Table of Contents
Introduction: Sakas (Indo-Scythians)
The Sakas, or Indo-Scythians, were a nomadic group originally from the Eurasian steppes, who migrated into Central and South Asia around the 2nd century BCE. Driven by factors such as climatic changes and pressure from other tribes, they settled in regions corresponding to modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northwestern India.
They established several kingdoms and were notable for their integration into the local cultures. Their patronage of arts, religion, and trade left a lasting legacy in the region.
Indo-Scythians at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE |
| Founding | Founded by Scythian tribes (Sakas) who migrated into the Indian subcontinent from Central Asia. |
| Capital Cities | Taxila, Mathura, Ujjain, and Sagala |
| Regions Covered | Northwestern India (Punjab, Sindh), Western India (Gujarat, Rajasthan), parts of Central India (Malwa) |
| Notable Rulers | Maues (Moga): First prominent Indo-Scythian king, ruled around 85-60 BCE. |
| Azes I: Expanded the kingdom significantly, possibly unified various Scythian tribes under his rule. | |
| Azes II: Known for consolidating power, often confused with Azes I. | |
| Chastana: Established the Western Satraps, ruled from Ujjain, significant in Gujarat and Malwa. | |
| Rudradaman I: A powerful Western Satrap, known for the Junagadh inscription, which details his conquests and patronage of Sanskrit. | |
| Nahapana: A prominent Northern Satrap, associated with Western India, especially Gujarat and Maharashtra. | |
| Bhratadarman: One of the last rulers of the Western Satraps, saw the decline of their power. | |
| Cultural Influence | The Indo-Scythians adopted and integrated Greek, Indian, and Central Asian cultural elements, influencing art, religion, and coinage. |
| Religion | Religious practices with influences from Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Greek religious traditions. |
| Language | Bilingual inscriptions in Greek and Kharoshthi; Brahmi script was also used, especially in the Western Satraps. |
| Economy | Trade: The kingdom was a crucial part of the Silk Road, facilitating trade between the East and West. |
| Coinage: Extensive use of silver and copper coins. | |
| Military | Known for their cavalry and nomadic warfare techniques; used composite bows, swords, and spears. |
| Western Satraps (Kshaharata) | Prominent Satraps: Abhiraka, Bhumaka, Nahapana. |
| Maues (Moga): The first prominent Indo-Scythian king, ruled around 85-60 BCE. | |
| Northern Satraps | Prominent Satraps: Rajuvula |
| Territory: Influenced the Northwestern regions of the subcontinent. | |
| Satraps of Ujjain (Kardamaka) | Prominent Satraps: Chastana, Rudradaman I. |
| Territory: Centered in Ujjain, extending influence over Malwa and Western India. | |
| Decline | The Indo-Scythians were gradually absorbed by the Kushan Empire, starting from the 1st century CE; the Western Satraps existed until the 4th century CE before being annexed by the Gupta Empire. |
Key Facts about Sakas in India
- Maues (Moga):
- The Indo-Scythian dynasty in India was founded by Maues or Moga after defeating the Indo-Greeks.
- He ruled the Gandhara region and made Taxila his capital. He assumed the title of Rajadhiraj.
- Successor of Moga: His successor Ages I conquered the Eastern Punjab. Another ruler of this dynasty was Agilises.
- Governance: Persian and Greek influence can be seen in the governance of the Shaka rulers of north-west India.
- Decline:
- The Indo-Saka empire started to decline in the 2nd century CE after its defeat by the Satavahana emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni.
- They were later subjugated by the Kushan Empire.
- Yet they continued to govern as satrapies, forming the Northern Satraps and Western Satraps.
- Satrap:
- The word ‘satrap’ means a provincial ruler or the viceroy of the King. It derives from the Old Persian word ‘khshathapavan‘. Its Sanskrit form is ‘Kshatrapa‘.
- Some powerful Kshatraps bear the title of ‘Mahakshatrapa‘.
- A Satrap was a governor of the provinces having considerable autonomy in the ancient Persian Empire, particularly during the Achaemenid dynasty and their successors like the Sasanian Empire and Hellenistic Empires.
- Their role was to maintain the empire’s vast territories and ensure local governance.
Western Satraps
- Area Ruled by Western Satraps: The Western Satraps (Kshatrapas) were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers who ruled the western and central part of India between 35 to 415 CE.
