Jump to content

Western Satraps: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
mNo edit summary
Tags: Reverted Visual edit
אביהו (talk | contribs)
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 30 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Western Satraps
| conventional_long_name = Great Satraps
| native_name = [[File:Gupta ashoka m.svg|13px]][[File:Gupta ashoka h.svg|13px]][[File:Gupta ashoka kss.png|13px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka tr.png|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka p.svg|11px]]<br>{{small|''Mahakṣatrapa''}}
| common_name = Western Satraps
| era = [[ancient history|Antiquity]]
| era = [[ancient history|Antiquity]]
| status =
| status =
Line 10: Line 10:
| year_end = 415 CE
| year_end = 415 CE
| p1 = Indo-Scythians
| p1 = Indo-Scythians
| flag_p1 = Map_of_the_Indo-Scythians.png
| p2 = Malavas
| p2 = Malavas
| flag_p2 = South_Asia_historical_AD375_EN.svg
| p3 = Satavahana dynasty
| p3 = Satavahana dynasty
| flag_p3 = Map_of_the_Satavahanas.png
| s1 = Gupta Empire
| s1 = Gupta Empire
| flag_s1 = Map_of_the_Gupta_Empire.png
| s2 = Vakataka dynasty
| s2 = Vakataka dynasty
| flag_s2 = Map_of_the_Vakatakas.png
| s3 = Kalachuris of Mahishmati
| s3 = Kalachuri dynasty
| flag_s3 = Map_of_the_Early_Kalachuris.png
| s4 = Traikutaka dynasty
| s4 = Traikutaka dynasty
| flag_s4 = Map_of_ancient_India_during_Gupta_emperor_Kumaragupta_I's_reign.jpg
| s5 = Kingdom of Valabhi
| s5 = Maitraka dynasty
| image_map =
{{Location map+
| flag_s5 = Arab-Gujarat_campaigns_724-740_CE.png
|South Asia
| image_map =
|overlay_image=Map_of_the_Western_Satraps.png
{{ Annotated image
| width=290 <!-- DO NOT CHANGE MAP SIZE (290) AS THIS WILL DISPLACE THE LABELS -->
| image=Map of the Western Satraps.png
| float = center
| width=290
| border =none
| image-width = 290 <!-- DO NOT CHANGE MAP SIZE (290) AS THIS WILL DISPLACE THE LABELS -->
| nodiv = 1
| image-left=0 | image-top=0| float = center
| annotations =
| mini = 1
| relief = yes
{{Annotation|225|100|[[Varman dynasty|KAMARUPAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
| places =
{{Annotation|215|113|[[Gauda Kingdom|GAUDA]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|225|5|South-Asia<br>c.350 CE|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=10|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|225|100|[[Varman dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">KAMARUPAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|140|178|[[Andhra Ikshvaku|IKSHVAKUS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|215|113|[[Gauda Kingdom|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">GAUDA</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|115|220|[[Kalabhra dynasty|KALABHRAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}{{Annotation|115|200|[[Western Ganga dynasty|WESTERN<br>GANGAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|225|5|[[350 CE|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">South-Asia<br>{{Circa|350 CE}}</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=10|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|95|185|[[Kadamba dynasty|KADAMBAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|140|178|[[Andhra Ikshvaku|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">IKSHVAKUS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|130|192|[[Pallava dynasty|PALLAVAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|115|220|[[Kalabhra dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">KALABHRAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}{{Annotation|115|200|[[Western Ganga dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">WESTERN<br>GANGAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|95|54|[[Kushan Empire|LITTLE<br>KUSHANS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|95|185|[[Kadamba dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">KADAMBAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|50|70|[[Hind (Sasanian province)|SASANIAN<br>HIND]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|130|192|[[Pallava dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">PALLAVAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|150|150|[[Mahameghavahana dynasty|MAHAMEGHA-<br>VAHANAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|95|54|[[Kushan Empire|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#006400FF">LITTLE<br>KUSHANS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|200|125|[[Samatata|SAMATATAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|50|70|[[Hind (Sasanian province)|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#006400FF">SASANIAN<br>HIND</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|100|160|[[Abhira dynasty|ABHIRAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|150|150|[[Mahameghavahana dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">MAHAMEGHA-<br>VAHANAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|110|170|[[Vakatakas|VAKATAKAS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|200|125|[[Samatata|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">SAMATATAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|160|100|[[Gupta Empire|GUPTA<br>EMPIRE]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=9|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|100|160|[[Abhira dynasty|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">ABHIRAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|5|5|[[Kidarites|KIDARITES]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|110|170|[[Vakatakas|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">VAKATAKAS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|20|20|[[Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom|KUSHANO-<br>SASANIANS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|160|100|[[Gupta Empire|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF">GUPTA<br>EMPIRE</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=9|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|1|55|[[Sasanian Empire|SASANIAN<br>EMPIRE]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=9|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|5|5|[[Kidarites|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#006400FF">KIDARITES</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|20|20|[[Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#006400FF">KUSHANO-<br>SASANIANS</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|text-align=right|270|190|MAPS<br>[[Template:South Asia in 500 BCE|-500]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 150 BCE|-150]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 120 CE|120]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 350 CE|350]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 500 CE|500]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 600 CE|600]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 1000|1000]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 1175|1175]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 1250|1250]]<br>[[Template:South Asia in 1400|1400]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=5|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|1|55|[[Sasanian Empire|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#006400FF">SASANIAN<br>EMPIRE</span>]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=9|color=#000000}}
|caption={{center|Approximate territory of the Western Satraps (35–415) circa 350 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1 (h)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref>}}
{{Annotation|262|250|[[Template:South Asia in 125 CE|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF"> ◁ </span>]] [[Template:South Asia in 500 CE|<span class="mw-no-invert" span style="color:#4F311CFF"> ▷ </span>]]|text-align=center|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=12|color=#000000}}
|caption=
}}
}}
| image_map_caption = {{center|Approximate territory of the Western Satraps (35–415) circa 350 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1 (h)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref>}}
| map_width = 300
| image_map_caption =
| capital = [[Ujjain]]<br>[[Barygaza]] <br> [[Minnagara]]
| capital = [[Ujjain]]<br>[[Barygaza]] <br> [[Minnagara]]
| common_languages = [[Pali]] ([[Kharoshthi]] script)<br> [[Sanskrit]], [[Prakrit]] ([[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] script)
| common_languages = [[Pali]] ([[Kharoshthi]] script)<br> [[Sanskrit]], [[Prakrit]] ([[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] script)
| religion = [[Buddhism]]<br>[[Hinduism]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]]<br>[[Buddhism]]
| government_type = Monarchy
| government_type = Monarchy
| leader1 = [[Abhiraka]]
| leader1 = [[Abhiraka]]
| year_leader1 = c. 35
| year_leader1 = {{Circa|35}}
| leader2 = [[Rudrasimha III]]
| leader2 = [[Rudrasimha III]]
| year_leader2 = 388–415
| year_leader2 = 388–415
| title_leader = [[Indo-Scythians#Western Satraps|Satrap, King]]
| title_leader = [[Indo-Scythians#Western Satraps|Satrap]]
| today = [[India]]<br>[[Pakistan]]
| today = [[India]]<br>[[Pakistan]]
}}
}}
The '''Western Satraps''', or '''Western Kshatrapas''' ([[Brahmi]]:[[File:Gupta ashoka m.svg|13px]][[File:Gupta ashoka h.svg|13px]][[File:Gupta ashoka kss.jpg|13px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka tr.jpg|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka p.svg|11px]], ''Mahakṣatrapa'', "Great [[Satrap]]s") were [[Abhira tribe|Abhira]] rulers of the western and central part of India ([[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] and [[Malwa]]: modern [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Rajasthan]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] states), between 35 to 415 CE. The Abhira origin of Kshatrapas is proved by the [[Abhiraka|Abhirakasa]], which literally converts to the <nowiki>'Member of Abhira tribe.''</nowiki> The Western Satraps were contemporaneous with the [[Kushan]]s who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and were possibly vassals of the Kushans. They were also contemporaneous with the [[Satavahana]] ([[Andhra in Indian epic literature|Andhra]]) who ruled in Central India. They are called "Western Satraps" in modern historiography in order to differentiate them from the "[[Northern Satraps]]", who ruled in [[Punjab]] and [[Mathura]] until the 2nd century CE.
The '''Western Satraps''', or '''Western Kshatrapas''' ([[Brahmi]]:[[File:Gupta ashoka m.svg|13px]][[File:Gupta ashoka h.svg|13px]][[File:Gupta ashoka kss.png|13px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka tr.png|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka p.svg|11px]], ''Mahakṣatrapa'', "Great [[Satrap]]s") were [[Indo-Scythian]] ([[Saka]]) rulers of the western and central parts of India (extending from [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] in the south and [[Malwa]] in the east, covering modern-day [[Sindh]], [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Rajasthan]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] states), between 35 and 415 CE. The Western Satraps were contemporaneous with the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]]s who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and were possibly vassals of the Kushans. They were also contemporaneous with the [[Satavahana]] who ruled in Central India. They are called "Western Satraps" in modern historiography in order to differentiate them from the "[[Northern Satraps]]", who ruled in [[Punjab]] and [[Mathura]] until the 2nd century CE.


The power of the Western Satraps started to decline in the 2nd century CE after the Saka rulers were defeated by the Emperor [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]] of the [[Satavahana dynasty]].<ref>World history from early times to A D 2000 by B .V. Rao: p.97</ref> After this, the Saka kingdom revived, but was ultimately destroyed by [[Chandragupta II]] of the [[Gupta Empire]] in the 4th century CE.<ref>Ancient India by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar p. 234</ref> The western Satraps, having been defeated by the [[Abhira dynasty]] declined rapidly during the second half of the third century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Madanjeet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfHVAAAAMAAJ&q=kushan+were+abhiras |title=The Cave Paintings of Ajanta |date=1965 |publisher=Thames and Hudson |language=en}}</ref>
The power of the Western Satraps started to decline in the 2nd century CE after the Saka rulers were defeated by the Emperor [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]] of the [[Satavahana dynasty]].<ref>World history from early times to A D 2000 by B .V. Rao: p.97</ref> After this, the Saka kingdom revived, but was [[Gupta–Saka Wars|ultimately defeated]] by [[Chandragupta II]] of the [[Gupta Empire]] in the 4th century CE.<ref>Ancient India by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar p. 234</ref>

Altogether, there were 27 independent Western Satrap rulers during a period of about 350 years.


==Name==
==Name==
Line 75: Line 68:
They are named Western Satraps in contrast to the "[[Northern Satraps]]" who ruled around [[East Punjab]] and the area of [[Mathura]], such as [[Rajuvula]], and his successors under the Kushans, the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara.<ref name="ReferenceA">Kharapallana and Vanaspara are known from an inscription discovered in [[Sarnath]], and dated to the third year of [[Kanishka]], in which they were paying allegiance to the Kushanas. Source: "A Catalogue of the Indian Coins in the British Museum. Andhras etc." Rapson, p ciii</ref>
They are named Western Satraps in contrast to the "[[Northern Satraps]]" who ruled around [[East Punjab]] and the area of [[Mathura]], such as [[Rajuvula]], and his successors under the Kushans, the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara.<ref name="ReferenceA">Kharapallana and Vanaspara are known from an inscription discovered in [[Sarnath]], and dated to the third year of [[Kanishka]], in which they were paying allegiance to the Kushanas. Source: "A Catalogue of the Indian Coins in the British Museum. Andhras etc." Rapson, p ciii</ref>


Although they called themselves "Satraps" on their coins, leading to their modern designation of "Western Satraps", [[Ptolemy]] in his 2nd century "[[Geographia (Ptolemy)|Geographia]]" still called them "Indo-Scythians".<ref>Ptolemy, "Geographia", Chap 7</ref> The word {{transliteration|sa|Kṣatrapa}} has the same origin as the word ''[[satrap]]'' and are both descended from [[Median language|Median]] ''{{lang|xme|xšaθrapāvan-}}'', which means viceroy or governor of a province, and according to John Marshall, the word {{transliteration|sa|kṣatrapa}} means the viceroy of the "King of kings". The title of the {{transliteration|sa|Mahakṣatrapa}} or the "Great Satrap" was given to the ruling Satrap, and the title of {{transliteration|sa|kṣatrapa}} was given to the heir apparent.
Although they called themselves "Satraps" on their coins, leading to their modern designation of "Western Satraps", [[Ptolemy]] in his 2nd century "[[Geographia (Ptolemy)|Geographia]]" still called them "Indo-Scythians".<ref>Ptolemy, "Geographia", Chap 7</ref> The word {{transliteration|sa|Kṣatrapa}} has the same origin as the word ''[[satrap]]'' and are both descended from [[Median language|Median]] ''{{lang|xme|xšaθrapāvan-}}'', which means viceroy or governor of a province, and according to John Marshall, the word {{transliteration|sa|kṣatrapa}} means the viceroy of the "King of kings". The title of the {{transliteration|sa|Mahakṣatrapa}} or the "Great Satrap" was given to the ruling Satrap, and the title of {{transliteration|sa|kṣatrapa}} was given to the heir apparent. The western Kshatrapas were also known as Sakas to Indians.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=John|title=A guide to Sanchi|date=1936|publisher=Eastern book House|location=Patna|isbn=978-81-85204-32-1|page=16}}</ref>

The title {{transliteration|pra|Kṣaharāta}} by which the Western Satraps styled themselves is a derivation of a [[Saka language]] term ''{{lang|xsc|*xšaθrapati}}'', meaning "lord of the country", and was likely the Saka synonym for the Indian title {{transliteration|sa|Kṣatrapa}}, which had itself been borrowed from the Iranian [[Median language]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Harmatta |first=János |author-link=János Harmatta |editor-last1=Harmatta |editor-first1=János |editor-link1=János Harmatta |editor-last2=Puri |editor-first2=B. N. |editor-link2=Baij Nath Puri |editor-last3=Etemadi |editor-first3=G. F. |date=1999 |chapter=Languages and scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka Kingdoms |title=History of civilizations of Central Asia |volume=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C |location=Delhi |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass|Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House]] |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9U6RlVVjpakC&pg=PA410 410] |isbn=978-8-120-81408-0}}</ref>


The Sakas of Western India spoke the Saka language, also known as [[Khotanese language|Khotanese]] as it is first attested in the [[Tarim Basin]].<ref name="DD350">{{cite book |last1=Diringer |first1=David |title=Alphabet A Key To The History Of Mankind |date=1948 |page=350 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.57042/page/n351/mode/2up}}</ref>
The title {{transliteration|pra|Kṣaharāta}} by which the Western Satraps styled themselves is a derivation of a [[Saka language]] term ''{{lang|xsc|*xšaθrapati}}'', meaning "lord of the country", and was likely the Saka synonym for the Indian title {{transliteration|sa|Kṣatrapa}}, which had itself been borrowed from the Iranian [[Median language]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Harmatta |first=János |author-link=János Harmatta |editor-last1=Harmatta |editor-first1=János |editor-link1=János Harmatta |editor-last2=Puri |editor-first2=B. N. |editor-link2=Baij Nath Puri |editor-last3=Etemadi |editor-first3=G. F. |date=1999 |chapter=Languages and scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka Kingdoms |title=History of civilizations of Central Asia |volume=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C |location=Delhi |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass|Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House]] |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9U6RlVVjpakC&pg=PA410#v=onepage&q&f=false 410] |isbn=978-8-120-81408-0}}</ref>


==History==
The Sakas of Western India spoke the [[Saka language]], also known as [[Khotanese language|Khotanese]] as it is first attested in the [[Tarim Basin]].<ref name="DD350">{{cite book |last1=Diringer |first1=David |title=Alphabet A Key To The History Of Mankind |date=1948 |page=350 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.57042/page/n351/mode/2up}}</ref>


==First expansion: Kshaharata dynasty (1st century CE)==
===First expansion: Kshaharata dynasty (1st century CE)===
[[File:Coin of Bhumaka.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|left|Coin of [[Bhumaka]] (?–119). '''Obv:''' Arrow, pellet, and thunderbolt. [[Kharoshthi]] inscription ''Chaharasada Chatrapasa Bhumakasa'': "Ksaharata Satrap Bhumaka". '''Rev:''' Capital of a pillar with seated lion with upraised paw, and wheel ([[dharmachakra]]). [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] inscription: ''Kshaharatasa Kshatrapasa Bhumakasa''.]]
[[File:Coin of Bhumaka.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|left|Coin of [[Bhumaka]] (?–119). '''Obv:''' Arrow, pellet, and thunderbolt. [[Kharoshthi]] inscription ''Chaharasada Chatrapasa Bhumakasa'': "Ksaharata Satrap Bhumaka". '''Rev:''' Capital of a pillar with seated lion with upraised paw, and wheel ([[dharmachakra]]). [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] inscription: ''Kshaharatasa Kshatrapasa Bhumakasa''.]]
The Western Satraps are thought to have started with the rather short-lived ''Kshaharata'' dynasty (also called ''Chaharada'', ''Khaharata'' or ''Khakharata'' depending on sources).<ref>Rapson, p. CVII</ref> The term ''Kshaharata'' is also known from the 6 CE [[Taxila copper plate]] inscription, in which it qualifies the Indo-Scythian ruler [[Liaka Kusulaka]]. The [[Nasik]] inscription of the 19th year of [[Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi|Sri Pulamavi]] also mentions the ''Khakharatavasa'', or ''Kshaharata'' race.<ref>"Kharoshthi inscription, Taxila copper plate of Patika", [[Sten Konow]], p25</ref>
The Western Satraps are thought to have started with the rather short-lived ''Kshaharata'' dynasty (also called ''Chaharada'', ''Khaharata'' or ''Khakharata'' depending on sources).<ref>Rapson, p. CVII</ref> The term ''Kshaharata'' is also known from the 6 CE [[Taxila copper plate]] inscription, in which it qualifies the Indo-Scythian ruler [[Liaka Kusulaka]]. The [[Nasik]] inscription of the 19th year of [[Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi|Sri Pulamavi]] also mentions the ''Khakharatavasa'', or ''Kshaharata'' race.<ref>"Kharoshthi inscription, Taxila copper plate of Patika", [[Sten Konow]], p25</ref>
Line 98: Line 93:
|relief = yes
|relief = yes
|places =
|places =
{{Annotation|180|5|South-Asia<br>c.120 CE|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=8|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|180|5|South-Asia<br>{{circa|120 CE}}|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=8|color=#000000}}
{{location map~ |South Asia |lat=19.2|N |long=73.88|E |label=[[Manmodi Caves|Junnar]]|position=right |label_size=60}}
{{location map~ |South Asia |lat=19.2|N |long=73.88|E |label=[[Manmodi Caves|Junnar]]|position=right |label_size=60}}
{{location map~ |South Asia |lat=19.94|N |long=73.75|E |label=[[Nasik Caves|Nasik]]|position=top |label_size=60 }}
{{location map~ |South Asia |lat=19.94|N |long=73.75|E |label=[[Nasik Caves|Nasik]]|position=top |label_size=60 }}
Line 110: Line 105:
{{Annotation|115|100|[[Mahameghavahana dynasty|MAHAMEGA-<br>VAHANA]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|115|100|[[Mahameghavahana dynasty|MAHAMEGA-<br>VAHANA]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|2|50|[[Indo-Parthians|INDO-<br>PARTHIANS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|2|50|[[Indo-Parthians|INDO-<br>PARTHIANS]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|110|5|[[Han Dynasty|HAN DYNASTY]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|110|5|[[Han dynasty|HAN DYNASTY]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
}}
}}


Line 125: Line 120:
{{blockquote|...And by order of the lord I went to release the chief of the Uttamabhadras, who had been besieged for the rainy season by the Malayas, and those Malayas fled at the mere roar (of my approaching) as it were, and were all made prisoners of the Uttamabhadra warriors.|Inscription in Cave No.10 of the [[Nashik Caves]].<ref>Epigraphia Indica Vol.8 [https://archive.org/details/EpigraphiaIndica p.78-79]</ref>}}
{{blockquote|...And by order of the lord I went to release the chief of the Uttamabhadras, who had been besieged for the rainy season by the Malayas, and those Malayas fled at the mere roar (of my approaching) as it were, and were all made prisoners of the Uttamabhadra warriors.|Inscription in Cave No.10 of the [[Nashik Caves]].<ref>Epigraphia Indica Vol.8 [https://archive.org/details/EpigraphiaIndica p.78-79]</ref>}}


