Indo-Scythian Kingdom
In the second century BCE, a nomadic group known as the Yuezhi fled westward after being defeated by the Xiongnu tribe of Mongolia. This displacement triggered a domino effect across Central Asia, pushing other tribes south and east. The Saka people, who were Iranian-speaking horse nomads, moved from their homelands in the Tarim Basin toward Bactria and present-day Afghanistan. Chinese historical records describe this movement as the Yuezhi attacking the king of the Sai, forcing him to migrate a considerable distance south. These Saka tribes had previously participated in the Achaemenid army during its invasion of northwest India between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE. Herodotus described them as part of a cultural continuum stretching from Siberia to the Black Sea. They buried their dead in kurgans or mound tombs and sacrificed horses in battle. Some scholars suggest that the Shakyathe clan of Gautama Buddha originated from these Scythian groups, linking the name Śākya to "Scythian." The migration continued until they reached Sakastan, a region corresponding to modern-day Drangiana, which later became known as Sistan.
Maues, also called Moga, became the first Indo-Scythian king in the Indian subcontinent around 85 BCE. He established Saka power in Gandhara and Taxila, regions located in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. His kingdom disintegrated after his death, but other rulers followed. Azes I took control of northwestern India in 55 BCE by defeating Hippostratos, an Indo-Greek king. The Indo-Scythians extended their supremacy over the north-western subcontinent, conquering local peoples and displacing Indo-Greek rule. In the east, the Indian king Vikrama retook Ujjain from the Indo-Scythians and celebrated his victory by establishing the Vikrama era in 58 BCE. Later, Rajuvula eliminated Strato II, the last Indo-Greek king, and took Sagala, its capital city. The Mathura lion capital dates to the first century CE and describes the gift of a stupa with a relic of the Buddha by Nadasi Kasa, the queen of Rajuvula. After Rajuvula, several successors ruled as vassals of the Kushans, including the Great Satrap Kharapallana and the satrap Vanaspara. Their names appear on inscriptions discovered in Sarnath dated to the third year of Kanishka, approximately 130 CE.
Indo-Scythian coinage generally displayed high quality during the early period, though coins minted under Rajuvula deteriorated near the disintegration of Indo-Scythian rule around 70 CE. A fairly high-quality, stereotypical coinage continued by the Western Satraps until the fourth century. These coins benefited from the help of Greek coin-makers and were artistically positioned between Indo-Greek and Kushan styles. The reverse side typically showed Greek gods, while the obverse used the Greek alphabet alongside Kharoshthi script. Unlike earlier traditions, portraits of kings were absent; instead, depictions showed the king on a horse or sitting cross-legged on a cushion. Buddhist symbolism appeared frequently, such as the triratna symbol on coins of Zeionises and Aspavarma. Coins of Azes I featured the Buddha forming the vitarka mudra with his right hand. Silver content decreased over time, and bronze content increased, suggesting a lack of wealth during periods of decline. Excavations at Taxila revealed stone palettes found only in layers corresponding to Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Indo-Parthian rule, never in preceding Mauryan or succeeding Kushan layers.
Gandharan art reveals how Scythian military dress merged with Greek artistic traditions. Buner reliefs depict Indo-Scythian soldiers wearing loose tunics with trousers and heavy straight swords. They wore pointed hoods or the Scythian cap, distinguishing them from Indo-Parthians who wore simple fillets over bushy hair. Some figures form the karana mudra to ward off evil spirits, while others play musical instruments and dance. Stone palettes found in Sirkap combine Greek and Iranian influences, often showing mythological scenes. One palette depicts a winged Indo-Scythian horseman riding a winged deer and being attacked by a lion. These artifacts were discovered exclusively in archaeological layers tied to Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Indo-Parthian rule. No such objects have been found in Mauryan or Kushan-period sites outside secondary locations like Garav Kala and Jhukar. The Butkara Stupa yielded Buddhist sculptures thought to belong to the Indo-Scythian period, including an Indo-Corinthian capital of a devotee with a reliquary and coins of Azes buried at its base.
Indo-Scythian kings actively supported Buddhism through royal dedications on plaques and reliquaries. Patika Kusulaka donated a relic of Buddha Shakyamuni to a monastery in Taxila around 25 BCE. Kharahostes is mentioned on the Mathura lion capital and on a reliquary, with his coins also found inside the Bimaran casket, a gold reliquary now housed in the British Museum. Vijayamitra dedicated a Buddhist reliquary between 12 BCE and 15 CE. Indravarman, while still a prince, dedicated the Bajaur casket in 5, 6 CE, which resides today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Zeionises and Aspavarma used the triratna symbol on their coins. Rajuvula erected the Mathura lion capital, incorporating Buddhist symbols and relating donations by his wife of relics to a stupa. Excavations at Butkara Stupa uncovered reliefs showing Indo-Scythians wearing characteristic tunics and pointed hoods alongside standing Buddhas. These findings suggest a mingling of populations and religious practices during this era.
The power of Saka rulers began to decline during the second century CE after being defeated by Satavahana emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni. The last Western Satrap, Rudrasimha III, was defeated by Gupta emperor Chandragupta II in 395 CE, ending Indo-Scythian rule in northwestern India. Earlier conflicts included campaigns where Rudradaman I conquered the Yaudheyas and defeated parts of the Satavahana Empire. His exploits are inscribed in the Junagadh rock inscription. The Yuga Purana describes an invasion of Pataliputra by Scythians during the first century BCE, noting that one king killed one-fourth of the population before being slain by Kalinga king Shata. The Shakas were part of mixed hordes including Medii, Xanthii, and Massagetae who invaded India jointly with other tribes from the northwest. Over time, these groups were absorbed into mainstream Indian society. By the fifth century, Kathiawar and Gujarat remained under Western Satrap rule until their eventual conquest by the Guptas.
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Common questions
Who were the Indo-Scythian kings in the Indian subcontinent?
Maues became the first Indo-Scythian king around 85 BCE and established power in Gandhara and Taxila. Azes I took control of northwestern India in 55 BCE by defeating Hippostratos, an Indo-Greek king.
When did the Saka people migrate to Bactria and present-day Afghanistan?
The Saka people moved from their homelands in the Tarim Basin toward Bactria and present-day Afghanistan during the second century BCE after being displaced by the Yuezhi tribe. This migration continued until they reached Sakastan, a region corresponding to modern-day Drangiana which later became known as Sistan.
What dates mark the end of Indo-Scythian rule in northwestern India?
Indo-Scythian rule ended when the last Western Satrap Rudrasimha III was defeated by Gupta emperor Chandragupta II on the 395th year CE. Earlier conflicts included campaigns where Rudradaman I conquered the Yaudheyas and defeated parts of the Satavahana Empire.
Where were stone palettes found that correspond to Indo-Scythian rule?
Excavations at Taxila revealed stone palettes found only in layers corresponding to Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Indo-Parthian rule. These artifacts were discovered exclusively in archaeological layers tied to these periods and never in preceding Mauryan or succeeding Kushan layers.
Why did Indo-Scythian coinage deteriorate near the disintegration of their rule around 70 CE?
Silver content decreased over time while bronze content increased suggesting a lack of wealth during periods of decline. Coins minted under Rajuvula deteriorated near the disintegration of Indo-Scythian rule around 70 CE.