The age of the Satavahanas marks the beginning of the historical period in Telangana. The literary sources include the works of both native and foreign writers.

The Aitareya Brahmana provides the earliest reference to the Andhras, describing them as tribals along with other tribes such as:

• Pulindas
• Sabaras
• Pundras
• Mutibas

The Mahabharata also mentions that the Kauravas gained the support of the Andhras. The Puranas, such as the Matsya Purana and Vayu Purana, provide a long list of thirty kings, collectively known as the ‘Andhrabhrityas’.

The early Jaina Sutras and Buddhist works, including:

• Jatakas
• Pitakas
• Mahavastu

also contain references to the Andhras.

The Malavikagnimitram of Kalidasa, Kathasaritsagara of Somadeva, and Harsha Charitra of Bana mention Satavahana kings. Other notable literary works from this period include:

• Gathasaptasati by Satavahana king Hala
• Brihatkatha by Gunadhya
• Lilavati by Kutuhala
• Kamasutra by Vatsyayana

These texts provide valuable insights into the socio-cultural history of the Satavahana period.

The famous Mahayana philosopher, Acharya Nagarjuna, a contemporary of Yagnasri Satakarni, compiled significant works, including:

• Prajnaparamita
• Suhrullekha
• Rasaratnakara

These works also offer valuable information about the later Satavahana rulers.

Foreign Accounts

Several foreign writers have documented the Andhras and Satavahanas:

• Megasthenes’ Indica refers to the Andhras as a powerful people with 30 walled towns and provides details of their military strength.
• Pliny, in his works, also confirms the same information.
• Arrian, another Greek writer, referring to Indica, mentions that the Andhras were divided into multiple tribal kingdoms.
• The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, written by an anonymous Greek sailor, describes the conflict between the Sakas and the Satavahanas for maritime trade supremacy on the west coast.