In 847 (94 AD) Chitraksh Satavahana, leader of a prominent family in the Maurya Empire, left during the Great Famine of that year looking for new sources of food in Africa. He moved his family in order to escape persecution by the Hindus against the religion of Thenmobism which the Satavahana practiced. The Satavahana landed first in Madagascar where they established many new ports with the money they received from the Indian Samraats. The Indians funded many of the early policies of the Satavahana to set up a government in Madagascar and in the East African coast which they also took. The Satavahana, however, became a de facto independent country when they refused the orders of the Samraat who was unable to move all the way towards Madagascar.