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HISTORY
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SATVAHANAS
The Mauryan empire in the Deccan was followed by the rules of
Satavahanas. Two coins of Satavahana, the progenitor of the reign,
are found at Hyderabad in 1945. Another coin of this very kine. found at Kondapur has made the inference possible that these
Satavahanas belonged to Marathvada having their capital at Pratisthana i.e. modern Paithan. These kings ruled over entire Maharashtra from 230 B.C. to 250 A.D. Pauranik accounts mentioned Shishuka to be the first King, whose proper name appears to be Simuka, who was succeeded by Krsna, his brother (207-189 B.C.) as Satakarni. Simuka's son, was too young at that lime. Simuka and Krsna appear to have been separated from Satavahana by one or two generations. After Krsna Satakarni I, whose figure was sculptured in relievo at Naneghat along with the figures of
his father Simuka, queen Naganika and three princesses. He conquered western Malva and an inscription of the queen records the performance of great sacrifices and huge fees paid to the priests on the occasion. Satakarni was followed by Vedisri who also like his father became known as the Lord of Daksinapath. The illustrious author of Gathasaptasati namely Hala also belongs to the same race. The expansion of Satavahanas received a check from the Sakas. Bhumaka is the earliest of them, and Nahapana is known to be a great conqueror, whose rule extended over parts of southern Maharashtra, including Satara district.
The Satavahana power revived under the rule of Gautami-putra Satakarni (80-140 A.D.) [106-130 A. D. (The Age of Imperial Unity, p. 200).], who overthrew Nahapana (119-125 A.D.) and is deservedly known as the destroyer of Shakas, Yavanas and Pahalavas [A period of a century and a half intervened between the reign of Satakarni I (end of the first century B. C.) and that of Gautami-pntra Satakarni (beginning of the second century A. D.). (The Age of Imperial Unity, p. 200).]. In 1864, a few inscriptions, found in the caves of Nasik, refer to the 18th and 24th year of his reign. Among these caves, cave No. 3 contains one more inscription of Satakarni's mother engraved in the reign of Pulumayi, her grand-son. This inscription is important as it gives an adequate idea of the vast Satavahana empire, in the 2nd Century A.D. Coins of Pulumayi II, who reigned for twenty-four years, have been found in Godavari and Guntur districts. The struggle with Shakas was renewed and Pulumayi II recovered some of the provinces lost by his predecessors. Inscriptions, belonging to his reign, are found at Kanheri and Nasik. From
inscriptional records, Shree Yajna appears to be the last Satavahana king, who retained control of the western as well as eastern provinces. Karna, Kumbha and Rudrasatakarni ruled over the eastern Deccan. Much is not known about the downfall of this dynasty.
The Satavahana rule was followed by the Chutus in Maharashtra and Kuntala (Sangli) [A 9th century tradition says that Virakurcha, an early Pallava king of great fame seized the insignia of royalty together with the daughter of the Naga King. K. A. N. Sastri thinks that this may be an echo of the Pallava conquest of the Chutus. (K. A. N. Sastri: History of South India, pp. 97-98).]. A circular coin, made up of lead was found at Kondapur in 1941"[Dr. V. V. Mirashi, Samshodhan Muktavali, Part III, pages 86-87.]. This coin belongs to King Mana, the son of Bharadvaja, belonging to the Chutu race. The word Sakamanachutukukulasya and the signs of thunder-bolt and arrow, found on the coin indicate the Shaka race. He mentions himself to be the great general which makes him a former vassal of Satavahanas, who appeals to have risen to power after having overthrown them.
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