9.4 Administration

Updated 14 Jun 2026·2 min read·0 linked PYQs

Administration of the Satvahanas

@ ministers were appointed by the King and it was not hereditary. B D Chattopadhyay suggested that it is unlikely that they the Satvahanas would have been centralised state. The Maharathi and Mahabhojas would have had been local rulers.
Coins suggested that these local rulers swayed in their loyalty. They also had matrimonial ties with the Satavahanas.
The empire was divided into Aharas.
Amatyas, Mahamatra, mahasenapati etc were official

~ The details about relation b/w Satvahanas with Maharathi and Mahabhojas are little.
Some details about Maharathis can be found at inscription from Karle and about Mahabhojas from west coast.
Pre Satvahana and Satvahana levels at sites such as Veerapuram have coins with title Maharathi on them.
Many other coins have been found with the name of local rulers suggesting numerous small political principalities.
@ These rulers were the Rathikas and Bhojas during the Ashokan period.
The Puranas identify the Satvahanas as the Andhras viz the Matsya, Brahmanda and the Vayu.
Their coins have been found in Kotalingala and Sangareddy in Karimnagar but rule started in the western Deccan around Pratishthana and moved east.
Founder of the dynasty was Simuka .
The conflict b/w Satavahanas and the Shakas was for the control of the ports of Bhrigukacha, Kalyan and Sopara.
Vishishtaputra Pulamayi was the successor of Satakarni I. The coins of another king Yajnashri Satakarni depicts single and double masted ships.

9.4 Administration

Updated 14 Jun 2026·2 min read·0 linked PYQs

@ ministers were appointed by the King and it was not hereditary. B D Chattopadhyay suggested that it is unlikely that they the Satvahanas would have been centralised state. The Maharathi and Mahabhojas would have had been local rulers.
Coins suggested that these local rulers swayed in their loyalty. They also had matrimonial ties with the Satavahanas.
The empire was divided into Aharas.
Amatyas, Mahamatra, mahasenapati etc were official

~ The details about relation b/w Satvahanas with Maharathi and Mahabhojas are little.
Some details about Maharathis can be found at inscription from Karle and about Mahabhojas from west coast.
Pre Satvahana and Satvahana levels at sites such as Veerapuram have coins with title Maharathi on them.
Many other coins have been found with the name of local rulers suggesting numerous small political principalities.
@ These rulers were the Rathikas and Bhojas during the Ashokan period.
The Puranas identify the Satvahanas as the Andhras viz the Matsya, Brahmanda and the Vayu.
Their coins have been found in Kotalingala and Sangareddy in Karimnagar but rule started in the western Deccan around Pratishthana and moved east.
Founder of the dynasty was Simuka .
The conflict b/w Satavahanas and the Shakas was for the control of the ports of Bhrigukacha, Kalyan and Sopara.
Vishishtaputra Pulamayi was the successor of Satakarni I. The coins of another king Yajnashri Satakarni depicts single and double masted ships.