Consider the following statements regarding the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha": 1. This title was used for the Satavahana rulers. 2. They sent their army to the eastern, western, and southern coasts. 3. They were contemporaries of the Kushanas. 4. They controlled the Silk Route in Central Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (b). Explanation The Satavahana dynasty emerged as a dominant power in the Deccan region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire. They played a crucial role in the political and cultural integration of Northern and Southern India and were significant patrons of trade and religion. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: The Satavahana rulers were frequently referred to as the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha." The term Dakshinapatha literally means the route leading to the south, but it was also used to denote the entire southern region. Inscriptions, such as the Nashik Prasasti composed by Gautami Balashri, describe Gautamiputra Satakarni as the Lord of the Dakshinapatha. - Statement 2 is Correct: The Satavahanas were a formidable military power. Gautamiputra Satakarni is described as one whose horses drank the waters of the "three oceans" (the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean). This indicates that they sent their armies to the eastern, western, and southern coasts to secure territory and control vital maritime trade points. - Statement 3 is Correct: The Satavahana rule roughly spanned from the late 1st century BCE to the early 3rd century CE. The Kushana Empire, established in the north-western part of the subcontinent, flourished during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE (notably under Kanishka). Therefore, the two dynasties were contemporaries. - Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Silk Route was a major trans-continental trade network connecting China with the Roman Empire through Central Asia. It was the Kushanas who controlled the Silk Route in the north-western subcontinent and Central Asia, deriving significant revenue from tolls. The Satavahanas controlled the internal trade routes of the Deccan (Dakshinapatha) and coastal ports, but they did not control the Silk Route in Central Asia. Key Takeaway: While the Satavahanas were the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha" controlling the Deccan and its coasts, the control of the Central Asian Silk Route was the strategic advantage of their northern contemporaries, the Kushanas.

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 9: Traders, kings and pilgrims

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha":

This title was used for the Satavahana rulers.
They sent their army to the eastern, western, and southern coasts.
They were contemporaries of the Kushanas.
They controlled the Silk Route in Central Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 3 only
C3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

The Satavahana dynasty emerged as a dominant power in the Deccan region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire. They played a crucial role in the political and cultural integration of Northern and Southern India and were significant patrons of trade and religion.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The Satavahana rulers were frequently referred to as the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha." The term Dakshinapatha literally means the route leading to the south, but it was also used to denote the entire southern region. Inscriptions, such as the Nashik Prasasti composed by Gautami Balashri, describe Gautamiputra Satakarni as the Lord of the Dakshinapatha.
Statement 2 is Correct: The Satavahanas were a formidable military power. Gautamiputra Satakarni is described as one whose horses drank the waters of the "three oceans" (the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean). This indicates that they sent their armies to the eastern, western, and southern coasts to secure territory and control vital maritime trade points.
Statement 3 is Correct: The Satavahana rule roughly spanned from the late 1st century BCE to the early 3rd century CE. The Kushana Empire, established in the north-western part of the subcontinent, flourished during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE (notably under Kanishka). Therefore, the two dynasties were contemporaries.
Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Silk Route was a major trans-continental trade network connecting China with the Roman Empire through Central Asia. It was the Kushanas who controlled the Silk Route in the north-western subcontinent and Central Asia, deriving significant revenue from tolls. The Satavahanas controlled the internal trade routes of the Deccan (Dakshinapatha) and coastal ports, but they did not control the Silk Route in Central Asia.

Key Takeaway:
While the Satavahanas were the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha" controlling the Deccan and its coasts, the control of the Central Asian Silk Route was the strategic advantage of their northern contemporaries, the Kushanas.

Your note

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The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The Satavahana rulers were frequently referred to as the "Lords of the Dakshinapatha." The term Dakshinapatha literally means the route leading to the south, but it was also used to denote the entire southern region. Inscriptions, such as the Nashik Prasasti composed by Gautami Balashri, describe Gautamiputra Satakarni as the Lord of the Dakshinapatha.
Statement 2 is Correct: The Satavahanas were a formidable military power. Gautamiputra Satakarni is described as one whose horses drank the waters of the "three oceans" (the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean). This indicates that they sent their armies to the eastern, western, and southern coasts to secure territory and control vital maritime trade points.
Statement 3 is Correct: The Satavahana rule roughly spanned from the late 1st century BCE to the early 3rd century CE. The Kushana Empire, established in the north-western part of the subcontinent, flourished during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE (notably under Kanishka). Therefore, the two dynasties were contemporaries.
Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Silk Route was a major trans-continental trade network connecting China with the Roman Empire through Central Asia. It was the Kushanas who controlled the Silk Route in the north-western subcontinent and Central Asia, deriving significant revenue from tolls. The Satavahanas controlled the internal trade routes of the Deccan (Dakshinapatha) and coastal ports, but they did not control the Silk Route in Central Asia.