===Support of Indian religions===
====Support of Indian religions====
An important inscription related to [[Nahapana]] in the Great Chaitya at [[Karla Caves]]<ref>Valukura is thought to be an ancient name for Karla Caves</ref> shows his support of Buddhism and Hinduism:
An important inscription related to [[Nahapana]] in the Great Chaitya at [[Karla Caves]]<ref>Valukura is thought to be an ancient name for Karla Caves</ref> shows his support of Buddhism and Hinduism:
[[File:Karla Caves inscription 13 of Nahapana.jpg|thumb|left|[[Karla Caves]], inscription of Nahapana.]]
[[File:Karla Caves inscription 13 of Nahapana.jpg|thumb|left|[[Karla Caves]], inscription of Nahapana.]]
{{clear left}}
{{blockquote|Success!! By [[Ushabadata]], the son of Dinaka and the son-in-law of the king, the Kshaharata, the [[Kshatrapas|Kshatrapa]] [[Nahapana]], who gave three hundred thousand cows, who made gifts of gold and a [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]] on the river Banasa, who gave to the Devas and [[Brahmanas]] sixteen villages, who at the pure tirtha Prabhasa gave eight wives to the Brahmanas, and who also fed annually a hundred thousand Brahmanas- there has been given the village of Karajika for the support of the ascetics living in the caves at [[Karla Caves|Valuraka]] without any distinction of sect or origin, for all who would keep the [[Ritu (Indian season)|varsha]].|Inscription of Nahapana, Karla Caves.<ref>Epigraphia Indica Vol.7, Hultzsch, E. [https://archive.org/details/epigraphiaindica014351mbp p.58]</ref>}}
{{blockquote|Success!! By [[Ushabadata]], the son of Dinaka and the son-in-law of the king, the Kshaharata, the [[Kshatrapas|Kshatrapa]] [[Nahapana]], who gave three hundred thousand cows, who made gifts of gold and a [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]] on the river Banasa, who gave to the Devas and [[Brahmanas]] sixteen villages, who at the pure tirtha Prabhasa gave eight wives to the Brahmanas, and who also fed annually a hundred thousand Brahmanas- there has been given the village of Karajika for the support of the ascetics living in the caves at [[Karla Caves|Valuraka]] without any distinction of sect or origin, for all who would keep the [[Ritu (Indian season)|varsha]].|Inscription of Nahapana, Karla Caves.<ref>Epigraphia Indica Vol.7, Hultzsch, E. [https://archive.org/details/epigraphiaindica014351mbp p.58]</ref>}}
{{clear left}}
{{clear left}}


===Construction of Buddhist caves===
====Construction of Buddhist caves====
The Western Satraps are known for the construction and dedication of numerous Buddhist caves in Central India, particularly in [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]].<ref name="WH"/><ref name="FI">Foreign Influence on Ancient India, Krishna Chandra Sagar, Northern Book Centre, 1992 [https://books.google.com/books?id=0UA4rkm9MgkC&pg=PA150 p.150]</ref> It is thought that [[Nahapana]] ruled at least 35 years in the region of [[Karla, Ratnagiri|Karla]], [[Junnar]] and [[Nasik]], giving him ample time for construction work there.<ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay|date=1986|publisher=Asiatic Society of Bombay|page=219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5zgUAQAAMAAJ|language=en|quote=If Konow is right, then the length of time for Ksatrapa rule in the Nasik-Karla-Junnar region would be at least thirty-fire years.}}</ref>
The Western Satraps are known for the construction and dedication of numerous Buddhist caves in Central India, particularly in [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]].<ref name="WH"/><ref name="FI">Foreign Influence on Ancient India, Krishna Chandra Sagar, Northern Book Centre, 1992 [https://books.google.com/books?id=0UA4rkm9MgkC&pg=PA150 p.150]</ref> It is thought that Nahapana ruled at least 35 years in the region of [[Karla, Ratnagiri|Karla]], [[Junnar]] and [[Nasik]], giving him ample time for construction work there.<ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay|date=1986|publisher=Asiatic Society of Bombay|page=219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5zgUAQAAMAAJ|language=en|quote=If Konow is right, then the length of time for Ksatrapa rule in the Nasik-Karla-Junnar region would be at least thirty-fire years.}}</ref>


Numerous inscriptions in the caves are known, which were made by the family of Nahapana: six inscriptions in [[Nasik Caves]], one inscription at [[Karla Caves]], and one by Nahapana's minister in the [[Manmodi Caves]] at [[Junnar]].<ref>Cultural and Religious Heritage of India: Zoroastrianism, Suresh K. Sharma, Usha Sharma, Mittal Publications, 2004 [https://books.google.com/books?id=bmu3vZOSp_IC&pg=PA112 p.112]</ref><ref>The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans, John M. Rosenfield [https://books.google.com/books?id=udnBkQhzHH4C&pg=PA131 p.131]</ref> At the same time, "[[Yavana]]s", Greeks or [[Indo-Greeks]], also left donative inscriptions at the [[Nasik Caves]], [[Karla Caves]], [[Lenyadri]] and [[Manmodi Caves]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Religions and Trade: Religious Formation, Transformation and Cross-Cultural Exchange between East and West|date=2013|publisher=BRILL|isbn=9789004255302|page=97|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXdfAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA97|language=en}}</ref>
Numerous inscriptions in the caves are known, which were made by the family of Nahapana: six inscriptions in [[Nasik Caves]], one inscription at [[Karla Caves]], and one by Nahapana's minister in the [[Manmodi Caves]] at [[Junnar]].<ref>Cultural and Religious Heritage of India: Zoroastrianism, Suresh K. Sharma, Usha Sharma, Mittal Publications, 2004 [https://books.google.com/books?id=bmu3vZOSp_IC&pg=PA112 p.112]</ref><ref>The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans, John M. Rosenfield [https://books.google.com/books?id=udnBkQhzHH4C&pg=PA131 p.131]</ref> At the same time, "[[Yavana]]s", Greeks or [[Indo-Greeks]], also left donative inscriptions at the Nasik Caves, Karla Caves, [[Lenyadri]] and [[Manmodi Caves]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Religions and Trade: Religious Formation, Transformation and Cross-Cultural Exchange between East and West|date=2013|publisher=BRILL|isbn=9789004255302|page=97|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXdfAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA97|language=en}}</ref>


====Great Chaitya hall at Karla Caves====
=====Great Chaitya hall at Karla Caves=====
{{see also|Karla Caves}}
{{see also|Karla Caves}}
In particular, the [[chaitya]] cave complex of the [[Karla Caves]], the largest in [[South Asia]], was constructed and dedicated in 120 CE by the Western Satraps ruler [[Nahapana]].<ref name="WH">World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India, Volume 1 ʻAlī Jāvīd, Tabassum Javeed, Algora Publishing, 2008 [https://books.google.com/books?id=fg-lGID3WpQC&pg=PA42 p.42]</ref><ref name="SA">Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums, by George Michell, Roli Books Private Limited, 1 mai 2013 [https://books.google.com/books?id=GdBbBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT72 p.72]</ref><ref name="GM">"This hall is assigned to the brief period of [[Kshatrapas]] rule in the western Deccan during the 1st century." in Guide to Monuments of India 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu - by George Michell, Philip H. Davies, Viking - 1989 Page 374</ref>
In particular, the [[chaitya]] cave complex of the Karla Caves, the largest in [[South Asia]], was constructed and dedicated in 120 CE by the Western Satraps ruler Nahapana.<ref name="WH">World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India, Volume 1 ʻAlī Jāvīd, Tabassum Javeed, Algora Publishing, 2008 [https://books.google.com/books?id=fg-lGID3WpQC&pg=PA42 p.42]</ref><ref name="SA">Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums, by George Michell, Roli Books Private Limited, 1 mai 2013 [https://books.google.com/books?id=GdBbBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT72 p.72]</ref><ref name="GM">"This hall is assigned to the brief period of [[Kshatrapas]] rule in the western Deccan during the 1st century." in Guide to Monuments of India 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu - by George Michell, Philip H. Davies, Viking - 1989 Page 374</ref>


<gallery mode="packed" heights="150" caption="Great Chaitya hall at Karla" style="border:1px #aaa solid">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150" caption="Great Chaitya hall at Karla" style="border:1px #aaa solid">
Line 148: Line 144:
</gallery>
</gallery>


====Cave No.10 of Nasik, the 'Nahapana Vihara'====
=====Cave No.10 of Nasik, the 'Nahapana Vihara'=====
{{see also|Nasik Caves|Nasik inscription of Ushavadata}}
{{see also|Nasik Caves|Nasik inscription of Ushavadata}}
Parts of the [[Nasik Caves]], also called Pandavleni Caves, were also carved during the time of Nahapana.<ref name="FI"/>
Parts of the Nasik Caves, also called Pandavleni Caves, were also carved during the time of Nahapana.<ref name="FI"/>


The inscriptions of cave no.10 in the [[Nasik Caves]] near [[Nasik]], reveal that in 105-106 CE, Kshatrapas defeated the Satavahanas after which Kshatrapa [[Nahapana]]’s son-in-law and Dinika's son- [[Ushavadata]] donated 3000 gold coins for this cave as well as for the food and clothing of the monks. Usabhdatta's wife (Nahapana's daughter), Dakshmitra also donated one cave for the Buddhist monks. Cave 10 - 'Nahapana Vihara' is spacious with 16 rooms.
The inscriptions of cave no.10 in the Nasik Caves near [[Nasik]], reveal that in 105-106 CE, Kshatrapas defeated the Satavahanas after which Kshatrapa [[Nahapana]]’s son-in-law and Dinika's son- [[Ushavadata]] donated 3000 gold coins for this cave as well as for the food and clothing of the monks. Usabhdatta's wife (Nahapana's daughter), Dakshmitra also donated one cave for the Buddhist monks. Cave 10 - 'Nahapana Vihara' is spacious with 16 rooms.


<gallery mode="packed" heights="120" caption="[[Nasik Caves]], cave No. 10" style="border:1px #aaa solid">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120" caption="[[Nasik Caves]], cave No. 10" style="border:1px #aaa solid">
Line 169: Line 165:
{{blockquote|Success! In the year 42, in the month Vesakha, [[Ushavadata]], son of Dinika, son-in-law of king Nahapana, the Kshaharata Kshatrapa, has bestowed this cave on the [[Samgha]] generally....|[[:File:Nasik Cave inscription No 12.jpg|Inscription No.12 of Nahapana]], Cave No.10, Nasik<ref>Epigraphia Indica [https://archive.org/stream/EpigraphiaIndica/Epigraphia_Indica p.82-83]</ref>}}
{{blockquote|Success! In the year 42, in the month Vesakha, [[Ushavadata]], son of Dinika, son-in-law of king Nahapana, the Kshaharata Kshatrapa, has bestowed this cave on the [[Samgha]] generally....|[[:File:Nasik Cave inscription No 12.jpg|Inscription No.12 of Nahapana]], Cave No.10, Nasik<ref>Epigraphia Indica [https://archive.org/stream/EpigraphiaIndica/Epigraphia_Indica p.82-83]</ref>}}


According to the inscriptions, Ushavadata accomplished various charities and conquests on behalf of his father-in-law. He constructed rest-houses, gardens and tanks at Bharukachchha ([[Bharuch|Broach]]), Dashapura ([[Mandasor]] in [[Malva]]), [[Govardhan Hill|Govardhana]] (near [[Nasik]]) and Shorparaga ([[Sopara]] in the [[Thane|Thana]] district).
According to the inscriptions, Ushavadata accomplished various charities and conquests on behalf of his father-in-law. He constructed rest-houses, gardens and tanks at Bharukachchha ([[Bharuch|Broach]]), Dashapura ([[Mandasor]] in [[Malwa]]), [[Govardhan Hill|Govardhana]] (near [[Nasik]]) and Shorparaga ([[Sopara]] in the [[Thane|Thana]] district).


====Junnar dedication====
=====Junnar dedication=====
A dedication in the [[Lenyadri|Lenyadri complex]] of the [[Junnar]] caves (inscription No. 26 in Cave VI of the Bhimasankar group of caves), mentions a gift by Nahapana's prime minister Ayama in the "year 46":
A dedication in the [[Lenyadri|Lenyadri complex]] of the [[Junnar]] caves (inscription No. 26 in Cave VI of the Bhimasankar group of caves), mentions a gift by Nahapana's prime minister Ayama in the "year 46":


Line 178: Line 174:
This inscription, the last one of the reign of Nahapana, suggests that Nahapana may have become an independent ruler since he is described as a King.<ref name="Sharma"/>
This inscription, the last one of the reign of Nahapana, suggests that Nahapana may have become an independent ruler since he is described as a King.<ref name="Sharma"/>


===International trade: the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea===
====International trade: the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea====
Nahapana is mentioned in the [[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]] under the name ''Nambanus'',<ref>"History of the Andhras", Durga Prasad [https://web.archive.org/web/20060422120411/http://202.41.85.234:8000/gw_44_5/hi-res/hcu_images/G2.pdf Source]</ref> as ruler of the area around [[Barigaza]]:
Nahapana is mentioned in the [[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]] under the name ''Nambanus'',<ref>"History of the Andhras", Durga Prasad [https://web.archive.org/web/20060422120411/http://202.41.85.234:8000/gw_44_5/hi-res/hcu_images/G2.pdf Source]</ref> as ruler of the area around [[Barigaza]]:


Line 197: Line 193:
{{blockquote|Ships are also customarily fitted out from the places across this sea, from Ariaca and Barygaza, bringing to these far-side market-towns the products of their own places; wheat, rice, clarified butter, sesame oil, cotton cloth (the monache and the sagmatogene), and girdles, and honey from the reed called sacchari. Some make the voyage especially to these market-towns, and others exchange their cargoes while sailing along the coast.|Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chapter 14.<ref name="Source"/>}}
{{blockquote|Ships are also customarily fitted out from the places across this sea, from Ariaca and Barygaza, bringing to these far-side market-towns the products of their own places; wheat, rice, clarified butter, sesame oil, cotton cloth (the monache and the sagmatogene), and girdles, and honey from the reed called sacchari. Some make the voyage especially to these market-towns, and others exchange their cargoes while sailing along the coast.|Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chapter 14.<ref name="Source"/>}}


====Pompei Lakshmi====
=====Pompei Lakshmi=====
An Indian statuette, the [[Pompeii Lakshmi]], was found in the ruins of [[Pompei]] and is thought to have been the result of [[Indo-Roman trade relations]] in the 1st century CE.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Pollard|first=Elizabeth Ann|date=2013-08-07|title=Indian Spices and Roman "Magic" in Imperial and Late Antique Indomediterranea|journal=Journal of World History|volume=24|issue=1|pages=1–23|doi=10.1353/jwh.2013.0012|s2cid=145360753|issn=1527-8050}}</ref> There is a possibility that the statuette found its way to the west during the rule of [[Western Satrap]] [[Nahapana]] in the [[Bhokardan]] area, and was shipped to [[Rome]] from the port of [[Barigaza]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brancaccio |first1=Pia |title=The Buddhist Caves at Aurangabad: Transformations in Art and Religion |date=2010 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-9004185258 |page=64 Note 94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m_4pXm7dD78C&pg=PA64 |language=en}}</ref>
An Indian statuette, the [[Pompeii Lakshmi]], was found in the ruins of [[Pompei]] and is thought to have been the result of [[Indo-Roman trade relations]] in the 1st century CE.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Pollard|first=Elizabeth Ann|date=2013-08-07|title=Indian Spices and Roman "Magic" in Imperial and Late Antique Indomediterranea|journal=Journal of World History|volume=24|issue=1|pages=1–23|doi=10.1353/jwh.2013.0012|s2cid=145360753|issn=1527-8050}}</ref> There is a possibility that the statuette found its way to the west during the rule of [[Western Satrap]] [[Nahapana]] in the [[Bhokardan]] area, and was shipped to [[Rome]] from the port of [[Barigaza]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brancaccio |first1=Pia |title=The Buddhist Caves at Aurangabad: Transformations in Art and Religion |date=2010 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-9004185258 |page=64 Note 94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m_4pXm7dD78C&pg=PA64 |language=en}}</ref>


===Defeat by Gautamiputra Satakarni===
====Defeat by Gautamiputra Satakarni====
[[File:Saka-Yavana-Palhava inscription in the Nasik cave 3 inscription of Queen Gotami Balasiri.jpg|thumb|The "Saka-[[Indo-Greeks|Yavana]]-[[Indo-Parthians|Palhava]]" ([[Brahmi script]]: 𑀲𑀓 𑀬𑀯𑀦 𑀧𑀮𑁆𑀳𑀯) defeated by [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]], mentioned in the [[Nasik Caves|Nasik cave]] 3 inscription of Queen Gotami Balasiri (end of line 5 of the inscription).<ref name="EI60">{{cite book |last1=Hultzsch |first1=E. |title=Epigraphia Indica Vol.8 |date=1906 |page=60 |url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.56654#page/n75/mode/2up}}</ref>]]
[[File:Saka-Yavana-Palhava inscription in the Nasik cave 3 inscription of Queen Gotami Balasiri.jpg|thumb|The "Saka-[[Indo-Greeks|Yavana]]-[[Indo-Parthians|Palhava]]" ([[Brahmi script]]: 𑀲𑀓 𑀬𑀯𑀦 𑀧𑀮𑁆𑀳𑀯) defeated by [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]], mentioned in the [[Nasik Caves|Nasik cave]] 3 inscription of Queen Gotami Balasiri (end of line 5 of the inscription).<ref name="EI60">{{cite book |last1=Hultzsch |first1=E. |title=Epigraphia Indica Vol.8 |date=1906 |page=60 |url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.56654#page/n75/mode/2up}}</ref>]]
[[File:Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni over Nahapana.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Coin of [[Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni]] struck over a drachm of Nahapana. Circa 167-196 CE. [[Ujjain]] symbol and three arched mountain symbol struck respectively on the obverse and reverse of a drachm of Nahapana.]]
[[File:Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni over Nahapana.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Coin of [[Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni]] struck over a drachm of Nahapana. Circa 167-196 CE. [[Ujjain]] symbol and three arched mountain symbol struck respectively on the obverse and reverse of a drachm of Nahapana.]]
Nahapana and Ushavadata were ultimately defeated by the powerful Satavahana king [[Gautamiputra Satkarni|Gautamiputra Satakarni]]. Gautamiputra drove the Sakas from Malwa and Western Maharashtra, forcing Nahapana west to Gujarat. His victory is known from the fact that Gautamiputra restruck many of Nahapana's coins (such a hoard was found in Jogalthambi, [[Nashik]] District),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Upinder |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century |date=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=9788131711200 |page=383 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA383 |language=en}}</ref>) and that he claimed victory on them in an inscription at [[Pandavleni Caves#Cave No.3, "Gautamiputra vihara" (2nd century CE)|Cave No. 3]] of the [[Pandavleni Caves]] in [[Nashik]]:
Nahapana and Ushavadata were ultimately defeated by the powerful Satavahana king [[Gautamiputra Satkarni|Gautamiputra Satakarni]]. Gautamiputra drove the Sakas from Malwa and Western Maharashtra, forcing Nahapana west to Gujarat. His victory is known from the fact that Gautamiputra restruck many of Nahapana's coins (such a hoard was found in Jogalthambi, [[Nashik]] District),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Upinder |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century |date=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=9788131711200 |page=383 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA383 |language=en}}</ref>) and that he claimed victory on them in an inscription at [[Pandavleni Caves#Cave No.3, "Gautamiputra vihara" (circa 150 CE)|Cave No. 3]] of the [[Pandavleni Caves]] in [[Nashik]]:


{{blockquote|[[Gautamiputra Satkarni|Gautamiputra Satakarni]] (…) who crushed down the pride and conceit of the [[Kshatriyas]]; who destroyed the [[Saka]]s (Western Satraps), [[Yavana]]s ([[Indo-Greek]]s) and [[Pahlava]]s ([[Indo-Parthians]]),<ref>{{cite book |last1=V.D |first1=Mahajan |title=Ancient India |date=2016 |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=9789352531325 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TJlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA315 |language=en}}</ref> who rooted out the Khakharata family (the Kshaharata family of Nahapana); who restored the glory of the Satavahana race.|Inscription of Queen Mother Gautami Balashri at [[Pandavleni Caves#Cave No. 3, "Gautamiputra vihara" (2nd century CE)|Cave No. 3]] of the [[Pandavleni Caves]] in [[Nashik]].}}
{{blockquote|[[Gautamiputra Satkarni|Gautamiputra Satakarni]] (…) who crushed down the pride and conceit of the [[Kshatriyas]]; who destroyed the [[Saka]]s (Western Satraps), [[Yavana]]s ([[Indo-Greek]]s) and [[Pahlava]]s ([[Indo-Parthians]]),<ref>{{cite book |last1=V.D |first1=Mahajan |title=Ancient India |date=2016 |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=9789352531325 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TJlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA315 |language=en}}</ref> who rooted out the Khakharata family (the Kshaharata family of Nahapana); who restored the glory of the Satavahana race.|Inscription of Queen Mother Gautami Balashri at [[Pandavleni Caves#Cave No. 3, "Gautamiputra vihara" (2nd century CE)|Cave No. 3]] of the [[Pandavleni Caves]] in [[Nashik]].}}


===Colonization of Java and Sumatra===
====Colonization of Java and Sumatra====
It seems that the Indian colonization of the islands of [[Java]] and [[Sumatra]] took place during the time of the Western Satraps.<ref name="KCS"/> People may have fled the sub-continent due to the conflicts there. Some foundation legends of [[Java]] describe the leader of the colonists as [[Aji Saka]], a prince from [[Gujarat]], at the beginning of the [[Shaka era]] (which is also the Java era).<ref name="KCS">Foreign Influence on Ancient India, Krishna Chandra Sagar, Northern Book Centre, 1992 [https://books.google.com/books?id=0UA4rkm9MgkC&pg=PA131 p.131]</ref>
It seems that the Indian colonization of the islands of [[Java]] and [[Sumatra]] took place during the time of the Western Satraps.<ref name="KCS"/> People may have fled the sub-continent due to the conflicts there. Some foundation legends of Java describe the leader of the colonists as [[Aji Saka]], a prince from [[Gujarat]], at the beginning of the [[Shaka era]] (which is also the Java era).<ref name="KCS">Foreign Influence on Ancient India, Krishna Chandra Sagar, Northern Book Centre, 1992 [https://books.google.com/books?id=0UA4rkm9MgkC&pg=PA131 p.131]</ref>


