CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY,

NYAYA NAGAR, MITHAPUR, PATNA – 800001.

TOPIC: “SAKAS”

FINAL DRAFT SUBMITTED IN THE PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE TITLED –

INDIAN HISTORY

SUBMITTED TO:-
Dr. PRIYA DARSHINI
Assistant Professor of History

SUBMITTED BY: CHITRAGUPTA

SHARAN
ROLL NO : 2116
SEMESTER : FIRST
SESSION : 2019-2024
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), 1STSEMESTER
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher takes this opportunity to express his profound gratitude and deep regards to DR.
PRIYA DARSHINI for his expert guidance, monitoring and constant encouragement
throughout the course of this project. The blessings, helps and guidance given by him time to
time shall carry the researcher along with the journey of life on which the researcher is about to
embark. The researcher is obliged to staff members of CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW
UNIVERSITY for the valuable information provided by them in their respective fields. The
researcher is grateful for their co-operation during the period of his assignment.

Lastly,
I owe the present accomplishment of my project to my friends, who helped me immensely with
materials throughout the project and without whom I couldn’t have completed it in the present
way. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to my parents and all those unseen hands
that helped me at every stage of my project.

THANKING YOU,
NAME: CHITRAGUPTA SHARAN
COURSE: B A., LL.B. (Hons.)
ROLL NO: 2116
SEMESTER: 1ND
 DECLARATION BY CANDIDATE

I hereby declare that the work reported in the BA, LL.B (Hons.) Project Report entitled
“JUVENILE JUSTICE, SOCIO LEGAL STATUS” submitted at Chanakya National Law
University is an authentic record of my work carried out under the supervision of DR.
SHAKEEL AHMED. I have not submitted this work elsewhere for any other degree or diploma.
I am fully responsible for the contents of my Project Report.

SIGNATURE OF CANDIDATE
NAME OF CANDIDATE: CHITRAGUPTA SHARAN
CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, PATNA
TENTATIVE CHAPTERISATION
 INTRODUCTION

The Sakas were a group of nomadic tribes of Iranian origin or Scythian tribes, who lived in
present day Kazakhstan in Central Asia. Leading a nomadic life, they moved from one place to
another, from Southern Siberia into Bactria, Arachosia, Sogdiana, Gandhara, and India from the
middle of the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE. They entered the states of Kashmir,
Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan in India by defeating the native rulers and were
successful in establishing a strong foundation of the kingdom of Saka in India. The 2nd century
BC saw an outbreak in the Central Asia. The invasion by the Central Asian nomadic tribes and
tribes from the Chinese region was responsible for the migration of the Sakas to India.
According to Historians, the first Saka King in India was known as Maues or Moga. He
established his power in Gandhara and spread out his power and supremacy in almost all regions
of Northwest India. However, studies show different theories regarding the route of entrance of
the Sakas in India. Some say that the main group of the Sakas moved westwards to Heart,
Eastern Iran and Seistan and entered the Parthian Empire. According to another historian, there
were two distinct groups of the Sakas in India, the Saka Murandas, who entered India from
Kashmir, and the other was the Sakas of Seistan or Eastern Iran. This group of Sakas had similar
culture as the Parthian culture. They were attacked by the Parthian emperor Mithradates II and
were defeated. The Sakas afterwards moved towards the Eastern Iran. From East Iran, the Sakas
entered the Indian subcontinent through the Bolan Pass. Some other Saka tribes entered
Northwest India through the Khyber Pass. In Indian epic the Mahabharat, it is mentioned that the
Sakas settled in a region called "Sakadwipa" which was in the Northwest of ancient India.
In Indian History, the Indo-Scythians or the Indo-Sakas were not given much
importance. They were not regarded as conquerors, rather they were considered as native people
who migrated and invaded a major portion of Northwestern India. Indo-Scythians were known to
have ruled India, but they were the ethnic or the native groups and did not belong to the ruling
class. In fact, they migrated in groups along with their leaders or chiefs and formed their
kingdoms in India.
According to the great historian, Herodotus, the Scythians or the Sakas, had political
control over Central Asia and the Northern part of the subcontinent up to the river Ganges, as far
back as the 5th century B.C. Later the Indo-Scythic clans and dynasties such as the Rajputs and
the Mauryas expanded their control to other areas of the northern subcontinent. Saka dynasties
were among the largest, same as the Satraps during the period 204 BC to 78 AD, the Kushanas
during the period 50 AD to 380 AD and the Virkas in the period 420 AD to 640. Historical
studies reveal that the Mauryas and the Dharan-Guptas expanded their empires towards the east.
The first Saka ruler’s capital was ''Sirkap'' and during his reign, a large number of copper coins
and few silver coins were issued. There were images of Indian deities such as Shiva, Buddha in-
scripted on these coins. It is also said that the first Saka ruler assumed the title of "maharaja
mahatma".
The Saka Empire started declining after their defeat at the hands of the Satavahana
Emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni. The Saka rule in northwest India and Pakistan came to an end
after the death of Azes II (12 BC) when the region came under the Kushanas. In western India,
their rule came to an end in the 4th century AD when the last Western Satrap Saka ruler
Rudrasimha III was defeated by Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty.
 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1. The researcher aim for making this project is to study the reasons that led to the invasion of
sakas.
2. The researcher aims to study the political and social position and functioning of sakas clans.
3. The researcher aim for making this project is to study the reasons that led to the decline of
sakas.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The researcher will be relying upon Non - doctrinal Method of research to complete the project.

