- trace lineage w/ Viswamitra
- also referred to as Andhra or Andhrabhritya
- origin traced to 200BC but came to prominence in 1st Century AD
- Simukh regarded as real founder of Satavahanas in 1st Century AD
- history traced from Matsyapuran & many inscriptions in Naneghar abt Brahmin lineage
- estd. capital on banks of river Godavari
- Hala initially imp ruler, patronized art & literature
- wrote famous love poetry in Prakrit language - Gaatha Saptasati
- Gautamiputra Satkarni most pwrful & famous ruler
- his victories against Sakas are mentioned in Nashik inscription
- inscriptions further proclaim that Satkarni was the only protector of Brahmins
- inscribed on orders of his mother Gautami Balashree
- from his name, noted that Satvahanas have become matrilineal
- during his tenure, powers of Saka started to rise
- in one such fight, he was defeated by Saka ruler Rudradaman I
- married his daughter to Rudradaman
Initiatives of Satvahanas
- first rulers of India who started practice of granting land to priestly class
- incl. Brahmins + Buddhist
- patronized Amravati Style of sculpture
- first rulers of india who started issuing lead coins for commercial transactions apart from copper, silver, bronze