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(Section 1)
INTERNAL EVIDENCES SĀTAKARŅI
Looking to internal evidences, we find mention of certain contemporary rulers in the Hāthigumphā inscription, and if we could decide upon their date, our problem might be solved.
In his second year, Khāravela sent his forces towards the west disregarding Sāta karņi," who is none else than a ruler of the Andhra-Sātavāhana house. Now, among the early Andhra rulers, we know of a certain Sātakarņi, the husband of Nāyinikā, from the Nanaghat record, and he has been identified with the third ruler of the Pauranic lists.
The name of the Andhra nation is extremely ancient, being mentioned in the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa representing a Dasyu race, living on the fringes of the Aryan settlements and descended from Viśvāmitra.? At a later date they find a mention in the Asokan edicts and were reckoned among the tribes and nations resident in or adjoining the outer limits of the Mauryan empire, and perhaps, subject to the Imperial command, although enjoying a considerable degree of autonomy under their own rājā. Secondly, believing the pauranic evidence of 30 kings with a reign period of 460 years and also that the Andhra power came to an end in about 225 A. D., we arrive at (460—225=) 235 B. C. or
1. Line 4 :-"Dutiye cha vase achitayita sätakanim pachhima disam haya-gaja-nara-radha-bahulam dandan palhi payati."
2. Qtd. D. R. Bhandarkar, IA, XLVII, 1916, p. 70. 3. RE XIII (256 B. C.).
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