SOURCES OF DATA

The researcher will use secondary sources to complete the project

Secondary Sources – BOOKS

HYPOTHESIS
The researcher has assumed that,
1. The reform suggested by the Fifth Law commission on enhancement of punishment for
wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement needs to be adopted in the Indian Penal Code,
1860 to the earliest.
2. Wrongful confinement is a species of Wrongful restraint
THE SAKAS
The Saka (Scythian), Pahlava (Parthian) and Yavana (Bactrian Greek) invaders of India are
mentioned together in Sanskrit literature under the group name of Saka-Yavana-Pahlava as
foreigners and barbarians. One of the oldest references to the Sakas or the Scythians is to be
found in the inscriptions of Darius I (600 B.C.). Three different branches of the Sakas are
mentioned there. Herodotus also refers to the Sakas in these words: "The Sacae or Scyths, clad in
trousers, had on their heads tall stiff caps rising to a point. They bore the bow of their country
and the dagger; besides which they carried the battle-axe or sagaris. They were in truth
Amyrgian Scythians, but the Persians called them Sacae, since that is the name which they give
to all Scythians". It appears that two branches of the Sakas lived in contiguous regions, if not in
the same province, which appears to have been the Drangiana-Seistan territory. Their third
branch has been identified by Prof. Rapson with the Sakas of Europe who dwelt in the Russian
steppes on the north of the Black Sea. The Sakas on the borders of Iran were the descendants of
those whose migrations from Central Asia probably began as early as the 8th century B.C.

For the early history of the Sakas, we are indebted to the Chinese and classical writers. The
Chinese Encyclopaedia of Matwan-lin of the 13th century gives the following information.
"Formerly when the Hiung-nu conquered the Ta Yueh-chi, the latter emigrated to the west and
subjugated the Ta-hia whereupon the Sai-wang (the Saka king) went to the South and ruled over
Ki-pin". The tribes of the Sai divided and dispersed, so as to form here and there different
kingdoms.

The Sakas were nomadic tribes who originally belonged to Central Asia. In about 165 B.C. they
were turned out of their original home by the Yueh chi. The Sakas migrated to the South-West
and fought against the Greek kingdom of Bactria. Most of the Sakas settled down in the valley of
the river Hilmand and established small states there. One of those settlements is still known as
Sakistan or Seistan. With the passage of time, more Sakas came from Central Asia and
consequently those who had settled in the North-West crossed the Hindu Kush and Sulaiman
ranges to settle in Northern India. They came into conflict with the Parthians. Some of the Saka
chiefs joined service under the Parthians and were even appointed Governors or Satraps of the
various provinces of the Parthian kingdom.

The association of the Sakas with India must have begun long before the establishment of their
rule in Ki-pin. We learn from Patanjali's Mahabhashya that the Sakas at the time of the
commentator Were living with the Yavanas outside the limits of Aryavarta. It is possible that the
Sakas might have penetrated into the extreme north-western and western borders of India some
considerable time before the beginning of the Christian era. Then sakas were on the eastern
borders of the Persian and parthian empires. The Ramayana places the settlements of the Sakas
along with the Yavanas in the extreme north beyond the Surasenas, Prasthalas, Bharatas, kurus
and madrakas. However, the Mahabharata locates them along with the Pahlavas, Barbaras,
Kiratas and yavanas. The Harivamsa tell us that the Sakas used to shave half their heads.
 J.N. Banerjea is of the view that most of the Saka invaders who came to In indirect route. They
did not come through the Khyber Pass. After crossing the H entered the Northern borders of
Gedrosia and then entered into the Indus Valley the Pass. Many Saka kings were contemporaries
of the Indo-Greek rulers. Types of coins issued by the Indo Greeks in Arachosia and the Punjab
were also being copied by evidence of the coins shows that the main branch of the Sakas could
not have utilised highway in their immigration into India. Their direct entry was checked by the
Gree under Hermaeus and his immediate predecessors in the Kabul Valley.

