Satavahana dynasty

The Shatavahana ruled for four centuries, from about 230 BC to about 220 AD, over the central Indian highlands of the Deccan, its center was the upper reaches of the Godavari at Nasik and Pratishthana (also known as Paithan ) in Maharashtra. They are referred to by their tribal affiliation as Andhras, that is, they came rather from the lower reaches of the river, from Andhra Pradesh.

The most powerful neighbors were the Mauryareich or their successors, the Shungakönige ( 185-73 BC) in northern India; the resurgent under Kharavela of Kalinga in Orissa and the Shaka ( from 139 BC) in the border areas of the Northwest. The South shared the Tamils ​​attributed Kings, Chola and Pandya eg.

The Shatavahana had apparently already withdrawn from Ashoka's reign, because their territory has few or none of the pillars and rock edicts on. Shortly after his death they spread among the kings Simuka (reigned about 230-207 BC) and Kanha / Krishna (r. 207-189 BC approximately ) over the Deccan, although a greater importance is now also doubted at the time.

To 180 BC struck King Satakarni (reigned about 189-178 BC), the army of the first Shunga king Pushyamitra (reigned about 185-151 BC) and captured apparently Ujjain ( in Malwa ). Satakarni also had to ( reigned from 183 BC ) deal, which apparently penetrated freely into his kingdom with Kalingas King Kharavela.

To 28 BC eliminated the Shatavahana the following to the Shunga dynasty, short-lived Kanva Dynasty and the Magadha classified thus reduced to a marginal area.

The Shatavahanas may have been matrilineal and thus pre- Aryan, at least one closes from their royal names such as Gautamiputra - ie " son of Gautami ". However, they promoted the Sanskrit and therefore the North Indian culture as well as Buddhists and Brahmins with generous foundations. Their empire was similar to Mauryareich into districts broken down, which were administered by senior officials and protected by small garrisons in the open country. However, the Shatavahanas left the native princes and the cities and their merchant guilds a high degree of self-government. There was a monetary system and banks gave interest-bearing loans.

At that time, South India was a center of world trade. Spices, perfumes, precious stones, ivory, silk, precious woods, sugar and wild animals went to Rome, returned slaves, musical instruments, glass, wine, copper, and especially gold coins. The trade balance was negative for Rome and a reason for the economic crisis occurring there.

In the 2nd century the territory of the Shatavahanas in the main area of Maharashtra melted together, increased the importance of Andhra Pradesh. And came the Shatavahanas in conflict with Shaka (so-called Kshatrapa - Kings) who had occupied as vassals of Kushan some parts of north-western India. The Shatavahana King Gautamiputra Satakarni (reigned about 106-130 ) defeated the Shaka 120 /25, but a little later, the King Shaka in Ujjain, Rudradaman I (r. about 130-150 ) the prestige of his dynasty restores.

After the reign of King Sri Yajna Satakarni (reigned about 170-199 ) the empire fell apart in the early to mid 3rd century into several feudal principalities, of which the Vakataka end of the 4th century were the strongest successor dynasty Guptazeit. Furthermore, mentioned the early Pallava.

List of rulers

The rulers list can only serve as general orientation.

  • Simuka ( Sindhuka ) ( 230-207 BC)
  • Krishna ( Kanha ) ( 207-189 BC)
  • Satakarni I. ( Srimallakarna ) ( 180-170 BC)
  • (?) Satisiri ( Sakhkumara )
  • Purnotsanga ( Paurnamasa )
  • Skandhasvati I.
  • Satakarni II ( 152-96 BC)
  • Lambodara
  • Apilaka ( Apitaka, Chivilaka )
  • Meghasvati ( Sangha Saudasa )
  • Svati ( Satasvati )
  • Skandhasvati II
  • Mrigendra Svatikarna
  • Kuntala Svatikarna
  • Svatisena Svatikarna
  • Pulomavi I. ( Pulamayi, Patumat and others)
  • Arishtakarna ( Arishtakarman, Gaurakrishna and others)
  • Hala ( 20-24 AD)
  • Mandalaka ( Pattalaka )
  • Purindra Sena ( Pravilasena )
  • Sundara Svatikarna
  • Chakora Svatikarna
  • Sivasvhati
  • Gautamiputra Satakarni ( 106-130 )
  • Vashishtiputra Pulumāyi II ( 130-158 )
  • Sivasri Pulumayi III.
  • Sivaskandha Satakarni
  • Sri Yajna Satakarni III. ( 170-199 )
  • Vijaya
  • Chandasri Satakarni
  • Pulomavi IV
Godavari River Maurya Empire Sunga Empire Kalinga (India) Saka Chola dynasty Pandyan Dynasty Vakataka dynasty Pallava dynasty
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