Satavahana Administration

• Role of the King: The Satavahana king, referred to as Rajan, was regarded as the protector of his people. He was the supreme authority and ensured justice and governance in the kingdom.
• Administrative Divisions:
  • The empire was organized into Janapadas (large provinces), which were further divided into Aharas (districts) and then into Gramas (villages).
  • Governance Structure:
    • A Senapati served as the provincial governor.
    • Amatyas were responsible for administering the Aharas.
    • At the village level, a Gramika was appointed as the head.
• Military Organisation:
  • The Satavahana army consisted of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants.
  • The commander of the army held the title of Mahasenapati.
• Role of Ministers:
  • Ministers were tasked with managing various functions like maintaining treasury records and land administration.
  • They were appointed by the king, and their positions were not hereditary, ensuring merit-based appointments.
• Tax Collection and Revenue:
  • The state collected taxes from both agriculture and trade.
  • Trade guilds played a dual role by managing trade and functioning as bankers.
  • The rulers ensured the safety of highways and constructed rest houses to facilitate trade.
• Land Grants:
  • The Satavahanas were pioneers in granting tax-free lands to Brahmanas and Buddhist Sanghas for religious merit.
  • They initiated the practice of donating the revenue of entire villages to Brahmanas or Buddhist monasteries, which later gained prominence during the Gupta period.
• Agricultural Development: The rulers emphasized expanding agricultural land to boost revenue. Irrigation systems were established to support farming.

Economy During the Satavahanas

• Trade and Industry:
  • Trade flourished during their rule, with merchants organizing themselves into guilds to streamline activities.
  • Craft guilds of potters, weavers, and oil pressers emerged, reflecting the importance of skilled artisans in the economy.
• Coins and Currency:
  • The Satavahanas issued Karshapanas, silver coins used in trade.
  • Their coinage, which included lead, copper, potin (an alloy of copper, zinc, lead, and tin), and silver, reflected large-scale monetization.
  • Lead coins were particularly predominant during their reign.
• Overseas Trade:
  • The Satavahana period witnessed vibrant overseas trade, with ports in both the eastern and western Deccan playing a crucial role.
  • Key ports included:
    • Kalyani on the west coast.
    • Gandakasela and Ganjam on the eastern coast.
  • The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Pliny’s Natural History mention the region’s active trade networks.
• Important Trade Routes and Centres:
  • The Nanaghat trade route was pivotal for economic activities, facilitating the movement of goods from ports like Kalyan and Sopara to inland regions.
  • Central Deccan’s textile hubs, Tagara (Ter) and Paithan (Pratishthana), were highly significant for producing and exporting textiles.
• Agricultural Advancements:
  • The Satavahana reign introduced several new crops, including coconut in northern Konkan and pepper on the Malabar coast.
  • Other agricultural products included wheat, barley, millet, lentils, and oilseeds like sesame (tila), which had substantial commercial value.
  • Guilds of oil pressers (tilapeshakas) in the Deccan highlight the importance of sesame oil production.
  • The Gatha Saptasati mentions the cultivation of mustard (rajika variety) in the Godavari Valley.
• Irrigation:
  • Significant attention was paid to irrigation to ensure agricultural productivity.
  • An inscription from Kanheri, dated to the second century CE, records the construction of a tank (talaka).
• Land Ownership:
  • State ownership of land was a prevalent practice.
  • An inscription from the Nasik caves, attributed to Gautamiputra Satakarni (c. 130 CE), mentions the grant of royal land (rajam khettam) to Buddhist monks.
• Growth of Urban Centres:
  • Urban sites like Nevasa, Ter, and Satanikota in the western and central Deccan flourished due to agricultural expansion, trade, and artisanal activities.
  • Excavations at Amaravati, Bhottiprolu, Salihundam, and Nagarjunakonda, located in the Krishna delta, reveal urban planning and features.
  • The proximity of these cities to the eastern coast enhanced their significance.
• Market Centres:
  • Inscriptions highlight the development of urban (nagara) and market (nigama) centres, indicating a robust trade network.
  • The Satavahanas’ efficient administration and economic policies contributed to the prosperity of their empire, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian history.