The nomenclature of the early Sakas in India shows a mixture of Saka, Parthia
elements. This shows that before their entry into India, the Sakas had lived for a long tin Sakistan
under Parthian rulers. There must have occurred a good deal of mixture of bloodanig the Sakas
adapted themselves to their new environments and began to adopt Indian India religious beliefs.
They entered into matrimonial relations with the Indians. In the time. Mahabhashya, the Sakas
were described as Aniravasita Sudras (clean Sudras). There is in the Manusamhita that the Sakas
were degraded Kshatriyas.

On the basis of the information got from coins, two or more lines of Saka kings ruline
northern, north-western and western parts of India have been recognised by scholars. Some of
chiefs are known from Kharoshthi and Brahmi inscriptions. The two main royal lines of 1 known
from the coins are those of Maues in the Punjab and its adjoining lands and of Vonon associates
in Arachosia or Kandhar and Gedrosia and Drangiana or Baluchistan regions. Man probably
Azes are mentioned in a few Kharoshthi inscriptions. However, neither Vonones nor his direct
associates is mentioned in any Brahmi or Kharoshthi inscription. It is possible that and Vonones
were roughly contemporary rulers. The view of V.A. Smith was that Maues and were Parthians
by race. J.N. Banerjea concedes that there are some Parthian elements associar those rulers. The
names Vonones I and Vonones II are Parthian names. The title of "King of Kines prefixed to the
names of the kings belonging to the Vonones and Maues groups is also Parthian The title seems
to have been introduced either by Mithridates I or Mithridates II. The view of Smith was that the
conquests of Mithridates I extended as far as the river Hydaspas (Jhelum). A Parthian chief
named Maues took advantage of the temporary eclipse of the foreign power and made himself
king in the Punjab sector. Likewise, the Parthian chief Vorones established himself in the
Drangiana sector of the Parthian empire. After doing so, they began to extend their territories.
Vonones ruled over parts of Seistan, southern Afghanistan and northern Baluchistan. Later on,
both the lines of Maues and Vonones were merged and thereby formed an Indo-Parthian block in
the extreme north and west of India. Smith referred to the coins of Maues which had Parthian
devices such as a horse and a "bow in case".

According to J.N. Banerjea, the view of V.A. Smith cannot be upheld. Banerjea points out
that the statement of Orosius that Mithriclates I "conquered all the peoples between the rivers
Hydaspes and the Indus” would not justify us in identifying the Hydaspes of the passage with the
Indian Hydaspes or Jhelum. That statement only shows that the Indus was the eastern limit of the
Parthian expansions under Mithridates I. The view of Rapson was that the river in question was
identical W the Medus Hydaspes of Virgil. To quote Rapson, "The theory of a conquest of
North-western by Mithridates I would seem to be founded on a misunderstanding of the
historian's statem Rapson attributed the Parthian features of Maues and Vonones to the long
contact of the Sak the Parthians in eastern Iran. Banerjea points out that the names of Maues and
Vonones apps contain definite Saka element. Arrian refers to an Asiatic Saka ruler as Mauakes.
The names Azilises, Spalirises, etc., contained Saka or Iranian elements. Sten Konow accepts the
the Saka origin of Maues but regards Vonones as identical with Vonones 1 of the royal Parthian
dynasty, ruling in the Drangiana and Arachosia regions with imperial title before 10 B.C.J.N.
Banerjea points out that the view of Sten Konow cannot be accepted as it rests on data which are
very largely hypothetical. While ruling over the middle and lower Indus valley. Drangiana and
Arachosia, both the Sakas and the Pahlavas were closely associated and no wonder it is not
always possible to distinguish between them. The same family included both Pahlava and Saka
names. According to Rapson, "It is little more than a convenient nomenclature which labels the
princes of the family of Maues who invaded the lower Indus Valley as Sakas and those of the
family of Vonones who ruled over Drangiana and Arachosia as Pahlavas". A similar view was
held by F.W. Thomas. According to J.N. Banerjea, "The close association of the Sakas and
Pahlavas in this period is demonstrable from various sources and it is highly probable that the
tribes from Eastern Iran invading India contained diverse elements. There is no clear mention of
any regular Parthian invasion of India; on the other hand, there were inroads by adventurers of
various origin such as Maues or Vonones and his associates".

