hyderali

Shatavahanas

• The capital of Shatavahanas is Paithan or Prathisthan of Maharashtra.
• The greatest king of this dynasty was Gautamiputra Shatakarni.
• Banavasi known as Vaijayanthi was the regional capital of Shatavahanas.
• Shatavahanas rule started over 2300 years ago and lasted for four Centuries.

Gautamiputra Shatakarni

• He defeated many foreign dynasties like Shaka, Yavana, Pahlava etc.
• He reprinted his name on the coins of Shaka’s Nahapana.
• He was given the title
  • Thrisamudratoya Peethavahana’ (The one who has a horse for riding that has drank the water of three seas).
  • Shatavahana Kulayasha pratishtapanakara’.

• Shalivahana Saka is supposed to have been inaugurated by him
• Yajnashri Shatakarni was the last king of this dynasty.

The contributions of Shatavahanas:

Religion:

• The Shatavahanas who followed the Vedic tradition, encouraged other religions like Buddhism and Jainism and believed in harmony.
• It is known that they were worshipping the God Pranaveshwara of Talagunda
• They extended their patronage to Buddhists also. They built Buddhist religious centres in Nasik, Karle, Kanheri
• There was no discrimination on the basis of varna in the society.
• Women held high offices and had high status in society.

Literature and Education:

• ‘Prakrit’ was the administrative language of Shatavahanas.
• Literature was created in Prakrit, the language of both scholars and common people.
• Their inscriptions are also in Prakrit language and Brahmi script. King Hala wrote a book called ‘Gatha Saptasati’, in Prakrit. Gunadhya wrote ‘Vaddakatha’ and Sarvavarma wrote “Katantra Vyakarana”

Architecture:

• Shatavahanas have contributed a lot to the field of architecture. Many chaityas, viharas and stupas were built in this period.
  • Chaitya is a prayer hall of Buddhists.
  • Vihara is a place where Buddhist monks stay.

• A chaityagraha was built in Karle by the Banavasi merchant Bhootapala.
• A whitemarble Stupa at Amaravathi of Andhrapradesh is known for its artistic carvings.
• The Ajanta and the Amaravati paintings were created during the period of the Shatavahanas.

Trade and Towns:

• Kingdom had been divided into provinces called Janapada for the purpose of administration and officers had been appointed to look after them.
• The towns were called as ‘Nigamas’.
• The towns had societies named ‘Shreni’. They were the groups formed by professionals and traders to protect their interests. For example the ‘Dhaanik Shreni’ was society of grocery merchants.
• Each Shreni had a senior who was called as ‘Shresti’. The Shrestis were usually rich. One such Shresti had built a Chaitya at Karle.
• The period of Shatavahans enjoyed economic prosperity. The main reason for this is the trade that took place within the country and outside the country.
• The foreign trade was through the ports on the West and East coasts of the Empire. There were trade links with Rome during Shatavahana period.