Nayanika (1st century BC) was the queen regent of the

Satavahana dynasty The Satavahanas (''Sādavāhana'' or ''Sātavāhana'', IAST: ), also referred to as the Andhras in the Puranas, were an ancient Indian dynasty based in the Deccan region. Most modern scholars believe that the Satavahana rule began in the la ...

during the minority of her son (c. 50–? AD). She was the first woman historically confirmed to have ruled over an Indian kingdom (although there are legendary women rulers before her) with the exception of Agathokleia, who ruled in a part of India which later became Pakistan. She was married to king

Satakarni Satakarni (also called Sātakarnī I, Brahmi script: 𑀲𑀸𑀢𑀓𑀡𑀺, ''Sātakaṇi'') was the third of the Satavahana kings, who ruled the Deccan region of India. His reign is generally dated to 70-60 BCE, although some authors have c ...

. She was the mother of king

Satakarni II Satakarni II (Brahmi script: 𑀲𑀸𑀢𑀓𑀡𑀺, ''Sātakaṇi'') was the fourth of the Satavahana kings, who ruled the Deccan region of India. His reign is generally dated to 50-25 BCE. Satakarni II conquered eastern Malwa from the Shu ...

. Her son was a minor when he became king, and she ruled in his place as regent during his minority.

References

* Abraham Eraly,
The First Spring: The Golden Age of India
' {{DEFAULTSORT:Nayanika 1st-century BC women rulers 1st-century BC Indian people Ancient Indian women Satavahana dynasty