Maues
Maues ruled from about 20 B.C. to 22 A.D. He cut off his relations with the 'Great King of
Kings' of east Iran. He extended Saka suzerainty over large parts of North-Western India. He
also took up the title of "Great King of Kings”. The occupation of Gandhara by Maues is
suggested by the Taxila inscription. By his conquests, Maues drove a wedge between the two
Indo-Greek Kingdoms. The Sakas extended their power up to Mathura during his reign. Maues
vastly expanded his domain by conquering key cities along the Indus. This included
seizing Taxila in Punjab, and Gandharas capital city Pushkalavati from the Indo-Greek
Kingdoms1. Maues has overstruck coins belonging to Archebius as well as Apollodotus II in
Taxila.

When precisely and under what circumstances Maues arrived in India is uncertain, but the
expulsion of the Scythian (Saka/Sai) peoples from Central Asia is referred to in the Han Shu,
where the cause given is their confrontation with the Ta Yüeh-chih, themselves undergoing an
enforced migration. It is stated that “when the Ta Yüeh-chih turned west, defeated and expelled
the king of the Sai, the latter moved south and crossed over the Suspended Crossing.” That this
route (from the Pamirs into the Gilgit valley) was used in Maues’ time is confirmed by the

1
Sagar, Krishna Chandra (1992). Foreign Influence on Ancient India. Northern Book
Centre. ISBN 9788172110284
discovery of inscriptions in the Chilas/Gilgit area bearing his name .2

Maues issued joint coins mentioning a queen Machene ("ΜΑΧΗΝΗ"). Machene may have been
a daughter of one of the Indo-Greek houses.3
An Indo-Greek king, Artemidoros, also issued coins where he describes himself as "Son of
Maues".
A few of the coins of Maues, struck according to the Indian square standard, seemingly depict a
King in a cross-legged seated position. This may represent Maues himself, or possibly one of his
divinities. It has been suggested that this might also be one of the first representations of
the Buddha on a coin, in an area where Buddhism was flourishing at the time, but the seated
personage seems to hold a sword horizontally, which favors the hypotheses of the depiction of
the king Maues himself.
Also, Maues struck some coins incorporating Buddhist symbolism, such as the lion, symbol of
Buddhism since the time of the Mauryan king Ashoka.
The symbolism of the lion had also been adopted by the Buddhist Indo-Greek king Menander II.
Maues therefore probably supported Buddhism, although whether sincerely or for political
motives is unclear. His coins also included a variety of other religious symbols such as the bull
of Shiva, indicating wide religious tolerance.

Coin of Machene, Queen of Maues. Obv. Tyche, Indian-standard coin of King Maues. The obverse
wearing mural crown. Legend BACIΛICCHC shows a rejoicing elephant holding a wreath,
ΘEOTPOΠOY MAXHNHC "Godlike Queen symbol of victory. The reverse shows the seated
Machene". Rev. Zeus with Nike, legend
king Maues. Kharoshthi legend:
“Rajatirajasa mahatasa Moasa”
in Kharoshthi "Great king of kings, Maues". RAJATIRAJASA MAHATASA MOASA (Great
King of Kings Maues)

Azes
We learn from coins that Maues was succeeded by Azes. He ruled from about 5 B.C. to 30 A.D.
It is suggested that Azes was the son of Spalirises. It is also possible that Azes was the son-in-
law of Maues. It is contended that Azes not only ruled over the territory of Maues but also
extirpated the independent rule of the house of Euthydemus.
Azes I was an Indo-Scythian ruler who completed the domination of the Scythians in Gandhara.4

2
"INDO-SCYTHIAN DYNASTY – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2019-07-23
3
RC Senior "Indo-Scythian coins and history", Vol IV, p.xxxvi.
Maues and his successors had conquered the areas of Gandhara, as well as the area
of Mathura from 85 BCE forming the Northern Satraps.

Azes's most lasting legacy was the foundation of the Azes era. It was widely believed that the era
was begun by Azes's successors by simply continuing the counting of his regnal years. However,
Prof. Harry Falk has recently presented an inscription at several conferences which dates to
Azes's reign, and suggests that the era may have been begun by Azes himself. Most popular
historians date the start of the Azes era to 58 BC and believe it is the same as the later era known
as the Malwa or Vikrama era.5
However, a recently discovered inscription, the Bajaur reliquary inscription, dated in both the
Azes and the Greek era suggests that actually this is not the case. The inscription gives the
relationship Azes = Greek + 128. It is believed that the Greek era may have begun in 173 BCE,
exactly 300 years before the first year of the Era of Kanishka. If that is the case then the Azes era
would begin in about 45 BC.6

Azilises
We find that some coins were issued by Azes jointly with another king named Azilises. Both the
kings are called “Great King of Kings". Azilises was probably the son of Azes. For some time he
ruled jointly with his father and after his death became the sole ruler. He ruled from about 28
A.D. to 40 A.D.

We come across some coins which have the names of both Azilises and Azes. It is
contended that this Azes was a second ruler of that name and was the son and successor of
Azilises. He ruled jointly for some time and later on became the sole king. He ruled from about
35 A.D. to 79 A.D. Some scholars believe that Azes and Azilises are two forms of the same
name. There are others who believe that Azilises I was succeeded by Azes whose successor was
Azilises II. However, these theories are not convincing. Azes I is contended to have been the
founder of the Vikram era starting from 58 B.C.

It appears that Azes I had nothing to do with the kingdom of east Iran. After his succession to
Maues in India, his relations with Spalilises became unfriendly. This view is supported by coins.

About the beginning of the 1st century A.D., the Parthian Empire had under its control Aria
or Herat, the country of Anahoi, Drangiana, Sakastan and Arachosia in the east. However, these
territories formed a separate kingdom about the middle of the first century B.C. In 43-44 A.D.

4
Falk and Bennett (2009), pp. 197–215.
5
Richard Salomon (1998). Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the
Other Indo-Aryan Languages. Oxford University Press. pp. 182–183, 194–195. ISBN 978-0-19-509984-3.
6
For discussions refer to Bracey, R. (2005) 'The Azes Era'
(http://www.kushan.org/essays/chronology/azesvikrama.htm), Cribb, J (2005) 'The Greek Kingdom of Bactria,
its coinage and collapse' in Afghanistan, Ancien Carrefour entre l'est et l'ouest (ed. Bopearachichi O &
Boussac, M-F), Turnhout: 207–225, Falk, H. & C. J. Bennett 'Macedonian Intercalary Months and the Era of
Azes' Acta Orientalia 70 (2009) 197–216
when Taxila was Visited by Apollonius of Tyana, that region was occupied by Phraotes who was
a Parthian ruler. The Periplus refers to the Parthian occupation of Minnagara, the capital of Indo-
Scythia.

Gondophernes
Azes II was succeeded by Gondophernes or Condophares. His name indicates that he was a
Parthian by race. We learn from coins that Gondophernes with one Gudda was ruling, probably
somewhere in Arachosia, as the vioeregal associate of Orthagnes, before he became king
himself. Gondophernes gradually extended his power in different directions and became an
emperor. He used some of the cointypes of Orthagnes which may point to his control over east
Iran. It is maintained that he conquered certain districts of the Kushan empire. In spite of the help
got by Hermaeus, the last Greek ruler, Upper Kabul Valley, from Kujula Kadphises,
Gondophernes was able to defeat him. The Chinease historian, Fan-ye, refers to the Parthian
conquest of Kabul in these words: "Whenever any of the three kingdoms of Tien-chou (India
proper), Ki-pin (Kafiristan and the adjoining eastern reo Ngan-si (parthia) became powerful, it
brought Kabul under subjection. When it grew weal Kabul... Later Kabul fell under the rule of
Parthia". According to Rapson, "There can be little that under his sway the Pahlava power
attained its height, and it appears probable that pow now controlled by a single suzerain who
reigned supreme over both eastern Iran and North W India; for the coins of Gondophares bear
the types both of Orthagnes and of Azes II, and seem to therefore that he had succeeded on the
dominions of both these suzerains”. However, it is po out that the success of Gondophernes in
the Upper Kabul Valley was short-lived. Kujula Kadph occupied Kao-fu or Kabul about the
middle of the first century A.D. Coins also tell us that kui Kadphises extended his rule over
Southern Afghanistan also.

It is pointed out that the success of Gondophernes against the Sakas in India was
conspicuous. We have found a record of his reign at Takht-i-Bahi in the Yusuf-zai territory near
Marda in the Peshawar district. That proves the Parthian occupation of Gandhara. The above
mentioned inscription is dated in the year 103 of the Saka Parthian or Vikram era and in the year
26th of his own reign. Thus, Gondophernes must have ruled from 21 A.D. to at least 46 A.D.

Two types of coins of Gondophernes have been found from Taxila. Some bear the portrait
and symbol of Gondophernes with the names of his viceroys, viz., Sapedana and Satavastra.