- Contemporary Dynasties: The Western Satraps were contemporary to the Kushans and the Satavahanas.
- Identification as Sakas: In Indian historical accounts, the Western Kshatrapas are commonly referred to as Sakas.
- Kshaharata:
- The Shaka Kshatrapas known as ‘Kshaharata‘ lasted for several centuries and ruled West India.
- The term Kshaharata is also mentioned in the Taxila copper plate inscription.
- The earliest known Kshaharata ruler is Abhiraka. He was succeeded by Bhumaka. Bhumaka ruled Saurashtra (Kathiawad region).
- Nahapana:
- Nahapana was the greatest ruler of the Kshahranta Kshatrapas who ruled during the 1st or 2nd century CE.
- The inscriptions in the Karla Caves (near Lonavala, Maharashtra) mention that the chaitya of the cave was constructed by Nahapana.
- Nahapana took over a large part of Maharashtra from the Satavahanas.
- His political influence was spread from Maharastra and Uttara Konkan to Kathiawar, Malwa, and Ajmer.
- Nahapana was defeated by Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni.
Northern Satraps
- Area Ruled by Northern Satraps: The Northern Satraps or sometimes Satraps of Mathura, or Northern Sakas, are a dynasty of Indo-Scythians who ruled the area of Punjab and Mathura after the decline of the Indo-Greeks, from the end of the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE.
- Rajuvula: Rajuvula is considered one of the main Northern Satraps. He was a Great Satrap (Mahakshatrapa) who ruled the region of Mathura around 10 CE, under the authority of the Indo-Scythian king Azilises.
- Use of Sanskrit Language: They used the Sanskrit Language for their inscriptions.
Saka Satraps of Ujjain
- Kardamaka: The Shaka Kshatrapas known as ‘Kardamaka‘ ruled Western India for several centuries. Ujjain was their main center.
- Chastan:
- Chastan established the rule of Kardamakas in western India.
- Chastan’s grandson Rudradaman was a mighty ruler. He reigned for a long time. His Junagadh inscription (Girnar Rock inscription, 150 AD) is one of the oldest dated inscriptions in India.
- Rudradaman:
- The Junagadh rock inscription (150 AD) is a Sanskrit prose inscribed on a rock by Rudradaman I. It is located near Girnar Hill in Junagadh, Gujarat. The rock contains inscriptions of Ashoka, Rudradaman I, and Skandagupta.
- According to this Junagadh Inscription, he won the glorious title of “Mahakshatrapa”.
- According to the Junagadh inscription, for the welfare of the people, one of his ministers named Suvishakha repaired the embankment of the famous Sudarshan Lake without levying new taxes.
- He had matrimonial alliances with the Satavahanas.
Indo Scythian Coins
- Material: Coins were primarily struck in silver, copper, and bronze which shows the wealth and trade connections of the Indo-Scythian rulers.
Designs:
- Obverse: Featured Hellenistic motifs, such as images of Greek gods (e.g., Zeus, Athena), rulers in regal attire, or symbols like the thunderbolt.
- Reverse: Typically depicted local or syncretic symbols, such as the Greek goddess Nike, Indian deities, or animals like the bull and lion.
- Inscriptions were often in Greek or Kharoshthi scripts.
Notable Rulers:
- Maues (Moga): His coins are among the earliest, featuring Zeus and Nike, symbolizing power and victory.
- Azes I and II: Known for their extensive coinage, which featured bilingual inscriptions in Greek and Kharoshthi, reflecting the cultural blending of the period.
- Chastana and Rudradaman I: Western Satrap rulers, whose coins featured intricate designs and Sanskrit legends, showcasing the influence of Indian culture.
- Mint Locations: Major mints were located in key cities like Taxila, Ujjain, and Mathura, which were important centers of trade and administration.
Indo-Scythian Art
Location of Discovery: Stupa No. 2 at Bimaran, near Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan.
Mathura lion capital:
- The Mathura Lion Capital is a significant archaeological artifact associated with the Saka rulers, discovered in Mathura in 1869.
- The Lion Capital is a richly decorated sandstone pillar capital, distinguished by its four intricately carved lions seated back to back on a circular abacus.