==Kardamaka dynasty, family of Castana (1st–4th century)==
===Kardamaka dynasty, family of Castana (1st–4th century)===
[[File:Coin of Chastana.jpg|thumb|left|Coin of the Western Satrap [[Chastana]] (c. 130 CE). ''Obv:'' King in profile. The legend typically reads "PANNIΩ IATPAΠAC CIASTANCA" (corrupted Greek script), transliteration of the Prakrit ''Raño Kshatrapasa Castana'': "King and Satrap Castana".]]
[[File:Coin of Chastana.jpg|thumb|left|Coin of the Western Satrap [[Chastana]] ({{Circa|130 CE}}). ''Obv:'' King in profile. The legend typically reads "PANNIΩ IATPAΠAC CIASTANCA" (corrupted Greek script), transliteration of the Prakrit ''Raño Kshatrapasa Castana'': "King and Satrap Castana".]]
A new dynasty, called the Bhadramukhas or Kardamaka dynasty, was established by the "Satrap" [[Chastana|Castana]]. The date of Castana is not certain, but many believe his reign started in the year 78 CE, thus making him the founder of the [[Saka era]].<ref>A. Jha and D. Rajgor: ''Studies in the Coinage of the Western Ksatraps'', Nashik: Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, 1992, p. 7.</ref> This is consistent with the fact that his descendants (who we know used the Saka era on their coins and inscriptions) would use the date of their founder as their era. Castana was satrap of [[Ujjain]] during that period. A statue found in Mathura together with statues of the [[Kushan]] king [[Kanishka]] and [[Vima Taktu]], and bearing the name "Shastana" is often attributed to Castana himself, and suggests Castana may have been a feudatory of the Kushans. Conversely, the [[Rabatak inscription]] also claims Kushan dominion over Western Satrap territory (by mentioning Kushan control over the capital [[Ujjain]]) during the reign of [[Kanishka]] (c. 127–150 CE).
A new dynasty, called the Bhadramukhas or Kardamaka dynasty, was established by the "Satrap" [[Chastana|Castana]]. The date of Castana is not certain, but many believe his reign started in the year 78 CE, thus making him the founder of the [[Saka era]].<ref>A. Jha and D. Rajgor: ''Studies in the Coinage of the Western Ksatraps'', Nashik: Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, 1992, p. 7.</ref> This is consistent with the fact that his descendants (who we know used the Saka era on their coins and inscriptions) would use the date of their founder as their era. Castana was satrap of [[Ujjain]] during that period. A statue found in Mathura together with statues of the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] king [[Kanishka]] and [[Vima Taktu]], and bearing the name "Shastana" is often attributed to Castana himself, and suggests Castana may have been a feudatory of the Kushans. Conversely, the [[Rabatak inscription]] also claims Kushan dominion over Western Satrap territory (by mentioning Kushan control over the capital [[Ujjain]]) during the reign of [[Kanishka]] ({{Circa|127}}–150 CE).


===Territory under Chastana===
====Territory under Chastana====
[[File:Chastana with costume details.jpg|thumb|Statue of Chastana, with costume details. The belt displays designs of horsemen and [[Triton (mythology)|tritons]]/[[anguiped]]s, the coat has a highly ornate hem. Inscription "Shastana" ([[Brahmi script|Middle Brahmi script]]: [[File:Gupta ashoka ss.svg|10px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka sta.jpg|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka n.svg|10px]] ''Ṣa-sta-na'').<ref name="JBO"/> [[Mathura Museum]].<ref>The Dynastic Art of the Kushans, John Rosenfield, University of California Press, xxxiv</ref>]]
[[File:Chastana with costume details.jpg|thumb|Statue of Chastana, with costume details. The belt displays designs of horsemen and [[Triton (mythology)|tritons]]/[[anguiped]]s, the coat has a highly ornate hem. Inscription "Shastana" ([[Brahmi script|Middle Brahmi script]]: [[File:Gupta ashoka ss.svg|10px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka sta.jpg|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka n.svg|10px]] ''Ṣa-sta-na'').<ref name="JBO"/> [[Mathura Museum]].<ref>The Dynastic Art of the Kushans, John Rosenfield, University of California Press, xxxiv</ref>]]
The territory of the Western Satraps at the time of Chastana is described extensively by the geographer [[Ptolemy]] in his "Geographia", where he qualifies them as "Indo-Scythians". He describes this territory as starting from [[Patalene]] in the West, to [[Ujjain]] in the east ("Ozena-Regia Tiastani", "Ozene/Ujjain, capital of king [[Chastana]]"),<ref>{{cite book|last1=Allchin|first1=F. R.|last2=Erdosy|first2=George|title=The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: The Emergence of Cities and States|date=1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521376952|page=279|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5kI02_zW70C&pg=PA279|language=en}}</ref> and beyond [[Barigaza]] in the south.
The territory of the Western Satraps at the time of Chastana is described extensively by the geographer [[Ptolemy]] in his "Geographia", where he qualifies them as "Indo-Scythians". He describes this territory as starting from [[Patalene]] in the West, to [[Ujjain]] in the east ("Ozena-Regia Tiastani", "Ozene/Ujjain, capital of king [[Chastana]]"),<ref>{{cite book|last1=Allchin|first1=F. R.|last2=Erdosy|first2=George|title=The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: The Emergence of Cities and States|date=1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521376952|page=279|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5kI02_zW70C&pg=PA279|language=en}}</ref> and beyond [[Barigaza]] in the south.
Line 220: Line 216:
{{blockquote|Moreover the region which is next to the western part of India, is called Indoscythia. A part of this region around the (Indus) river mouth is [[Patalena]], above which is [[Abiria]]. That which is about the mouth of the Indus and the Canthicolpus bay is called [[Saurashtra (region)|Syrastrena]]. (...) In the island formed by this river are the cities Pantala, [[Barbarikon|Barbaria]]. (...) The Larica region of Indoscythia is located eastward from the swamp near the sea, in which on the west of the [[Narmada river|Namadus river]] is the interior city of [[Barygaza]] emporium. On the east side of the river (...) [[Ujjain|Ozena]]-Regia Tiastani (...) [[Minnagara]].|Ptolemy, ''Geographia'', Book Seven, Chapter I}}
{{blockquote|Moreover the region which is next to the western part of India, is called Indoscythia. A part of this region around the (Indus) river mouth is [[Patalena]], above which is [[Abiria]]. That which is about the mouth of the Indus and the Canthicolpus bay is called [[Saurashtra (region)|Syrastrena]]. (...) In the island formed by this river are the cities Pantala, [[Barbarikon|Barbaria]]. (...) The Larica region of Indoscythia is located eastward from the swamp near the sea, in which on the west of the [[Narmada river|Namadus river]] is the interior city of [[Barygaza]] emporium. On the east side of the river (...) [[Ujjain|Ozena]]-Regia Tiastani (...) [[Minnagara]].|Ptolemy, ''Geographia'', Book Seven, Chapter I}}


===Rudradaman I (130-150 CE)===
====Rudradaman I (130-150 CE)====
====Victory against the Satavahanas====
=====Victory against the Satavahanas=====
[[File:Coin of Rudradaman.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Silver coin of [[Rudradaman I]] (130–150). '''Obv:''' Bust of Rudradaman, with corrupted Greek legend "OVONIΛOOCVΛCHΛNO". '''Rev:''' Three-arched hill or [[Chaitya]] with river, crescent and sun. [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] legend: ''Rajno Ksatrapasa Jayadamasaputrasa Rajno Mahaksatrapasa Rudradamasa'': "King and Great Satrap Rudradaman, son of King and Satrap [[Jayadaman]]" 16mm, 2.0&nbsp;grams.]]
[[File:Coin of Rudradaman.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Silver coin of [[Rudradaman I]] (130–150). '''Obv:''' Bust of Rudradaman, with corrupted Greek legend "OVONIΛOOCVΛCHΛNO". '''Rev:''' Three-arched hill or [[Chaitya]] with river, crescent and sun. [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] legend: ''Rajno Ksatrapasa Jayadamasaputrasa Rajno Mahaksatrapasa Rudradamasa'': "King and Great Satrap Rudradaman, son of King and Satrap [[Jayadaman]]" 16mm, 2.0&nbsp;grams.]]
[[File:Ashoka Rock Edict at Junagadh.jpg|thumb|The [[Junagadh]] rock contains inscriptions of [[Ashoka]] (fourteen of the [[Edicts of Ashoka]]), [[Rudradaman I]] (the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]])and [[Skandagupta]].<ref name="Guha">Artefacts of History: Archaeology, Historiography and Indian Pasts, Sudeshna Guha, SAGE Publications India, 2015 [https://books.google.com/books?id=jhqJCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA50 p.50]</ref>]]
[[File:Ashoka Rock Edict at Junagadh.jpg|thumb|The [[Junagadh]] rock contains inscriptions of [[Ashoka]] (fourteen of the [[Edicts of Ashoka]]), [[Rudradaman I]] (the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]]) and [[Skandagupta]].<ref name="Guha">Artefacts of History: Archaeology, Historiography and Indian Pasts, Sudeshna Guha, SAGE Publications India, 2015 [https://books.google.com/books?id=jhqJCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA50 p.50]</ref>]]
Around 130 CE, [[Rudradaman I]], grandson of [[Chastana]], took the title "Mahakshatrapa" ("Great Satrap"), and defended his kingdom from the [[Satavahanas]]. The conflict between Rudradaman and Satavahanas became so gruelling, that in order to contain the conflict, a matrimonial relationship was concluded by giving Rudradaman's daughter to the Satavahana king [[Vashishtiputra Satakarni]]. The inscription relating the marriage between Rudradaman's daughter and [[Vashishtiputra Satakarni]] appears in a cave at [[Kanheri]]:
Around 130 CE, [[Rudradaman I]], grandson of [[Chastana]], took the title "Mahakshatrapa" ("Great Satrap"), and defended his kingdom from the [[Satavahanas]]. The conflict between Rudradaman and Satavahanas became so gruelling, that in order to contain the conflict, a matrimonial relationship was concluded by giving Rudradaman's daughter to the Satavahana king [[Vashishtiputra Satakarni]]. The inscription relating the marriage between Rudradaman's daughter and [[Vashishtiputra Satakarni]] appears in a cave at [[Kanheri]]:


Line 236: Line 232:
{{blockquote|Rudradaman (...) who is the lord of the whole of eastern and western Akaravanti ([[Dasharna|Akara]]: [[Malwa|East Malwa]] and [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]]: [[Malwa|West Malwa]]), the [[Anupa]] country, [[Anarta]], [[Surashtra]], Svabhra (northern [[Gujarat]]), Maru ([[Marwar]]), Kachchha ([[Cutch State|Cutch]]), [[Sindhu]]-[[Sauvira]] ([[Sindh]] and [[Multan]] districts), Kukura (Eastern [[Rajputana]]), [[Aparanta]] ("Western Border" – Northern [[Konkan]]), [[Nishada]] (an aboriginal tribe, [[Malwa]] and parts of [[Central India]]) and other territories gained by his own valour, the towns, marts and rural parts of which are never troubled by robbers, snakes, wild beasts, diseases and the like, where all subjects are attached to him, (and) where through his might the objects of (religion), wealth and pleasure (are duly attained).|[[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]].<ref name="projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu"/> Geographical interpretations in parentheses from Rapson.<ref>Rapson, "Indian coins of the British Museum" p.lx</ref>}}
{{blockquote|Rudradaman (...) who is the lord of the whole of eastern and western Akaravanti ([[Dasharna|Akara]]: [[Malwa|East Malwa]] and [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]]: [[Malwa|West Malwa]]), the [[Anupa]] country, [[Anarta]], [[Surashtra]], Svabhra (northern [[Gujarat]]), Maru ([[Marwar]]), Kachchha ([[Cutch State|Cutch]]), [[Sindhu]]-[[Sauvira]] ([[Sindh]] and [[Multan]] districts), Kukura (Eastern [[Rajputana]]), [[Aparanta]] ("Western Border" – Northern [[Konkan]]), [[Nishada]] (an aboriginal tribe, [[Malwa]] and parts of [[Central India]]) and other territories gained by his own valour, the towns, marts and rural parts of which are never troubled by robbers, snakes, wild beasts, diseases and the like, where all subjects are attached to him, (and) where through his might the objects of (religion), wealth and pleasure (are duly attained).|[[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]].<ref name="projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu"/> Geographical interpretations in parentheses from Rapson.<ref>Rapson, "Indian coins of the British Museum" p.lx</ref>}}


====Victory against the Yaudheyas====
=====Victory against the Yaudheyas=====
Later, the Junagadh rock inscription (c. 150 CE) of [[Rudradaman I]]<ref>[http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/Docs/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/JunagadhRockInscription.htm Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223182107/http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/Docs/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/JunagadhRockInscription.htm |date=23 February 2009 }}, accessed on 23 March 2007.</ref> acknowledged the military might of the [[Yaudheyas]] "who would not submit because they were proud of their title 'heroes among the Kshatriyas'", before explaining that they were ultimately vanquished by Rudradaman I.<ref>Rosenfield, "The dynastic art of the Kushans", p132</ref><ref>Rapson, "A catalogue of the Indian coins in the British Museum", p.lx</ref>
Later, the Junagadh rock inscription ({{Circa|150 CE}}) of [[Rudradaman I]]<ref>[http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/Docs/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/JunagadhRockInscription.htm Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223182107/http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/Docs/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/JunagadhRockInscription.htm |date=23 February 2009 }}, accessed on 23 March 2007.</ref> acknowledged the military might of the [[Yaudheyas]] "who would not submit because they were proud of their title 'heroes among the Kshatriyas'", before explaining that they were ultimately vanquished by Rudradaman I.<ref>Rosenfield, "The dynastic art of the Kushans", p132</ref><ref>Rapson, "A catalogue of the Indian coins in the British Museum", p.lx</ref>


{{blockquote|Rudradaman (...) who by force destroyed the Yaudheyas who were loath to submit, rendered proud as they were by having manifested their title of 'heroes among all Kshatriyas'.|[[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]]<ref name="projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu"/>}}
{{blockquote|Rudradaman (...) who by force destroyed the Yaudheyas who were loath to submit, rendered proud as they were by having manifested their title of 'heroes among all Kshatriyas'.|[[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]]<ref name="projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu"/>}}


Recently discovered pillar inscriptions describe the presence of a Western Satrap named ''Rupiamma'' in the [[Bhandara]] district of the area of [[Vidarbha]], in the extreme northeastern area of [[Maharashtra]], where he erected the pillars.<ref>"Vidarbha also was under the rule of another Mahakshatrapa named Rupiamma, whose pillar inscription was recently discovered at [[Pavni]] in the [[Bhandara]] district [Mirashi, Studies in Indology, Vol. IV, p. 109 f.]. It records the erection of a chhaya-stambha or sculptured pillar at the place. The Satavahanas had, Therefore, to leave Western Maharashtra and Vidarbha. They seem to have repaired to their capital Pratishthana where they continued to abide waiting for a favourable opportunity to oust the Shaka invaders." [http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/nasik/005%20History/001%20AncientPeriod.htm Source]</ref>
Recently discovered pillar inscriptions describe the presence of a Western Satrap named ''Rupiamma'' in the [[Bhandara district|Bhandara]] district of the area of [[Vidarbha]], in the extreme northeastern area of [[Maharashtra]], where he erected the pillars.<ref>"Vidarbha also was under the rule of another Mahakshatrapa named Rupiamma, whose pillar inscription was recently discovered at [[Pavni]] in the [[Bhandara district|Bhandara]] district [Mirashi, Studies in Indology, Vol. IV, p. 109 f.]. It records the erection of a chhaya-stambha or sculptured pillar at the place. The Satavahanas had, Therefore, to leave Western Maharashtra and Vidarbha. They seem to have repaired to their capital Pratishthana where they continued to abide waiting for a favourable opportunity to oust the Shaka invaders." [http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/nasik/005%20History/001%20AncientPeriod.htm Source]</ref>


Rudradarman is known for his sponsoring of the arts. He is known to have written poetry in the purest of Sanskrit, and made it his court language. His name is forever attached to the inscription by Sudharshini lake.
Rudradarman is known for his sponsoring of the arts. He is known to have written poetry in the purest of Sanskrit, and made it his court language. His name is forever attached to the inscription by Sudharshini lake.
Line 247: Line 243:
He had at his court a Greek writer named [[Yavanesvara]] ("Lord of the Greeks"), who translated from Greek to Sanskrit the [[Yavanajataka]] ("Saying of the Greeks"), an astrological treatise and India's earliest Sanskrit work in horoscopy.<ref>Mc Evilley "The shape of ancient thought", p385 ("The Yavanajataka is the earliest surviving Sanskrit text in astrology, and constitute the basis of all later Indian developments in horoscopy", himself quoting [[David Pingree]] "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja" p5)</ref>
He had at his court a Greek writer named [[Yavanesvara]] ("Lord of the Greeks"), who translated from Greek to Sanskrit the [[Yavanajataka]] ("Saying of the Greeks"), an astrological treatise and India's earliest Sanskrit work in horoscopy.<ref>Mc Evilley "The shape of ancient thought", p385 ("The Yavanajataka is the earliest surviving Sanskrit text in astrology, and constitute the basis of all later Indian developments in horoscopy", himself quoting [[David Pingree]] "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja" p5)</ref>


====Jivadaman (178-181 CE, 197-198 CE)====
=====Jivadaman (178-181 CE, 197-198 CE)=====
[[File:Jivadaman Saka Era 100 coin.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A coin dated to the beginning of the first reign of [[Jivadaman]], in the year 100 ([[File:One hundred in the Brahmi script of the Western Satraps.jpg|15px|One hundred in the Brahmi script of the Western Satraps]]) of the [[Saka Era]] (corresponding to 178 CE).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rapson |first1=Edward James |title=Catalogue Of The Indian Coins In The British Museum |date=1967 |page=83 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.533728/page/n295/mode/1up}}</ref>]]
[[File:Jivadaman Saka Era 100 coin.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A coin dated to the beginning of the first reign of [[Jivadaman]], in the year 100 ([[File:One hundred in the Brahmi script of the Western Satraps.jpg|15px|One hundred in the Brahmi script of the Western Satraps]]) of the [[Saka Era]] (corresponding to 178 CE).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rapson |first1=Edward James |title=Catalogue Of The Indian Coins In The British Museum |date=1967 |page=83 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.533728/page/n295/mode/1up}}</ref>]]
King [[Jivadaman]] became king for the centenary of the [[Saka Era]], in the year 100 (corresponding to 178 CE). His reign is otherwise undocumented, but he is the first Western Satrap ruler who started to print the minting date on his coins, using the [[:File:Brahmi numeral signs.svg|Brāhmī numerals]] of the [[Brāhmī script]] behind the king's head.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/catalogueofcoins00brit#page/82/mode/2up Rapson, p.cxxiv]</ref> This is of immense value to date precisely Western Satrap rulers, and to clarify perfectly the chronology and succession between them, as they also mention their predecessor on their coins. According to his coins, Jivadaman seems to have ruled two times, once between [[Saka Era]] 100 and 103 (178-181 CE), before the rule of [[Rudrasimha I]], and once between Saka Era 119 and 120 (197-198 CE).
King [[Jivadaman]] became king for the centenary of the [[Saka Era]], in the year 100 (corresponding to 178 CE). His reign is otherwise undocumented, but he is the first Western Satrap ruler who started to print the minting date on his coins, using the [[:File:Brahmi numeral signs.svg|Brāhmī numerals]] of the [[Brāhmī script]] behind the king's head.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/catalogueofcoins00brit#page/82/mode/2up Rapson, p.cxxiv]</ref> This is of immense value to date precisely Western Satrap rulers, and to clarify perfectly the chronology and succession between them, as they also mention their predecessor on their coins. According to his coins, Jivadaman seems to have ruled two times, once between [[Saka Era]] 100 and 103 (178-181 CE), before the rule of [[Rudrasimha I]], and once between Saka Era 119 and 120 (197-198 CE).


