The SATVAHANAS

Introduction 

Satavahanas became prominent in the Indian political scene sometime in the middle of the first century BC. Gautamiputra Satakarni (1 AD) is considered to be the greatest Satvahana ruler. He is credited with the extention of Satavahana dominions by defeating Nahapana, the Shaka ruler of western India. His kingdom is said to have extended from river Krishna in south to river Godavari in north. The Satavahana had their capital at Pratishthana  (modern Paithan) near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

The Satvahana kingdom was wiped out in the first quarter of the third century AD and the Satavahana kings were succeeded by Ikshvaku dynasty.

Satavahana Polity 

Satavahana kingdom was divided into subdivisions called aharas or rashtras, meaning districts. The lowest level of administration was a grama which was under the charge of a Gramika. There were also officers called amatyas who were perhaps ministers or advisors of the king.

Revenue was both collected in kind and cash. Satavahanas were the first kings in Indian history to make tax free land grants to Buddhists and Brahmins to gain religious merits. This practice became more prominent in succeeding periods. The Satavahana kings claimed to be Brahmans and considered it their primary duty to uphold varna system, i.e. the four fold division of the social structure.