Prachin Bharat Varsh Part 05

This document is the fifth part of the book "Prachin Bharat Varsh" (Ancient Indian History) by Tribhuvandas Laherchand Shah. Published by Shashikant and Co.

This volume focuses on the period from 900 BCE to 100 CE and is divided into four sections, with this being the fifth part. The author claims to present historical facts based on ancient inscriptions, coins, and authentic historians, offering new insights.

The book delves into the history of the Satavahana (also known as Shātavāhana or Andhra) dynasty. It meticulously analyzes the various names attributed to this dynasty, such as Andhra, Andhra-Bhṛtya, Śāta, Śata, Śātavāhana, Śātakarṇi, and Śālivāhana. The author extensively discusses the origins, geographical locations, and the evolution of these names, referencing numerous scholars and ancient texts.

Key areas covered include:

• The Andhra Dynasty: Its identification as a Dravidian people, their probable location in the deltas of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, and their military strength.
• The Founder and His Family: The text explores the lineage and origins of the founder, Śrīmukha, suggesting possible connections to the Magadha king Nanda II and a śūdra queen. It also discusses the geographical context of the founder's birth and subsequent political moves.
• The Chronology of the Satavahana Dynasty: The book attempts to establish a timeline for the dynasty, analyzing the conflicting dates provided by various Puranic texts and inscriptions. It scrutinizes the periods of rule of different kings and their potential timelines.
• The Identity of Kings: The author critically examines the identities and the possible familial relationships of prominent rulers like Śrīmukha, Krishna, Śātakarṇi, Gautamiputra, Vilivāyakura, Pulumāvi, and Śālivāhana. It highlights the difficulties in establishing precise identities and sequences due to the fragmented nature of the available evidence.
• Religious and Political Influences: The text discusses the religious affiliations of the rulers, suggesting a shift from Jainism to Vedic practices in some instances. It also explores the political landscape, including interactions and conflicts with contemporary dynasties like the Śuṅgas, Kāṇvas, Śakas, and Guptas.
• Inscriptions and Coins: The book analyzes several key inscriptions, such as the Nanaghat inscription and the Hathigumpha inscription, to reconstruct historical events and shed light on the reigns of various rulers. It also references the significance of coins in understanding the economic and political aspects of the period.
• The Significance of Titles and Symbols: The author discusses the meaning and importance of various titles like "Mahārathi" and "Mahākṣatrapa" and their implications in understanding the political hierarchy and relationships between different rulers. The symbolism on coins is also briefly touched upon.

The work emphasizes the challenges faced by historians in reconstructing ancient Indian history due to the scarcity and often contradictory nature of available sources. It highlights the author's meticulous approach in analyzing and synthesizing information from diverse sources to present a comprehensive narrative.