Gautamiputra Satakarni – Know the History Of A Satavahana Emperor
Know the amazing history of Gautamiputra Satakarni that includes his coronation, conquests and some interesting facts about the most successful emperor.
SS Rajamouli took to facebook earlier today to praise the work of Director Krish and Actor Balakrishna for their latest movie, Gautamiputra Satakarni, calling it one of Telugu cinema’s best works in years. With the movie getting rave reviews, and your friends making plans to watch the movie, did you know that the movie is based on a real life king of the Satavahana Empire based in the Deccan Region? Here are facts you should know!
Gautamiputra Satakarni – Know the History Of A Satavahana Emperor
1. Satakarni ascended to the throne in 2nd Century CE
While the exact date of his ascension and reign is debatable, scholars agree that Gautamiputra Satakarni’s speculated reign was between 86-110 CE, 103-127 CE, or 106-130 CE.
2. Tracing his footsteps
Historians had to rely on coins from the era of Gautamiputra Satakarni, to studying the puranas, almost all of which have contained the genealogy of the Satavahana kings. A eulogy for his mother, Gautami Balashri, found in a Pandavleni Caves in Nashik, describes his extensive military conquests.
3. He was responsible restoring the Satavahana Empire
Gautamiputra Satakarni is credited with bringing the Satavahana Empire back to full power following a decline after the Shaka invasions, from the north.
4. Scholars debated the existence of a Matriarchal Society
Gautamiputra literally translates to Son of Gautami, and with other Satavahana kings also named after their mothers, it was speculated that their’s was a matriarchal society. However, this was eventually proved not to be the case since the real explanation for matronymics seems to be that since the rulers married a number of wives from different royal families, a prince was best identified with reference to his mother.
5. He was known for tolerance
According to the inscription in Nashik, Satakarni did not like to destroy life, even that of the enemies who offended him. He was also known to be kind to Buddhist monks, ordering the royal officers to not bother them and exempting them from tax.
