The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuka. According to the Puranas, he is said to have killed Susarman , the last Kanva ruler and established the dynasty. He made Dhanakataka as his capital first, but later shifted to Pratishthanapura (Paithan in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra), and Kotilingala in Karimnagar district, due to their strategic location. However, the rulers of this family for a long time eulogised themselves as ‘Dhanakataka swamins’ (Lords of Dhanakataka). The Naneghat inscription portrays the figure of Simuka and the recently discovered coins at Kotilingala bear the name ‘Chimuka’ which has been ascribed to Simuka. He ruled for twenty three years.