The correct answer is: a) Mauryan Empire.
The Satavahana dynasty was an Indian dynasty that ruled over the Deccan region from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. They emerged after the decline of the Mauryan Empire and were eventually overthrown by the Gupta Empire.
The Satavahanas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over a large territory. They were patrons of art and literature and their rule was a time of great cultural and economic prosperity.
The Satavahanas were originally a tribe from the Vidarbha region of central India. They came to power in the 2nd century BCE after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. The Satavahanas were initially vassals of the Shunga Empire, but they soon became independent and established their own kingdom.
The Satavahanas reached the height of their power in the 2nd century CE. They ruled over a vast territory that included parts of modern-day Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The Satavahanas were a tolerant and syncretic dynasty. They patronized all religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
The Satavahanas were eventually overthrown by the Gupta Empire in the 3rd century CE. However, their rule left a lasting legacy on the Deccan region. The Satavahanas were a powerful and prosperous dynasty that ushered in a golden age of culture and prosperity in the Deccan.
The other options are incorrect because:
- The Gupta Empire was a later dynasty that ruled over northern India from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE.
- The Chalukya Empire was a later dynasty that ruled over southern India from the 6th to the 12th centuries CE.
- The Chola Empire was a later dynasty that ruled over southern India from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE.