Tripartite Struggle (78 A.D)

Tripartite Struggle (78 A.D)
India in 50 bc.jpg
Struggle for Avanti between Satavahanas, Kalinga and Western Satraps.
Date78 A.D
Location
Result

Satavahana victory

Belligerents
Satavahana dynasty Mahameghavahana dynasty Western Satraps
Commanders and leaders
Satakarni
Gautamiputra Satakarni
Kharvela Nahapana

Background

 
The Naneghat inscription. Dated to 70-60 BCE, it mentions reigning king Satakarni I, his queen Naganika, and his probable father Simuka.[1]

The Naneghat inscription is thought to have been made during the reign of Satakarni I.[2] According to the inscription, he married Nayanika (Naganika), daughter of the Maharathi Tranakayiro Kalalaya, scion of the Amgiya (Ambhiya) family.[3] She wrote the Naneghat inscription, in which she describes Satakarni as "Lord of Dakshinapatha, wielder of the unchecked wheel of Sovereignty".[4] The Naneghat inscription of Naganika suggests that Satakarni performed two horse sacrifices (Aswamedha), to proclaim his sovereignty.[5]

Kharvela–Satkarni Conflict

The Hāthigumphā inscription states that in the second year of his reign, Kharavela of Kalinga launched a westward campaign, ignoring the Satavahana ruler Satakarni. His army advanced to the river Kanhabennā, causing panic in Asikanagara, identified not as Maski but as Asika or Rishika modern-day Khandesh, west of Kalinga.[6]

The army likely reached the Vainganga River near Pauni, then the capital of Vidarbha under Satakarni's control, as confirmed by coin finds. The incursion alarmed neighboring regions like Asika, but the absence of a victory claim in the inscription suggests Kharavela's forces were repelled, likely by a prompt Satavahana response near Pauni.[5][7]

Kharvela Western Campgain

Kharavela launched another military expedition, this time deliberately avoiding direct conflict with the Satavahana ruler. During this campaign, he subdued groups referred to as the Rathikas and Bhojakas, compelling them to submit to his authority. However, the campaign appears to have yielded no lasting territorial acquisitions.[8]

Reference

  1. Carla M. Sinopoli 2001, p. 168.
  2. Alcock, Susan E.; Alcock, John H. D'Arms Collegiate Professor of Classical Archaeology and Classics and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Susan E.; D'Altroy, Terence N.; Morrison, Kathleen D.; Sinopoli, Carla M. (2001). Empires: Perspectives from Archaeology and History. Cambridge University Press. p. 169. ISBN 9780521770200.
  3. Raychaudhuri 2006, p. 346.
  4. Singh 2008, p. 382.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya (1974). Some Early Dynasties of South India. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 41–45. ISBN 978-81-208-2941-1.
  6. Sailendra Nath Sen (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. pp. 176–177. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
  7. Dr. Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi (1981). The History And Inscriptions Of The Sātavāhanas And The Western Kshatrapas. pp. 22–23.
  8. Dr. Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi (1981). The History And Inscriptions Of The Sātavāhanas And The Western Kshatrapas. pp. 22–23.

Sources