---

Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 2, p. 325.

Ix] HINDU PERIOD OF SOUTHERN INrDIA 325 (near the Narbada), the Rastikas (predecessors of the RashtrakFtas and Rattas of the Maratha country), the Petenikas (of Paithan in the Deccan), and the Bhojas and Aparantas of the Northern Konkan. This list probably sums up the nation- alities then known, the rest of the Deccan being an almost uninhabited waste, known as the Dandakarafiya, or desert of Dandaka. The Pallavas of Kafichi or Conjeeveram, who in later years became very powerful in the Deccan and on the east coast, do not appear to have sprung into existence so early. The Pallavas, if they are to be identified with the 'Pahlavas,' who were probably of Persian origin (Fleet, Bomob. Gaz., vol. i, part ii, p. 3I7, &c.), are mentioned in an inscription of about A. D. I50 at Nasik; and again in the inscription on the Allahabad pillar of about the middle of the fourth century, which states that they were defeated by the Guptas (ibid., p. 280). The other Southern chiefs similarly mentioned as defeated at that time are the kings of Kerala, Pishtapura, Kottur, Vengi, and others. The Pallavas were firmly established at the period of the latter inscription. The powerful Andhra dynasty of the Satavahanas dates from The about 180 B. c. They fixed their residence at Dhanyakataka, on Andhras. the Krishna; and, being ardent Buddhists, they constructed there the Amaravati sfl2pa, one of the most elaborate and precious monuments of piety ever raised b5y man. Their kingdom comprised all Middle India, and they ruled from sea to sea, having on their south the great Tamil kingdoms. After a time the Scythians from the north raided southwards, and there was war. In an inscription at Nasik the Andhra Gotamiputra is stated to have defeated the 'Sakas, Yavanas, and Pahlavas,' the Saka chief being the Kshatrapa Nahapina. This was about A. D. 125. Twenty-five years later Rudradaman, one of the Saka Satraps, fought the Andhra king, and, according to an inscription at Junagarh, twice conquered him; but success appears really to have lain with the Hindu, for the Saka conquests south of the Vindhyas were very limited in extent. The Andhra period seems to have been one of considerable prosperity. There was trade, both overland and by sea, with Western Asia, Greece, Rome, and Egypt, as well as with China and the East. Embassies are said to have been sent from South India to Rome. Indian elephants were used for Syrian warfare. Pliny mentions the vast quantity of specie that found its way every year from Rome to India, and in this he is confirmed by the author of the PenSrlus. Roman coins have been found in profusion in the Peninsula, and especially