Potan was the capital of Assaka. It was situated on the bank of river Godavari and in course of time this state was merged in Avanti. Kingdom of Assaka or Ashmaka was situated in the southern part of India and one of the sixteen mahajanapadas. The Ashmaka had its capital located at Potana or Potali, which have resemblances of Paudanya of Mahabharata. The Assakas are placed in the north-west in the Markendeya Purana and the Brhat Samhita. There are numerous associations regarding the identification of assakas. That is why we have different views on this. Like the commentator of Akutilya`s Arthashahstra identifies it with Maharashtra.