Sivasvati Explained

Succession:Satavahana Ruler
Reign:2nd century CE
Predecessor:Satakarni
Successor:Gautamiputra Satakarni
Issue:Gautamiputra Satakarni
Dynasty:Satavahana
Consort:Gautami Balashri

Sivasvati was a Satavahana king during the 1st century CE. He is mentioned in all the Puranas except the Brahmanda, and is said to have ruled for 28 years[1]

It was probably during the reign of Sivasvati that the Western Satraps invaded Northern Maharastra and Vidarbha and occupied the districts of Pune and Nashik, forcing the Satavahanas to abandon their capital Junnar and to move to Prastisthana (modern Paithan) in the vicinity of Aurangabad.[2]

His Queen was probably Gautami Balashri who appears in an inscription at Nasik Caves as the donator of Cave No.3, and mother of Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Sivasti was probably the father of the famous Gautamiputra Satakarni, who in the Nasik inscription is said to have "destroyed the Sakas, Yavanas and Palhavas; who rooted out the Khakharata race; who restored the glory of the Satavahana family".[3]

Notes and References

  1. Coinage of the Satavahana Empire - Inguva Karthikeya Sarma - 1980 page 132
  2. Tripurī, history and culture - M. C. Choubey - 2006 page 168
  3. Epigraphia Indica p.61-62