Satavahanas


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Satavahanas

The Satavahanas : Between 100 BCE and 220 CE, the Satavahanas ruled over central India. They were also known as the Andhras.

  • Satakarni’s empire extended from Malwa in the north to present day Karnataka in the south. The capital of the Satavahanas was Pratishthan on the Godavari. The Satavahanas followed the matrilineal form of society, where a son took on the name of his mother the not the father.
  • Prakrit was a official language of the Satavahanas. And inscription were written in the Brahmi script.
  • The Satavahanas encouraged trade laid good roads to make trading easier. They controlled the Dakshinapath, or the road connecting North Indian to South Indian. They mostly issued coins of lead, copper and bronze. Roman coins founds in several part of Andhra point to trade links between the Romans and the Satavahanas. Many terms grew during this period. The rulers were predominantly Vaishnavite (worshippers of Vishnu), but also promoted Buddhism.
  • The Satavahana rulers were great kings. They had significant achievements in various fields which are described as under:

  • The Satavahana Rulers and their Conquests: There were about 19 Satavahana rulers of whom the most important were Simuka who conquered Magadha and Krishna who occupied Nasik. Gautamiputra Satakarni the most powerful ruler of Satavahanas. By his achievements as a conqueror and as an able administrator he raised the prestige of the Satavahana Dynasty to a new height and came to be regarded as its greatest monarch.
  • Political Condition and Administration: The system of administration was monarchical. The king himself was the commander of his force. The whole kingdom was divided into provinces, districts and villages.
  • Literary Progress: The Satavahana kings were lovers of literature. They also patronized learning. The Prakrit language prospered well during this period.
  • Progress in the Field of Architecture: Under the Satavahanas great progress was made in the field of architecture as well.
  • Progress in the Field of Sculpture: Many statues and images were also made during this period. Most of the images depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. The scene depicting Buddha’s feet being worshipped is particularly a unique sculpture at the Amravati Stupa.
  • Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    Who was the most powerful king of the Satavahanas?

    Right Option : B
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    Question : 2

    _______ was a official language of the Satavahanas.

    Right Option : A
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    Question : 3

    The Satavahanas were also called the _______ dynasty .

    Right Option : A
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