It is the immediate effect of the fall of the Mauryan Empire and the abrupt confusion that caused due to this downfall led to the birth of another dynasty, which was famed as the Satavahanas Dynasty. It was also known as the Andhra dynasty. For nearly four hundred years the Satavahanas ruled the Andhra desha, which indeed included the Deccan. Monarchal system of administration prevailed during the reign of the Satavahanas. Hence the success of the administration depended upon the ability of the king. The king rises in accordance with the rules laid down in the dharma shastras. Kingship was hereditary. The Satavahanas adopted the title of `Raja`. But they did not believe in the divine powers of a king. Hence the king was not an aristocrat though king wielded vast power, he was the head of the whole administration and was the supreme commander of the army; yet he was bound to rule in accordance with rule of the dharma.

The eldest son was appointed as the `Yuvaraj` but he could not render any help in the administration of the country. Other princes were appointed as the viceroys of the king.

Except the provinces which were under the control of the Samantas, the rest of the empire was divided into `janpadas` and `aharas`. A `janapad` was mainly comprised of several `aharas`. The name of the aharas was kept on the basis of the office and its governor was called `amach`. His post was not hereditary and time to time he was transferred to different places. Besides this, there were other officers such as `mahatarak`, `Bhandaragarik`, `hairanik`, `mahamatra`, `nibandhkar`, `pratihar` and `dutak` to help in the administration of kingdom.

The revenue of the state was not much during the reign of the Satavahanas. The rate of taxation was very low under the head of royal properties, land revenue, salt tax, export-import, etc. formed the revenue of the state.