The social, cultural, and economic administrative system of Satavahanas
The administration of the Satavahanas is mentioned in “Nasik” and “Ushman Ghar” inscriptions. The Satavahanas followed the Mauryan style of administration. There was a secretariat called “Akshapatala” to implement the king’s advice. The Hathigumpha inscription mentions the Chaturanga powers of the Satavahanas. The military maneuvers and strategy of the Satavahana period are revealed through the Amaravati sculptures. In the Satavahana kingdom, every state had an army and every city had defenses. The village rule of the Satavahanas is described in the “Macedonian” inscription.
Bhattiprolu Nigamsabha inscription tells about the Nigam Sabhas means the municipal councils which rule the urban area of the satavahana kingdom. Gram sabhas were held for the governance of the village. During the time of the Satavahanas, the village headman was called “Gulmika” and all village assemblies were called “Gulma”. There was a government official called “Mahakaryaka” to solve the problems in the villages.
During the time of the Satavahanas patriarchal system and the system joint family was in force. During the time of the Satavahanas, the system of marriage had a sacred place. Polygamy was practiced among the upper classes and widows practiced celibacy. During the time of Satavahanas, there was a slave system. And these slaves worked in the homes of the rich, in factories, in agricultural work, and for merchants.
The economic base of the Satavahanas was agriculture and the main occupation of the people in their kingdom was agriculture. All the agricultural land in the Satavahana kingdom does not belong to the king. The king only owns the land which is the king’s territory. Land tax was the main source of revenue for the Satavahana kingdom, and the tax was about ¼ to ⅛ depending on circumstances. The Satavahanas minted coins made of lead, copper, silver, and gold. Most of them were coins minted with lead. Jainism and Buddhism became popular in the south when the Satavahanas established their empire, and the Vedic religion began to spread as the Satavahanas adopted and patronized the Vedic religion. All three religions were popular during their time. The coins minted by the Satavahana kings have images of a bull, swastika symbol, horse, elephant, lion, ship, Triratna, and Ujjain arch.
Satavahana Dynasty – Introduction, History, Rulers, FAQs
The Satavahana Dynasty began in the mid-1st century BCE and came to an end in the early 3rd century CE. The area of rule of Satavahanas is debatable and some historians argue that they initially established control over the area around Pratishthana in West Deccan and expanded to Deccan, Andhra, and the western coast. The Satavahanas were the first native Indian kings to rule after Ashoka’s death and they ruled for about 450 years from their existence in 230 BC and ended in 220AD.
Satavahanas
Table of Content
- Origin and Development of Satavanahana Dynasty
- Important Kings of the Satavahana Dynasty
- The social, cultural, and economic administrative system of Satavahanas
- Famous Inscriptions during the reign of the Satavahanas
- Facts About Satavahana Dynasty
- Decline of Satavahana kingdom