Q. With reference to the Satavahana empire, consider the following statements:
- They were the first Native Indians who had issued the coins with portraits of their kings
- Nagarjunkonda in Andhra Pradesh and Amravati in Maharashtra became the important centers of Buddhism during the reign of Satavahanas
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
Answer:
Both 1 & 2
Notes: Satavahanas are considered the flag bearers of Aryanism to Deccan. They were the first Native Indians who had issued the coins with portraits of their kings. All the coins of Satavahanas used Prakrit dialect and also on backside the southern language (Telugu or Kannada). Prakrit seems to be the official language of Satavahanas. The Satavahanas worshipped the Hindu Deities such as Rama, Krishna, Vasudeva etc. but they also patronized the Buddhism. The Nagarjunkonda in Andhra Pradesh and Amravati in Maharastra became the important centers of Buddhism during the reign of Satavahanas and their successors. Saatavahana Built many Chaitya and Viharas. Most of them were rock cut from the solid rock in North Western Deccan and Maharashtra. The Karle Chaitya of 1st century BC is one of the most important Chaitya. The Viharas of the 1 century AD at Nasik bear the inscription of the Gautami Putra Satkarni and Nahapana.