Post-Mauryan and Pre-Satavahana Coinage and History of Telangana

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Though Telangana now happens to be the youngest and 29th state in India, it had been a distinct entity from ancient times. There were Greek references, to Asmakajanapada and Telangana by Megasthenese, Arrian, Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy. Ptolemy's Triglyphon and Trilinga corresponded to Telangana. First major family to rule this region was Asmakajanapada and it was succeeded successively by Nanda and Maurya dynasties. Most illustrious dynasty to rule this region next was Satavahana and their rule commenced in the later part of first century B.C. Post-Mauryan and Pre- Satavahana history of the Deccan which lasted about two hundred years is shrouded in darkness. Inscriptions and coins of that period reveal certain facts. After the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire some petty kings or local chieftains seemed to have assumed power in this region. Names of kings such as Gobhada, Narana, Kamvayasa, Sirivayasa and Samagopa have come to light from the coins found at Kotalingala in Telangana region. Coins proved that the founder and the first king of Satavahana dynasty was Chimuka Satavahana and he succeeded the local king Samagopa. It came to be known that Chimuka was an official with the title Maharathi before he became a king. This book describes the coins of the Post-Mauryan and pre- Satavahana found in Telangana and it is an effort to bring to light the history of that era.

Deme Raja Reddy is a well- known neurosurgeon and a numismatist. He is an authority on coins of the Deccan and published more than twenty books on the subject. He wrote more than 100 articles on coins in national and international journals. He was the past president of the south Indian numismatic society of Chennai and also that of the numismatic society of India of Varanasi.He was also the editor of the two journals published by these societies. He was the past president of the Telangana history congress and also the president of ancient section of the Andhra Pradesh history congress. He was the recipient of Marremanda Rama Rao medal of the numismatic society of India and P.L.Gupta medal of the south Indian numismatic society. Presently he is the chairman of the numismatic society of India.

Maurya and Satavahana were the two most illustrious dynasties to rule in ancient India. Mauryan Empire starting with Chandragupta was known for efficient bureaucracy based on principles enunciated in Arthasastra and this dynasty ruled most of the Indian subcontinent except the extreme south. Asoka was the last major ruler of Maurya dynasty and his patronage helped spread the Buddhism far and wide. The Satavahana was the first indigenous dynasty from south India or Dakshinapatha to rule north of Vindhyas. During their long rule Satavahana dynasty provided peace and prosperity through foreign trade and they patronized a kind of art which flourished for many centuries. Hence it was no surprise that Satavahana period and Indus valley period are listed as the two times of peace and prosperity in 5000-year history of our country. The interim period between the end of Mauryan rule and the beginnings of Satavahanais not well known and the aim of this book is to list the local kings who ruled from Kotalingala in Telangana during that period. The coins of that period revealed that founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Chimuka and he succeeded the local king Samagopa. It is also revealed the Chimuka was a Maharathi before he became a king and founded the Satavahana dynasty. The contribution of coins for providing information for this history is significant and recorded. It is also pertinent to note that Satavahanas issued small denomination coins of base metals that helped the trade internally as well. Telangana located between the Godavari and Krishna, third and fourth major rivers in our country became the birth place of Satavahana Empire which in its splendor, power and extent rivaled the Mauryan and Kushan Empires encompassing the northern and northwestern India of those times.

Telangana is now listed as the youngest and 29th state in our country but it had been a distinct entity from ancient times. There were Greek references to Asmaka Janapada and Telangana by Megasthenese, Arrian, Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy. Pliny the Elder in the monumental works on Natural history mentions the tribe Asmagi on the Godavari and its capital was styled as Potali. The Asmaka janapada must have been powerful in ancient times since its capital Potana was listed along with six other ancient states. Ptolemy's Triglyphon and Trilinga corresponded to Telangana. First major family to rule this region was Asmaka janapada and it was succeeded successively by Nanda and Maurya dynasties. Most illustrious dynasty to rule this region was Satavahana and their rule commenced in the later part of first century B.C. Post-Mauryan and Pre-Satavahana history of the Deccan which lasted about two hundred years is shrouded in darkness. Inscriptions and coins of that period reveal certain facts. After the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire some petty kings or local chieftains seemed to have assumed power in this region.