Satavahanas are one of the powerful dynasties in ancient India. They were vassals of the Mauryas. After the Mauryas, They started consolidating their power in South India. They are the first rulers to consolidate the Andhras/Telugu Speaking people in India. More than 30 Kings ruled nearly 400 years. Founder of this Dynasty is Srimukha. Prominent kings are Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni and Yagnasri Satakarni.
Administrative Structure:-
* Entire Kingdom of the satavahanas comes under a king, who is called as Maharaja. He is assisted by body of advisors, who are called as "Rajamukhya". Kings are not despotic but benevolent rulers.
* At Central level, there are several key people such as Secretary implementing orders of the king is called "Akshapatala"; Chief Treasury Officer, "Heranika"; Custodian of Godowns, "Mahabandagarika" and many other.
* Entire kingdom is divided into "Aharas", which is headed by "Amatyas".
* City level administration was taken care by an autonomous body called "Nigama Sabha".
* Village is headed by "Gulmika". "Aryaka" deals with local disputes and "Nibandhakarana" deals with revenue records at village level.
Army:- Megasthanese's Indica says that Andhras have more than 30 forts, 1 lakh Infantry, 8,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephantry.
Revenue:- The revenue collected was at the rate of 1/6th of produce and it is called "Bhoga". Besides this, taxes called "Karukara" were collected from Artisans.
Judiciary:- Instead of Centralised Legal jurisprudence of Mauryas, Sathavahanas followed decentralised legal system, where local traditions, customs and laws were given priority at village level.
In this way, Sathavahanas tried to held the Kingdom for nearly 400 years. Their ruling was benevolent despotism. Instead of Maurya's centralisation, they emphasised the decentralisation, which finally culminated into development of Powerful Vassals. For examples, Ikshwakus, who succeeded the Sathavanas.
Administrative Structure:-
* Entire Kingdom of the satavahanas comes under a king, who is called as Maharaja. He is assisted by body of advisors, who are called as "Rajamukhya". Kings are not despotic but benevolent rulers.
 |
| Yajnasri Satakarni, Contemporary of Acharya Nagarjuna |
* Entire kingdom is divided into "Aharas", which is headed by "Amatyas".
* City level administration was taken care by an autonomous body called "Nigama Sabha".
* Village is headed by "Gulmika". "Aryaka" deals with local disputes and "Nibandhakarana" deals with revenue records at village level.
Army:- Megasthanese's Indica says that Andhras have more than 30 forts, 1 lakh Infantry, 8,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephantry.
Revenue:- The revenue collected was at the rate of 1/6th of produce and it is called "Bhoga". Besides this, taxes called "Karukara" were collected from Artisans.
Judiciary:- Instead of Centralised Legal jurisprudence of Mauryas, Sathavahanas followed decentralised legal system, where local traditions, customs and laws were given priority at village level.
In this way, Sathavahanas tried to held the Kingdom for nearly 400 years. Their ruling was benevolent despotism. Instead of Maurya's centralisation, they emphasised the decentralisation, which finally culminated into development of Powerful Vassals. For examples, Ikshwakus, who succeeded the Sathavanas.
No comments:
Post a Comment