In an attempt to throw light on the missing links in the ancient history of Maharashtra, archeologists started excavation at Ter – a site associated with the Satavahana dynasty, in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra.
The excavation work started on 28th January is revealing many new artifacts. Currently, archeologists have stumbled upon artifacts belonging to the medieval era. However they expect to find artifacts belonging to older period dating back to pre-Satavahana, as they go deeper.
The excavation is also expected to reveal more information on the trade relations between the Satavahanas and Rome.
What is Ter?
- Ter is a village in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra
- The state directorate of archaeology and museums have identified Ter as a site associated with the Satavahana dynasty.
- Till the 7th century A.D. Ter was a big trading centre.
- According to researchers Ter has trade relations with Rome during Ancient times.
Who were Satavahanas?
- The Satavahanas was a dynasty in ancient India who formed an Empire covering about present day Maharashtra and Andhra-Pradesh.
- The territory of the empire covered much of India from 230 BCE onward.
- Although there is some controversy about when the dynasty came to an end, the most liberal estimates suggest that it lasted about 450 years, until around 220 CE.
- The Satavahanas are credited for establishing peace in the country, resisting the onslaught of foreigners after the decline of Mauryan Empire.
- The Satavahanas were vassals to the Mauryan dynasty until the decline of the latter.
- They are known for their patronage of Vedic religion.
- The Satavahanas were early issuers of state coins with images of their rulers.
- They formed a cultural bridge and played a vital role in trade and the transfer of ideas and culture to and from the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the southern tip of India.
Struggle for supremacy
- They had to compete with the Sungas and then the Kanvas of Magadha to establish their rule.
- Later, they played a crucial role to protect a huge part of India against foreign invaders like the Sakas, Yavanas and Pahlavas.
- In particular their struggles with the Western Kshatrapas went on for a long time.
Great rulers of the Dynasty
- The great rulers of the Satavahana Dynasty Gautamiputra Satakarni and Sri Yajna Sātakarni were able to defeat the foreign invaders like the Western Kshatrapas and stop their expansion.
- In the 3rd century CE the empire was split into smaller states.
- According to ancient Sangam literature the Satavahana rulers were allied with the Tamil rulers of the Chera dynasty, Chola dynasty and Pandyan Dynasty to defeat the foreign invaders like the Scythians.
