Nayanika or Naganika (1st century BCE) was the queen regent of the

Satavahana dynasty The Satavahanas (; ''Sādavāhana'' or ''Sātavāhana'', IAST: ), also referred to as the Andhras (also ''Andhra-bhṛtyas'' or ''Andhra-jatiyas'') in the Puranas, were an ancient Indian dynasty. Most modern scholars believe that the Satavaha ...

during the minority of her son Satakarni II. 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 believed to be first women to have her face on Indian coins. 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 ...

. She was the mother of king Satakarni II ( BCE). 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 1st-century BC Indian people Ancient Indian women Satavahana dynasty Ancient women regents Ancient queens consort Indian queens regnant