History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c8.s8.1

v1.c8.s8.1

The dynasty that ruled the Dekhan at least, contemporary with these Rois fainéants is — after the Mauryas — the most important of all those about this period of Indian history. To the classical authors they are known as the Andræ, in the Purânas as Andhrabrityas, and in the inscriptions as Sâtakarnis or Sâtavâhanas; but under whatever name, notwithstanding occasional periods of depression, they played a most important part in the history of India, during more than four centuries. They were a South-Indian dynasty, first mentioned in a Khandagiri inscription about B.C. 150.¹ Their capital was at Dhânyakataka, on the lower Krishnâ, close to Amarâvatî; but, at a later date, they had a second capital at Paithan on the upper Godâvarî. They ruled over Mâlwâ and the Dekhan from sea to sea, but about the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd century the provinces north of the Narbadâ seem to have been conquered by Saka satraps, who were overthrown about A.D. 125, by Gautamîputra Sâtakarni, who raised the dynasty to the height of its power. The kings of this race have, however, left many and most interesting inscriptions in the western caves, and traces of their existence occur in many parts of India.