====Rudrasimha I (180-197)====
=====Rudrasimha I (180-197)=====
[[File:Western Satrap Coin of Rudrasimha I .jpg|thumb|250px|Coin of the Western Kshatrapa ruler [[Rudrasimha I]] (178–197).
[[File:Western Satrap Coin of Rudrasimha I .jpg|thumb|250px|Coin of the Western Kshatrapa ruler [[Rudrasimha I]] (178–197).
'''Obv:''' Bust of Rudrasimha, with corrupted Greek legend "..OHIIOIH.." ([[Indo-Greek]] style).
'''Obv:''' Bust of Rudrasimha, with corrupted Greek legend "..OHIIOIH.." ([[Indo-Greek]] style).
'''Rev:''' Three-arched hill or [[Chaitya]], with river, crescent and sun, within [[Prakrit]] legend in [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] script:<br>{{center|[[File:Rudrasimha_I,_Brahmi_legend_on_coinage.jpg|250px|Rudrasimha I, Brahmi legend on coinage.]]<br>"King and Great Satrap Rudrasimha, son of King and Great Satrap [[Rudradaman I|Rudradaman]]".<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/catalogueofcoins00brit#page/92/mode/2up Rapson p.92]</ref>]]}}
'''Rev:''' Three-arched hill or [[Chaitya]], with river, crescent and sun, within [[Prakrit]] legend in [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] script:<br>{{center|[[File:Rudrasimha_I,_Brahmi_legend_on_coinage.jpg|250px|Rudrasimha I, Brahmi legend on coinage.]]<br>"King and Great Satrap Rudrasimha, son of King and Great Satrap [[Rudradaman I|Rudradaman]]".<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/catalogueofcoins00brit#page/92/mode/2up Rapson p.92]</ref>]]}}
An inscription of [[Rudrasimha I]] (178-197) was recently found at Setkhedi in [[Shajapur district]], dated to 107 [[Saka Era]], that is 185 CE, confirming the expansion of the Western Satraps to the east at that date.<ref name="Misra">{{cite book|last1=Misra|first1=Om Prakash|title=Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh|date=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=9788170998747|page=6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o0ISjDDWJwQC&pg=PA6|language=en}}</ref> There is also an earlier inscription related to Saka rule in [[Ujjain]],<ref name="Misra"/> as well as a later one, the [[Kanakerha inscription]], related to Saka rule in the area of [[Vidisha]], [[Sanchi]] and [[Eran]] in the early 4th century.<ref name="Misra"/>
An inscription of [[Rudrasimha I]] (178–197) was recently found at Setkhedi in [[Shajapur district]], dated to 107 [[Saka Era]], that is 185 CE, confirming the expansion of the Western Satraps to the east at that date.<ref name="Misra">{{cite book|last1=Misra|first1=Om Prakash|title=Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh|date=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=9788170998747|page=6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o0ISjDDWJwQC&pg=PA6|language=en}}</ref> There is also an earlier inscription related to Saka rule in [[Ujjain]],<ref name="Misra"/> as well as a later one, the [[Kanakerha inscription]], related to Saka rule in the area of [[Vidisha]], [[Sanchi]] and [[Eran]] in the early 4th century.<ref name="Misra"/>


====Great Satrap Rupiamma (2nd century CE)====
=====Great Satrap Rupiamma (2nd century CE)=====
{{main|Rupiamma}}
{{main|Rupiamma}}
A memorial pillar with an inscription in the name of "Mahakshatrapa Kumara [[Rupiamma]]" has been recovered in [[Pauni]] in the central region of [[Vidharba]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Siddham. The Asian Inscription Database, Pauni (पवनी Bhandara district). Memorial Pillar (OBNAG0032) with Inscription (INNAG0031) of Rupiamma |url=https://siddham.network/object/obnag0032/ |language=en}}</ref> and is dated to the 2nd century CE.<ref name="VVM">{{cite journal |last1=Mirashi |first1=V. V. |title=A Pillar Inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rupiamma from Pawni |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=1965 |volume=27 |pages=51–54 |issn=2249-1937|jstor=44140583 }}</ref> Although this Great Satrap is not otherwise known from coinage, this memorial pillar is thought to mark the southern extent of the conquests of the Western Satraps, much beyond the traditionally held boundary of the [[Narmada River]].<ref name="VVM"/> The use of the word "Kumara" may also mean that Rupiamma was the son of a Great Satrap, rather than holding the title himself.<ref>"The pillar inscription of Rupiamma from Pauni (1-41) may present a similar example. In it, Rupiamma is described as Mahakhattava-kumära; he is a son or prince of the mahäksatrapa; the title in itself is felt to be sufficient identification" {{cite book |title=Vienna Journal of South Asian Studies |date=1974 |publisher=E.J. Brill |page=21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uF5OAAAAYAAJ |language=de}}</ref>
A memorial pillar with an inscription in the name of "Mahakshatrapa Kumara [[Rupiamma]]" has been recovered in [[Pauni]] in the central region of [[Vidharba]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Siddham. The Asian Inscription Database, Pauni (पवनी Bhandara district). Memorial Pillar (OBNAG0032) with Inscription (INNAG0031) of Rupiamma |url=https://siddham.network/object/obnag0032/ |language=en}}</ref> and is dated to the 2nd century CE.<ref name="VVM">{{cite journal |last1=Mirashi |first1=V. V. |title=A Pillar Inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rupiamma from Pawni |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=1965 |volume=27 |pages=51–54 |issn=2249-1937|jstor=44140583 }}</ref> Although this Great Satrap is not otherwise known from coinage, this memorial pillar is thought to mark the southern extent of the conquests of the Western Satraps, much beyond the traditionally held boundary of the [[Narmada River]].<ref name="VVM"/> The use of the word "Kumara" may also mean that Rupiamma was the son of a Great Satrap, rather than holding the title himself.<ref>"The pillar inscription of Rupiamma from Pauni (1-41) may present a similar example. In it, Rupiamma is described as Mahakhattava-kumära; he is a son or prince of the mahäksatrapa; the title in itself is felt to be sufficient identification" {{cite book |title=Vienna Journal of South Asian Studies |date=1974 |publisher=E.J. Brill |page=21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uF5OAAAAYAAJ |language=de}}</ref>


===Loss of southern territories to the Satavahanas (end of 2nd century CE)===
====Loss of southern territories to the Satavahanas (end of 2nd century CE)====
The south Indian ruler [[Yajna Sri Satakarni]] (170-199 CE) of the [[Satavahana dynasty]] defeated the Western Satraps in the late 2nd century CE, thereby reconquering their southern regions in western and central India, which led to the decline of the Western Satraps.<ref>"later Satavahana named Yajna Satakarni seems to have conquered the Southern Dominions of the Western Satraps. His coins contain figures of ships, probably indicating the naval power of the Andras. He not only ruled Aparanta, but probably also the eastern part of the Central Provinces". Majumdar, p. 135</ref>
The south Indian ruler [[Yajna Sri Satakarni]] (170-199 CE) of the [[Satavahana dynasty]] defeated the Western Satraps in the late 2nd century CE, thereby reconquering their southern regions in western and central India, which led to the decline of the Western Satraps.<ref>"later Satavahana named Yajna Satakarni seems to have conquered the Southern Dominions of the Western Satraps. His coins contain figures of ships, probably indicating the naval power of the Andras. He not only ruled Aparanta, but probably also the eastern part of the Central Provinces". Majumdar, p. 135</ref>


Line 268: Line 264:
There is a possibility, however, that the areas of [[Poona]] and [[Nasik]] had remained in the hands of the Satavahanas since the time of [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]] after his victory over [[Nahapana]], as there are no epigraphical records of the Kardamakas in this area.<ref name="Sircar"/>
There is a possibility, however, that the areas of [[Poona]] and [[Nasik]] had remained in the hands of the Satavahanas since the time of [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]] after his victory over [[Nahapana]], as there are no epigraphical records of the Kardamakas in this area.<ref name="Sircar"/>


===Rudrasena II (256–278)===
====Rudrasena II (256–278)====
[[File:Rudrasena II Circa 256-278 CE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|[[Rudrasena II (Western Satrap)|Rudrasena II]] (256-278 CE). Head right, wearing close-fitting cap / Three-arched hill; group of five pellets to right.<ref>CNG Coins [https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=322826 Coin image]</ref>]]
[[File:Rudrasena II Circa 256-278 CE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|[[Rudrasena II (Western Satrap)|Rudrasena II]] (256-278 CE). Head right, wearing close-fitting cap / Three-arched hill; group of five pellets to right.<ref>CNG Coins [https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=322826 Coin image]</ref>]]
{{Location map+
{{Location map+
Line 284: Line 280:
{{location map~ |India |lat=21.71|N |long=72.99|E |label=[[Bharuch|Barigaza]]|position=left |label_size=60 }}
{{location map~ |India |lat=21.71|N |long=72.99|E |label=[[Bharuch|Barigaza]]|position=left |label_size=60 }}
{{location map~ |India |lat=23.54|N |long=73.12|E |label=[[Devnimori]]|position=top |label_size=60 }}
{{location map~ |India |lat=23.54|N |long=73.12|E |label=[[Devnimori]]|position=top |label_size=60 }}
{{location map~ |India |lat=16.521894|N |long=79.24285|E |label=[[Nagarjunakonda]]<br><small>(Alliances)</small>|position=bottom |label_size=60|mark=Purple pog.svg }}
{{location map~ |India |lat=16.521894|N |long=79.24285|E |label=[[Nagarjunakonda]]<br><small>(Alliances)</small>|position=bottom |label_size=60|mark=Purple pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=20.553333|N |long=75.700278|E |label=[[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta<br><small>(Viśvasena coinage)</small>]]|position=bottom |label_size=60 |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=20.553333|N |long=75.700278|E |label=[[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta<br><small>(Viśvasena coinage)</small>]]|position=bottom |label_size=60 |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=20.78|N |long=79.63|E |label=[[Pauni]]<br><small>([[Rupiamma|Rupiamma pillar]])</small>|position=right |label_size=60 |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=20.78|N |long=79.63|E |label=[[Pauni]]<br><small>([[Rupiamma|Rupiamma pillar]])</small>|position=right |label_size=60 |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
Line 294: Line 290:
The region of [[Sanchi]]-[[Vidisha]] was again captured from the Satavahanas during the rule of Rudrasena II (255-278 CE), as shown by finds of Rudrasena II's coinage in the area.<ref name="Shaw 58" /> The region would then remain under Western Satrap rule until the 4th century CE, as attested by the [[Kanakerha inscription]].<ref name="Shaw 58" />
The region of [[Sanchi]]-[[Vidisha]] was again captured from the Satavahanas during the rule of Rudrasena II (255-278 CE), as shown by finds of Rudrasena II's coinage in the area.<ref name="Shaw 58" /> The region would then remain under Western Satrap rule until the 4th century CE, as attested by the [[Kanakerha inscription]].<ref name="Shaw 58" />


The last Kshatrapa ruler of the Chastana family was [[Visvasena]] (Vishwasen, r.293–304 CE), brother and successor to [[Bhratadarman|Bhartrdaman]] and son of Rudrasena II. A coin of Visvasena was found in excavations at the [[Ajanta Caves]], in the burnt-brick monastery facing the caves on the right bank of the river [[Waghora]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitra |first1=Debala |title=Ajanta |date=2004 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |pages=[https://archive.org/details/ajanta00mitr/page/94 94]–95 |url=https://archive.org/details/ajanta00mitr}}</ref>
The last Kshatrapa ruler of the Chastana family was [[Visvasena]] (Vishwasen, r.293–304 CE), brother and successor to [[Bhratadarman|Bhartrdaman]] and son of Rudrasena II. A coin of Visvasena was found in excavations at the [[Ajanta Caves]], in the burnt-brick monastery facing the caves on the right bank of the river [[Waghora]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitra |first1=Debala |title=Ajanta |date=2004 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |pages=[https://archive.org/details/ajanta00mitr/page/94 94]–95 |isbn=978-81-87780-19-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/ajanta00mitr}}</ref>


== Rudrasimha II dynasty (c. 304–396 CE) ==
=== Rudrasimha II dynasty (c. 304–396 CE) ===
[[File:Head of Buddha Shakyamuni LACMA M.79.8.jpg|thumb|Head of Buddha Shakyamuni, [[Devnimori]], [[Gujarat]] (375-400). Derived from the [[Greco-Buddhist art]] of [[Gandhara]], an example of the Western Indian art of the Western Satraps.<ref name="JIABS"/><ref>[http://collections.lacma.org/node/242276 Los Angeles County Museum of Art description]</ref>]]
[[File:Head of Buddha Shakyamuni LACMA M.79.8.jpg|thumb|Head of Buddha Shakyamuni, [[Devnimori]], [[Gujarat]] (375–400). Derived from the [[Greco-Buddhist art]] of [[Gandhara]], an example of the Western Indian art of the Western Satraps.<ref name="JIABS"/><ref>[http://collections.lacma.org/node/242276 Los Angeles County Museum of Art description]</ref>]]
A new family took over, started by the rule of [[Rudrasimha II]] (r. 304–348 CE). He declared on his coins to be the son of a Lord (Svami) Jivadaman.<ref>Catalogue of the coins of the Andhra dynasty, the Western Ksatrapas, the Traikutaka dynasty, and the "Bodhi" dynasty, by British Museum. Dept. of Coins and Medals; Rapson, E. J. (Edward James) [https://archive.org/details/catalogueofcoins00brit p.170]</ref> His rule is partly coeval with that of other rulers, who were his sons as written on their coins and may have been sub-kings: [[Yasodaman II]] (r. 317–332 CE) and [[Rudradaman II]] (r. 332–348 CE).
A new family took over, started by the rule of [[Rudrasimha II]] (r. 304–348 CE). He declared on his coins to be the son of a Lord (Svami) Jivadaman.<ref>Catalogue of the coins of the Andhra dynasty, the Western Ksatrapas, the Traikutaka dynasty, and the "Bodhi" dynasty, by British Museum. Dept. of Coins and Medals; Rapson, E. J. (Edward James) [https://archive.org/details/catalogueofcoins00brit p.170]</ref> His rule is partly coeval with that of other rulers, who were his sons as written on their coins and may have been sub-kings: [[Yasodaman II]] (r. 317–332 CE) and [[Rudradaman II]] (r. 332–348 CE).


Line 307: Line 303:
Overall, the Western Satraps may have played a role in the transmission of the [[Gandhara art|art of Gandhara]] to the western [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] region.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brancaccio|first1=Pia|title=The Buddhist Caves at Aurangabad: Transformations in Art and Religion|date=2010|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004185258|page=107|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m_4pXm7dD78C&pg=PA107|language=en}}</ref>
Overall, the Western Satraps may have played a role in the transmission of the [[Gandhara art|art of Gandhara]] to the western [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] region.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brancaccio|first1=Pia|title=The Buddhist Caves at Aurangabad: Transformations in Art and Religion|date=2010|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004185258|page=107|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m_4pXm7dD78C&pg=PA107|language=en}}</ref>


===Sasanian expansion in the northwest===
====Sasanian expansion in the northwest====
[[File:Location map of the Sasanian coinage of Sindh.jpg|thumb|Location of the [[Sasanian coinage of Sindh]], circa 400 CE, in relation with the other polities of the time.]]
[[File:Location map of the Sasanian coinage of Sindh.jpg|thumb|Location of the [[Sasanian coinage of Sindh]], circa 400 CE, in relation with the other polities of the time.]]
After a period of control of the areas as far as [[Gandhara]] by the [[Kushano-Sasanians]], the [[Sasanian Empire]] further expanded into the northwest of the subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Gandhara and [[Punjab]], from the time of [[Shapur II]] circa 350 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ghosh |first1=Amalananda |title=Taxila |date=1965 |publisher=CUP Archive |pages=790–791 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0NA3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA787 |language=en}}</ref> Further south, as far as the mouth of the [[Indus river]], the Sasanians exerted some sort of control or influence, as suggested by the [[Sasanian coinage of Sindh]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schindel |first1=Nikolaus |last2=Alram |first2=Michael |last3=Daryaee |first3=Touraj |last4=Pendleton |first4=Elizabeth |title=The Parthian and Early Sasanian Empires: adaptation and expansion |date=2016 |publisher=Oxbow Books |isbn=9781785702105 |pages=127–128 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GqONDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="RCS">{{cite journal |last1=Senior |first1=R.C. |title=The Coinage of Sind from 250 AD up to the Arab Conquest |journal=Oriental Numismatic Society |date=1991 |volume=129 |issue=June–July 1991 |pages=3–4 |url=http://orientalnumismaticsociety.org/JONS/Files/ONS_129.pdf}}</ref> It is probable that the Sasanian expansion in India, which put an end to the remnants of [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] rule, was also made in part at the expense of the Western Satraps.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mahajan |first1=Vidya Dhar |title=Ancient India |date=2016 |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=9789352531325 |page=335 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TJlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA335 |language=en}}</ref>
After a period of control of the areas as far as [[Gandhara]] by the [[Kushano-Sasanians]], the [[Sasanian Empire]] further expanded into the northwest of the subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Gandhara and [[Punjab]], from the time of [[Shapur II]] circa 350 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ghosh |first1=Amalananda |title=Taxila |date=1965 |publisher=CUP Archive |pages=790–791 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0NA3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA787 |language=en}}</ref> Further south, as far as the mouth of the [[Indus river]], the Sasanians exerted some sort of control or influence, as suggested by the [[Sasanian coinage of Sindh]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schindel |first1=Nikolaus |last2=Alram |first2=Michael |last3=Daryaee |first3=Touraj |last4=Pendleton |first4=Elizabeth |title=The Parthian and Early Sasanian Empires: adaptation and expansion |date=2016 |publisher=Oxbow Books |isbn=9781785702105 |pages=127–128 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GqONDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="RCS">{{cite journal |last1=Senior |first1=R.C. |title=The Coinage of Sind from 250 AD up to the Arab Conquest |journal=Oriental Numismatic Society |date=1991 |volume=129 |issue=June–July 1991 |pages=3–4 |url=http://orientalnumismaticsociety.org/JONS/Files/ONS_129.pdf |access-date=27 September 2019 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926175600/http://orientalnumismaticsociety.org/JONS/Files/ONS_129.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is probable that the Sasanian expansion in India, which put an end to the remnants of [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] rule, was also made in part at the expense of the Western Satraps.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mahajan |first1=Vidya Dhar |title=Ancient India |date=2016 |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=9789352531325 |page=335 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TJlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA335 |language=en}}</ref>


===Conquered by the Guptas (c. 335–415 CE)===
====Conquered by the Guptas (c. 335–415 CE)====
{{main|Gupta Empire}}
{{main|Gupta Empire|Gupta-Saka Wars}}


====Central India conquered by [[Samudragupta]] (r. 336–380 CE)====
=====Central India conquered by [[Samudragupta]] (r. 336–380 CE)=====
The Central Indian region around [[Vidisha]]/ [[Sanchi]] and [[Eran]] had been occupied by a Saka ruler named [[Sridharavarman]], who his known from the [[Kanakerha inscription]] at Sanchi, and another inscription with his Naga general at Eran.<ref name="Shaw 58">Buddhist Landscapes in Central India: Sanchi Hill and Archaeologies of Religious and Social Change, c. Third Century BC to Fifth Century AD, Julia Shaw, Routledge, 2016 [https://books.google.com/books?id=IUbUDAAAQBAJ&pg=PR58 p58-59]</ref> At [[Eran]], it seems that Sridharavarman's inscription is succeeded by a monument and an inscription by [[Gupta Empire]] [[Samudragupta]] (r.336-380 CE), established "for the sake of augmenting his fame", who may therefore have ousted Sridharavarman's Sakas in his campaigns to the West.<ref>"During the course of this expedition he is believed to have attacked and defeated the Saka Chief Shridhar Varman, ruling over Eran-Vidisha region. He then annexed the area and erected a monument at Eran (modern Sagar District) "for the sake cf augmenting his fame"." in {{cite book |last1=Pradesh (India) |first1=Madhya |last2=Krishnan |first2=V. S. |title=Madhya Pradesh: District Gazetteers |date=1982 |publisher=Government Central Press |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CYLAQAAIAAJ |language=en}}</ref> Sridharavarman is probably the "Saka" ruler mentioned in the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta, as having "paid homage" to the Gupta Emperor,<ref name="CII4">{{cite book |last1=Mirashi |first1=Vasudev Vishnu |title=Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era |date=1955 |publisher=Archaeological Society of India |pages=605–611 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.3725/page/n321}}</ref> forced to "self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces".<ref>Lines 23-24 of the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta: "Self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces through the Garuḍa badge, by the [[Kushan Empire|Dēvaputra-Shāhi-Shāhānushāhi]] and the Śaka lords and by (rulers) occupying all Island countries, such as Siṁhala and others."</ref>
The Central Indian region around [[Vidisha]]/ [[Sanchi]] and [[Eran]] had been occupied by a Saka ruler named [[Sridharavarman]], who his known from the [[Kanakerha inscription]] at Sanchi, and another inscription with his Naga general at Eran.<ref name="Shaw 58">Buddhist Landscapes in Central India: Sanchi Hill and Archaeologies of Religious and Social Change, c. Third Century BC to Fifth Century AD, Julia Shaw, Routledge, 2016 [https://books.google.com/books?id=IUbUDAAAQBAJ&pg=PR58 p58-59]</ref> At [[Eran]], it seems that Sridharavarman's inscription is succeeded by a monument and an inscription by [[Gupta Empire]] [[Samudragupta]] (r.336-380 CE), established "for the sake of augmenting his fame", who may therefore have ousted Sridharavarman's Sakas in his campaigns to the West.<ref>"During the course of this expedition he is believed to have attacked and defeated the Saka Chief Shridhar Varman, ruling over Eran-Vidisha region. He then annexed the area and erected a monument at Eran (modern Sagar District) "for the sake cf augmenting his fame"." in {{cite book |last1=Pradesh (India) |first1=Madhya |last2=Krishnan |first2=V. S. |title=Madhya Pradesh: District Gazetteers |date=1982 |publisher=Government Central Press |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CYLAQAAIAAJ |language=en}}</ref> Sridharavarman is probably the "Saka" ruler mentioned in the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta, as having "paid homage" to the Gupta Emperor,<ref name="CII4">{{cite book |last1=Mirashi |first1=Vasudev Vishnu |title=Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era |date=1955 |publisher=Archaeological Society of India |pages=605–611 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.3725/page/n321}}</ref> forced to "self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces".<ref>Lines 23-24 of the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta: "Self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces through the Garuḍa badge, by the [[Kushan Empire|Dēvaputra-Shāhi-Shāhānushāhi]] and the Śaka lords and by (rulers) occupying all Island countries, such as Siṁhala and others."</ref>


==== Gujarat campaign of [[Ramagupta]] ====
===== Gujarat campaign of [[Ramagupta]] =====
[[File:Bhadramukhas ruler Rudrasimha III Circa 385-415 CE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Coin of the last Western Satrap ruler [[Rudrasimha III]] (388–395).]]
[[File:Bhadramukhas ruler Rudrasimha III Circa 385-415 CE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Coin of the last Western Satrap ruler [[Rudrasimha III]] (388–395).]]
[[Rudrasimha III]] seems to have been the last of the Western Satrap rulers.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |publisher=CUP Archive |page=93 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA93 |language=en}}</ref> A fragment from the [[Indian classical dance|Natya-darpana]] mentions that the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] king [[Ramagupta]], the elder brother of [[Chandragupta II]], decided to expand his kingdom by attacking the Western Satraps in [[Gujarat]].
[[Rudrasimha III]] seems to have been the last of the Western Satrap rulers.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |publisher=CUP Archive |page=93 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA93 |language=en}}</ref> A fragment from the [[Indian classical dance|Natya-darpana]] mentions that the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] king [[Ramagupta]], the elder brother of [[Chandragupta II]], decided to expand his kingdom by attacking the Western Satraps in [[Gujarat]].
Line 323: Line 319:
The campaign soon took a turn for the worse and the Gupta army was trapped. The Saka king, Rudrasimha III, demanded that Ramagupta hand over his wife Dhruvadevi in exchange for peace. To avoid the ignominy, the Guptas decided to send Madhavasena, a courtesan and a beloved of Chandragupta, disguised as the queen. However, Chandragupta changed the plan and himself went to the Saka King disguised as the queen. He then killed Rudrasimha and later his own brother, Ramagupta. Dhruvadevi was then married to Chandragupta.
The campaign soon took a turn for the worse and the Gupta army was trapped. The Saka king, Rudrasimha III, demanded that Ramagupta hand over his wife Dhruvadevi in exchange for peace. To avoid the ignominy, the Guptas decided to send Madhavasena, a courtesan and a beloved of Chandragupta, disguised as the queen. However, Chandragupta changed the plan and himself went to the Saka King disguised as the queen. He then killed Rudrasimha and later his own brother, Ramagupta. Dhruvadevi was then married to Chandragupta.


