SATAVAHANAS
Puranas:
Satavahanas mentioned as Andhrabrityas by Puranas. Matsya and Bhagavatha puranas mentioned andhras were the
mlechchas (foreigner).
According to Purans
Inscriptions:
Satavahana rulers were the first Andhra rulers to issue inscriptions.
Kanha or Krishna was the first-person to issue inscription from Satavahana dynasty. He has given inscription at Nasic
and mentioned about he donated Nasik caves to Buddhist monks and appointed ‘Mahamatra’, in-charge of Monks at
Nasik.
Nanegat inscription – Devi Naganika
Devi Naganika, wife of Satakarni-I has given the inscription. The inscription mentioned about military achivements of
Satakarni -I, matrimonial relations with Maratas and he conducted Vedic rituals (Aswamwdha). At the end of the
inscription, she also mentioned the titles of Satakarni-I Apratihata Chakra and Dakshinapadatipati.
Hathigumpha Inscription – Kharavela
Kharavela, the ruler of Kalinga, contemporary ruler to Satakarni-I. Kharavela’s inscription providing during his
second regnal year attacked on Satavahana kingdom and extended his kingdom upto kanabenna river. He destroyed
the city Mushika, and changed name into Pithunda.
Nasik inscription – Gautami Bala Sri.
Gautami Bala Sri was given the inscription during the rule of Vasistaputra Pulomavi about his son Gautamiputra
Satakarni. She mentioned about the military achievements of Gautamiputra Satakarni. Gautamiputra Satakarni along
with his mother has given donations to saints/ bikkus who were staying at lunarha hills.
Amaravathi inscription – Pulomavi - II
The Amaravati inscription is the first inscription of Satavahanas in Andhra Pradesh. This indicates that the Satavahana
empire spread to Andhra during the Pulumavi II period. The inscription was scribed on the top of the main entry gate
of Amaravathi Stupa. The first Telugu word Nagabu appeared on the inscription.
Junagadh inscription – Rudradaman
The Saka king Rudradaman’s Junagadh inscription provides information about the matrimonial relations between
Satavahanas and Sakas of Ujjain. His daughter Rudradamanika married to Vasistaputra Satakarni.
Battiprolu Nigamasabha Inscription - Kubhera
The inscription is giving information regarding Nigama Sabha, a corporate organization that administered towns
during the Satavahana period.
The Myakadoni Inscription – Pulumavi - III.
Macadoni inscription was excavated at Ballari of Karnataka, the inscriptions is mentioned about the decline of
Satavahanas. The inscription detailed about Gulmika, law and order officer in the village during Satavahana period.
Unnagarh inscription provides the administrative system and council of ministers during Satavahanas.
Andhau stone inscription (Gujarat) is giving data about administrative system of during Satavahanas
Literary sources:
Brihatkatha – Gunadya
Gunadya was lived in the court of Kuntala Satakarni. He wrote Brihatkatha in Paishachi prakrit language. Ganga
dynasty, King Durvinita is credited with creating a Sanskrit version of the "Brihatkatha" ("Vadda-katha").
Kathasaritsagara – Somadeva Suri
Kathasaritsagara text was written by Somadevasuri in Sanskrit based on Brihatkatha. Social conditions of
Satavahanas, and the death of Nagarjuna charya was mentioned in the book.
Gathasaptasadhi – Hala - Prakrit
Gathasaptasadhi was written by the 17th King of Satavahana ruler called Hala in Prakrit language. Gathasaptasathi
means 700 stories.
Lilavathi Parinayam – Kutuhala – Prakrit
Lilavathi Parinayam written by Kutuhala in Prakrit language. Kutuhala mentioned about the marriage of Hala and
Lilavathi (Princess of Sinhalese) took place at Bheemeswara Temple, which is located near Saptama Godavari.
Kamasutra – Vatsayana.
Vatsayana was lived in the court of Kuntala Satakarni. He wrote a book called Kamasutra about erotism in Sanskrit
language. Vatsyayana says Malayevati, the wife of the Kuntala Satakarni, was killed by him with an instrument called
Katari.
Pliny – Natural History / Naturalis Historia
Pliny wrote Natural History text in Latin language. He mentioned about Indo-European trading relations during
Satavahana period.
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea was written by an unknown sailor. The book is providing information about trade
and important sea ports of Satavahanas Arikamedu and Koddura, trade and commerce during Satavahana period and
also conflicts between Sakas and Satavahanas.
Ptolemy – A guide to Geography
Ptolemy while discussing about important trading centres during Satavahana period, he also talked about important
sea ports on western coast were Barukachcha, Sopara and Kalyani. Mysolia or Machilipatnam was great trading centre
during Satavahana period.
Origin of Satavahanas
