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Gautamiputra Satakarni (also known as Shalivahana) (c. 78-102 AD) was the twenty third ruler of the Satavahana Empire. He succeeded his father, Emperor Satakarni. According to famous writer Shri Vrindavan Lal Sharma, Maharaja Shalivahan was born in Prajapati caste, which is well-known as Kumhar all over the India. Kumhar is a very religious caste and also called as "Bhagat ji" mainly in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Gautamiputra Satakarni, often acknowledged by historians as the greatest of the Satavahana rulers, took to the throne after his father, Satakarni. Satakarni had earlier expanded the Satavahana Empire and gained considerable prosperity due to his two Aswamedha sacrifices. When Gautamiputra ascended the throne, the Satavahana Empire was loosely attached and was facing the threats of invasions from Sakas and Yavanas. Gautamiputra defeated the Yavanas, Sakas, and Pahlavas and re-established the ancient glory of the Satavahanas.

The Nasik Prasasti describes Gautamiputra as the ruler of the Aparanta, Anupa, Saurashtra, Kukura, Akara, and Avanti. He also seems to have recovered the territories in Central Deccan, which had been lost by the Satavahanas during the earlier rule of his predecessors. Under him, the Satavahana arms must have reached as far south as Kanchi. He is also credited with the conquest of territories in the Kolhapur area in the Southern Maharashtra, which he seized from the Ananda rulers. Gautamiputra also annexed the Banavasi area, thus established his sway over portions of Karnataka. He was succeeded by his son, Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi in about 130 AD.

Gautamiputra Satakarni had also defeated the Vikramaditya, thus starting the Shalivahana era or Shaka Calendar which is still used by Gujaratis, Maharashtrians, Telugus, and Kannadigas.

The Shalivahana era, also known as the Saka era, is used with Hindu calendars, the Indian national calendar, and the Cambodian Buddhist calendar. Its year zero begins near the vernal equinox of the year 78.

The initiation of the era known as “Shalivahana Saka” to celebrate his victory against the Sakas in the year 78 A.D.