====Conquests of [[Chandragupta II]] (r. 380–415 CE)====
=====Conquests of [[Chandragupta II]] (r. 380–415 CE)=====
[[File:Sanchi, Inscription of Candragupta II..JPG|thumb|The victorious [[Sanchi inscription of Chandragupta II]] (412-413 CE).]]
[[File:Sanchi, Inscription of Candragupta II..JPG|thumb|The victorious [[Sanchi inscription of Chandragupta II]] (412-413 CE).]]
The Western Satraps were eventually conquered by emperor Chandragupta II. Inscriptions of a victorious [[Chandragupta II]] in the year 412-413 CE can be found on the railing near the Eastern Gateway of the Great Stupa in [[Sanchi]].<ref>Marshall, The Monuments of India [https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.532798 p.388]</ref>
The Western Satraps were eventually conquered by emperor Chandragupta II. Inscriptions of a victorious [[Chandragupta II]] in the year 412-413 CE can be found on the railing near the Eastern Gateway of the Great Stupa in [[Sanchi]].<ref>Marshall, The Monuments of India [https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.532798 p.388]</ref>
Line 332: Line 328:


Following these conquests, the silver coins of the Gupta kings [[Chandragupta II]] and his son [[Kumaragupta I]] adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the [[Indo-Greeks]]) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle ([[Garuda]], the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the [[chaitya]] hill with star and crescent on the reverse.<ref name="CIC">"Evidence of the conquest of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurastra]] during the reign of [[Chandragupta II]] is to be seen in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the Western Satraps... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type ... for the [[chaitya]] with crescent and star." in Rapson "A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc.", p.cli</ref>
Following these conquests, the silver coins of the Gupta kings [[Chandragupta II]] and his son [[Kumaragupta I]] adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the [[Indo-Greeks]]) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle ([[Garuda]], the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the [[chaitya]] hill with star and crescent on the reverse.<ref name="CIC">"Evidence of the conquest of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurastra]] during the reign of [[Chandragupta II]] is to be seen in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the Western Satraps... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type ... for the [[chaitya]] with crescent and star." in Rapson "A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc.", p.cli</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="90" caption="Gupta Empire coins on the model of the Western Satraps" style="border:1px #aaa solid">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="110" caption="Gupta Empire coins on the model of the Western Satraps" style="border:1px #aaa solid">
File:Silver_Coin_of_Chandragupta_II.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Chandragupta II]] (r.380–415) in the style of the Western Satraps.<ref name="CIC"/>
File:Silver_Coin_of_Chandragupta_II.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Chandragupta II]] (r.380–415) in the style of the Western Satraps.<ref name="CIC"/>
File:Silver Coin of Kumaragupta I.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Kumaragupta I]] (r.414–455) (Western territories).<ref name="CIC"/>
File:Silver Coin of Kumaragupta I.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Kumaragupta I]] (r.414–455) (Western territories).<ref name="CIC"/>
File:Gupta Kings. Skandagupta. AD 455-467.jpg | Coin of Gupta ruler [[Skandagupta]] (r.455-467), in the style of the Western Satraps.<ref name="CIC"/>
File:Gupta Kings. Skandagupta. AD 455-467.jpg | Coin of Gupta ruler [[Skandagupta]] (r.455-467), in the style of the Western Satraps.<ref name="CIC"/>
File:Malwa. Budhagupta. Circa AD 476-495.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Buddhagupta]] (r.476–495) in [[Malwa]], derived from the style of the Western Satraps.<ref name="CIC"/>
</gallery>
</gallery>


The campaigns of Chandragupta II brought an end to nearly four centuries of Saka rule on the subcontinent. This period also corresponds to the wane of the very last [[Kushan]] rulers in the [[Punjab]] and the arrival of the [[Kidarites|Kidarite Huns]], the first [[Huna people|Huna]] invaders from the steppes of [[Central Asia]]. Less than a century later, the [[Alchon Huns]] in turn invaded northern India, bringing an end to the [[Gupta Empire]] and the Classical period of India.
The campaigns of Chandragupta II brought an end to nearly four centuries of Saka rule on the subcontinent. This period also corresponds to the wane of the very last [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] rulers in the [[Punjab]] and the arrival of the [[Kidarites|Kidarite Huns]], the first [[Huna people|Huna]] invaders from the steppes of [[Central Asia]]. Less than a century later, the [[Alchon Huns]] in turn invaded northern India, bringing an end to the [[Gupta Empire]] and the Classical period of India.


==Coinage==
==Coinage==
Line 359: Line 354:
The coins of the Kshatrapas were also very influential and imitated by neighbouring or later dynasties, such as the Satavahanas, and the [[Gupta Empire|Guptas]]. Silver coins of the Gupta kings [[Chandragupta II]] and his son [[Kumaragupta I]] adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the [[Indo-Greeks]]) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle ([[Garuda]], the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the [[chaitya]] hill with star and crescent on the reverse.<ref name="CIC"/>
The coins of the Kshatrapas were also very influential and imitated by neighbouring or later dynasties, such as the Satavahanas, and the [[Gupta Empire|Guptas]]. Silver coins of the Gupta kings [[Chandragupta II]] and his son [[Kumaragupta I]] adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the [[Indo-Greeks]]) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle ([[Garuda]], the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the [[chaitya]] hill with star and crescent on the reverse.<ref name="CIC"/>


The Western Satrap coin design was also adopted by the subsequent dynasty of the [[Traikutakas]] (388–456) or the [[Maitraka dynasty|Maitrakas]] (475–776).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Virji |first1=krishnakumari J. |title=Ancient History Of Saurashtra |date=1952 |page=225 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.57287/page/n249/mode/2up}}</ref>
The Western Satrap coin design was also adopted by the subsequent dynasty of the [[Traikutakas]] (388–456) or the [[Kingdom of Valabhi]] (475–776).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Virji |first1=krishnakumari J. |title=Ancient History Of Saurashtra |date=1952 |page=225 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.57287/page/n249/mode/2up}}</ref>


==Monuments==
==Monuments==
Sudarshan Lake of the Satrap period is mentioned in major rock edicts of [[Junagadh]] but no trace of it remains. Six inscription-stones called ''[[Paliya|Lashti]]''s of 1st century were recovered from a hillock near Andhau village in the Khavda region of [[Kutch]] and were moved to the [[Kutch Museum]] in [[Bhuj]]. They are the earliest dated monuments of the Satrap period and were erected in the time of Rudradaman I.<ref name="Sankalia1941">{{cite book|author=Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia|title=The Archaeology of Gujarat: Including Kathiawar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fvAdAAAAMAA|year=1941|publisher=Natwarlal & Company|pages=46}} [http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/51876 Alt URL]</ref>
Sudarshan Lake of the Satrap period is mentioned in major rock edicts of [[Junagadh]] but no trace of it remains. Six inscription-stones called ''[[Paliya|Lashti]]''s of 1st century were recovered from a hillock near Andhau village in the Khavda region of [[Kutch]] and were moved to the [[Kutch Museum]] in [[Bhuj]]. They are the earliest dated monuments of the Satrap period and were erected in the time of Rudradaman I.<ref name="Sankalia1941">{{cite book|author=Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia|title=The Archaeology of Gujarat: Including Kathiawar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fvAdAAAAMAA|year=1941|publisher=Natwarlal & Company|pages=46}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/51876 Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803130738/http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/51876 |date=3 August 2017 }}</ref>


The large number of stone inscriptions from Kutch and Saurastra as well as hundreds of coins throughout Gujarat are found belonging to the Satrap period. The earlier caves at [[Sana Caves|Sana]], [[Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups|Junagadh]], [[Dhank Caves|Dhank]], [[Talaja Caves|Talaja]], Sidhasar, Prabhas Patan and Ranapar in the Barada Hills are mostly plain and austere in looks except some carvings in the [[Bava Pyara Caves]] of Junagadh. They are comparable to Andhra-Satrap period caves in Deccan. As they have almost no carvings, the determination of their date and chronology is difficult. The [[Uparkot Caves]] of Junagadh and the [[Khambhalida Caves]] belong to the later years of the Satraps.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Nanavati|first1=J. M.|last2=Dhaky|first2=M. A.|date=1969-01-01|title=The Maitraka and the Saindhava Temples of Gujarat|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.321094|journal=Artibus Asiae. Supplementum|volume=26|pages=15–17|doi=10.2307/1522666|jstor=1522666}}</ref> The ''stupas'' excavated at Boria and Intwa near Junagadh belonged to the Satrap period. The ''stupa'' excavated at Shamlaji probably belonged to this period or to the Gupta period.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280444|title=Journal Of Oriental Institute Baroda Vol.10|last=Nanavati|first=J. M.|date=March 1961|publisher=Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda|editor-last=Sandesara|editor-first=B. J.|volume=X|pages=223–224|chapter=A Kshatrapa Head from Saurashtra|issue=3}}</ref>
The large number of stone inscriptions from Kutch and Saurastra as well as hundreds of coins throughout Gujarat are found belonging to the Satrap period. The earlier caves at [[Sana Caves|Sana]], [[Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups|Junagadh]], [[Dhank Caves|Dhank]], [[Talaja Caves|Talaja]], Sidhasar, Prabhas Patan and Ranapar in the Barada Hills are mostly plain and austere in looks except some carvings in the [[Bava Pyara Caves]] of Junagadh. They are comparable to Andhra-Satrap period caves in Deccan. As they have almost no carvings, the determination of their date and chronology is difficult. The [[Uparkot Caves]] of Junagadh and the [[Khambhalida Caves]] belong to the later years of the Satraps.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Nanavati|first1=J. M.|last2=Dhaky|first2=M. A.|date=1969-01-01|title=The Maitraka and the Saindhava Temples of Gujarat|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.321094|journal=Artibus Asiae. Supplementum|volume=26|pages=15–17|doi=10.2307/1522666|jstor=1522666}}</ref> The ''stupas'' excavated at Boria and Intwa near Junagadh belonged to the Satrap period. The ''stupa'' excavated at Shamlaji probably belonged to this period or to the Gupta period.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280444|title=Journal Of Oriental Institute Baroda Vol.10|last=Nanavati|first=J. M.|date=March 1961|publisher=Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda|editor-last=Sandesara|editor-first=B. J.|volume=X|pages=223–224|chapter=A Kshatrapa Head from Saurashtra|issue=3}}</ref>
Line 368: Line 363:
==Contribution to Sanskrit epigraphy==
==Contribution to Sanskrit epigraphy==
[[File:Inscription No.10 Cave No.10 Nasik caves (longitudinal).jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|The inscription of [[Ushavadata]], son-in-law of [[Nahapana]], runs the length of the entrance wall of one of the Nasik caves, over the doors, and is here visible in parts between the pillars. Actual image, and corresponding rubbing. Cave No.10, [[Nasik Caves]].]]
[[File:Inscription No.10 Cave No.10 Nasik caves (longitudinal).jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|The inscription of [[Ushavadata]], son-in-law of [[Nahapana]], runs the length of the entrance wall of one of the Nasik caves, over the doors, and is here visible in parts between the pillars. Actual image, and corresponding rubbing. Cave No.10, [[Nasik Caves]].]]
{{main|Sanskrit}}
{{main|Sanskrit epigraphy}}

In what has been described as "the great linguistical [[paradox]] of India", [[Sanskrit]] inscriptions first appeared much later than [[Prakrit]] inscriptions, although Prakrit is considered as a descendant of the Sanskrit language.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=86-87}} This is because Prakrit, in its multiple variants, had been favoured since the time of the influential [[Edicts of Ashoka]] (circa 250 BCE).{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=86-87}}
In what has been described as "the great linguistical [[paradox]] of India", [[Sanskrit]] inscriptions first appeared much later than [[Prakrit]] inscriptions, although Prakrit is considered as a descendant of the Sanskrit language.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=86-87}} This is because Prakrit, in its multiple variants, had been favoured since the time of the influential [[Edicts of Ashoka]] (circa 250 BCE).{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=86-87}}


Line 374: Line 370:


[[File:Junagadh_inscription_of_Rudradaman_(complete).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman|Junagadh rock inscription]], inscribed by [[Rudradaman I]] circa 150 CE, is "the first long inscription recorded entirely in more or less standard Sanskrit".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=XYrG07qQDxkC&pg=PA89 89]}}]]
[[File:Junagadh_inscription_of_Rudradaman_(complete).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman|Junagadh rock inscription]], inscribed by [[Rudradaman I]] circa 150 CE, is "the first long inscription recorded entirely in more or less standard Sanskrit".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=XYrG07qQDxkC&pg=PA89 89]}}]]
In western India, the first known inscription in Sanskrit appears to have been made by [[Ushavadata]], son-in-law of the Western Satrap ruler [[Nahapana]], at the front of Cave 10 in the [[Nasik Caves]]. The inscription dates to the early 2nd century CE, and has hybrid features.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}}
In western India, the first known inscription in Sanskrit appears to have been made by [[Ushavadata]], son-in-law of the Western Satrap ruler [[Nahapana]], at the front of Cave no.10 in the [[Nasik Caves]]. The inscription dates to the early 2nd century CE, and has hybrid features.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}}


{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=300|caption_align=center
{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=300|caption_align=center
Line 385: Line 381:
}}
}}
The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman|Junagadh rock inscription]] of Western Satraps ruler [[Rudradaman I]] (c. 150 AD, [[Gujarat]]) is the first long inscription in fairly standard Sanskrit that has survived into the modern era. It represents a turning point in Sanskrit epigraphy, states Salomon, being "the first extensive record in the poetic style" in "more or less standard Sanskrit".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}} The Rudradaman inscription is "not pure classical Sanskrit", but with few epic-vernacular Sanskrit exceptions, it approaches high classical Sanskrit.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}} It is important because it is likely the prototype of the extensive Sanskrit inscriptions of the [[Gupta Empire]] era.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}} These inscriptions are also in the [[Brahmi script|''Brāhmī'' script]].<ref name="Salomon 1998">{{harvnb|Salomon|1998|pp=10, 86–90}}</ref>
The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman|Junagadh rock inscription]] of Western Satraps ruler [[Rudradaman I]] (c. 150 AD, [[Gujarat]]) is the first long inscription in fairly standard Sanskrit that has survived into the modern era. It represents a turning point in Sanskrit epigraphy, states Salomon, being "the first extensive record in the poetic style" in "more or less standard Sanskrit".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}} The Rudradaman inscription is "not pure classical Sanskrit", but with few epic-vernacular Sanskrit exceptions, it approaches high classical Sanskrit.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}} It is important because it is likely the prototype of the extensive Sanskrit inscriptions of the [[Gupta Empire]] era.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}} These inscriptions are also in the [[Brahmi script|''Brāhmī'' script]].<ref name="Salomon 1998">{{harvnb|Salomon|1998|pp=10, 86–90}}</ref>
During the reign of Rudradaman, circa 150 CE, it is also known that the Greek writer [[Yavanesvara]] translated the [[Yavanajataka]] from Greek to Sanskrit, for "the use of those who could not speak Greek", a translation which became an authority for all later astrology works in India.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Selin |first1=Helaine |title=Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Westen Cultures |date=2013 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=9789401714167 |page=906 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GzjpCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA906 |language=en}}</ref>
During the reign of Rudradaman, circa 150 CE, it is also known that the Greek writer [[Yavanesvara]] translated the [[Yavanajataka]] from Greek to Sanskrit, for "the use of those who could not speak Greek", a translation which became an authority for all later astrology works in India.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Selin |first1=Helaine |title=Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures |date=2013 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=9789401714167 |page=906 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GzjpCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA906 |language=en}}</ref>


The spread of the usage of Sanskrit inscriptions to the south can also probably be attributed to the influence of the Western Satraps, who were in close relation with southern Indian rulers: according to Salomon "a [[Nagarjunakonda]] memorial pillar inscription of the time of King [[Rudrapurusadatta]] attests to a marital alliance between the Western Ksatrapas and the [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Iksvaku]] rulers of Nagarjunakonda".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=93-94}}<ref name="Motilal Banarsidass Publ"/> The [[Nagarjunakonda]] inscriptions are the earliest substantial South Indian Sanskrit inscriptions, probably from the late 3rd-century to early 4th-century CE. These inscriptions are related to Buddhism and to the [[Shaivism]] tradition of Hinduism, and parts of them reflect both standard Sanskrit and hybridized Sanskrit.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=90-91}} An earlier hybrid Sanskrit inscription found on Amaravati slab is dated to the late 2nd-century, while a few later ones include Sanskrit inscriptions along with Prakrit inscriptions related to Hinduism and Buddhism.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=90-91 with footnote 51}} After the 3rd-century CE, Sanskrit inscriptions dominate and many have survived.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=91-93}}
The spread of the usage of Sanskrit inscriptions to the south can also probably be attributed to the influence of the Western Satraps, who were in close relation with southern Indian rulers: according to Salomon "a [[Nagarjunakonda]] memorial pillar inscription of the time of King [[Rudrapurusadatta]] attests to a marital alliance between the Western Ksatrapas and the [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Iksvaku]] rulers of Nagarjunakonda".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=93-94}}<ref name="Motilal Banarsidass Publ"/> The [[Nagarjunakonda]] inscriptions are the earliest substantial South Indian Sanskrit inscriptions, probably from the late 3rd-century to early 4th-century CE. These inscriptions are related to Buddhism and to the [[Shaivism]] tradition of Hinduism, and parts of them reflect both standard Sanskrit and hybridized Sanskrit.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=90-91}} An earlier hybrid Sanskrit inscription found on Amaravati slab is dated to the late 2nd-century, while a few later ones include Sanskrit inscriptions along with Prakrit inscriptions related to Hinduism and Buddhism.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=90-91 with footnote 51}} After the 3rd-century CE, Sanskrit inscriptions dominate and many have survived.{{sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=91-93}}
Line 397: Line 393:
| image1 = Inscribed Image of Saka King Chstan - Kushan Period - Mat - ACCN 12-212 - Government Museum - Mathura 2013-02-24 5904.JPG
| image1 = Inscribed Image of Saka King Chstan - Kushan Period - Mat - ACCN 12-212 - Government Museum - Mathura 2013-02-24 5904.JPG
| image2 = Shastana inscription.jpg
| image2 = Shastana inscription.jpg
| footer=Inscribed statue of Saka King Chastana, with inscription "Shastana" ([[Brahmi script|Middle Brahmi script]]: [[File:Gupta ashoka ss.svg|10px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka sta.jpg|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka n.svg|10px]] ''Sha-sta-na'').<ref name="JBO"/> Kushan Period.
| footer=Inscribed statue of Saka King Chastana, with inscription "Shastana" ([[Brahmi script|Middle Brahmi script]]: [[File:Gupta ashoka ss.svg|10px]]<sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka sta.jpg|13px]]</sub>[[File:Gupta ashoka n.svg|10px]] ''Sha-sta-na'').<ref name="JBO"/> Kushan period.
}}
}}
It is still unclear whether the Western Satraps were independent rulers or vassals of the [[Kushan Empire]] (30–375 CE). The continued use of the word "[[Satrap]]" on their coin would suggest a recognized subjection to a higher ruler, possibly the Kushan emperor.<ref>"The titles "Kshatrap" and "Mahakshatrapa" certainly show that the Western Kshatrapas were originally feudatories" in Rapson, "Coins of the British Museum", p.cv</ref>
It is still unclear whether the Western Satraps were independent rulers or vassals of the [[Kushan Empire]] (30–375 CE). The continued use of the word "[[Satrap]]" on their coin would suggest a recognized subjection to a higher ruler, possibly the Kushan emperor.<ref>"The titles "Kshatrap" and "Mahakshatrapa" certainly show that the Western Kshatrapas were originally feudatories" in Rapson, "Coins of the British Museum", p.cv</ref>
Line 409: Line 405:
{{clear left}}
{{clear left}}


