History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c14.s4.t1.142

c14.s4.t1.142

This in places textually corresponds with the description of India under the Śaka rule given in the Garga Saṁhitā. The description seems to be a description by an eye-witness. The times to which the description applies is fixed by the mention of the rulers—the Andhras, Śakas, Pulindas, Bactrians (i.e. the Kushans), Ābhiras—that is, the latter part of the Kushan times. I have said before that the Kushans destroyed the Hindu temples. This is borne out by this Mahā-Bhārata passage. The whole Hindu world was turned into Mlechchhas; all castes were abolished and practically one caste was created. Śrāddha and other rites were suspended; people worshipped bone-relics instead of Hindu gods. The Varṇāśrama system had been superseded. Oppression resulted in loss of character. Moral decay is set out at length in the same chapters.