The name of Gondophernes is associated with St. Thomas, the apostle of the Parthians.
There is a tradition that the Parthians were allotted as the peculiar sphere of the missionary
activities of St. Thomas. The substance of the tradition is given in these words: "When the
twelve apostles divided the countries of the world among themselves by lot, India fell to the
share of Judas surnamed Thomas, or the Twin, who showed unwillingness to start on his
mission. At that time an Indian merchant named Habban arrived in the country of the south,
charged by his master, Gundaphar, king of India, to bring back with him a cunning artificer able
to build a palace meet for the king. In order to overcome the apostle's reluctance to start for the
East, our Lord appeared to the merchant in a vision, sold the apostle to him for twenty pieces of
silver and commanded St. Thomas to serve king Gundaphar and build the palace for him.

"In obedience to his Lord's commands, the apostle sailed next day with Habban the
merchant, and during the voyage assured his companion concerning his skill in architecture and
all manner of work in wood and stone. Wafted by favouring winds, their ship quickly reached the
harbour of Sandaruk. Landing there, the voyagers shared in the marriage feast of the king's
daughter, and used their time so well that bride and bridegroom were converted to the true faith.
Thence the saint and the merchant proceeded on their voyage, and came to the court of
Gundaphar, king of India. St. Thomas promised to build him the palace within the space of six
months, but expended the monies given to him for that purpose in alms giving; and when called
to account, explained that he was building for the king a palace in heaven, not made with hands.
He preached with such zeal and grace that the king, his brother Gad and multitudes of the people
embraced the faith. Many signs and wonders were wrought by the holy apostle.

"After a time, Sifur, the General of king Mazdai, arrived and be sought the apostle to
come with him and heal his wife and daughter. St. Thomas hearkened to his prayer, and went
with Situr to the city of king Mazdai, riding in a chariot. He left his converts in the country of
king Gundapna under the care of deacon Xanthippos. King Mazdai waxed worth when his queen
Tertia and a noble lady named Mygdonia were converted by St. Thomas, who was accordingly
sentenced to death an executed by four soldiers, who pierced him with spears on a mountain
without the city. The apostle was buried in the sepulchre of the ancient kings, but the disciples
secretly removed his bones, and carried them away to the West":

However, the genuineness of the tradition is not accepted by scholars. According to Dr.
Smith, the whole story is pure mythology. The geography is as mythical as the tale itself is
interest in the eyes of the historian of India is confined to the fact that it proves that the real
Indian king. Gondaphernes, was remembered after his death and was associated in popular belief
with the apostolic mission to the Indians and so with the Parthians. It is permissible to believe
that a Christian mission actually visited the Indo-Parthians of the North-Western Frontier during
his reign, whether or not that mission was conducted by St. Thomas in person. It is to be noted
that there is no trace of the sub sequent existence of a Christian community in the dominions
ruled by Gondophernes. "After much consideration, I am now of opinion that the story of the
personal ministration and the martyrdom of St. Thomas in the realms of Gondophares and
Mazdai should not be accepted" (Smith).

Successors. Abdagases seems to have been the immediate successor of Gondophernes. For
some time, he was the subordinate ruler under his uncle as indicated by the coins. His
independent rule was a short one. He was succeeded by Pacores. His reign was also very short.
However, he enjoyed full imperial sovereignty throughout. We come across the coins of another
king named Sanabares. However, he does not seem to have any connection with India proper.
The end of the Parthian rule in India is marked by several groups of small silver coins which
were found by Sir John Marshall from the Sirkap site of Taxila. However, foreign domination of
the Northern and North Western parts of India did not end with the extinction of the Parthians.
The later were succeeded by the Kushanas.

The Saka Satrapal Houses

The Indian governors of the Saka rulers were called Kshatrapas. This term was probably
borrowed from the old Persian title of Kshathrapavan meaning a provincial governor. There were
always two satraps in every province, viz., a junior satrap called Kshatrapa and a senior satrap
called Mahakshatrapa. The relation between the two was similar to that between the Rajan or
king and the Yuvaraja or the heir-apparent. There were many Saka satrapal houses in different
parts of India. However, we can group them into two categories, viz., Northern satraps of Taxila
and Mathura and the Western satraps of Maharashtra and Ujjain.

Northern Satraps of Taxila

Liaka Kusulaka was the earliest known recorded Saka satrap of Taxila. He was the satrap
of Chhahara and Chukhsa. Chhahara has not so far been identified. However, Chuksha has been
identified with modern Chach, situated in the north-west of Taxila. The two districts must have
been adjacent to each other and located in the neighbourhood of Taxila. Laika imitated his coins
from those of Eucratides.