- At the center of the capital, prominently displayed, is the Triratna symbol, which represents the Buddhist triad of the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (community of monks).
- This artifact is associated with the Saka king Rajuvula, who ruled in the region of Mathura. An inscription on the capital records the installation of the image by a person named “Sodasa,” possibly Rajuvula’s son. The inscription is written in the Brahmi script and mentions donations made to Buddhist monasteries, indicating the Sakas’ patronage of Buddhism and their role in the religious and cultural syncretism of the time.
List of Indo-Scythian Rulers
| Dynasty/Ruler | Period | Brief Information |
|---|---|---|
| Maues (Moga) | 85-60 BCE | Founder of the Indo-Scythian rule in the Indian subcontinent. |
| Azes I | 58-35 BCE | Expanded the Indo-Scythian kingdom significantly, possibly unified various Scythian tribes. Introduced a new era (58 BCE) known as the Azes era. |
| Azes II | 35-12 BCE | Often confused with Azes I. His coins are widespread, indicating strong trade links. |
| Vonones | 1st century BCE | Ruler during the transition period, associated with the Indo-Parthians. His reign saw a blend of Indo-Scythian and Parthian influences. |
| Chastana | 78-130 CE | Founder of the Western Satraps (Kshatrapas) in Ujjain. His reign marked the beginning of a stable rule in Western India. |
| Nahapana | 119-124 CE | A prominent ruler of the Northern Satraps, particularly influential in Western India. Known for extensive coinage and inscriptions in Gujarat. |
| Rudradaman I | 130-150 CE | One of the most powerful rulers of the Western Satraps. Known for the Junagadh inscription and promoting Sanskrit literature and culture. |
| Vijayasena | 238-250 CE | Later ruler of the Western Satraps during the declining phase of their power. Faced pressure from the Gupta Empire. |
Sakas UPSC Questions
Q1. The Saka Era, which is widely used in the Indian national calendar, began in:
- (a) 58 BC
- (b) 78 AD
- (c) 319 AD
- (d) 606 AD
Answer: (b) 78 AD
Q2: The famous Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman is significant because it:
- (a) Mentions the conquest of the Satavahanas
- (b) Refers to the repair of the Sudarshana Lake
- (c) Mentions the title of Mahakshatrapa
- (d) Details the Saka-Pahlava rule in Western India
Answer: (b) Refers to the repair of the Sudarshana Lake
Q3. Who among the following Saka rulers is known for his patronage of the Sanskrit language?
- (a) Chastana
- (b) Rudradaman I
- (c) Nahapana
- (d) Bhumaka
Answer: (b) Rudradaman I
Q4. The Saka-Pahlava rule in India is primarily associated with which region?
- (a) Eastern India
- (b) Western India
- (c) Southern India
- (d) Northern India
Answer: (b) Western India
FAQs
Who were the Sakas?
The Sakas, also known as Scythians, were a group of nomadic tribes of Central Asian origin who invaded and settled in parts of India around the 1st century BCE. They established kingdoms in western and northwestern India.
When did the Saka Era begin?
The Saka Era began in 78 AD and is widely used as the Indian national calendar, also known as the Shaka Samvat.
What is the significance of the Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman?
The Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman, dating back to 150 AD, is significant because it is one of the earliest known Sanskrit inscriptions. It details Rudradaman I’s achievements, including the repair of the Sudarshana Lake and his military conquests.
What was the impact of the Sakas on Indian culture?
The Sakas had a significant impact on Indian culture, particularly in the fields of administration, art, and religion. They introduced new administrative practices, contributed to the development of art forms, especially in Western India, and promoted the spread of Buddhism and other Indian religions.
Which Saka ruler is known for his patronage of the Sanskrit language?
Rudradaman I, a Saka ruler from the Western Kshatrapas, is known for his patronage of the Sanskrit language. He issued one of the earliest known inscriptions in classical Sanskrit.
What regions of India were primarily associated with Saka rule?
The Sakas primarily ruled over regions in Western India, including present-day Gujarat, Maharashtra, and parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
What was the relationship between the Sakas and the Satavahanas?
The Sakas and the Satavahanas were contemporaries and had a history of conflict, particularly over control of the western and central regions of India. The Sakas eventually established their dominance in parts of Western India after several battles with the Satavahanas. Rudradaman had matrimonial alliances with the Satavahanas.