Material Culture, Social Life.
- Material culture was a mixture of Northern and local elements.
- Most tools excavated in Satavahana period relate to the megalith materials, like the use of Iron and Agriculture.
- The socketed hoes, sickles, spades, axes, ploughshare, adzes, razors, arrow heads were all discovered. All these belong to 1,2 and 3 centuries of the Christian era.
- At Karimnagar- a black smith shop was discovered.
- Satavahanas did not use gold coins as Kushans but used Lead, Potin, Copper and Bronze coins.
- The Ikshvakus who succeeded Satavahanas also issued their coins.
- They knew the Art of Paddy Transplantation
- The mouth of two rivers Krishna and Godawari formed great Rice Bowl – People of Deccan produced cotton-hence rural economy existed.
- Foreign accounts says that Andhra was rich in cotton production.
- Pliny says ,Andhra kingdom maintained army of 1,00,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry,1000 elephants.
- Through northern contacts –the deccan learnt to use of coins, burnt bricks, ring wells and act of writing.
- Fire-backed bricks and roof tiles though were found in kushan constructions, were widely used in Decan and Western India under Satavahana . So they contributed to constructions.
- 22-brick wells found at Peddabaukur in Karimnagar district in 2 C.A.D.- that proves high or dense habitation existed
- Underground drains to channel waste water into soakage pits found.
- Pliny informs Andhra country in eastern Deccan had 30 walled towns and numerous villages.
- Romans and Satavahanas coins discovered at Godawari and Krishna area- Proofs trade relations between them.
Social Organisation
- Satavahanas are a of tribe Deccan
- But were Bharamins and claimed to be Bharamins.
- Gauthamaputra Satakani daimed him to be Bharamana
- This impact was caused by Saka inflict and Brahmanisation of Deccan people.
- The Shakas absorption of Brahminical Society, Kshtriyas made marriage relation with Sathavahanas.
- Indigenous tribes were cultured by Buddhist monks.-were given land grants to settle in western Deccan
- Traders also supported Buddhist monks, because were located on trade routes.
- Satavahanas 1st rulers to make land grand to Brahmins
- Increasing craft and commerce brought many merchant and artisans-merchants were pride in naming their village name. Generous donations to Buddhist monks and also set up small memorial tablet to them.
- Among the artisans gandhikas or perfumers are mentioned as donors.
Family Structure.
- In Satavahana Family structure there are traces of matailienal social structure. Kings were also named after mother-Gautamiputra, Vashishtputra. Inscription are issued by authority of kings, mother and Queens. Important religious gifts were given on their own right.
- The ruling family was patriarchal as the throne passed on to the male member.
Religion.
- Satavahanas were Brahmanas. Kings and Queens performed Vedic sacrifices of Ashvamedha and Vajapeya. They payed liberal sacrificial fees to the Brahmanas.
- Workshipped Vaishnava Gods of, Krishna and Vasudeva .
- Satavahana promoted Buddhism –granting lands to monks
- Mahayana form of Buddhism was followed by the artisan class.
- Important centres of Nagarjunakonda and Amaravathi became important seats of Buddhist Cultures.
- Buddhism flourished in Nasik and Junar in the Western Deccan in Maharashtra, it was supported by traders.
