The Satvahana Dynasty
After the decline of the Mauryan empire the Satvahanas established their kingdom in the Deccan. They were also known as Andhras. They first
rose to power in present Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari. The founder of the Satvahanas was Simuka. But the man who raised it to
eminence was Satakarni I. The Satvahana dynasty began its rule in about 40 or 30 BC, and continued until the 3rd century AD.
Satakarni I allied with powerful Marathi chieftain and signalled his accession to power by performing ashvamedhas (horse-sacrifice).
After his death, the Satvahana power seemed to have been submerged beneath a wave of Scythian invasion.
AD 80-104: Reign of Gautamiputra
Gautamiputra Satakarni was the famous king during the Satvahana dynasty.
He defeated the Sakas (Scythians), Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas
(Parithans). His empire extended upto Banavasi in the south, and
included Maharashtra, Konkan, Saurashtra, Malwa, west Rajasthan and
Vidharbha. His son, Vasishtiputra, ruled at Paithan on the banks of
Godavari.
Two other cities, Vaijayanti (in North Kanara) and Amravati (in the Guntur district),
attained eminence during the Satvahana period. Kings
succeeding Gautamiputra lost many of their territories. But the power
of Satvahanas revived under Sri Yajna Satakarni, who was the last
great king. After him, the empire began to decline.
Some scholars say the there were 19 kings of this dynasty which ruled
for 300 years, while others say there were 30 kings who ruled for
456 years. The dynasty came to an end about the middle of the third
century AD. (after AD 220). Their empire broke up into small states
ruled by the Abhiras, Chutus, Ikshvakus, Pallavas.
Extract from the book A History of India for Children
Administration
The Satvahana empire was divided into provinces called aharas, each
under an amatya or minister. They had a large army. Women were prominent
in social life, owned property and took part in assemblies.
Religion
The Satvahana rulers were said to be Brahmins. They worshiped Krishna, Vasudeva and other Vaishnava gods. But Buddhism also flourished. They
gifted land to Brahmins and Buddhist monks.
Architecture and art
Many Buddhist chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries) were carved out of solid rocks. The most famous chaitya is at Karle,
in Maharashtra. The Satvahanas used Pratik, a form of Sanskrit, for their inscription and books.