Q. With respect to the Satavahanas, consider the following statements:
Nanaghat and Nasik inscriptions are related to them.
Earliest epigraphic grant of land is found in the Nasik inscription of Balasri.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Answer:
Only 1
Notes:
The Nanaghat and Nasik inscriptions are related to the Satvahanas. In Nanaghat inscription, Satakarni I was described as ‘Dakshinapatha-pathi’.
In the Nasik inscription of Balasri, Gautamiputra Satakarni is called ‘Ekabrahmana”which means either ‘unrivalled Brahmin’ or ‘the only protector of the Brahmins’.
Inscriptions show that the Satavahanas started the practice of granting fiscal and administrative immunities to brahmins and Buddhist monks. Perhaps the earliest epigraphic grant of land is found in the Nanaghat Cave Inscription of Naganika, who bestowed villages (grama) on priests for officiating at Vedic sacrifices, but it does not speak of any concessions in this context.