The Satavahanas: History, Trade and Coinage

The Satavahanas emerged as the pre-eminent imperial dynasty of the Deccan in the aftermath of the Maurya Empire. Their long rule, extending more than three centuries (c.150 BC–250 AD) saw the flourish of trans-national trade, urbanism and monumental architecture all over peninsular India. Extending their power over Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and sometimes Malwa and Gujarat, the Satavahanas were the political ‘titans’ of their times.

The lecture will focus on a very significant aspect of evidence we have on hand to reconstruct the history of the Satavahanas – their coinage. It will illustrate how coins can be deployed in studying important aspects of this history, such as the chronology of the Satavahanas, through numismatic methodologies. It will also present an overarching picture of Satavahana monetary history and the role their coinage played in underpinning important historical processes like trade and urbanisation.