Bhāratēr prathama aitihāsik rānir gourabagāthā-Nānāghāta praśasti/ ভারতের প্রথম ঐতিহাসিক রানীর গৌরবগাথা — নানাঘাট প্রশস্তি

Abstract

Nayanika was the first historical woman ruler in the history of ancient India. She was the wife of third Satavahana king Satakarni - I. After the death of her husband, Satakarni - I, she ruled as the guardian of her minor son. She was the first Indian woman to grace the currency of her realm alongside her consort that circulated throughout the land. She commissioned Nana-ghat inscription which is the oldest and most historically significant source for Satvahana kingdom. Her story serves as an eternal source of inspiration and reminds of the pivotal role played by woman in shaping the destiny of the Deccan civilizations. In Indian history many legendary women, like Rani Rudrama, Razia Sultana, Durgavati, Laksmi Bai, have gained immense popularity but we have heard little about Nayanika’s era. Therefor it is necessary to find out the history of the queen Nayanika’s realm.