” This term likely referred to an Andhra tribe.
• Territorial Dominion: They ruled over parts of Andhra, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. 
• Satavahana Expansion: The Satavahanas started to rule in the Telangana area and then moved to Maharashtra to rule in the Godavari basin, with Prathistan (Paithan in Maharashtra) as their capital. 
  • Later, they moved eastwards to control coastal Andhra.

Important Rulers

Material Culture Of Satavahana

• Metallurgy

• • Iron Tools: They used iron tools and extracted Iron ores from Karimnagar and Warangal in Telangana.
  • Gold as Bullion: They have used gold as bullion as they didn’t issue gold coins. 
  • Other Metals: They mainly used Lead, Potin, Copper, and Bronze for making coins.
  • Gold WOrking: Evidence of ancient gold workings is found in the Kolar fields.

Agriculture And Economy

• Paddy transplantation and Cotton production in the area between Krishna and the Godavari.
• Trade Expansion and Cultural Patronage: The increase in trade was reflected by numerous Roman and Satvahana coins found in the region. This brought many merchants and artisans to the forefront. 
  • They made generous donations to the Buddhist cause and set up small memorial tablets.
• Gandhikas: or the perfumers were repeatedly mentioned as donors. 
  • At a later stage, the term Gandhika denoted all kinds of shopkeepers. 
• Towns: developed in Maharashtra by the first century BC and later in eastern Deccan.

Social Organisation

• • Ethnic Identity and Brahmanization: The Satavahanas originally seemed to have been a tribe of the Deccan. 
    • However, they were Brahmanized, as evident from the claims of Gautamiputra Satakarni to be a Brahmana. 
    • He boasted of re-establishing the four-fold varna system.

• Matrilineal Heritage and Patriarchal Succession: King’s names were often derived from their mothers, like Gautamiputra and Vashishthiputra. 

• • Some inscriptions were issued under the authority of both the king and his mother.
  • While exhibiting matrilineal elements, the Satavahana ruling family had a patriarchal succession to the throne.

Administration

• • Divine Kingship and Dharmic Governance: Satvahanas followed the ideals of Dharmashastras. The king was portrayed as the upholder of dharma, having divine attributes.
  • Administrative Structures: Some administrative structures from Ashokan times were retained.
    • Officials: were known as Amatyas and Mahamatras.
      • High officials were called Maharashtrikas.
    • Rashtra: New administrative divisions called Rashtra were introduced, while the districts were called Ahara.

• Feudatories and Local Authority:The kingdom had three grades of feudatories: 

• • • Raja: Primary among them was the Raja, who had the right to strike coins.
    • Others included Mahabhoja and Senapati.
  • The Senapati (commander-in-chief): was appointed as provincial governor to control tribal areas.
  • Gaulmika: Administration in the rural areas was under Gaulmika, who was the head of a military regiment.
  • Kataka and Skandhavara: denoted military camps and settlements. These served as administrative centres so long as the king was there. 
    • It represented the military character of their rule.

• Land Grants and Tax-Free Villages: They started the practise of granting tax-free lands to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks that helped priestly groups attain higher status.

• Social Stratification: The land donations resulted in creating a group of people who did not cultivate but owned land, leading to the development of land-based social hierarchy and divisions in the society.
  • The Brahmans helped to enforce the rule of the varna system, making society stable.

Religion

• Religious Practices: They performed Vedic sacrifices like “Ashvamedha” and “Vajapeya,” and worshipped Vaishnava Gods, including Krishna and Vasudeva.
• Promotion of Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism gained a significanct following, particularly among the artisan class. 
• • Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati: in Andhra Pradesh became important Buddhist centres under the Satavahanas and their successors, the Ikshvakus.
  • Buddhist Flourishment in Western Deccan: Buddhism also flourished in western Deccan areas like Nasik and Junar in Maharashtra, possibly with the support of traders.

Architecture

• Rock-Cut Chaityas and Monasteries: Numerous chaityas (sacred shrines) and monasteries were carved out of solid rock in north-western Deccan or Maharashtra, like Karle chaitya in western Deccan.

• • Viharas: Three viharas in Nasik carry Nahapana and Gautamiputra inscriptions, dating around 1st to 2nd century AD.

• Buddhist Stupas in Andhra: Construction of Amaravati Stupa started around 200 BC but was fully reconstructed in the latter half of the second century AD. 

• • Nagarjunakonda thrived during the second and third centuries under the patronage of the Ikshvakus, successors of the Satavahanas. 
  • This site contained both Buddhist monuments and early Brahmanical brick temples.
  • The Satavahanas contributed greatly to the embellishment of the Buddhist stupa of Sanchi. It was repaired under King Satakarni II.

Language

• Prakrit: They used Prakrit as their official language. 
  • All their inscriptions were composed in Prakrit and written in the Brahmi script. 
• Gathasaptasati: a Maharshtri Prakrit text consisting of 700 love poems, had themes similar to Tamil Sangam poetry, and is attributed to a Satavahana king named Hala.

Decline of the Empire: 

• The Satavahana Empire declined around the 3rd century AD and was replaced by the Ikshvakus, 
• followed by the Pallavas in Andhra and the Kadambas in northern Karnataka.

Conclusion

• The Satavahana Empire, flourishing from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD, showcased remarkable achievements in administration, trade, and religion. 
• Their legacy includes metallurgical advancements, administrative structures, and patronage of Buddhism, leaving an indelible mark on Indian history and culture even after their eventual decline and succession by subsequent dynasties like the Ikshvakus and Pallavas.