Gautamiputra Satakarni | |
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A 19th century artist's imagination of Gautamiputra Satakarani celebrating his victory over Nahapana
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Satavahana Ruler | |
Reign | 2nd century CE |
Predecessor | Sivasvati |
Successor | Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi |
Issue | Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi, Vashishtiputra Satakarni |
Dynasty | Satavahana |
Mother | Gautami Balashri |
Satavahana Kings (271 BCE – 220 CE) | |
Simuka | (1st century BCE) |
Kanha | (1st century BCE/CE) |
Satakarni | (1st-2nd century CE) |
Sivasvati | (1st century CE) |
Gautamiputra Satakarni | (1st-2nd century CE) |
Vasishthiputra Pulumavi | (2nd century CE) |
Vashishtiputra Satakarni | (2nd century CE) |
Shivaskanda Satakarni | (2nd century CE) |
Yajna Sri Satakarni | (2nd century CE) |
Vijaya | (2nd century CE) |
Gautamiputra Satakarni (IAST: Gautamīputra Śatakarṇi) was a ruler of the Satavahana Empire in present-day Deccan region of India. He ruled in the 2nd century CE, although his exact period uncertain. His reign is dated variously: 86-110 CE, c. 103-127 CE, or 106-130 CE.
The information available about Gautamiputra Satakarni comes from his coins, the Satavahana inscriptions and the royal genealogies in the various Puranas. The best known of these is the Nashik prashasti (eulogy) inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri, which credits him with extensive military conquests. Historical evidence suggests that Gautamiputra revived the Satavahana power after a decline caused by Shaka invasions.
Except the Brahmanda Purana, all the Puranas that contain the genealogy of Satavahana kings mention Gautamiputra. According to Bhagavata, Matsya and Vishnu Puranas, his predecessor was Shivasvati (IAST: Śivasvāti). However, Shivasvati remains historically unattested: no coins or inscriptions issued by him have been discovered. The Vayu Purana names the predecessor of Gautamiputra as Shivasvami (IAST: Śivasvāmi). The Brahmanada Purana does not mention the name "Gautamiputra" at all; instead it names a king called "Yantramati", who ruled for 34 years, and was preceded by Svātisena.
The mother of Gautamiputra Satakarni was Gautami Balashri (IAST: Gautami Bālaśri), as attested by Nasik prashasti, an inscription found at Pandavleni Caves in Nashik. The inscription is dated to the 19th regnal year of his son Vasishthiputra Pulumavi (or Pulumayi). It records the grant of a village to the Buddhist monks of the Bhadrayaniya sect.