Indo Parthians [19 AD-226 AD]: Key Insights for UPSC and Other Competitive Exams

Indo Parthian Kingdom at a Glance

Feature	Details
Name	Indo-Parthian Kingdom
Founding Date	Late 1st century BC
Founder	Gondophares I
Location	Primarily in the regions of present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of northern India (including the Gandhara region)
Capital(s)	Initially Taxila; later capitals included Kabul and Peshawar
Ruling Dynasty	Part of the Parthian (Arsacid) Empire, but eventually became an independent kingdom
Language	Greek (used in inscriptions), Kharosthi, Parthian, and local languages
Religion	A mix of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and local religious practices
Government Type	Monarchy
Key Features	Combined Hellenistic and local cultural elements Issued coins with Greek and Kharosthi inscriptions Known for rare coins depicting Shiva
Major Battles/Wars	Faced conflicts with neighboring kingdoms and tribes; less documented compared to the Parthian Empire
Notable Rulers	Gondophares I (founder and most notable ruler) Successors also used the title Gondophares. Gondophares, an old Persian word which means ‘Winner of Glory’ and was used by many successors of Gondophares I
Decline	Gradual decline by the 2nd century AD, with regions being absorbed into the Kushan Empire

Parthian Empire

Feature	Details
Other Name	Arsacid Empire
Founding Date	247 BC
Founder	Arsaces I
Location	Originated in northeastern Iran; expanded across a vast area including modern-day Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, and parts of Central Asia.
Capital(s)	Initially Nisa; later Ctesiphon became the primary capital
Ruling Dynasty	Arsacid Dynasty
Language	Parthian (a Northwestern Iranian language), Greek (official inscriptions), and various local languages
Religion	Zoroastrianism (dominant), with a presence of Hellenistic, local Iranian, and other religions
Major Battles/Wars	Series of wars with the Roman Empire (known as the Roman-Parthian Wars) Battle of Carrhae (53 BC), where the Parthians decisively defeated the Romans
Notable Rulers	Mithridates I (expanded the empire significantly) Mithridates II (established diplomatic relations with Rome)
Decline	Began in the late 2nd century AD; eventually overthrown by the Sassanian Empire in AD 224

Gondophares: Founder of Indo Parthian Kingdom

• Founder of the Kingdom: Gondophares was the founder of the Indo Parthian Kingdom and ruled from around 19 to 46 AD. Earlier he was the governor of Drangiana (Sakastan) under the Parthian Empire.
• Name and Titles: Gondophares was also known as Gudaphara and Guduvhara in different languages. His name was not a personal name but an epithet meaning “May he find glory.” He took the Greek title of autokrator.
• Independence: Gondophares declared independence from the Parthian Empire. He established his rule in Drangiana, Arachosia, and Gandhara.
• Coinage: Gondophares minted his own coins. These coins bore his image and titles in Greek and Kharosthi script.
• Capital: His capital city was Taxila, located in present-day Punjab, Pakistan.
• Historical Sources: Information about Gondophares is known from inscriptions, ancient coins, and texts like the Acts of Thomas and the Takht-i-Bahi inscription.
  • Coins: Gondophares’ silver and copper coins, inscribed in Greek and Kharosthi, provide dates and indicate his rule over Drangiana, Arachosia, and Gandhara.
  • Takht-i-Bahi Inscription: This 46 AD inscription found near Mardan, Pakistan, names Gondophares as ruler, helping to confirm his reign period.
  • Acts of Thomas: An Christian text mentioning “Gudnaphar,” identified as Gondophares, linking him to Saint Thomas’ journey to India.
  • Life of Apollonius of Tyana: A Greek work mentioning an Indo-Parthian king in Taxila, possibly Gondophares, during Apollonius’ visit around 43–44 AD.
  • Classical Scholars: Scholars like Richard N. Frye and A.D.H. Bivar associated Gondophares with the House of Suren and clarified his timeline through coin analysis.
• Relation to Saint Thomas: According to Christian legend, he was converted to Christianity by St. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ. In Christian tradition, Gondophares is believed to be the ruler who interacted with Saint Thomas the Apostle. The Acts of Thomas mentioned Saint Thomas visited Gondophares’ kingdom.
• Succession: Gondophares was succeeded by Orthagnes in Drangiana and Arachosia, and by his nephew Abdagases I in Gandhara.
• House of Suren: He might have belonged to the House of Suren, an important family in Parthian Iran. The Suren family held special privileges within the Parthian Empire:
  • Military Leadership: The Suren family traditionally led the Parthian royal military. It shows their high status and influence in Parthian politics and warfare.
  • Coronation Rights: They held the unique hereditary right to crown the Parthian king during coronations.

