Question 52 of 55 · Post-Mauryan & Gupta Age
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The Satavahana ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni was also known by the title:

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Answer: Option D — Ekabrahmana

Detailed Solution

Gautamiputra Satakarni, the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, was known by the title "Ekabrahmana" ("the unique Brahmana").

About Gautamiputra Satakarni:

  • He ruled in the late 1st and early 2nd century CE (about 106-130 CE, according to many scholars).
  • He restored the power and glory of the Satavahanas, which had declined.
  • His achievements are described in the Nasik inscription issued by his mother, Gautami Balashri, in the 19th year of the reign of his son Vasishthiputra Pulumayi.

What the Nasik inscription says:

  • It describes him as "Ekabrahmana" (the unique Brahmana) and also as the destroyer of the pride of the Kshatriyas.
  • It says he destroyed the Shakas, Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas (Parthians).
  • It says he defeated the Kshaharata ruler Nahapana and restored the glory of the Satavahana family; many of Nahapana's coins were overstruck (re-stamped) with Gautamiputra's name.
  • It says that his horses drank the water of the three oceans ("trisamudra-toya-pita-vahana").
  • It says that he stopped the mixing of the four varnas (varnasankara).
  • It describes him as handsome, brave, and a protector of the people.

NCERT on Gautamiputra Satakarni:

  • NCERT notes that the most important ruler of the Satavahanas was Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni, and that we know about him from an inscription composed by his mother, Gautami Balashri.
  • He and other Satavahana rulers were known as "lords of the dakshinapatha".
  • He sent his army to the eastern, western and southern coasts.

His titles:

  • "Ekabrahmana": the unique Brahmana.
  • "Rajaraja": king of kings.
  • "Shatavahana-kula-yasha-pratishthana-kara": restorer of the glory of the Satavahana family.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗"Vikramaditya" was a title of Chandragupta II and others.
  • ✗"Devaputra" was a title of the Kushanas.
  • ✗"Maharajadhiraja" was a title used by the Guptas and later kings.

Quick tip

Remember: Gautamiputra Satakarni = "Ekabrahmana" (Nasik inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri; defeated Nahapana; "his horses drank the water of three oceans").

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Post-Mauryan & Gupta Age — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Post-Mauryan & Gupta Age, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers the period after the Mauryas: the Shungas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas, followed by the Gupta Empire, often called the classical age of India, and the reign of Harshavardhana. It includes art, literature, science and administration in these periods. Exams test the rulers and their achievements (Kanishka and the fourth Buddhist council, Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscription, Chandragupta II and Fa-Hien), the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art, and Gupta scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhata and Varahamihira. Harsha's reign is usually tested with Hiuen Tsang and Nalanda University. Practise the post-Mauryan and Gupta age questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.