Ancient History of the Deccan c3.s4.55

c3.s4.55

This date marks the earliest limit, but Kanishka might have ascended the throne much later. Very recently, a scholar (Ind. Ant, Vol. XLVI.—Part DLXXXVIII, page 261) thought that he had proved that the era founded by Kanishka was the Kalachuri era of 248 A. D. This is not possible. In fact, the reign of Vâsudèva, the last of the Kushâns, came to an end 100 years after the beginning of the reign of Kanishka. Numerous inscriptions prove that Vâsudèva reigned at Mathurâ. It is certain that this country over which extended the empire of Vâsudèva was occupied about 350 A. D. by the Yaudhèyas and the Nâgas and it is probable that they reigned in this place nearly one century before they were subjugated by Samudra-Gupta. The capitals of the Nâgas were Mathurâ, Kântipura and Padmâvati (or Pawèya, at the confluence of the Sindhu and the Para). We know the name of Sivanandi (Archæological Survey of India, for 1915-1916) who was a predecessor of Ganapati Nâga the rival of Samudra-Gupta. We have also coins of Ganapatinâga (Bühler's Grundriss, Ind. coins § 101, Pl. V, 2). Nâgasèna, heir of the house of Padmâvati, mentioned in Harsha-charita (page 221), (see J. R. A. S. for 1899, page 448), has been identified by Mr. E. J. Rapson with the Nâgasèna of the pillar at Allâhâbâd. We know also the coins (Ind. coins, § 101) of Prabhâkara (J. R. A. S. for 1900, page 117), of Skandanâga, of Devanâga (Cunningham, coins of Mediæval India, pp. 23 and 24) and of Bhimanâga (Progress Report Arch. Surv. Western Circle for 1914-15, page 60).