Sātavāhana Dynasty
The Sātavāhana Dynasty, also known as the Andhra Dynasty, emerged in the Deccan region of India following the decline of the Mauryan Dynasty. It is recognized through various historical artifacts, including coins, literary references, and inscriptions, suggesting a lineage of either nineteen kings over 350 years or twenty-nine rulers spanning 456 years, with King Simuka as the likely founder. The dynasty, primarily composed of Brahmans, saw significant cultural and religious diversity, with notable support for both Hinduism and Buddhism during its reign. Historical records indicate that the Sātavāhanas engaged in substantial trade, including connections with the Romans, which contributed to their economic prosperity and cultural development. This period is marked by vibrant artistic achievements, particularly in the Andhradesha school, leading to the creation of significant monuments throughout the Deccan. The Sātavāhanas established at least two capitals, Pratishtana and Dharanikota, before their rule concluded around 225 CE with the rise of the Ikṣvāku Dynasty. Overall, the Sātavāhana Dynasty played a crucial role in the cultural and economic landscape of ancient India.
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Sātavāhana Dynasty
Related civilization: India.
Date: c. 200 b.c.e.-225 c.e.
Locale: Deccan region of south India
Sātavāhana Dynasty
The Sātavāhana (SAH-tah-VAH-ha-nah) Dynasty, also called the Andhra Dynasty, rose to power in the Deccan after the demise of the Mauryan Dynasty in the region. The dynasty is known through coins, literary references, and some thirty-five inscriptions. According to the ancient lists of kings in various purāṇas, there were either nineteen kings who ruled for 350 years or twenty-nine rulers who reigned for 456 years. All accounts seem to agree that the founder of the line was King Simuka. The Sātavāhanas were Brahmans, and at least one king, Sātakarṇi I, performed the aśvamedha (Vedic horse sacrifice). They probably originated in the Godāvari region of modern Mahārāshtra. At the height of their power, they controlled the entire Deccan, embracing huge tracts of land stretching from sea to sea. Despite their Hindu allegiance, Buddhism flourished under Sātavāhana rule; it is recorded that the kings endowed land to Brahmans and Buddhists alike.
The Sātavāhana period was one of great industrial, commercial, and maritime activity in which the kingdom grew rich on trade with the Romans and various regions of South Asia. Liberal patrons of the arts and Buddhism, the Sātavāhanas’ material prosperity was reflected in the art of the Andhradesha school, which created noble monuments throughout the Deccan. The Sātavāhanas had at least two different capitals, Pratishtana (Paithan in the Aurangabad District) and Dharanikota (Guntur District) near Amaravati. Sātavāhana rule ended in 225 c.e. when the Ikṣvāku Dynasty took over the region.
Bibliography
Ajay Mitra Shastri, ed. The Age of the Sātavāhanas. New Delhi, India: Aryan Books, 1999.