Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Uttarakhand in Kushan Period
History of Garhwal, Kumaon (Uttarakhand) - Part 49
Historical Aspects of Ancient communities of Kumaon-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Himalayas-46
(All the History write ups are dedicated to great Historians Hari Krishna Raturi, Badri Datt Pandey and Dr Shiv Prasad Dabral)
By: Bhishma Kukreti
Origin of Kushan
Chinese sources describe Kushan, as one of the five aristocratic tribes of the Yuezh.
General Cunningham identified Kushan as 'Gujjar 'as still 'Gujjar 'also called as 'Gusur'. A few scholars state that 'Gusur' means Kulputra or man or woman born in high family.
Arrival of Kushans
Before, Kushan established empire; they were well versed with Indian civilization. Scythians destroyed Greece rules, Pahlavi took the rule from Shaka or Scythians and Kushan threw away Pahlavi. Dr Dabral states that Mahabharata describes Kushan as Tushar and Pahlavi as Parad. In Maurya Empire, Kushan were at Khotan near Gandhar/Kandahar.
There are disagreements among historians for exact dates of Kushan period. For example, John Hill (2009, Through the Jade gate to Rome) describes the f Kujula the First Kushan King period from 80-95 AD and Dr Dabral takes the dates set by Dr Puri (1965, India under Kushan) who describes from 25-78AD.
The Major Kings of Kushan Empire
Kujula Kadphises the First Kushan King (80-95AD)
A few historians state that Kujula Kadphises established his rule over Kabul, Kandahar at started of first century AD and snatched Takshila from Pahlavi King. Kushan King Kujula Kadphises had his rule in west up to Marva. Some state that Kushan King Kujula Kadphises was great grandfather of Kanishka. The first Kushan King Kujula Kadphises died at the age of eighty. Kushan king Kujula Kadphises fathered at least two sons.
Vima Taktu, Sadashkana (in Chinese, Yangaozhen)- 95-127 AD
Vima Kadphises was son of Kujula. Vima expanded his empire towards east from Kapisa- Kandahar to Kuru-Panchal to Banaras /Kashi. The period had many changes but trade was main stream culture. Therefore, Vima distributed or familiarized his coins from Takshsila to Tiruhit. Vima coins are found in many places in North India abundantly. Many historians state that archeological ruins of Antarjikhed-Aita, Alwar and central India are ruins of Vima period.
At this period, Shiva was first time put on or carved on the coins in India.
Vima's Kushan Rule over South Uttarakhand
It seems that Vima ruled over south part (plains) of Uttarakhand. The fort ruins of king Ben in Hardiwar (Mayapur) (raja Ben ka Kila) are said to be the fort ruins of Kushan King Vima (Cunningham). Vima captured all the commercial roads of India those were connecting to Rome and China. The archeological excavations of Birbhadra show the proof of Kushan rule over Uttarakhand (Uma Prasad Thapliyal, 2005). Vima was first India King to introduce gold coins along with existing custom of silver and copper coins.
Kushan Satrap Rule
It also believed that vim did not have sons or heirs and his regional governors took over their own territories and became rulers. The coins suggest following Kushan governors who established their kingdoms after death of Kushan king Vima Kadphises
1-Zeoneses in Taxila
2-Shivsen- in Abhisar
3-Chashtan and Rudradasan in Ujjain (They were governors of Vima in Ujjain)
4-Soter Megas
The coins of Soter Megas (Mahrakshak /the unknown king) are found from Mathura, Punjab, Kandahar, and Kabul. It shows that the king ruled in all these territories. Soter Megas is a title. Historians as Puri called him a regional governor of Mathura who ruled in the name of Kushan King. The rule of Soter Megas was same over Uttarakhand as of Vima.
Kanishka the great among Kushan Kings (127-140AD)
Kanishka is called fifth Kushan king who ruled over India. Kanishka rules huge territories virtually complete north India including Kulendians (Kuninda/Kulinda), beyond Patliputra, south to Ujjain. Kanishka established two capitals –Mathura and Purushapura (Peshwar). He also employed strong regional governors at strategic territories. Maximum coins of Kushan Kingdom are found of Kanishka. The summer capital of Kushan king Kanishka was Kapisa (Begram). Kapisa was also a centre for connecting art and culture of east to west and China. Falk Harry's ground breaking research sates that Kanishka period was from 127 to 140 Ad (2004, Silk Road, Art and Archeology)
Vasishka or Kanishka second (140-160AD)
Kushan king Vasishka rule is supposed to be far south to Vidisha..
Havishka /Ooiski 160-190 AD
The Kushan King Havishka is supposed be a strong ruler and controller. The Kushan King Havishka did retrenchment and consolidated the Kushan Empire from Mathura. The historians found abundant numbers of coins and inscription of Havishka era.
Vasudeva /Bazodeo (in Chinese –Bodiao) -190-230AD
Vasudeva /Bazodeo (in Chinese –Bodiao) was last great Kushan emperor. Vasudeva was now totally a Hindustani king and was Hindu /Buddhist King.
His death also coincides with the Sassanid invasion.
Read about Historical Religious, political, administrative, social and cultural aspects of Kushan Era…..in History of Garhwal – Kumaon (Uttarakhand) - Part -50
Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 21/05/2013
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon write up is aimed for general readers)
History of Garhwal – Kumaon (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -50
Ancient communities of Kumaon-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Himalayas- to be continued…47
The chapter contains- Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Champawat, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Dwarhat, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Almora, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Nainital, Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Rudraprayag, Garhwal, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Uttarkashi Garhwal, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Haridwar, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Birbhadra, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Dehradun, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Saharanpur of ancient Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Tehri, Garhwal Uttarakhand in Kushan Period; Political, Social, Religious, Cultural History of Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand in Kushan Period
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Bhishma Kukreti
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