5. Foreign invasion of NW India: Shakas, Parthians, Kushanas

Foreign invasion of NW India: Shakas, Parthians, Kushanas

Foreign invasion of NW India

• Bactrians & Parthians (Iranians) became independent from Syrian (Greek) rule around 300 BC
• Around 200 BC, B.C. Demetrius, the Greek ruler of Bactria invaded Afganistan & Punjab & occupied them.
• From Taxila he sent his 2 commanders, Appolodotus & Menander for further conquest
• Appolodotus conquered Sindh & marched upto Ujjain
• Menander extended his rule upto Mathura & from there attempted to capture Patliputra, but was stopped by Vasumitra (Grandson of Pusyamitra Sunga)
• Menander, also called Milinda, formed his capital at Sakala (Sialcot) & took great interest in Buddhism. His dialogues with Buddhist monk Nagsena were compiled in Pali work “Milindpanho” or questions of Milinda.
• Milinda, finally embraced Buddhism under Buddhist monk Nagarjuna
• A Greek ambassador, Heliodorus, became vaishnavite (Vasudev worshiper mainly) & erected ‘Garuna Pillar’ at Besnagar (Vidisa) – MP
• Indo-Greeks were 1st to issue gold coins in India

Shakas (Iranian Sythians)

Greeks were followed by scythians (Shakas) who controlled much larger area of India then Greek did. There were 5 branches of Shakas in 5 different directions in India & Afghanistan.
Most famous Shaka ruler in India was Rudradaman 1 who ruled not only Sindh but also considerable part of Gujrat, Konkan, Malwa & Kathiawar.
Rudradaman 1 is famous in history for his repair work of Sudarshana lake at Kathiawar & for issuing 1st ever long inscription in chase Sanskrit whose he was a lover of

Around 57 B.C, we hear of a king of Ujjain who fought effectively against Shakas & emerged victorious, He called himself ‘Vikramaditya’, by whose name an era Vikram Samvat is reckoned. Henceforth, vikramaditya became a coveted title & whosoever achieved anything great adopted this title.

Parthians (Pahlavas)

Parthians (Iranians) overthrew Shakas from Taxila around 1st century
Most famous Parthian king was Gondopherens, in whose reign St. Thomas is said to have visited India for propagation of Christianity.

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Kushanas

• Branch of Yuchis or Tocharians tribe from north central Asia basically from neighbourhood of China
• They 1st occupied Bactria or North Afghanistan, displacing Shakas & then gradually moved upto Kabul valley & seized Gandhara by crossing Hindukush range, replacing rule of Greeks & Parthians from these areas.
• Finally they setup their authority over lower Indus basin & Greater part of Ganga basin
• Founder of Kushana dynasty was Kadphises 1 who issued coins in Kabul valley in his name.
• His son Kadphises 2 issued gold coins with high sounding titles like “ Lord of whole world “ & spread his kingdom to the east as far as Mathura

kanishka (78 – 120 AD)

• Most important ruler of Kushana dynasty & founder of Shaka era (Starts from 78 AD) used by GOI
• He was not only a great conqueror but also extended his wholehearted patronage to Buddhism
• He extended the Kushana empire up to lower Indus basin (Malwa) & eastward till Magadha in India & set up his capital at Peshawar (Purushaputra)
• Kanishka issued a high number of gold coins with high purity & embraced Buddhism whole heartedly.
• However his coin exhibit images of not only Buddha but also of Greek & Hindu gods which reflects that he was tolerant towards other religions
• He was a great patron of art & Sanskrit & held 4th Buddhist council at Kashmir, where the doctrine of Mahayana form of Buddhism was finalized
• He patronized many Buddhist scholars like Asvagosha (who wrote saundarananda & Budhhacharita → Both in Sanskrit), Nagarjuna & Vasumitra
• He also patronised a famous physician of Indian history Charka who wrote “ Charaksamhita”
• Last important Kushana ruler was Vasudeva who was a worshipper of Shiva

Impact of central Asian Contact

• Typical pottery of this age became red ware pottery, Plain & polished
• Shakas – Kushanas introduced better cavalry & use of riding horses on large scale along with use of turban, tunic, trousers & longcoats
• Kushanas were the 1st ruler in India to issue gold coins on wide scale & controlled major part of silk trade
• Kushanas adopted pompous titles as King of Kings & were called Sons of god like Asoka was called Dear to gods

Gandhara School of Art

• Real patrons of this art were Shaka –Kushana rulers, esp. kanishka
• This art was a blend of India & Graeco-Roman elements (Mainly in Buddha sculptures) with main theme Mahayanism or new form of Buddhism
• Extensive use of Stucco + Terracotta in small quantity

Mathura School of Art

• Famous for headless erect statue of kanishka with his name inscribed below
• Produced Buddha sculptures exhibiting spiritual feeling on his face which was absent in Gandhara school of art
• Also produced stone images of Mahavira, Shiva & Vishnu along with their consorts Parvati & Lakshmi. Also carved out female figures of Yakshini & Apsara beautifully
• Extensive use of Red Sandstone