The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c7.s5.17

v1.c7.s5.17

But if the information of the Andhau inscriptions be properly appraised, this difficulty does not arise at all. During the later part of Puḷumāvi’s reign Chashṭana seized Ujjain from him. Puḷumāvi died soon after this, in A.D. 114. His two successors, Śiva Śrī and Śivaskanda, had brief reigns of seven years each. These kings were probably less enterprising. Taking advantage of the change on the Sātavāhana throne, Chashṭana began to extend his sphere of political power over wider regions. This policy had proved eminently successful as early as A.D. 130, as the location of the Andhau inscriptions shows. Chashṭana was fast getting old. So his son Jayadāman probably took the field against the opposing Sātavāhana forces. His death as a mere Kshatrapa and during the lifetime of his father may be explained as having occurred during the conflict with the Sātavāhanas over these regions of Malwa, Gujerāt, and Kāthiāwāḍ. Rudradāman intervened to retrieve the position. His victories brought him recognition in the form of the extension of the empire of Ujjain over Malwa, Gujerāt, Kāthiāwāḍ, and Cutch. He was also hailed as a Mahākshatrapa and as an associate of his grandfather Chashṭana in the government of the country.