Brief History‎ > ‎Medieval Period‎ > ‎

satvahan, vakataka, pallava, pandya

327 BC - greek
185 BC - 50 AD - shung

Satavahan Dynasty 40 BC - 220 AD

Simuka founded the Satvahana (also called Andhra and Shalivahan) dynasty (in 230BC?). They ruled from Paithan on the banks of Godavari. Satavahan Satakarni I, is said to have performed Ashvamedha Yadnya.

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most famous king in this dynasty. He defeated the Sakas(Scythian), Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas (Parithans). Sri Yajna Satakarni was the last great king in this dynasty. After him, the empire began to decline.

The Satavahanas inaugurated the Shalivahana Shaka. Satavahanas were very able rulers. Their empire was divided into provinces called Aharas, each under an Amatya (minister). They had a large army. They were lovers of literature and architecture. Prakrit was the court language. Women took part in assemblies.

The Karle caves in Maharashtra were built during this period. Some caves of Ajanta were also built during this period. The construction of 29 galleries of Ajantha Caves continued until 650 AD.

Vakataka Dynasty 250-525AD

Many dynasties built their empire on the ruins of the Satavahan Empire. Vakataka was a prominient dynasty among them. The Vakataka kingdom was founded in 250 AD by Vindhyashakti. This kingdom extended from Narmada in the north to Tungabhadra in the south. Pravarsen I is the most famous Vakataka ruler.

Vakatakas were tributaries to Guptas for @30 years between 380-410 AD. But later Guptas had to make compromises with the powerful Vakatakas. During their rule, Maharashtra witnessed an overall development in the fields of learning, the arts and religion. The famous poem Harivijay was composed during this period. Few Ajanta caves belong to the Vakataka period.

Kalachuri:Ruled in northern parts of Maharashtra from Mahishmati.


Salankayana:They ruled over a part of the East Coast with Vengi as their capital.

Vishnukundin:Ruled the territory between the Krishna and Godavari from Indrapura. 

Pallava Dynasty

They had amicable relationship with the Cheras of the Malabar coast. Pallava king Narasimhavarman defeated the Chalukya's in 642AD. They survived the Chalukyas for a century. Later in the ninth century, they were defeated by joint forces of Pandyas and Cholas. For next 300 years, Pallavas remained minor rulers, till they finally faded out.

The Pallava kings constructed a number of stone temples in the seventh and eighth centuries. The most famous are the ones at Mahabalipuram.

Pandya Dynasty

The Pandyas in Madurai had established control by the sixth century. Their territory was the southern-most and the south-eastern portion of the Indian peninsula. In the early eleventh century, the powerful Cholas subjugated them.

The Pandya country was prosperous and the kings profited from trade with the Roman Empire. Tamil poets from southern India assembled at Madurai under the patron Pandyas.

Cheras of the Malabar