You are here: Home >> ToThePoint >> GK - History : Satavahana Dynasty/Empire

Important facts on Satavahana Empire and its rulers - Simuka, Satkarni-I, Hala and Gautamiputra Satkarni:

Satavahana Dynasty:

1. After the decline of Mauryan empire, Satavahana empire ruled most part of India for about 450 years.
2. The Satavahana empire are credited for establishing peace in the country. They effectively resist the onslaught of foreigners after the decline of Mauryan Empire.
3. The Satavahanas were the first to issue coins with their rulers embossed on it.
4. Simuka was the founder of Satavahana empire.
5. Simuka conquered the present-day Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh (including Malwa).
6. Srikakulam was the capital of Satavahana empire.
7. Simuka ruled for about 23 years (230-207 B.C.).
8. Simuka was succeeded by his brother Kanha who extended the empire towards South India.
9. Satkarni-I was the 6th ruler of the Satavahana empire. He ruled for 56 years (180–124 BC).
10. Satkarni-I defeated the Sunga dynasty of North India.
11. Satkarni-I extended Satavahana rule over Madhya Pradesh and pushed back the Sakas from Pataliputra.
12. Satkarni-I was mentioned in Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela.
13. According to Purana he conquered Kalinga after the death of Kharavela.
14. Hala was the 17th king of Satavahan empire. He compiled the Gatha Saptashati (in Prakrit language) which was based on love.
15. Gautamiputra Satkarni was the 23rd ruler of the Satavahana empire. He was the greatest ruler of Satavahana empire.
16. Gautamiputra Satkarni ruled Satavahana empire from 78-102 A.D. He had the title of Brahmana.
17. Gautamiputra Satkarni revived the Satavahana empire by destroying the Shakas (Western Kshatrapas), Yavanas (Indo-Greeks) and Pahlavas (Indo-Parthians). He defeated Nahapana, the Saka king.
18. Achievements of Gautamiputra Satkarni was mentioned in Nasik inscription composed by his mother, Gautami.
19. Satavahanas ruler were the first rulers to donate land to Brahmanas.
20. Nasik and Nanaghat are the important inscription which give detail information of Satavahana empire.


Objective Questions on Satavahana Empire and its rulers:
1. Who was the founder of Satavahana empire?
(a) Gautamiputra Satkarni
(b) Simuka
(c) Satkarni-I
(d) Vashishtiputra Satakarni

2. Which of the following rulers of Satavahana empire was mentioned in Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela?
(a) Vashishtiputra Satakarni
(b) Simuka
(c) Gautamiputra Satkarni
(d) Satkarni-I

3. Who was the mother of Gautamiputra Satkarni?
(a) Koshala
(b) Naganika
(c) Gautami
(d) Yasodha

4. During the Satavahanas rule, Ghatikas were?
(a) Educational Institutions
(b) Hospitals
(c) Business Centres
(d) Forts

5. Which religion was followed by the Satavahanas?
(a) Hinduism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Vedic religion
(d) b and c

6. Who mentioned in his book Indica that the Satavahanas possessed 1,00,000 infantry, 1,000 elephants, and had more than 30 well built fortified towns?
(a) Kautilya
(b) Megasthenes
(c) Banabhatta
(d) Ibn Batututa

7. Who of the following was the greatest ruler of Satavahana empire?
(a) Simuka
(b) Satkarni-I
(c) Gautamiputra Satkarni
(d) Vashishtiputra Satakarni

8. Who of the following ruler of Satavahana empire composed Gatha Saptashati?
(a) Hala
(b) Pulomavi-I
(c) Satkarni-I
(d) Gautamiputra Satkarni

9. Which language was followed by the Satavahana rulers?
(a) Hindi
(b) Sanskrit
(c) Prakrit
(d) Telugu

10. Satavahana empire was divided into?
(a) Sarkars
(b) Bhuktis
(c) Mandalas
(d) Aharas


Answers - 1(b), 2(d), 3(c), 4(a), 5(d), 6(b), 7(c), 8(a), 9(c) and 10(d).