We are told that Patika, the son of Liaka Kusulaka, did not take up any title. He made a
deposit of the relics of the Buddha. We do not know whether Patika was acting as a colleague of
his father or not as he himself had no title. We have not come across any coins belonging to the
satraps mentioned above.

Northern Satraps of Mathura

We are lucky in having a large number of coins and inscriptions dealing with the history
of the satraps of Mathura. We learn from the coins that Hagamasha and Hagana were the earliest
Saka satraps of Mathura. Some coins tell us that Hagamasha ruled alone. There are others that
show that Hagamasha ruled jointly with Hagana.

According to Dr. V.A. Smith, Hagamasha and Hagana were succeeded by Rajula or
Ranjuvula. The name of the satrap appears both on coins and inscriptions. He is variously
described as Mahakshatrapa and Apratihata Chakra Kshatrapa. This shows that he first ruled as a
Kshatrapa and then as Mahakshatrapa.

Sodasa was associated with his father, Rajula, as a Kshatrapa and later on succeeded him
Manakshatrapa. Sodasa is described at one place as Yuvaraja and Kshatrapa at another plan also
described as Mahakshatrapa in 14 A.D. This shows that his father Rajula must have died that
date.

There is also a reference to one Patika in the Taxila plate inscription. He is mentioned the
the son of Kshatrapa Liaka.

Western Satraps of Maharashtra

Bhumaka is the earliest known satrap of Western India. He belonged to the Khakharata
clan of Saka tribe. Not much is known about him. On the basis of a large number of coins of
Bhumaka. Prose Rapson has come to conclusion that Bhumaka preceded Nahapana. He points
out that the obvaron type of the coins of Bhumaka has been used by Nahapana as a reverse type.
The re-arrangemi of the type, the fabric and the nature of the coin legends prove conclusively
that Nahapana was immediate successor of Bhumaka. However, there is no evidence of the
relationship between Bhumala and Nahapana. There is also no date.

Nahapana
Nahapana was the greatest of the Bhumaka line. We have a large number of coins and
inscriptions about him. He conquered Maharashtra from the early Andhra rulers of that country.
However, his rule was confined to Broach, Kathiawar, Ajmer and Pushkara. A large number of
silver coins of Nahapana have been found in Maharashtra. That shows that he must have got
Maharashtra under his control. The earliest recorded date of the rule of Nahapana in Maharashtra
is 119 A.D. His latest recorded date is the year 46. Possibly, his rule ended in about 124 A.D. It
is possible that Nahapana was turned out from Maharashtra by Gautamiputra Satakarni.

The rule of Nahapana in Maharashtra, although short, was full of events. There were wars,
exoeditions and charitable benefactions. In all this, Nahapana was helped by his son-in-law
Ushavadata who was really his right hand man.

Nahapana ruled not only over Maharashtra but also over Kathiawar, Broach, Supana,
Dasapura and Ajmer including Pushkara. We have come across coins of Nahapana both in Ajmer
and Pushkara, We are told that Nahapana Ushavadata rescued the Uttambhadras from the attack
of the Malwas and then proceeded to Pushkara Tirtha where he took his bath and gave gifts of
cows and gold to Brahmanas. A reference is made to many other Tirthas of that time and at all
those places not only the Brahmanas were fed but they were also given gold and cows as gifts.
We are told that his wife made a gift of a cave dwelling in order to earn religious merit.

We have found a large number of silver coins of Nahapana from Jogalthambi near Nasik.
Those coins show that they were restruck by Gautamiputra. None of the coins found there bears
the name of Ushavadata. That only shows that the satraps of Maharashtra lost their control over
Maharashtra. It is to be noted that Ushavadata played an important role in the administration of
Nahapana. He was the Commander-in-Chief. On behalf of the Government, he performed many
acts of public utility and charity such as the remission of ferry tolls, construction of Ghats for
ferry boats, cave dwellings for Buddhist monks, etc.

Western Satraps of Ujjain

The earliest member of this house was Yaşamatika. His son was Chashtana. Dubreuil is the
opinion that Chastana started his rule in 78 A.D. and was the founder of the Saka era o that year.
However, this view cannot be accepted. The reason is that the earliest known date of Chastana is
the year 52 which is accepted by all scholars as belonging to the Saka er That brings it to 130
A.D. It is too much to believe that if a person ruled for 52 years was also responsible for
founding an era, we should not be knowing anything about hi Raychaudhurite some Northern
now rauchaudhuri refers to the opinions of Rapson and Bhandarkar that Chastana was the
Viceroy of some northern power, probably the Kushans. We also know that kanishk has been
given the credit for having started the Saka era.

