Satavahana Inscriptions
Satavahana Inscriptions are a collection of royal, religious, and land-grant inscriptions from the Satavahana dynasty, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
Overview
The Satavahana inscriptions include the Nanaghat inscription of Naganika, the Nasik cave inscriptions, the Karle cave donation records, and the Amaravati donation records. They provide detailed information about the administration, economy, and religion of the Deccan region.
Historical Context
The Satavahanas (also called Andhras) ruled the Deccan from approximately 230 BCE to 220 CE. The earliest inscriptions are from Nanaghat, documenting the reign of Satakarni I. The Nasik cave inscriptions record donations by queen Gotami Balashri and other royal women. The Amaravati inscriptions document Buddhist monastic donations across the eastern Deccan.
Features/Significance
The Satavahana inscriptions demonstrate the importance of women in early Indian royal administration and religious patronage. The inscriptions are multilingual, using Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Brahmi script. They provide evidence of long-distance trade, guild organization, and the spread of Buddhism and Jainism in the Deccan.
Modern Status
The inscriptions are distributed among museums in India, including the Government Museum, Chennai, and the Bhandarkar Institute, Pune. They remain key sources for Deccan history and early Indian epigraphy.
Verification Notes
- Nanaghat inscription: c. 1st century BCE
- Nasik cave inscriptions: 1st-2nd centuries CE
- Written in Prakrit using Brahmi script