The Sātavāhanas

Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 6.2

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South of the Śhungas, the Sātavāhanas (sometimes called Andhras) ruled much of the Deccan from the 2nd century BCE: today's Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra, with capitals like Amarāvatī and Pratiṣhṭhāna (Paithan). Farming thrived in the Krishna–Godavari basin, and trade reached the Roman Empire: spices, textiles, sandalwood, pearls and ivory went out; glass and perfumed ointments came in. Their coins, found from Gujarat to Andhra, often show two-masted ships, evidence of advanced seafaring. Tolls and taxes filled the treasury.

Sātavāhana princes were often named after their mothers: Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi means "Sātakarṇi, son of Gautamī". His mother, Gautamī Balaśhrī, was a powerful queen who donated land to Buddhist monks and carved an inscription at Nashik. At Naneghat near Pune, inscriptions describe a widow queen who performed Vedic rituals, even the aśhvamedha, and made generous gifts; they also contain early numerals resembling some of ours, part of the evidence that modern numerals began in India.

The Sātavāhanas worshipped Vāsudeva (Kṛiṣhṇa) but supported all schools: they granted tax-free land to Vedic scholars and to Jain and Buddhist monks. Magnificent Buddhist caves carved into hillsides, like those at Pitalkhora, date from their time; one yakṣha figure there carries an inscription saying it was made by a goldsmith, showing that craftspeople had many skills. In the 3rd century CE weak central control and economic decline split the empire into smaller kingdoms.

Explore: a Sātavāhana trade ship.

1. Sort each good.

Remember

• The Sātavāhanas ruled the Deccan, farmed the Krishna–Godavari basin and traded by sea as far as Rome.
• Kings were named after mothers; Naneghat inscriptions show early numerals; all schools of thought were supported.

Quick check

What does "Gautamīputra" in a Sātavāhana king's name tell us?

1. he was named after his mother, Gautamī
2. he was a Greek
3. he was a monk
4. he ruled Gautam city

Think about it

What can coins tell historians that texts might not?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.