==Main rulers==
== List of rulers ==
{{main|List of Indo-Scythian dynasties and rulers}}
{{Rulers of the Western Satraps}}
{{Rulers of the Western Satraps}}
;Family tree
[[File:Genealogical table of the Western Satraps.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Genealogical table of the Western Satraps]]
[[File:Genealogical table of the Western Satraps.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Genealogical table of the Western Satraps]]
{{HistoryOfSouthAsia}}
{{History of Gujarat}}

===Kshaharata dynasty===
* [[Yapirajaya]]
* [[Hospises]]
* [[Higaraka]]
* [[Abhiraka]] (Aubhirakes)
* [[Bhumaka]] (?–119) [[File:Coin of Bhumaka.jpg|50px]]
* [[Nahapana]] (119–124) [[File:Silver coin of Nahapana British Museum.jpg|25px]]
:* Viceroy [[Ushavadata]]

===Bhadramukhas or Kardamaka dynasty===
'''Family of Chastana:'''
* [[Chastana]] (c. 78-130) [[File:ChastanaCoin.jpg|50px]], son of [[Ysāmotika]]
* [[Jayadaman]], [[File:Jayadaman.jpg|50px]] son of Chastana
* [[Rudradaman I]] (c. 130–150) [[File:Coin of Rudradaman.jpg|50px]], son of Jayadaman
* [[Damajadasri I]] (170–175) [[File:Damajadasri.jpg|50px]]
* [[Jivadaman]] (178-181, d. 199) [[File:Jivadaman Saka Era 100 coin.jpg|50px]]
* [[Rudrasimha I]] (180–188, d. 197) [[File:Western Satrap Coin of Rudrasimha I .jpg|50px]]
* [[Rudrasimha I]] (restored) (191–197) [[File:Western Satrap Coin of Rudrasimha I .jpg|50px]]
* [[Satyadaman]] (197-198) [[File:Satyadaman.jpg|50px]]
* [[Jivadaman]] (restored) (197–199) [[File:Coin of Jivadaman 119 Shaka Era 197 CE.jpg|25px]]
* [[Rudrasena I (Saka king)|Rudrasena I]] (200–222) [[File:Coin of Rudrasena.jpg|50px]]
* [[Prthivisena]] (222) [[File:Prthivisena.jpg|50px]]
* [[Samghadaman]] (222–223) [[File:Samghadaman.jpg|50px]]
* [[Damasena]] (223–232) [[File:Western Satrap Damasena.jpg|50px]]
* [[Damajadasri II]] (232–239) [[File:Western Satrap Damajadasri II.jpg|50px]] with
* [[Viradaman]] (234–238) [[File:Western Satrap Viradaman.jpg|50px]]
* [[Isvaradatta]] (236–239) [[File:Western Satrap Isvaradatta.jpg|50px]]
* [[Yasodaman I]] (239) [[File:Western Satrap Yasodaman I.jpg|50px]]
* [[Vijayasena]] (239–250) [[File:I85 drachme Vijayasena MACW270203 1ar (8507423804).jpg|50px]]
* [[Damajadasri III]] (251–255) [[File:Western Satrap Damajadasri III.jpg|50px]]
* [[Rudrasena II (Western Satrap)|Rudrasena II]] (255–277) [[File:Rudrasena II Circa 256-278 CE.jpg|50px]]
* [[Visvasimha]] (277–282) [[File:Western Satrap Visvasimha.jpg|50px]]
* [[Bhartrdaman]] (282–295) [[File:Silver coin of Bhartrdaman.jpg|50px]]
* [[Visvasena]] (293–304) [[File:Western Satrap Visvasena.jpg|50px]]
'''Family of Rudrasimha II:'''
* [[Rudrasimha II]] (304–348) [[File:Rudrasimha II coin.jpg|50px]], son of Lord (Svami) [[Jivadaman]], with
:* [[Yasodaman II]] (317–332) [[File:Yasodaman II.jpg|50px]]
:* [[Rudradaman II]] (332–348) ''No coins known''
* ([[Sridharavarman]] (339-368) [[File:Sridharavarman_pillar_(horserider_detail).jpg|25px]] ''No coins known''
* [[Rudrasena III]] (348–380) [[File:Rudrasena III.jpg|50px]]
* [[Simhasena (Western Satrap)|Simhasena]] (380–384/5) [[File:Simhasena.jpg|50px]]
* [[Rudrasena IV]] (382–388) [[File:Rudrasena IV.jpg|50px]]
* [[Rudrasimha III]] (388–415)[[File:Coin of Rudrasimha III.jpg|50px]]

==Descendants==
The [[Abhira tribe|Abhiras]] descended from the Western Satraps.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 497: Line 446:
[[Category:States and territories established in the 30s]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 30s]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in the 5th century]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in the 5th century]]
[[Category:History of Pakistan]]
[[Category:History of Sindh]]
[[Category:History of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:History of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]

Latest revision as of 16:43, 20 November 2024

Great Satraps

Mahakṣatrapa
35–415 CE
Approximate territory of the Western Satraps (35–415) circa 350 CE.[1]
CapitalUjjain
Barygaza
Minnagara
Common languagesPali (Kharoshthi script)
Sanskrit, Prakrit (Brahmi script)
Religion
Hinduism
Buddhism
GovernmentMonarchy
Satrap 
• c. 35
Abhiraka
• 388–415
Rudrasimha III
Historical eraAntiquity
• Established
35
• Disestablished
415 CE
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Indo-Scythians
Malavas
Satavahana dynasty
Gupta Empire
Vakataka dynasty
Kalachuris of Mahishmati
Traikutaka dynasty
Kingdom of Valabhi
Today part ofIndia
Pakistan

The Western Satraps, or Western Kshatrapas (Brahmi:, Mahakṣatrapa, "Great Satraps") were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers of the western and central parts of India (extending from Saurashtra in the south and Malwa in the east, covering modern-day Sindh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states), between 35 and 415 CE. The Western Satraps were contemporaneous with the Kushans who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and were possibly vassals of the Kushans. They were also contemporaneous with the Satavahana who ruled in Central India. They are called "Western Satraps" in modern historiography in order to differentiate them from the "Northern Satraps", who ruled in Punjab and Mathura until the 2nd century CE.

The power of the Western Satraps started to decline in the 2nd century CE after the Saka rulers were defeated by the Emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni of the Satavahana dynasty.[2] After this, the Saka kingdom revived, but was ultimately defeated by Chandragupta II of the Gupta Empire in the 4th century CE.[3]

Name

[edit]
The rulers of the Western Satraps were called Mahākhatapa (𑀫𑀳𑀸𑀔𑀢𑀧, "Great Satrap") in their Brahmi script inscriptions, as here in a dedicatory inscription by Prime Minister Ayama in the name of his ruler Nahapana, Manmodi Caves, circa 100 CE. Nahapana was also attributed the titles of Raño ("King") and Sāmi ("Lord") conjointly.[4]

They are named Western Satraps in contrast to the "Northern Satraps" who ruled around East Punjab and the area of Mathura, such as Rajuvula, and his successors under the Kushans, the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara.[5]

Although they called themselves "Satraps" on their coins, leading to their modern designation of "Western Satraps", Ptolemy in his 2nd century "Geographia" still called them "Indo-Scythians".[6] The word Kṣatrapa has the same origin as the word satrap and are both descended from Median xšaθrapāvan-, which means viceroy or governor of a province, and according to John Marshall, the word kṣatrapa means the viceroy of the "King of kings". The title of the Mahakṣatrapa or the "Great Satrap" was given to the ruling Satrap, and the title of kṣatrapa was given to the heir apparent. The western Kshatrapas were also known as Sakas to Indians.[7]

The title Kṣaharāta by which the Western Satraps styled themselves is a derivation of a Saka language term *xšaθrapati, meaning "lord of the country", and was likely the Saka synonym for the Indian title Kṣatrapa, which had itself been borrowed from the Iranian Median language.[8]

The Sakas of Western India spoke the Saka language, also known as Khotanese as it is first attested in the Tarim Basin.[9]

History

[edit]

First expansion: Kshaharata dynasty (1st century CE)

[edit]
Coin of Bhumaka (?–119). Obv: Arrow, pellet, and thunderbolt. Kharoshthi inscription Chaharasada Chatrapasa Bhumakasa: "Ksaharata Satrap Bhumaka". Rev: Capital of a pillar with seated lion with upraised paw, and wheel (dharmachakra). Brahmi inscription: Kshaharatasa Kshatrapasa Bhumakasa.

The Western Satraps are thought to have started with the rather short-lived Kshaharata dynasty (also called Chaharada, Khaharata or Khakharata depending on sources).[10] The term Kshaharata is also known from the 6 CE Taxila copper plate inscription, in which it qualifies the Indo-Scythian ruler Liaka Kusulaka. The Nasik inscription of the 19th year of Sri Pulamavi also mentions the Khakharatavasa, or Kshaharata race.[11]

The earliest Kshaharata for whom there is evidence is Abhiraka, whose rare coins are known. He was succeeded by Bhumaka, father of Nahapana, who only used on his coins the title of Satrap, and not that of Raja or Raño (king). Nahapana's rule is variously dated to 24-70 CE, 66-71 CE, or 119–124 CE, according to one of his coins, which bear Buddhist symbols, such as the eight-spoked wheel (dharmachakra), or the lion seated on a capital, a representation of a pillar of Ashoka.

Coin of Nahapana (whose rule is variously dated to 24-70 CE, 66-71 CE, or 119–124 CE), a direct derivation from Indo-Greek coinage. British Museum.[12]
The Greco-Prakrit title "RANNIO KSAHARATA" ("ΡΑΝΝΙω ΞΑΗΑΡΑΤΑ(Ϲ)", Prakrit for "King Kshaharata" rendered in corrupted Greek letters) on the obverse of the coinage of Nahapana.[13][14]
Location of Western Satrap inscriptions in Buddhist rock-cut caves, indicating the southern extent of their territory, circa 120 CE,[15] and main neighbouring polities at that time.[16]

Nahapana succeeded him, and became a very powerful ruler. He occupied portions of the Satavahana Empire in western and central India. Nahapana held sway over Malwa, Southern Gujarat, and Northern Konkan, from Bharuch to Sopara and the Nasik and Poona districts.[17] At that time, the area northwest of the Western Satraps in Baluchistan was ruled by the Paratarajas, an Indo-Parthian polity, while the Kushans were expanding their empire in the North.[18]

His son-in-law, the Saka Ushavadata (married to his daughter Dakshamitra), is known from inscriptions in Nasik and Karle and Junnar (Manmodi Caves, inscription of the year 46) to have been viceroy of Nahapana, ruling over the southern part of his territory.[19][15]

Nahapana established the silver coinage of the Kshatrapas.

Circa 120 CE, the Western Satraps are known to have allied with the Uttamabhadras in order to repulse an attack by the Malavas, whom they finally crushed.[20] The claim appears in an inscription at the Nashik Caves, made by the Nahapana's viceroy Ushavadata:

...And by order of the lord I went to release the chief of the Uttamabhadras, who had been besieged for the rainy season by the Malayas, and those Malayas fled at the mere roar (of my approaching) as it were, and were all made prisoners of the Uttamabhadra warriors.

— Inscription in Cave No.10 of the Nashik Caves.[21]

Support of Indian religions

[edit]

An important inscription related to Nahapana in the Great Chaitya at Karla Caves[22] shows his support of Buddhism and Hinduism:

Karla Caves, inscription of Nahapana.

Success!! By Ushabadata, the son of Dinaka and the son-in-law of the king, the Kshaharata, the Kshatrapa Nahapana, who gave three hundred thousand cows, who made gifts of gold and a tirtha on the river Banasa, who gave to the Devas and Brahmanas sixteen villages, who at the pure tirtha Prabhasa gave eight wives to the Brahmanas, and who also fed annually a hundred thousand Brahmanas- there has been given the village of Karajika for the support of the ascetics living in the caves at Valuraka without any distinction of sect or origin, for all who would keep the varsha.

— Inscription of Nahapana, Karla Caves.[23]

Construction of Buddhist caves

[edit]

The Western Satraps are known for the construction and dedication of numerous Buddhist caves in Central India, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat.[24][25] It is thought that Nahapana ruled at least 35 years in the region of Karla, Junnar and Nasik, giving him ample time for construction work there.[26]

Numerous inscriptions in the caves are known, which were made by the family of Nahapana: six inscriptions in Nasik Caves, one inscription at Karla Caves, and one by Nahapana's minister in the Manmodi Caves at Junnar.[27][28] At the same time, "Yavanas", Greeks or Indo-Greeks, also left donative inscriptions at the Nasik Caves, Karla Caves, Lenyadri and Manmodi Caves.[29]

Great Chaitya hall at Karla Caves
[edit]

In particular, the chaitya cave complex of the Karla Caves, the largest in South Asia, was constructed and dedicated in 120 CE by the Western Satraps ruler Nahapana.[24][30][31]

Cave No.10 of Nasik, the 'Nahapana Vihara'
[edit]

Parts of the Nasik Caves, also called Pandavleni Caves, were also carved during the time of Nahapana.[25]

The inscriptions of cave no.10 in the Nasik Caves near Nasik, reveal that in 105-106 CE, Kshatrapas defeated the Satavahanas after which Kshatrapa Nahapana’s son-in-law and Dinika's son- Ushavadata donated 3000 gold coins for this cave as well as for the food and clothing of the monks. Usabhdatta's wife (Nahapana's daughter), Dakshmitra also donated one cave for the Buddhist monks. Cave 10 - 'Nahapana Vihara' is spacious with 16 rooms.

Two inscriptions in Cave 10 mention the building and the gift of the whole cave to the Samgha by Ushavadata, the Saka[33] son-in-law and viceroy of Nahapana:

Nasik Cave inscription No.10. of Nahapana, Cave No.10.
One of the pillars built by Ushavadata, viceroy of Nahapana, circa 120 CE, Nasik Caves, cave No10.

Success! Ushavadata, son of Dinika, son-in-law of king Nahapana, the Kshaharata Kshatrapa, (...) inspired by (true) religion, in the Trirasmi hills at Govardhana, has caused this cave to be made and these cisterns.

— Inscription No.10 of Nahapana, Cave No.10, Nasik[34]

Success! In the year 42, in the month Vesakha, Ushavadata, son of Dinika, son-in-law of king Nahapana, the Kshaharata Kshatrapa, has bestowed this cave on the Samgha generally....

— Inscription No.12 of Nahapana, Cave No.10, Nasik[35]

According to the inscriptions, Ushavadata accomplished various charities and conquests on behalf of his father-in-law. He constructed rest-houses, gardens and tanks at Bharukachchha (Broach), Dashapura (Mandasor in Malwa), Govardhana (near Nasik) and Shorparaga (Sopara in the Thana district).

Junnar dedication
[edit]

A dedication in the Lenyadri complex of the Junnar caves (inscription No. 26 in Cave VI of the Bhimasankar group of caves), mentions a gift by Nahapana's prime minister Ayama in the "year 46":

The meritorious gift.... of Ayama of the Vachhasagotra, prime minister of the King Mahakshatrapa the lord Nahapana

— Junnar inscription No. 26, 124 CE[36]

This inscription, the last one of the reign of Nahapana, suggests that Nahapana may have become an independent ruler since he is described as a King.[36]

International trade: the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea

[edit]

Nahapana is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea under the name Nambanus,[37] as ruler of the area around Barigaza:

Beyond the gulf of Baraca is that of Barygaza and the coast of the country of Ariaca, which is the beginning of the Kingdom of Nambanus and of all India. That part of it lying inland and adjoining Scythia is called Abiria, but the coast is called Syrastrene. It is a fertile country, yielding wheat and rice and sesame oil and clarified butter, cotton and the Indian cloths made therefrom, of the coarser sorts. Very many cattle are pastured there, and the men are of great stature and black in color. The metropolis of this country is Minnagara, from which much cotton cloth is brought down to Barygaza.

— Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chap. 41 [38]
Nahapana coin hoard.

Under the Western Satraps, Barigaza was one of the main centers of Roman trade with India. The Periplus describes the many goods exchanged:

There are imported into this market-town (Barigaza), wine, Italian preferred, also Laodicean and Arabian; copper, tin, and lead; coral and topaz; thin clothing and inferior sorts of all kinds; bright-colored girdles a cubit wide; storax, sweet clover, flint glass, realgar, antimony, gold and silver coin, on which there is a profit when exchanged for the money of the country; and ointment, but not very costly and not much. And for the King there are brought into those places very costly vessels of silver, singing boys, beautiful maidens for the harem, fine wines, thin clothing of the finest weaves, and the choicest ointments. There are exported from these places spikenard, costus, bdellium, ivory, agate and carnelian, lycium, cotton cloth of all kinds, silk cloth, mallow cloth, yarn, long pepper and such other things as are brought here from the various market-towns. Those bound for this market-town from Egypt make the voyage favorably about the month of July, that is Epiphi.

— Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chapter 49.[39]
The Western Satraps under Nahapana, with their harbour of Barigaza, were among the main actors of the 1st century CE international trade according to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

Goods were also brought down in quantity from Ujjain, the capital of the Western Satraps:

Inland from this place and to the east, is the city called Ozene, formerly a royal capital; from this place are brought down all things needed for the welfare of the country about Barygaza, and many things for our trade: agate and carnelian, Indian muslins and mallow cloth, and much ordinary cloth.

— Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chapter 48.[39]

Some ships were also fitted out from Barigaza, to export goods westward across the Indian Ocean:

Ships are also customarily fitted out from the places across this sea, from Ariaca and Barygaza, bringing to these far-side market-towns the products of their own places; wheat, rice, clarified butter, sesame oil, cotton cloth (the monache and the sagmatogene), and girdles, and honey from the reed called sacchari. Some make the voyage especially to these market-towns, and others exchange their cargoes while sailing along the coast.

— Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chapter 14.[39]
Pompei Lakshmi
[edit]

An Indian statuette, the Pompeii Lakshmi, was found in the ruins of Pompei and is thought to have been the result of Indo-Roman trade relations in the 1st century CE.[40] There is a possibility that the statuette found its way to the west during the rule of Western Satrap Nahapana in the Bhokardan area, and was shipped to Rome from the port of Barigaza.[41]

Defeat by Gautamiputra Satakarni

[edit]
The "Saka-Yavana-Palhava" (Brahmi script: 𑀲𑀓 𑀬𑀯𑀦 𑀧𑀮𑁆𑀳𑀯) defeated by Gautamiputra Satakarni, mentioned in the Nasik cave 3 inscription of Queen Gotami Balasiri (end of line 5 of the inscription).[42]
Coin of Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni struck over a drachm of Nahapana. Circa 167-196 CE. Ujjain symbol and three arched mountain symbol struck respectively on the obverse and reverse of a drachm of Nahapana.

Nahapana and Ushavadata were ultimately defeated by the powerful Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni. Gautamiputra drove the Sakas from Malwa and Western Maharashtra, forcing Nahapana west to Gujarat. His victory is known from the fact that Gautamiputra restruck many of Nahapana's coins (such a hoard was found in Jogalthambi, Nashik District),[43]) and that he claimed victory on them in an inscription at Cave No. 3 of the Pandavleni Caves in Nashik:

Gautamiputra Satakarni (…) who crushed down the pride and conceit of the Kshatriyas; who destroyed the Sakas (Western Satraps), Yavanas (Indo-Greeks) and Pahlavas (Indo-Parthians),[44] who rooted out the Khakharata family (the Kshaharata family of Nahapana); who restored the glory of the Satavahana race.

— Inscription of Queen Mother Gautami Balashri at Cave No. 3 of the Pandavleni Caves in Nashik.

Colonization of Java and Sumatra

[edit]

It seems that the Indian colonization of the islands of Java and Sumatra took place during the time of the Western Satraps.[45] People may have fled the sub-continent due to the conflicts there. Some foundation legends of Java describe the leader of the colonists as Aji Saka, a prince from Gujarat, at the beginning of the Shaka era (which is also the Java era).[45]

Kardamaka dynasty, family of Castana (1st–4th century)

[edit]
Coin of the Western Satrap Chastana (c. 130 CE). Obv: King in profile. The legend typically reads "PANNIΩ IATPAΠAC CIASTANCA" (corrupted Greek script), transliteration of the Prakrit Raño Kshatrapasa Castana: "King and Satrap Castana".