We leam from an inscription that Chastana ruled conicity with a randon Rodradimana
in 130 A.D. The name of Rudradamana's father was Jayadamana. However, there is not mention
of any title of jayadamana. It is possible that Jayndamana might have died in the year 130 A.D.
Rudradamana
Rudradamana, the grandson of and successor of chastana ruled was the most outstanding saka
satrap of Ujjain.We are lucky in having a lot of information about this great man from his
Junagadh Rock Inscription This inscription is dated 72 and it helps us to fix the reign of
Rudradamana near about 150 AD. It is stated in the inscription that Rudradamana won for
himself the title of Mahakshatrapa. It appears that the fortunes of the house of Chastana had
received a temporary setback but Rudradamana was able restore the glory of the house by his
efforts and also took up the title of Mahakshatrapa. There is reference to his war with Satakarni,
Lord of the South, whom he is stated to have defeated twice

and then won him as his son-in-law. It is also stated that Rudradamana fought against the proud
and valiant Yaudheyas and also defeated them. Panini refers to the Yaudhevas as Ayudhajivi or
those who live by the profession of fighting. They were a republican people living in Eastern
Punjab. We have come across a large number of the coins, inscriptions, seals and tablets of the
Yaudheys Samudragupta refers to them as one of the tribes conquered by him. Rudradamana
calls the Yaudheyas a brave race. (Virasabda Yati).

The extent of the territory of Rudradamana is shown in the inscription mentioned above. It
included Akara (East Malwa), Avanti (West Malwa), Anupa, Anarta (North Kathiawar).
Saurashtra (South Kathiawar), Svabhra (the region on the Sabarmati), Maru (probably Marwar),
Kachha (Cutch), Sindhu (that part of Sindh which lay west of the lower Indus), Sauvira (east of
the Lower Indus), Kukura (North Kathiawar), Aparanta (North Konkan) and Nisbada (West
Vindhya and Aravali).

It is stated in the inscription that the Sudarsana lake which had existed from the time of
Chandragupta Maurya and Asoka burst in the time of Rudradamana. There was a lot of
destruction. Sudarsana became Durdarsana. Rudradamana did not spare any money or energy in
reconstructing the dam as quickly as possible. We are told that Rudradamana spent all the money
on the repair of the dam from his own pocket, Thinking the task impossible the council of
ministers had refused to sanction monty from the public treasury. Rudradamana behaved like a
strictly constitutional ruler. It is stated in the inscription that Rudradamana was chosen as
protector by all the castes.

We have a lot of information from this inscription regarding the personal qualities of
Rudradamana. He was very much worried about the good of his subjects. This is proved by the
fact that he spent all the money required for the repair of the Sudarsana lake from his own
pocket. He did not impose any special tax or forced labour or benevolences from the people for
that purpose. He carried on his government with the advice and consent of his Council of
Ministers (Sachivaih). The latter possessed all the qualities (Amatya-Guna Samudyuktaih).
Before becoming the ruler, Kudradamana had learnt grammar polity, finance, music, logie, etc.
He is stated to have taken a vow that he would not kill men except in battle and that yow he kept
to the end of his life.

We do not know much about the successors of Rudradamana. They seem to have been non
tities. Excepting their names as successors, they did not claim any achievement. Damajada or
Damajadasari was the son and successor of Rudradamana. He had a son named Jivadamana.
However, le immediate successor of Damajada was his brother Rudrasimha I. According to
Rapson, there was a civil war between Rudrasimha and Jivadamana in which the former carne
out victorious. according to Raychaudhuri. Rudrasimha was followed by his son Rudrasena l.
However, there are hers who believe that Jivadamana reigned after Rudrasimha before the
accession of Rudrasena l. There are certain coins of Jivadamana which bear the legend that those
were issued by Mahakshatrapa Jivadamana. According to Rapson, "With the reign of
Jivadamana, son of Damajadasari I, begins the series of dated coins. From this time onwards, the
silver coins of the dynasty regularly have the year of their issue regarded in Brahmi numerals on
the obverse behind the king's head. Of Jivadamana there are also dated coins of potin"

Rudrasena I, son of Rudrasimha I, was the third Saka Satrap of Ujjain after Rudradamana.
He was followed by many insignificant satraps. The last Saka satrap of Ujjain was Rudrasimha
III. He was the person who was killed by Chandragupta II. He reigned up to at least 388 A.D.
The rule of the satraps of Ujjain lasted for about 250 years.