Indian Epigraphy c15.t7.16

c15.t7.16

Assuming the identity of the Kaniṣka and Śaka eras, we may, on the basis of the known dates of the Kuṣāṇa records, assign Kaniṣka I to 78-102 A.D., Vāsiṣka to 102-06 A.D., Huviṣka to 106-38 A.D., Kaniṣka II to 119 A.D., Vāsudeva to 152-76 A.D. and Kaniṣka III to the 3rd century A.D. On the other hand, the rule of Nahapāna has to be ascribed to 119-24 A.D., that of Caṣṭana to 130 A.D. and that of Rudradāman to 130-50 A.D. It appears that the Śaka Satraps of Western India were completely subordinate to the Kuṣāṇas during the vigorous rule of Kaniṣka I, but that they became semi-independent after his death owing possibly to the division of power between the successors of Kaniṣka. About the middle of the 2nd century A.D. when the central government of the Kuṣāṇas began to decline, Rudradāman became practically an independent sovereign without, however, completely throwing off the Kuṣāṇa yoke, and his successors continued the use of the era till the year 388, i.e. sometime after Siṃha-sūri’s *Lokavibhāga* had been composed in Śaka 380. The above facts would explain why the Kuṣāṇa reckoning of Kaniṣka came to be known as the era of the Śaka kings first in the south-western and southern parts of India. It should also be remembered in this connection that the family name Kuṣāṇa is unknown to Indian literary records, while the name Śaka is known to have been often applied to foreigners including the Muslims who were not Scythians. It is therefore not impossible that the Indians often confused the Kuṣāṇas with the Śakas, the Kuṣāṇa emperors being known to have ruled the provinces of their empire often through provincial governors of Śaka nationality.¹