A new dynasty, called the Bhadramukhas or Kardamaka dynasty, was established by the "Satrap" Castana. The date of Castana is not certain, but many believe his reign started in the year 78 CE, thus making him the founder of the Saka era.[46] This is consistent with the fact that his descendants (who we know used the Saka era on their coins and inscriptions) would use the date of their founder as their era. Castana was satrap of Ujjain during that period. A statue found in Mathura together with statues of the Kushan king Kanishka and Vima Taktu, and bearing the name "Shastana" is often attributed to Castana himself, and suggests Castana may have been a feudatory of the Kushans. Conversely, the Rabatak inscription also claims Kushan dominion over Western Satrap territory (by mentioning Kushan control over the capital Ujjain) during the reign of Kanishka (c. 127–150 CE).

Territory under Chastana

[edit]
Statue of Chastana, with costume details. The belt displays designs of horsemen and tritons/anguipeds, the coat has a highly ornate hem. Inscription "Shastana" (Middle Brahmi script: Ṣa-sta-na).[47] Mathura Museum.[48]

The territory of the Western Satraps at the time of Chastana is described extensively by the geographer Ptolemy in his "Geographia", where he qualifies them as "Indo-Scythians". He describes this territory as starting from Patalene in the West, to Ujjain in the east ("Ozena-Regia Tiastani", "Ozene/Ujjain, capital of king Chastana"),[49] and beyond Barigaza in the south.

Moreover the region which is next to the western part of India, is called Indoscythia. A part of this region around the (Indus) river mouth is Patalena, above which is Abiria. That which is about the mouth of the Indus and the Canthicolpus bay is called Syrastrena. (...) In the island formed by this river are the cities Pantala, Barbaria. (...) The Larica region of Indoscythia is located eastward from the swamp near the sea, in which on the west of the Namadus river is the interior city of Barygaza emporium. On the east side of the river (...) Ozena-Regia Tiastani (...) Minnagara.

— Ptolemy, Geographia, Book Seven, Chapter I

Rudradaman I (130-150 CE)

[edit]
Victory against the Satavahanas
[edit]
Silver coin of Rudradaman I (130–150). Obv: Bust of Rudradaman, with corrupted Greek legend "OVONIΛOOCVΛCHΛNO". Rev: Three-arched hill or Chaitya with river, crescent and sun. Brahmi legend: Rajno Ksatrapasa Jayadamasaputrasa Rajno Mahaksatrapasa Rudradamasa: "King and Great Satrap Rudradaman, son of King and Satrap Jayadaman" 16mm, 2.0 grams.
The Junagadh rock contains inscriptions of Ashoka (fourteen of the Edicts of Ashoka), Rudradaman I (the Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman) and Skandagupta.[50]

Around 130 CE, Rudradaman I, grandson of Chastana, took the title "Mahakshatrapa" ("Great Satrap"), and defended his kingdom from the Satavahanas. The conflict between Rudradaman and Satavahanas became so gruelling, that in order to contain the conflict, a matrimonial relationship was concluded by giving Rudradaman's daughter to the Satavahana king Vashishtiputra Satakarni. The inscription relating the marriage between Rudradaman's daughter and Vashishtiputra Satakarni appears in a cave at Kanheri:

Of the queen ... of the illustrious Satakarni Vasishthiputra, descended from the race of Karddamaka kings, (and) daughter of the Mahakshatrapa Ru(dra)....... .........of the confidential minister Sateraka, a water-cistern, the meritorious gift.

— Kanheri inscription of Rudradaman I's daughter.[51]

The Satavahanas and the Western Satraps remained at war however, and Rudradaman I defeated the Satavahanas twice in these conflicts, only sparing the life of Vashishtiputra Satakarni due to their family alliance:

Rudradaman (...) who obtained good report because he, in spite of having twice in fair fight completely defeated Satakarni, the lord of Dakshinapatha, on account of the nearness of their connection did not destroy him.

Rudradaman regained all the previous territories held by Nahapana, probably with the exception of the southern areas of Poona and Nasik (epigraphical remains in these two areas at that time are exclusively Satavahana):[53]

Rudradaman (...) who is the lord of the whole of eastern and western Akaravanti (Akara: East Malwa and Avanti: West Malwa), the Anupa country, Anarta, Surashtra, Svabhra (northern Gujarat), Maru (Marwar), Kachchha (Cutch), Sindhu-Sauvira (Sindh and Multan districts), Kukura (Eastern Rajputana), Aparanta ("Western Border" – Northern Konkan), Nishada (an aboriginal tribe, Malwa and parts of Central India) and other territories gained by his own valour, the towns, marts and rural parts of which are never troubled by robbers, snakes, wild beasts, diseases and the like, where all subjects are attached to him, (and) where through his might the objects of (religion), wealth and pleasure (are duly attained).

— Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman.[52] Geographical interpretations in parentheses from Rapson.[54]
Victory against the Yaudheyas
[edit]

Later, the Junagadh rock inscription (c. 150 CE) of Rudradaman I[55] acknowledged the military might of the Yaudheyas "who would not submit because they were proud of their title 'heroes among the Kshatriyas'", before explaining that they were ultimately vanquished by Rudradaman I.[56][57]

Rudradaman (...) who by force destroyed the Yaudheyas who were loath to submit, rendered proud as they were by having manifested their title of 'heroes among all Kshatriyas'.

Recently discovered pillar inscriptions describe the presence of a Western Satrap named Rupiamma in the Bhandara district of the area of Vidarbha, in the extreme northeastern area of Maharashtra, where he erected the pillars.[58]

Rudradarman is known for his sponsoring of the arts. He is known to have written poetry in the purest of Sanskrit, and made it his court language. His name is forever attached to the inscription by Sudharshini lake.

He had at his court a Greek writer named Yavanesvara ("Lord of the Greeks"), who translated from Greek to Sanskrit the Yavanajataka ("Saying of the Greeks"), an astrological treatise and India's earliest Sanskrit work in horoscopy.[59]

Jivadaman (178-181 CE, 197-198 CE)
[edit]
A coin dated to the beginning of the first reign of Jivadaman, in the year 100 (One hundred in the Brahmi script of the Western Satraps) of the Saka Era (corresponding to 178 CE).[60]

King Jivadaman became king for the centenary of the Saka Era, in the year 100 (corresponding to 178 CE). His reign is otherwise undocumented, but he is the first Western Satrap ruler who started to print the minting date on his coins, using the Brāhmī numerals of the Brāhmī script behind the king's head.[61] This is of immense value to date precisely Western Satrap rulers, and to clarify perfectly the chronology and succession between them, as they also mention their predecessor on their coins. According to his coins, Jivadaman seems to have ruled two times, once between Saka Era 100 and 103 (178-181 CE), before the rule of Rudrasimha I, and once between Saka Era 119 and 120 (197-198 CE).

Rudrasimha I (180-197)
[edit]
Coin of the Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudrasimha I (178–197). Obv: Bust of Rudrasimha, with corrupted Greek legend "..OHIIOIH.." (Indo-Greek style). Rev: Three-arched hill or Chaitya, with river, crescent and sun, within Prakrit legend in Brahmi script:
Rudrasimha I, Brahmi legend on coinage.
"King and Great Satrap Rudrasimha, son of King and Great Satrap Rudradaman".[62]

An inscription of Rudrasimha I (178–197) was recently found at Setkhedi in Shajapur district, dated to 107 Saka Era, that is 185 CE, confirming the expansion of the Western Satraps to the east at that date.[63] There is also an earlier inscription related to Saka rule in Ujjain,[63] as well as a later one, the Kanakerha inscription, related to Saka rule in the area of Vidisha, Sanchi and Eran in the early 4th century.[63]

Great Satrap Rupiamma (2nd century CE)
[edit]

A memorial pillar with an inscription in the name of "Mahakshatrapa Kumara Rupiamma" has been recovered in Pauni in the central region of Vidharba,[64] and is dated to the 2nd century CE.[65] Although this Great Satrap is not otherwise known from coinage, this memorial pillar is thought to mark the southern extent of the conquests of the Western Satraps, much beyond the traditionally held boundary of the Narmada River.[65] The use of the word "Kumara" may also mean that Rupiamma was the son of a Great Satrap, rather than holding the title himself.[66]

Loss of southern territories to the Satavahanas (end of 2nd century CE)

[edit]

The south Indian ruler Yajna Sri Satakarni (170-199 CE) of the Satavahana dynasty defeated the Western Satraps in the late 2nd century CE, thereby reconquering their southern regions in western and central India, which led to the decline of the Western Satraps.[67]

Yajna Sri Satakarni left inscriptions in Nasik Caves, Kanheri and Guntur, testifying to the renewed extent of Satavahana territory.[68] There are two inscriptions of Yajna Sri Satakarni at Kanheri, in cave No. 81,[69] and in the Chaitya cave No. 3.[70] In the Nasik Caves, there is one inscription of Sri Yajna Satakarni, in the 7th year of his reign.[71]

There is a possibility, however, that the areas of Poona and Nasik had remained in the hands of the Satavahanas since the time of Gautamiputra Satakarni after his victory over Nahapana, as there are no epigraphical records of the Kardamakas in this area.[53]

Rudrasena II (256–278)

[edit]
Rudrasena II (256-278 CE). Head right, wearing close-fitting cap / Three-arched hill; group of five pellets to right.[72]
Western Satrap territory extended from the west coast of India to Vidisha/ Sanchi and Eran, from the time of Rudrasena II (256–278) well into the 4th century.[73] Marital alliances with the Ikshvaku of southern India are mentioned in inscriptions at Nagarjunakonda (3rd century CE).[74][75]

The Kshatrapa dynasty seems to have reached a high level of prosperity under the rule of Rudrasena II (256–278), 19th ruler of Kshatrapa.

A marital alliance between the Andhra Ikshvaku and the Western Satraps seems to have occurred during the time of Rudrasena II, as the Andhra Ikshvaku ruler Māṭharīputra Vīrapuruṣadatta (250-275 CE) seems to have had as one of his wives Rudradhara-bhattarika, the daughter of "the ruler of Ujjain", possibly king Rudrasena II.[76][74][77][78] According to an inscription at Nagarjunakonda, Iksvaku king Virapurushadatta had multiple wives,[79] including Rudradhara-bhattarika, the daughter of the ruler of Ujjain (Uj(e)nika mahara(ja) balika).[76][74][75]

The region of Sanchi-Vidisha was again captured from the Satavahanas during the rule of Rudrasena II (255-278 CE), as shown by finds of Rudrasena II's coinage in the area.[73] The region would then remain under Western Satrap rule until the 4th century CE, as attested by the Kanakerha inscription.[73]

The last Kshatrapa ruler of the Chastana family was Visvasena (Vishwasen, r.293–304 CE), brother and successor to Bhartrdaman and son of Rudrasena II. A coin of Visvasena was found in excavations at the Ajanta Caves, in the burnt-brick monastery facing the caves on the right bank of the river Waghora.[80]

Rudrasimha II dynasty (c. 304–396 CE)

[edit]
Head of Buddha Shakyamuni, Devnimori, Gujarat (375–400). Derived from the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, an example of the Western Indian art of the Western Satraps.[81][82]

A new family took over, started by the rule of Rudrasimha II (r. 304–348 CE). He declared on his coins to be the son of a Lord (Svami) Jivadaman.[83] His rule is partly coeval with that of other rulers, who were his sons as written on their coins and may have been sub-kings: Yasodaman II (r. 317–332 CE) and Rudradaman II (r. 332–348 CE).

Contributions to Buddhism

Under Rudrasimha II, the Western Satraps are known to have maintained their presence in the Central Indian areas of Vidisha/Sanchi/Eran well into the 4th century: during his rule, in 319 CE, a Saka ruler inscribed the Kanakerha inscription,[84] on the hill of Sanchi mentioning the construction of a well by the Saka chief and "righteous conqueror" (dharmaviyagi mahadandanayaka) Sridharavarman (339-368 CE).[73] Another inscription of the same Sridhavarman with his military commander is known from Eran.[73] These inscriptions point to the extent of Saka rule as of the time of Rudrasimha II.

The construction of Buddhist monuments in the area of Gujarat during the later part of Western Satrap rule is attested with the site of Devnimori, which incorporates viharas and a stupa. Coins of Rudrasimha were found inside the Buddhist stupa of Devnimori.[85] The Buddha images in Devnimori clearly show the influence of the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara,[81] and have been described as examples of the Western Indian art of the Western Satraps.[81] It has been suggested that the art of Devnimori represented a Western Indian artistic tradition that was anterior to the rise of Gupta Empire art, and that it may have influenced not only the latter, but also the art of the Ajanta Caves, Sarnath and other places from the 5th century onward.[85]

Overall, the Western Satraps may have played a role in the transmission of the art of Gandhara to the western Deccan region.[86]

Sasanian expansion in the northwest

[edit]
Location of the Sasanian coinage of Sindh, circa 400 CE, in relation with the other polities of the time.

After a period of control of the areas as far as Gandhara by the Kushano-Sasanians, the Sasanian Empire further expanded into the northwest of the subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Gandhara and Punjab, from the time of Shapur II circa 350 CE.[87] Further south, as far as the mouth of the Indus river, the Sasanians exerted some sort of control or influence, as suggested by the Sasanian coinage of Sindh.[88][89] It is probable that the Sasanian expansion in India, which put an end to the remnants of Kushan rule, was also made in part at the expense of the Western Satraps.[90]

Conquered by the Guptas (c. 335–415 CE)

[edit]
Central India conquered by Samudragupta (r. 336–380 CE)
[edit]

The Central Indian region around Vidisha/ Sanchi and Eran had been occupied by a Saka ruler named Sridharavarman, who his known from the Kanakerha inscription at Sanchi, and another inscription with his Naga general at Eran.[73] At Eran, it seems that Sridharavarman's inscription is succeeded by a monument and an inscription by Gupta Empire Samudragupta (r.336-380 CE), established "for the sake of augmenting his fame", who may therefore have ousted Sridharavarman's Sakas in his campaigns to the West.[91] Sridharavarman is probably the "Saka" ruler mentioned in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta, as having "paid homage" to the Gupta Emperor,[92] forced to "self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces".[93]

Gujarat campaign of Ramagupta
[edit]
Coin of the last Western Satrap ruler Rudrasimha III (388–395).

Rudrasimha III seems to have been the last of the Western Satrap rulers.[94] A fragment from the Natya-darpana mentions that the Gupta king Ramagupta, the elder brother of Chandragupta II, decided to expand his kingdom by attacking the Western Satraps in Gujarat.

The campaign soon took a turn for the worse and the Gupta army was trapped. The Saka king, Rudrasimha III, demanded that Ramagupta hand over his wife Dhruvadevi in exchange for peace. To avoid the ignominy, the Guptas decided to send Madhavasena, a courtesan and a beloved of Chandragupta, disguised as the queen. However, Chandragupta changed the plan and himself went to the Saka King disguised as the queen. He then killed Rudrasimha and later his own brother, Ramagupta. Dhruvadevi was then married to Chandragupta.

Conquests of Chandragupta II (r. 380–415 CE)
[edit]
The victorious Sanchi inscription of Chandragupta II (412-413 CE).

The Western Satraps were eventually conquered by emperor Chandragupta II. Inscriptions of a victorious Chandragupta II in the year 412-413 CE can be found on the railing near the Eastern Gateway of the Great Stupa in Sanchi.[95]

The glorious Candragupta (II), (...) who proclaims in the world the good behaviour of the excellent people, namely, the dependents (of the king), and who has acquired banners of victory and fame in many battles

The Gupta ruler Skandagupta (455-467 CE) is known for a long inscription where he describes himself as "the ruler of the earth" on a large rock at Junagadh, in Gujarat, next to the older inscriptions of Ashoka and Rudradaman I, confirming the Gupta hold on the western regions.[97]

Following these conquests, the silver coins of the Gupta kings Chandragupta II and his son Kumaragupta I adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the Indo-Greeks) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle (Garuda, the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the chaitya hill with star and crescent on the reverse.[98]

The campaigns of Chandragupta II brought an end to nearly four centuries of Saka rule on the subcontinent. This period also corresponds to the wane of the very last Kushan rulers in the Punjab and the arrival of the Kidarite Huns, the first Huna invaders from the steppes of Central Asia. Less than a century later, the Alchon Huns in turn invaded northern India, bringing an end to the Gupta Empire and the Classical period of India.

Coinage

[edit]

The Kshatrapas have a very rich and interesting coinage. It was based on the coinage of the earlier Indo-Greek Kings, with Greek or pseudo-Greek legend and stylized profiles of royal busts on the obverse. The reverse of the coins, however, is original and typically depict a thunderbolt and an arrow, and later, a chaitya or three-arched hill and river symbol with a crescent and the sun, within a legend in Brahmi. These coins are very informative, since they record the name of the King, of his father, and the date of issue, and have helped clarify the early history of India.

Regnal dates

[edit]
Coin of Damasena. The minting date, here 153 (100-50-3 in Brahmi script numerals) of the Saka era, therefore 232 CE, clearly appears behind the head of the king.

From the reigns of Jivadaman and Rudrasimha I, the date of minting of each coin, reckoned in the Saka era, is usually written on the obverse behind the king's head in Brahmi numerals, allowing for a quite precise datation of the rule of each king.[99] This is a rather uncommon case in Indian numismatics. Some, such as the numismat R.C Senior considered that these dates might correspond to the much earlier Azes era instead.

Also the father of each king is systematically mentioned in the reverse legends, which allows reconstruction of the regnal succession.

Languages

[edit]

Kharoshthi, a script in use in more northern territories (area of Gandhara), is employed together with the Brahmi script and the Greek script on the first coins of the Western Satraps, but is finally abandoned from the time of Chastana.[100] From that time, only the Brahmi script would remain, together with the pseudo-Greek script on the facing, to write the Prakrit language employed by the Western satraps. Occasionally, the legends are in Sanskrit instead.

The coins of Nahapana bear the Greek script legend "PANNIΩ IAHAPATAC NAHAΠANAC", transliteration of the Prakrit "Raño Kshaharatasa Nahapanasa": "In the reign of Kshaharata Nahapana". The coins of Castana also have a readable legend "PANNIΩ IATPAΠAC CIASTANCA", transliteration of the Prakrit "Raño Kshatrapasa Castana": "In the reign of the Satrap Castana". After these two rulers, the legend in Greek script becomes denaturated, and seems to lose all signification, only retaining an aesthetic value. By the 4th century, the coins of Rudrasimha II exhibit the following type of meaningless legend in corrupted Greek script: "...ΛIOΛVICIVIIIΛ...".[101]

Influences

[edit]
An imitation of Western Satrap coinage: silver coin of king Dahrasena (c. 415–455 CE), of the Traikutaka dynasty.[102]

The coins of the Kshatrapas were also very influential and imitated by neighbouring or later dynasties, such as the Satavahanas, and the Guptas. Silver coins of the Gupta kings Chandragupta II and his son Kumaragupta I adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the Indo-Greeks) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle (Garuda, the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the chaitya hill with star and crescent on the reverse.[98]

The Western Satrap coin design was also adopted by the subsequent dynasty of the Traikutakas (388–456) or the Kingdom of Valabhi (475–776).[103]

Monuments

[edit]

Sudarshan Lake of the Satrap period is mentioned in major rock edicts of Junagadh but no trace of it remains. Six inscription-stones called Lashtis of 1st century were recovered from a hillock near Andhau village in the Khavda region of Kutch and were moved to the Kutch Museum in Bhuj. They are the earliest dated monuments of the Satrap period and were erected in the time of Rudradaman I.[104]

The large number of stone inscriptions from Kutch and Saurastra as well as hundreds of coins throughout Gujarat are found belonging to the Satrap period. The earlier caves at Sana, Junagadh, Dhank, Talaja, Sidhasar, Prabhas Patan and Ranapar in the Barada Hills are mostly plain and austere in looks except some carvings in the Bava Pyara Caves of Junagadh. They are comparable to Andhra-Satrap period caves in Deccan. As they have almost no carvings, the determination of their date and chronology is difficult. The Uparkot Caves of Junagadh and the Khambhalida Caves belong to the later years of the Satraps.[105] The stupas excavated at Boria and Intwa near Junagadh belonged to the Satrap period. The stupa excavated at Shamlaji probably belonged to this period or to the Gupta period.[106]

Contribution to Sanskrit epigraphy

[edit]
The inscription of Ushavadata, son-in-law of Nahapana, runs the length of the entrance wall of one of the Nasik caves, over the doors, and is here visible in parts between the pillars. Actual image, and corresponding rubbing. Cave No.10, Nasik Caves.

