Nayanika (1st century BC) was the queen regent of the
Satavahana dynasty 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
Agathoclea Theotropus ( grc, Ἀγαθόκλεια Θεότροπος, Agathokleia Theotropos; the epithet possibly means ''the Goddess-like'') was an Indo-Greek queen married to Menander I, who ruled in parts of northern India in the 2nd-centu ...
, who ruled in a part of India which later became Pakistan.
She was married to king
Satakarni. 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