Asoka founded the most powerful secret society on earth: that of the Nine Unknown Men. What can have been the aim of these men?
Satavahana Empire
The Satavahanas were also called Andhras. The Aitareya Brahmana claims the
Andhras as, the exiled and degenerate sons of Viswamitra. Ashoka inscriptions
mentions the Andhras as border people. They were Dravidian people who lived
between the Godavari and the Krishna. Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana
dynasty. He was succeeded by his brother Krishna.
Scholars are of the opinion that the original home of the Andhras - Andhra
bhrityas was the Bellary district. Others claim their recordsto be found in the Northern Deccan and central India.
Satakarni was the successor after Simuka, and is a considerable figure, known
for his performance of two aswamedha sacrifices. His reign was followed by the
rule of Gautamiputra satakarni. He is said to have defeated the Yavanas, Sakas
and Phalanas and re-established the ancient glory of the Satavahanas.
Gautamiputra satkarni was succeeded by his son Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi in
about 130 AD. He extended his rule towards the Andhra country. Yajna Sri
Satakarni was the last great ruler of the Satavahanas. After him the weak
successors resulted in the contraction of the territory of the Satavahanas.
Hostility with the Saka rulers also led to the ultimate parceling of its
territories and decleration of independence .
The Satavahana society reflected the existence of four classes. The persons
who controlled and administered the districts, followed by the officials. They
were followed by the Vaidhya, cultivators. The fourth class were common citizen.
The head of the family was the Grihapati.
Both Buddhism and Brahmanism was practiced during the Satavahana
rule. A state of religions tolerance existed among of various sects of people
following varied faiths.
Trade flourished and there existed organisation of workers doing various
trades. Broach, Sopara and Kalyan were important trade points. The Satavahana
rulers patronised Prakrit which was the common language used on documents.
The Satavahana empire is said to be partitioned into five provinces. The
western territory of Nasik was possessed by the Abhiras. The Ikshavakus
dominated over the eastern part in the Krishna -Guntur region.
The Chutus possessed the southwestern parts extended their territory to the
north and east. The south eastern parts were under the Pahalvas.
The Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri near Cuttack speaks of a remarkable
rule of a contemporary of the Sungas known as Kharavela of Kalinga. He ruled
from about 176Bc to 164 BC. He is said to be the third ruler of the Cheta
dynasty.
In the first year of his rule he is said to be have furnished and improved
his capital Kalinga. In the second year he subdued and destroyed the capital of
the Mushikas disregarding the rule of Satakarni.
In his eighth year he destroyed the fortification of Gordha and entered as
far as Rajagriha in the Gaya district. He also conquered king Brihaspatimittra
of the Magadha. He also built the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves to provide
shelter to the Jain.
It can be concluded that he was as accomplished ruler and a generous guardian
of the people