In what has been described as "the great linguistical paradox of India", Sanskrit inscriptions first appeared much later than Prakrit inscriptions, although Prakrit is considered as a descendant of the Sanskrit language.[107] This is because Prakrit, in its multiple variants, had been favoured since the time of the influential Edicts of Ashoka (circa 250 BCE).[107]

Besides a few examples from the 1st century BCE, most of the early Sanskrit inscriptions date to the time of the Indo-Scythian rulers, either the Northern Satraps around Mathura for the earliest ones, or, slightly later, the closely related Western Satraps in western and central India.[108][109] It is thought that they became promoters of Sanskrit as a way to show their attachment to Indian culture: according to Salomon "their motivation in promoting Sanskrit was presumably a desire to establish themselves as legitimate Indian or at least Indianized rulers and to curry the favor of the educated Brahmanical elite".[109]

The Junagadh rock inscription, inscribed by Rudradaman I circa 150 CE, is "the first long inscription recorded entirely in more or less standard Sanskrit".[110]

In western India, the first known inscription in Sanskrit appears to have been made by Ushavadata, son-in-law of the Western Satrap ruler Nahapana, at the front of Cave no.10 in the Nasik Caves. The inscription dates to the early 2nd century CE, and has hybrid features.[111]

Scythian warriors
"Scythian" soldier, Nagarjunakonda Palace site, circa 2nd century CE.[112][113][114]

The Junagadh rock inscription of Western Satraps ruler Rudradaman I (c. 150 AD, Gujarat) is the first long inscription in fairly standard Sanskrit that has survived into the modern era. It represents a turning point in Sanskrit epigraphy, states Salomon, being "the first extensive record in the poetic style" in "more or less standard Sanskrit".[111] The Rudradaman inscription is "not pure classical Sanskrit", but with few epic-vernacular Sanskrit exceptions, it approaches high classical Sanskrit.[111] It is important because it is likely the prototype of the extensive Sanskrit inscriptions of the Gupta Empire era.[111] These inscriptions are also in the Brāhmī script.[115] During the reign of Rudradaman, circa 150 CE, it is also known that the Greek writer Yavanesvara translated the Yavanajataka from Greek to Sanskrit, for "the use of those who could not speak Greek", a translation which became an authority for all later astrology works in India.[116]

The spread of the usage of Sanskrit inscriptions to the south can also probably be attributed to the influence of the Western Satraps, who were in close relation with southern Indian rulers: according to Salomon "a Nagarjunakonda memorial pillar inscription of the time of King Rudrapurusadatta attests to a marital alliance between the Western Ksatrapas and the Iksvaku rulers of Nagarjunakonda".[109][78] The Nagarjunakonda inscriptions are the earliest substantial South Indian Sanskrit inscriptions, probably from the late 3rd-century to early 4th-century CE. These inscriptions are related to Buddhism and to the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, and parts of them reflect both standard Sanskrit and hybridized Sanskrit.[117] An earlier hybrid Sanskrit inscription found on Amaravati slab is dated to the late 2nd-century, while a few later ones include Sanskrit inscriptions along with Prakrit inscriptions related to Hinduism and Buddhism.[118] After the 3rd-century CE, Sanskrit inscriptions dominate and many have survived.[119]

Possible vassalage to the Kushans

[edit]
Statue of Chastana
Mathura Museum
Inscribed statue of Saka King Chastana, with inscription "Shastana" (Middle Brahmi script: Sha-sta-na).[47] Kushan period.

It is still unclear whether the Western Satraps were independent rulers or vassals of the Kushan Empire (30–375 CE). The continued use of the word "Satrap" on their coin would suggest a recognized subjection to a higher ruler, possibly the Kushan emperor.[120]

The Western Satraps (orange) and the Kushan Empire (green), in the 2nd century CE

Also, a statue of Chastana was found in Mathura at the Temple of Mat together with the famous statues of Vima Kadphises and Kanishka. The statue has the inscription "Shastana" (Middle Brahmi script: Sha-sta-na).[47] This also would suggest at least alliance and friendship, if not vassalage. Finally Kanishka claims in the Rabatak inscription that his power extends to Ujjain, the classical capital of the Western Satrap realm. This combined with the presence of the Chastana statue side by side with Kanishka would also suggest Kushan alliance with the Western Satraps.

Finally, following the period of the "Northern Satraps" who ruled in the area of Mathura, the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara are known from an inscription in Sarnath to have been feudatories of the Kushans.[5]

Generally, the position taken by modern scholarship is that the Western Satraps were vassals of the Kushans, at least in the early period until Rudradaman I conquered the Yaudheyas, who are usually thought to be Kushan vassals. The question is not considered perfectly settled.

List of rulers

[edit]
Family tree
Genealogical table of the Western Satraps

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (h). ISBN 0226742210.
  2. ^ World history from early times to A D 2000 by B .V. Rao: p.97
  3. ^ Ancient India by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar p. 234
  4. ^ Burgess, Jas (1883). Archaeological Survey Of Western India. p. 103.
  5. ^ a b Kharapallana and Vanaspara are known from an inscription discovered in Sarnath, and dated to the third year of Kanishka, in which they were paying allegiance to the Kushanas. Source: "A Catalogue of the Indian Coins in the British Museum. Andhras etc." Rapson, p ciii
  6. ^ Ptolemy, "Geographia", Chap 7
  7. ^ Marshall, John (1936). A guide to Sanchi. Patna: Eastern book House. p. 16. ISBN 978-81-85204-32-1.
  8. ^ Harmatta, János (1999). "Languages and scripts in Graeco-Bactria and the Saka Kingdoms". In Harmatta, János; Puri, B. N.; Etemadi, G. F. (eds.). History of civilizations of Central Asia. Vol. 2. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. p. 410. ISBN 978-8-120-81408-0.
  9. ^ Diringer, David (1948). Alphabet A Key To The History Of Mankind. p. 350.
  10. ^ Rapson, p. CVII
  11. ^ "Kharoshthi inscription, Taxila copper plate of Patika", Sten Konow, p25
  12. ^ Alpers, Edward A.; Goswami, Chhaya (2019). Transregional Trade and Traders: Situating Gujarat in the Indian Ocean from Early Times to 1900. Oxford University Press. p. 99. ISBN 9780199096138.
  13. ^ Cribb, Joe (2013). Indian Ocean In Antiquity. Routledge. p. 310. ISBN 9781136155314.
  14. ^ Alpers, Edward A.; Goswami, Chhaya (2019). Transregional Trade and Traders: Situating Gujarat in the Indian Ocean from Early Times to 1900. Oxford University Press. p. 99. ISBN 9780199096138.
  15. ^ a b Tripathi, Rama Shankar (1942). History of Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 216. ISBN 9788120800182.
  16. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (e). ISBN 0226742210.
  17. ^ "The Satavahanas did not hold the western Deccan for long. They were gradually pushed out of the west by the Sakas (Western Khatrapas). The Kshaharata Nahapana's coins in the Nasik area indicate that the Western Kshatrapas controlled this region by the 1st century CE. By becoming master of wide regions including Malwa, Southern Gujarat, and Northern Konkan, from Broach to Sopara and the Nasik and Poona districts, Nahapana rose from the status of a mere Kshatrapa in the year 41 (58 AD) to that of Mahakshatrapa in the year 46 (63 AD)." in "History of the Andhras"
  18. ^ "New light on the Paratarajas" Pankaj Tandon p.37
  19. ^ "Catalogue of Indian coins of the British Museum. Andhras etc." Rapson. p. LVII
  20. ^ Ancient Indian History and Civilization by Sailendra Nath Sen p.188
  21. ^ Epigraphia Indica Vol.8 p.78-79
  22. ^ Valukura is thought to be an ancient name for Karla Caves
  23. ^ Epigraphia Indica Vol.7, Hultzsch, E. p.58
  24. ^ a b c World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India, Volume 1 ʻAlī Jāvīd, Tabassum Javeed, Algora Publishing, 2008 p.42
  25. ^ a b Foreign Influence on Ancient India, Krishna Chandra Sagar, Northern Book Centre, 1992 p.150
  26. ^ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay. Asiatic Society of Bombay. 1986. p. 219. If Konow is right, then the length of time for Ksatrapa rule in the Nasik-Karla-Junnar region would be at least thirty-fire years.
  27. ^ Cultural and Religious Heritage of India: Zoroastrianism, Suresh K. Sharma, Usha Sharma, Mittal Publications, 2004 p.112
  28. ^ The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans, John M. Rosenfield p.131
  29. ^ Religions and Trade: Religious Formation, Transformation and Cross-Cultural Exchange between East and West. BRILL. 2013. p. 97. ISBN 9789004255302.
  30. ^ Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums, by George Michell, Roli Books Private Limited, 1 mai 2013 p.72
  31. ^ "This hall is assigned to the brief period of Kshatrapas rule in the western Deccan during the 1st century." in Guide to Monuments of India 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu - by George Michell, Philip H. Davies, Viking - 1989 Page 374
  32. ^ Epigraphia Indica Vol.18 p.326 Inscription No1
  33. ^ Ushavadata also presents himself as a Saka in inscription 14a of Cave No.10 of the Nasik Caves: "[Success !] By permanent charities of Ushavadata, the Saka, [son of Dinika], son-in-law of king Nahapana, the [Kshahara]ta Kshatrapa...." in Epigraphia Indica p.85-86
  34. ^ Epigraphia Indica p.78-79
  35. ^ Epigraphia Indica p.82-83
  36. ^ a b Cultural and Religious Heritage of India: Zoroastrianism, by Suresh K. Sharma, Usha Sharma p.114
  37. ^ "History of the Andhras", Durga Prasad Source
  38. ^ Source
  39. ^ a b c Source
  40. ^ Pollard, Elizabeth Ann (7 August 2013). "Indian Spices and Roman "Magic" in Imperial and Late Antique Indomediterranea". Journal of World History. 24 (1): 1–23. doi:10.1353/jwh.2013.0012. ISSN 1527-8050. S2CID 145360753.
  41. ^ Brancaccio, Pia (2010). The Buddhist Caves at Aurangabad: Transformations in Art and Religion. BRILL. p. 64 Note 94. ISBN 978-9004185258.
  42. ^ Hultzsch, E. (1906). Epigraphia Indica Vol.8. p. 60.
  43. ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. p. 383. ISBN 9788131711200.
  44. ^ V.D, Mahajan (2016). Ancient India. S. Chand Publishing. ISBN 9789352531325.
  45. ^ a b Foreign Influence on Ancient India, Krishna Chandra Sagar, Northern Book Centre, 1992 p.131
  46. ^ A. Jha and D. Rajgor: Studies in the Coinage of the Western Ksatraps, Nashik: Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, 1992, p. 7.
  47. ^ a b c Journal of the Bihar and Orissa Research Society. The Society. 1920. "The three letters give us a complete name, which I read as Ṣastana (vide facsimile and cast). Dr. Vogel read it as Mastana but that is incorrect for Ma was always written with a circular or triangular knob below with two slanting lines joining the knob"
  48. ^ The Dynastic Art of the Kushans, John Rosenfield, University of California Press, xxxiv
  49. ^ Allchin, F. R.; Erdosy, George (1995). The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: The Emergence of Cities and States. Cambridge University Press. p. 279. ISBN 9780521376952.
  50. ^ Artefacts of History: Archaeology, Historiography and Indian Pasts, Sudeshna Guha, SAGE Publications India, 2015 p.50
  51. ^ Burgess, James; Bühler, Georg (1883). Report on the Elura cave temples and the Brahmanical and Jaina caves in western India; completing the results of the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons' operations of the Archaeological survey, 1877-78, 1878-79, 1879-80. Supplementary to the volume on "The cave temples of India.". London, Trübner & Co. p. 78.
  52. ^ a b c Source Archived 23 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  53. ^ a b Sircar, D. C. (2005). Studies in Indian Coins. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 118. ISBN 9788120829732.
  54. ^ Rapson, "Indian coins of the British Museum" p.lx
  55. ^ Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I Archived 23 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, accessed on 23 March 2007.
  56. ^ Rosenfield, "The dynastic art of the Kushans", p132
  57. ^ Rapson, "A catalogue of the Indian coins in the British Museum", p.lx
  58. ^ "Vidarbha also was under the rule of another Mahakshatrapa named Rupiamma, whose pillar inscription was recently discovered at Pavni in the Bhandara district [Mirashi, Studies in Indology, Vol. IV, p. 109 f.]. It records the erection of a chhaya-stambha or sculptured pillar at the place. The Satavahanas had, Therefore, to leave Western Maharashtra and Vidarbha. They seem to have repaired to their capital Pratishthana where they continued to abide waiting for a favourable opportunity to oust the Shaka invaders." Source
  59. ^ Mc Evilley "The shape of ancient thought", p385 ("The Yavanajataka is the earliest surviving Sanskrit text in astrology, and constitute the basis of all later Indian developments in horoscopy", himself quoting David Pingree "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja" p5)
  60. ^ Rapson, Edward James (1967). Catalogue Of The Indian Coins In The British Museum. p. 83.
  61. ^ Rapson, p.cxxiv
  62. ^ Rapson p.92
  63. ^ a b c Misra, Om Prakash (2003). Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Mittal Publications. p. 6. ISBN 9788170998747.
  64. ^ "Siddham. The Asian Inscription Database, Pauni (पवनी Bhandara district). Memorial Pillar (OBNAG0032) with Inscription (INNAG0031) of Rupiamma".
  65. ^ a b Mirashi, V. V. (1965). "A Pillar Inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rupiamma from Pawni". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 27: 51–54. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44140583.
  66. ^ "The pillar inscription of Rupiamma from Pauni (1-41) may present a similar example. In it, Rupiamma is described as Mahakhattava-kumära; he is a son or prince of the mahäksatrapa; the title in itself is felt to be sufficient identification" Vienna Journal of South Asian Studies (in German). E.J. Brill. 1974. p. 21.
  67. ^ "later Satavahana named Yajna Satakarni seems to have conquered the Southern Dominions of the Western Satraps. His coins contain figures of ships, probably indicating the naval power of the Andras. He not only ruled Aparanta, but probably also the eastern part of the Central Provinces". Majumdar, p. 135
  68. ^ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 174. ISBN 9788122411980.
  69. ^ Burgess, James; Bühler, Georg (1883). Report on the Elura cave temples and the Brahmanical and Jaina caves in western India; completing the results of the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons' operations of the Archaeological survey, 1877-78, 1878-79, 1879-80. Supplementary to the volume on "The cave temples of India.". London, Trübner & Co. p. 79.
  70. ^ Burgess, James; Bühler, Georg (1883). Report on the Elura cave temples and the Brahmanical and Jaina caves in western India; completing the results of the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons' operations of the Archaeological survey, 1877-78, 1878-79, 1879-80. Supplementary to the volume on "The cave temples of India.". London, Trübner & Co. p. 75.
  71. ^ Burgess, Jas (1883). Archaeological Survey Of Western India. p. 114.
  72. ^ CNG Coins Coin image
  73. ^ a b c d e f Buddhist Landscapes in Central India: Sanchi Hill and Archaeologies of Religious and Social Change, c. Third Century BC to Fifth Century AD, Julia Shaw, Routledge, 2016 p58-59
  74. ^ a b c "Another queen of Virapurusha was Rudradhara-bhattarika. According to D.C. Sircar she might have been related to Rudrasena II (c. a.d. 254-74) the Saka ruler of Western India" in Rao, P. Raghunadha (1993). Ancient and medieval history of Andhra Pradesh. Sterling Publishers. p. 23. ISBN 9788120714953.
  75. ^ a b (India), Madhya Pradesh (1982). Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Ujjain. Government Central Press. p. 26.
  76. ^ a b K. Krishna Murthy 1977, p. 6.
  77. ^ Subramanian, K. R. (1989). Buddhist Remains in Andhra and the History of Andhra Between 225 and 610 A.D. Asian Educational Services. p. 82. ISBN 9788120604445.
  78. ^ a b Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1986). Vakataka - Gupta Age Circa 200-550 A.D. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 66. ISBN 9788120800267.
  79. ^ K. Krishna Murthy 1977, p. 5.
  80. ^ Mitra, Debala (2004). Ajanta. Archaeological Survey of India. pp. 94–95. ISBN 978-81-87780-19-9.
  81. ^ a b c The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies, Volume 4 1981 Number I An Exceptional Group of Painted Buddha Figures at Ajanṭā, p.97 and Note 2
  82. ^ Los Angeles County Museum of Art description
  83. ^ Catalogue of the coins of the Andhra dynasty, the Western Ksatrapas, the Traikutaka dynasty, and the "Bodhi" dynasty, by British Museum. Dept. of Coins and Medals; Rapson, E. J. (Edward James) p.170
  84. ^ Marshall, The Monuments of Sanchi p.392
  85. ^ a b Schastok, Sara L. (1985). The Śāmalājī Sculptures and 6th Century Art in Western India. BRILL. pp. 23–31. ISBN 978-9004069411.
  86. ^ Brancaccio, Pia (2010). The Buddhist Caves at Aurangabad: Transformations in Art and Religion. BRILL. p. 107. ISBN 978-9004185258.
  87. ^ Ghosh, Amalananda (1965). Taxila. CUP Archive. pp. 790–791.
  88. ^ Schindel, Nikolaus; Alram, Michael; Daryaee, Touraj; Pendleton, Elizabeth (2016). The Parthian and Early Sasanian Empires: adaptation and expansion. Oxbow Books. pp. 127–128. ISBN 9781785702105.
  89. ^ Senior, R.C. (1991). "The Coinage of Sind from 250 AD up to the Arab Conquest" (PDF). Oriental Numismatic Society. 129 (June–July 1991): 3–4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  90. ^ Mahajan, Vidya Dhar (2016). Ancient India. S. Chand Publishing. p. 335. ISBN 9789352531325.
  91. ^ "During the course of this expedition he is believed to have attacked and defeated the Saka Chief Shridhar Varman, ruling over Eran-Vidisha region. He then annexed the area and erected a monument at Eran (modern Sagar District) "for the sake cf augmenting his fame"." in Pradesh (India), Madhya; Krishnan, V. S. (1982). Madhya Pradesh: District Gazetteers. Government Central Press. p. 28.
  92. ^ Mirashi, Vasudev Vishnu (1955). Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era. Archaeological Society of India. pp. 605–611.
  93. ^ Lines 23-24 of the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta: "Self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces through the Garuḍa badge, by the Dēvaputra-Shāhi-Shāhānushāhi and the Śaka lords and by (rulers) occupying all Island countries, such as Siṁhala and others."
  94. ^ The Cambridge Shorter History of India. CUP Archive. p. 93.
  95. ^ Marshall, The Monuments of India p.388
  96. ^ Marshall, The Monuments of India p.388 inscription 833
  97. ^ "Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman", Project South Asia. Archived 23 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  98. ^ a b c d e "Evidence of the conquest of Saurastra during the reign of Chandragupta II is to be seen in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the Western Satraps... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type ... for the chaitya with crescent and star." in Rapson "A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc.", p.cli
  99. ^ Rapson CCVIII
  100. ^ Rapson p. CIV
  101. ^ Rapson, "A Catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. Andhras etc.", p.cxcii
  102. ^ Rapson, E. J. (Edward James) (1908). Catalogue of the coins of the Andhra dynasty, the Western Ksatrapas, the Traikutaka dynasty, and the "Bodhi" dynasty. London : Printed by order of the Trustees. p. 198.
  103. ^ Virji, krishnakumari J. (1952). Ancient History Of Saurashtra. p. 225.
  104. ^ Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia (1941). The Archaeology of Gujarat: Including Kathiawar. Natwarlal & Company. p. 46.[permanent dead link] Alt URL Archived 3 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  105. ^ Nanavati, J. M.; Dhaky, M. A. (1 January 1969). "The Maitraka and the Saindhava Temples of Gujarat". Artibus Asiae. Supplementum. 26: 15–17. doi:10.2307/1522666. JSTOR 1522666.
  106. ^ Nanavati, J. M. (March 1961). "A Kshatrapa Head from Saurashtra". In Sandesara, B. J. (ed.). Journal Of Oriental Institute Baroda Vol.10. Vol. X. Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. pp. 223–224.
  107. ^ a b Salomon 1998, pp. 86–87.
  108. ^ Salomon 1998, pp. 87–88.
  109. ^ a b c Salomon 1998, pp. 93–94.
  110. ^ Salomon 1998, p. 89.
  111. ^ a b c d Salomon 1998, p. 89.
  112. ^ "In Nagarjunakonda Scythian influence is noticed and the cap and coat of a soldier on a pillar may be cited as an example.", in Sivaramamurti, C. (1961). Indian Sculpture. Allied Publishers. p. 51.
  113. ^ "A Scythian dvarapala standing wearing his typical draperies, boots and head dress. Distinct ethnic and sartorial characteristics are noreworthy.", in Ray, Amita (1982). Life and Art of Early Andhradesa. Agam. p. 249.
  114. ^ "National Portal and Digital Repository: Record Details". museumsofindia.gov.in.
  115. ^ Salomon 1998, pp. 10, 86–90
  116. ^ Selin, Helaine (2013). Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 906. ISBN 9789401714167.
  117. ^ Salomon 1998, pp. 90–91.
  118. ^ Salomon 1998, pp. 90-91 with footnote 51.
  119. ^ Salomon 1998, pp. 91–93.
  120. ^ "The titles "Kshatrap" and "Mahakshatrapa" certainly show that the Western Kshatrapas were originally feudatories" in Rapson, "Coins of the British Museum", p.cv

References

[edit]
  • Rapson, "A Catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. Andhras etc."
  • John Rosenfield, "The dynastic art of the Kushans", 1976
  • Claudius Ptolemy, "The geography", Translated and edited by Edward Luther Stevenson, Dover Publications Inc., New York, ISBN 0-486-26896-9

Sources

[edit]
[edit]