The Satvahana Empire was constricted to the southern coastal areas of India, from Kotilingala to Dharanikota, both in Andhra Pradesh. The regime started from around 230 BC and lasted for approximately 450 years. The Satavahanas ensured prosperity in the empire after the Mauryas and protected the territory from foreign attacks. Origin The early Satavahanas kings cropped up from Karimnagar which was an ancient district in present Andhra Pradesh. It has been referred to be the Sātavāhanas kingdom in the old coins and puranas. Megasthenes, a Greek traveler indicates in his writings that the Satvahana kingdom was laid out with well built forts, and a huge defense cavalry. Aside from the defense expenditures the Satavahanas established firm naval activities with other parts of the world. They are believed to be under the control of Ashoka and the later is the one responsible to have introduced Buddhism into them. The Satavahanas rule The Satavahanas rules the region between the Godavari and Krishna plains. Satakarni is deemed to be the most prominent of independent rulers after the Mauryas faded out. He defeated the Shungas and captured Western Malwa from their stronghold. He also waged a war against Kharavela, the ruler of Kalinga and conquered the kingdom. He drove the Sakas from Patliputra and extended the regime till Madhya Pradesh. Satakarni was succeeded by less powerful rulers by the name of Lambodara, Meghasvati, Apilaka, and Kuntala. During Nahapana’s rule however the Satavahanas lost considerable amount of ground losing southern Gujarat, Malwa, northern Konkan, Poona and Nasik. Coins of the Satavahanas The Satavahanas started the coinage with the inscription of the faces of their rulers on their currency. It started with Gautamiputra Satakarni. The coins are unique with respect to the language, chronology and facial cutouts. Mainly copper and lead coins were used but the silver ones were of high value. The dialect used was Prakrit but some historians even suggest the use of Dravidian Tamil and Kannada languages. They also had the inscriptions of sacred animals like the elephants, horses and lions. Art and culture Hala, one of the Satvahana kings was deemed as a poet with Gaha Sattasai to his name. The text shows their literary genius and linguistic ability. They spread the Hindu culture far and wide. These kings contributed a lot to the growth of Buddhist art and inscriptions. The erected stupas all over their kingdom and took the art as far as China. The beautiful Sanchi Stupa is one of the exotic evidence of the period. The balustrade and gateways were built in the 70 BC and was the work of Satakarni. Fall of Satvahana Empire The dynasty gradually lost its central power as there was no king able enough to hold control over the whole territory. After Satakarni, about four or five rulers made their impact but then the kingdom got divided. The new territories that were formed were the western satraps, Andhra Ikshvakus, Abhiras, Chutus, Kadambas and Pallavas. However there was a lot of impact with respect to economy and education that the dynasty succeeded to make.
