Old NCERT Summary (RS Sharma): The Age of Satavahanas | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Political History

• The Satavahanas emerged as the primary successors of the Mauryas in the Deccan and central India, likely synonymous with the Andhras mentioned in the Puranas.
• The Puranas indicate Andhra rule for 300 years, a period associated with the Satavahanas, although the term Andhra is absent in Satavahana inscriptions.
• In the 1st century B.C., the earliest inscriptions reveal the Satavahanas' ascent in Maharashtra, particularly in the upper Godavari valley.Coins used in The Satvahan Empire
• Competing with the Sakas in the upper Deccan and western India, the Satavahanas encountered challenges until Gautamiputra Satakarni (A.D. 106-130) restored their fortunes.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni, claiming to be the sole Brahmana, defeated the Sakas, including Nahapana, and expanded the empire from Malwa to Karnataka, possibly exercising authority over Andhra.

Aspects of Material Culture

• The material culture of the Deccan under the Satavahanas:A blend of local elements and northern influences.
• Megalith builders in the Deccan:Acquainted with iron use and agriculture.
• Iron hoes before circa 200 B.C.: Present with a significant increase in prevalence in the first few centuries of the Christian era.
• Transition from megalithic to Satavahana phases introduced: Fully socketed hoes, sickles, spades, ploughshares, axes, adzes, razors, tanged and socketed arrowheads, and daggers.

Social Organization

• The Satavahanas, originally a Deccan tribe, underwent Brahmanization.
• Their renowned king, Gautamiputra Satakarni, claimed to restore the fourfold varna system.
• Emphasis was placed on ending intermixture between different social orders disrupted by Saka infiltration and superficial Brahmanization in the Deccan.
• The absorption of Sakas into Hindu society as kshatriyas occurred through intermarriage with the Satavahanas.

Pattern of Administration

•  Satavahana rulers aimed to embody the royal ideal from the Dharmasastras.
•  Portrayed the king as the upholder of dharma with divine attributes.
•  Attributed qualities of ancient gods (Rama, Bhima, Kesava, Arjuna) to emphasize the king's divinity.Satvahanana Dynasty 
•  Retained administrative units from Ashokan times.
•  Districts referred to as aharas, officials as amatytis and mahamatras, continuing Maurya terminology.

Religion

The Satavahana rulers claimed Brahman status, reflecting the influence of triumphant Brahmanism. Kings and queens, from the outset, actively participated in Vedic sacrifices like asvamedha and vajapeya.

• Vaishnava Worship:
  - They also worshiped numerous Vaishnava deities such as Krishna and Vasudeva.
  - Liberally paid sacrificial fees to the Brahmanas.
• Promotion of Buddhism:
  - The Satavahana rulers supported Buddhism by granting land to monks.
  - Mahayana Buddhism gained substantial following, particularly among the artisan class in their kingdom.   

Architecture

Karla Caves at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra. 

• Chaitya (Temple):
  - The chaitya was a large hall with numerous columns.
  - The most famous chaitya is the one at Karle in the western Deccan, measuring about 40 meters in length, 15 meters in width, and 15 meters in height. It stands as an impressive example of massive rock architecture.
• Vihara (Monastery):
  - The viharas or monasteries were carved near the chaityas for monks' residence during the rainy season.
  - Nasik features three viharas with inscriptions of Nahapana and Gautamiputra, dating back to the first-second centuries A.D.

Language

• The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit.
• Inscriptions:
  - All inscriptions were composed in Prakrit and written in the Brahmi script, following the tradition set during Asokan times.
• Literary Contributions:
  - Some Satavahana kings may have authored Prakrit books.
  - One such text is the Gathasaptasati, attributed to a Satavahana king named Hala.
  - Comprising 700 verses, all in Prakrit, the Gathasaptasati underwent potential re-touching, likely after the sixth century A.D.