All You Wanted To Know About Gautamiputra Satakarni

So, here is an interesting theory on the process of naming that people carried out in those times. The theory states that they prefixed their mother’s name in order to derive themselves in the female line and not in the male line thereby suggesting matriarchy. However, studies say that the reason behind naming themselves matriarchically was because the king married many wives from royal families, a prince was best identified with reference to their mother’s name. It was Gautami Balasri who envisioned her son in taking up the throne and turning out to be a successful emperor.

After the founder of Satavahana Dynasty, Simuka, there weren’t any powerful leaders who lived up to Simuka’s caliber in maintaining their kingdoms. The Shakas, Pahlavas and Yavanas barged in from the west and occupied themselves in the land of Satavahanas. Satavahanas slowly started to lose their territories and in turn their glory as well. The power which the Satavahanas enjoyed in the 1st century B.C. was no longer there during the first century of the Christian Era.

The arrival of Gautamiputra Satakarni, the 23rd Satavahana King, rejuvenated the Satavahana Dynasty who conquered the lost territories from the western Kshatrapas. He first increased the strength of his army force before defeating Nahapana, the ruler of the Kshatrapas. He then led the army to conquest regions against the foreign Saka rulers and drove them out of the Maharashtra region. The next to be sent out were the Yavanas and the Palhavas and conquered their territories in the west.

According to some of the scripts found near Nagpur, it is stated that Satakarni was the king who restored the lost glory and prestige of the Satavahanas and is regarded as the greatest King of the Satavahana Dynasty. He was mentioned as the ‘Lord of the Vindhyas’ and was called ‘Raja-Raja’ or the King of Kings and as the ‘Maharaja’. As a conqueror, great achiever and an able administrator reviving the lost glory of Satavahana Dynasty, he is even now regarded as the most celebrated and greatest monarch of the Satavahanas.

Gautamiputra Satakarni was not just an Emperor who was successful in restoring the glory of Satavahana, but he was also the most celebrated Emperor for being an able administrator. He was titled ‘Trisamudriswara’ (Lord of the three seas). The reason being that his empire stretched from the Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east to Indian Ocean in the south. 

Here are some interesting Trivia about ‘Gautamiputra Satakarni’ and his reign : 

- He gave prominence to women in the state administration and they possessed extensive power. In fact, it was his wife who took over the kingdom post his demise. 

- Gautamiputra Satakarni was a humanitarian ruler and took several steps in order to uplift the farming population of his kingdom. 

- He encouraged trade extensively as many coins were found all over the Deccan region - It is said that his horses drank water from the three waters – Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. 

- Talking of artisans, Gautamiputra was especially supportive of them. Under his patronage, those who specialised in wood, stone, leather, weaving, jewellery thrived and prospered .