Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest king not only of all the Satavahanas but also of the entire early South Indian kings. He was the 23rd ruler of the dynasty and ruled for twenty-four years. His greatness and achievements were recorded in the Nasik Prasasti, which was issued by his mother Gautami Balasri during the 19th regnal year of his son and successor, Pulomavi II.

When Gautamiputra Satakarni came to power, the Satavahana kingdom was limited to the regions east of Pratisttapura in Andhradesa. He conquered the neighboring kingdoms, including Assaka (Telangana), Asika, Mulaka (Aurangabad district of Maharashtra), and Vidarbha (Berar of Maharashtra).

His next unique victory was over the Saka ruler Nahapana of the Kshaharata family. This is evident from a large number of copper and silver coins of Nahapana found at Jogalthambi, which were restruck by Gautamiputra Satakarni. Later, he conquered Anupa, Aparantha, Saurashtra, Kukura, and Avanti, which had once been part of the Satavahana kingdom.

Due to these historic victories, the empire of Gautamiputra Satakarni extended from Rajasthan in North India to Vyjayanthi in Karnataka and Kadalur in Tamil Nadu. The Nasik inscription describes him as Tri Samudra Thoya Peetha Vahana (one whose horses drank the water of the three oceans), signifying that his armies had reached the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

The Nasik inscription also refers to him as:

• Kshatriya Darpamana Mardana (Destroyer of the pride of Kshatriyas)
• Kshaharata Vamsa Niravasesaka (Nirmulaka) (Destroyer of the Kshaharata family)
• Agama Nilaya (Abode of learning)
• Ekabrahmana (A staunch supporter of Vedic Dharma)

He was also described as having performed Asvamedha and Rajasuya sacrifices.

The Nasik and Karle grants mention that he regained the lost territories of Maharashtra from the successors of Nahapana. The Nasik inscription issued by Gautami Balasri provides a long eulogy of his achievements, describing him as the “King of Kings” and the ruler of Assika, Asmaka, Mulaka, Saurashtra, Kukura, Aparanta, Anupa, Vidarbha, Akara, and Avanti.

Among the Satavahana kings, he was considered an invincible conqueror and a righteous administrator who ensured peace, prosperity, and happiness for his subjects. He was compared to legendary Puranic heroes like Rama, Arjuna, Bhima, Nahusha, and Yayati.

For his achievements, he was given several epithets, including:

• Satavahanakula-Yasa-Puthapanakara
• Ekabrahmana
• Agama Nilaya
• Kshatriya Darpamana
• Trisamudratoyapithavahana