2nd century

During the 2nd century CE, Kolhapur and the surrounding region continued to develop under the broader political and cultural influence of powerful dynasties and expanding trade networks. While Kolhapur as a city was not yet prominent in historical texts, the region was significant in several ways:

?️ 1. Satavahana Dynasty (Continued Rule)

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  The Satavahanas still controlled much of the Deccan, including the Kolhapur region.

  
  


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  Key rulers in this period include:

  
  
  
  
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    Gautamiputra Satakarni (late 1st to early 2nd century CE): A powerful king who expanded the empire and defeated rivals like the Western Kshatrapas.

    
    
  
  
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    Vasisthiputra Pulumavi: Continued Satavahana expansion and trade.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  The region likely remained under Satavahana administration, which promoted urbanization, infrastructure, and coinage.

  
  

? 2. Religious and Cultural Growth

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  Buddhism remained important, with Buddhist caves and monasteries being built across Maharashtra (like Karla, Bhaja, Nashik). While Kolhapur itself doesn't have major Buddhist caves, it was influenced by this cultural wave.

  
  


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  Shaivism and early Shaktism (worship of Shiva and the Goddess) also grew in prominence. Kolhapur's ociation with Mahalakshmi may have started taking stronger form.

  
  

? 3. Trade and Economy

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  The region was part of inland trade routes connecting:

  
  
  
  
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    West coast ports (like Sopara and Kalyan) to the Deccan plateau.

    
    
  
  
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    These routes carried goods like cotton, spices, gemstones, and Roman coins have been found in places near Kolhapur, showing contact with the Roman Empire.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Brahmapuri (an archaeological site near Kolhapur) has yielded Roman coins, beads, terracotta objects, and evidence of settlement, dating back to this period.

  
  

? 4. Sanskrit and Prakrit Inscriptions

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  Inscriptions from the Satavahana period were mostly in Prakrit, written in Brahmi script.

  
  


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  These inscriptions (found in Nashik, Karla, etc.) record land grants and donations to Buddhist monasteries—though not directly from Kolhapur, they reflect the general administrative and religious practices of the region.