Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

LURE - THRU THE AGES

THE SHAKAS 20 B.C. - 150 A.D.

Overview * Originally nomadic tribes of Central Asia, migrated to the south, fought against Bac- trian Greeks, settled in Helmund river val- leys; later crossed Hindukush and settled in North India, came into conflict with the Parthians. * The nomenclature of the early Shakas in India shows a mixture of Shaka, Parthian and Iranian elements. * Shaka chronology is perfect as their dates are recorded in years of the Shaka era, be- ginning in A.D. 78. * The greatest of the Shaka rulers were Rudradaman (130-150 A.D.) (western Shaka Satrap of Ujjain) and Nahapana (western Shaka Satrap of Maharashtra). * Chief source of information is Junagadh rock inscription, and a variety of coins. There were two groups of Shaka Satraps - Northern Satraps of Taxila and Mathura and western Satraps of Maharashtra and Ujjain. Advent * Shakas were the tribes of Central Asia, they migrated to south, crossed the Hin- dukush ranges and settled in northern India; they adopted Indian culture and religious beliefs. They adopted Indian names and entered into matrimonial alliances with the Indians.

* Capture of Maharashtra by Nahapana from the Satavahanas. * Defeat of Nahapana by Gautamiputra Satakarni (Satavahana ruler). * Two wars of Shakas against Satavaha- nas, under Rudradaman. * Rudradaman's war against Yaudheyas and their defeat. Rudradaman 130-150 A.D. The greatest of the Shaka rulers was Rudradaman (of western Satrap of Ujjain), our knowledge of his reign is based on the Junagadh rock inscription. He was the son and successor of Chashtana and won the title of 'Mahakshatrapa'; he ruled over Avanti (both eastern and western Malwa), Cutch; Sindhu - Sauvira (the lower Indus Valley); Maru (the desert country); and the northern part of the Konkan. He also claimed to have defeated the Andhras (Satavahanas) on two occasions and conquered the Yaudheyas. Rudradaman was an able administrator; he was very much concerned with the welfare of his subjects, this is proved by the fact that he spent heavily on the repair of Sudarsana lake which burst during his reign (Junagadh in- scription); no special taxes were imposed on his people, he was well-versed in gram- mar, politics, finance, music and logic. Not much is known about his successors, it seems he was succeeded by Rudrasena I followed by many insignificant satraps; the rule of Satraps of Ujjain lasted for about 250 years. Nahapana 119 - 124 A.D. Was the most powerful Shaka ruler of western Shakas of Maharashtra. A large num- ber of coins and inscriptions issued by him are the main sources of information; he conquered Maharashtra from Satavahanas, Ajmer and Pushkara; later he was defeated and driven from Maharashtra by Satavahanas under Gautamiputra Satakarni. Impact * The early wars of the Shakas resulted in the establishment of Shaka empire in India and the later wars of Shakas especially under Nahapana and Rudradaman contrib- uted to the consolidation and expansion of the Shaka rule in Northern India.

Strengths * Perfect chronology of Shaka rulers, large number of coins of Nahapana. Achievements * The establishment of Shaka era in 78 A.D. (the start of Hindu calendar year) Weakness * Existence of northern and western Shaka groups with different rulers and weak successors. Decline * After the death of Rudradaman, the Shakas were succeeded by weak and in- significant rulers, the Shaka rule came to an end with the death of Rudrasimha III killed by Chandragupta II of Guptas in 388 A.D.

Chronology * Maues * Azes

(20 B.C.-22 A.D.) (5 B.C.-30 A.D.) (35-79 A.D.)

* Azilises * Azes II * Gondophemes.

Northern Shakas Western Shakas (Maharashtra)

Liaka Kusulaka Bhumaka Patika

Nahapana (Ujjain)

Hagamasha

Yasamatika

(Hashtana 78 A.D.)

Hagana Rajula Sodasa

Rudradaman

Rudrasena I Rudrasimha III

Wars The occupation of Gandhara by Maues (Taxila inscription). Capture of a few districts of Kushana empire by Gondophemes.