Gautamiputra Satakarni

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Coin of Gautamiputra Satakarni.
Obv: King in profile. Prakrit legend "Rano Gotamiputasa Siri Yana Satakarnisa": "In the reign of Gautamiputra Sri Yana Satakarni"
Rev: Hill with Satavahana symbol, sun and moon. Dravidian legend "Arahanaku gotami putaku Hiru Yana Hatakanaku".^[1]

Gautamiputra Satakarni (also known as Shalivahana) (c. 78-102 AD) was the twenty-third ruler of the Satavahana Empire. He succeeded his father, Emperor Satakarni.

Gautamiputra Satakarni, often acknowledged by historians as the greatest of the Satavahana rulers, took to the throne after his father, Satakarni. Satakarni had earlier expanded the Satavahana Empire and gained considerable prosperity due to his two Aswamedha sacrifices. However, when Gautamiputra ascended the throne, the Satavahana Empire was loosely attached and was facing the threats of invasions from Sakas and Yavanas. However, Gautamiputra defeated the Yavanas, Sakas and Pahlavas and re-established the ancient glory of the Satavahanas. He overthrew Nahapana and restruck a large number of Ksaharata coins of the Jogalthembi hoard.

A coin of Nahapana restruck by Gautamiputra Satakarni.

The Nasik Prasasti describes Gautamiputra as the ruler of the Aparanta, Anupa, Saurashtra, Kukura, Akara and Avanti, and he must have wrested them from Nahapana. He also seems to have recovered the territories in Central Deccan, which had been lost by the Satavahanas during the earlier rule of his predecessors. Under him, the Satavahana arms must have reached as far south as Kanchi. He is also credited with the conquest of territories in the Kolhapur area in the Southern Maharashtra, which he seized from the Ananda rulers. Gautamiputra also annexed the Banavasi area, thus established his sway over portions of Karnataka. He was succeeded by his son, Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi in about 130 AD.

Gautamiputra Satakarni also defeated the Saka king Vikramaditya thus starting the Shalivahana era or Shaka Calendar which is still used by Maharashtrians, Telugus and Kannadigas.

Gautamiputra Satakarni took the titles of

• Trisamudrapittoyvahana (one whose horses had drunk waters from 3 oceans)
• sakayavanpallavanidusana (destroyer of saka, yavana and pallavas)

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Source for coin information

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