Religion of Indo Parthians

• No Evidence of Religious Affiliations: Unlike the Indo-Greeks and Indo-Scythians, there are no inscriptions, dedications, or legends indicating explicit religious support from Indo-Parthian rulers, including the Gondophares I.
• Absense of Buddhist Symbols: They left no clear records supporting Buddhism or other local religions. Indo-Parthian coins rarely display Buddhist symbols like the triratna.
• Zoroastrian Influence: The Indo-Parthians likely practiced Zoroastrianism. Jandial Temple near Taxila is believed to be a Zoroastrian fire temple, indicating that Indo-Parthians, likely followers of Zoroastrianism.
• Shiva on Coinage: Coins from Gondophares I’s reign feature depictions of the Hindu deity Shiva. This could signify religious tolerance.

Indo Parthian Art

Characteristics of Indo-Parthian Art

Indo-Parthian art reflects a unique blend of cultural influences, combining Greek, Persian, and local Indian styles. This fusion is particularly evident in their sculptures, religious art, and decorative items, which together create a distinctive style that provides insight into the Indo-Parthian period’s cultural dynamics. Key characteristics include:

• Hellenistic and Persian Fusion
  Indo-Parthian art often blends Greek (Hellenistic) and Persian elements, likely due to influences from prior Indo-Greek and Achaemenid rule. This fusion is seen in stone palettes—small, intricately carved objects found in Gandhara. These palettes frequently depict mythological Greek figures, but with a Persian-influenced frontality, where figures face forward rather than appearing in profile. An example is a palette from the Naprstek Museum in Prague, showing an Indo-Parthian king and attendants in a royal setting, dressed in Parthian-style attire, complete with headbands and baggy trousers.
• Distinctive Indo-Parthian Dress
  Indo-Parthians depict figures wearing short, crossover jackets decorated with rings or medals, paired with large, baggy trousers. Hairstyles are bushy and held back by a headband. The Sirkap archaeological site near Taxila offers several artifacts and sculptures showcasing these distinctive fashion elements.

Indo Parthian Coins

The Indo-Parthian coins, typically feature a mix of Hellenistic and local artistic influences, reflecting the diverse cultural exchanges in the region. These coins often depict the Indo-Parthian rulers on one side, sometimes wearing a distinctive headdress, and on the other side, symbols or deities associated with their rule.

Description of the Coin:

Feature	Details
Coin Material	Silver
Coin Shape	Round, struck using a die
Obverse (Front)	Features the king on horseback Greek legend: BACILEWN BACILEWN GONDOFAROU (Basileus Basileon Gondophares: “King of Kings Gondophares”)
Reverse (Back)	Features a standing Shiva holding a trident Kharoshti legend: MAHARAJA RAJARAJA MAHATA DHRAMIA DEVAVRATA GUDAPHARASA (“Great King of Kings, the great, the righteous, Devavrata Gondophares”)
Significance	The depiction of Shiva on Indo-Parthian coins is extremely rare, reflecting a unique blend of cultural and religious elements.

Indo Parthians UPSC PSC MCQs

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