Question

Which literary work is of utmost importance for the social and cultural history of Satavahanas ?
1. Aitareya Brahmana
2. Dharmasutras
3. Puranas
4. Gathasaptasati of Hala

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Gathasaptasati of Hala

The correct answer is Gathasaptasati of Hala.

• Gathasaptasati of Hala is literary work that is of utmost importance for the social and cultural history of Satavahanas.
• King Hala of the Satavahana dynasty compiled the Gathasaptashati. It is also called Gaha Sattasai in Prakrit. 
• It is a collection of poems with mostly love as the theme. Around forty of the poems are attributed to Hala himself.
• The Satavahanas thus assumed an all-India significance as imperial rulers in succession to the Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas and Kanvas.

• The Satavahanas also referred to as the Andhras in the Puranas were an ancient Indian dynasty based in the Deccan region.
• The term “Satvahana” originated from the Prakrit which means ” driven by seven” which is an implication of the Sun God’s chariot that is driven by seven horses as per Hindu mythology.
• Pratishthan, which is also known as Paithan, was the capital of the Satavahana kingdom. They were the successor to the Mauryan dynasty.
• The reign of the Satavahana Dynasty began in the mid-1st century BCE and came to an end in the early 3rd century CE.
• Sarvavarman, probably a minister of Hala, composed the Katantra on Sanskrit grammar for the use of the King. Gunadhya made over his Brihatkatha in Paisachi Prakrit to the same king Hala.
• Hala himself compiled the Gathasaptasati, an anthology of 700 Prakrit verses of various poets and poetesses. This Saptasati contains many Desi terms.