Brief notes on the Gautamiputra Satakarni as a conqueror, ruler and social reformer

a. As a conqueror:

Gautamiputra Satakarni who ascended the throne in 106 A.D. was the greatest of the Satavahana kings. He restored the fallen prestige of the Satavahana Empire.

Not only that he, by defeating Nahapana, the Saka King, further extended the territorial boundary of the Satavahana empire.

The inscription describes Gautamiputra as the slayer of the Sakas, Yavanas and Pahlavas. Obviously meaning that the foreign aggressors had to suffer defeat at his hands.

As a result of his conquests Satavahana Empire under him had extended from Malwa in the north to the river Krishna in the south, and from Berar in the east to Konkan in the west.

b. As a Ruler:

The Satavahanas generally followed the system of administration that the Mauryas had adopted and Gautamiputra Satakarni was no exception to this.

He maintained strict military control over the areas that he had conquered. This was necessary as the local population was not reconciled to the new Satavahana rule.

For efficient administration the empire was divided into small administrative units.

c. As a Social Reformer:

Gautamiputra Satakarni is also remembered as a social reformer. The traditional Indian social order based on varna, that had been threatened by the influx of foreign peoples, was re-established by Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Prohibitive orders were issued on the intermixing of people of different social orders.

Despite this conservative attitude of Gautamiputra the free mixing between the Sakas and the Satavahanas could hardly be checked.

However, Gautamiputra Satakarni was a man of great virtues. He levied taxes following a uniform policy based on the abilities of the peasants.