Ancient History of the Deccan c3.s3.13

c3.s3.13

It is not impossible that a Śātavāhana helped Vasudēva in his usurpation and so appropriated the country of Bhilsā to himself. It must have taken place about 72 B. C. Besides, it is very probable that the Śakas invaded northern India in the middle of the 1st century before our era; it is possible that this great conquest took place about 58. B. C; at this epoch the Śātavāhanas would have been driven not only from Bhilsā but also out of Mahārāshtra. There is therefore room to think that the Śātakarṇi who is mentioned on the Sāñchi gateway reigned at Bhilsā between 72 B. C. and 58 B. C. or in round figures from 70 to 60 B. C. I think that ths alphabet of the inscription and the style of the sculpturē accord with each other to justify this date.