The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c7.s7.8

v1.c7.s7.8

Whatever the area of the realm at any given moment, the king always wielded supreme authority over it. Succession to the throne was hereditary in the male line. Some of the later Sātavāhanas bore metronymics along with the personal name. But these metronymic titles had nothing to do with any practice of tracing descent through the matriarchal line. Probably the usage of calling sons after their mothers had its origin in the prevalence of polygamy. The downfall of the Mauryan empire appears to have been followed by a reaction in favour of the old Vedic rituals. Like Puṣyamitra Śuṅga of Magadha, Sātakarṇi II proclaimed his suzerainty by performing two Aśvamedhas, one Rājasūya, and a number of minor sacrifices. The kings were no longer content with the simple title of rājā. Unlike Aśoka, who actually ruled over much more extensive territories, Gautamiputra Sātakarṇi is called rājaraṇo, i.e. ‘king of kings’. In the regions conquered by the Śakas, a Kshatrapa was appointed by the Śaka suzerain at Taxilā or Mathurā. The title Mahākshatrapa is often met with in some of the inscriptions. Probably he exercised greater power and independence than a Kshatrapa, but was nevertheless nominally subservient to his overlord. Although the Kshatrapas were foreign agents, they ruled like any other Indian prince. Nahapāṇa styled himself rājan on his coins; his son-in-law made lavish donations on Hindu lines; and Rudradāman not only bore a Hindu name but also strove for the attainment of the objects of (dharmārtha)-kāma, and studied the arthavidyā (the Hindu science of polity) assiduously.²