History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c16.s4.9

c16.s4.9

144. The Sassanian emperor at the time was Shapur II (310-379 A.D.) who was the suzerain of the Kushan king. The Kushans at this time issued from Afghanistan the ‘Kushāno-Sassanian’ coins with the title Shao-nano-shao.³ The protection of the Sassanian Emperor and the close alliance with him could not prevent a virtual annexation of the Indian territories of the Kushans (to the east of the Indus) by the Gupta emperor. The Kushan subordinates of Kashmir, Rawalpindi and Peshawar were practically transferred to the Indian Empire by their adopting the Gupta imperial coinage. The personal submission of the Kushan Shāhānushāhi naturally prevented Samudra Gupta from pursuing a policy of aggression. But the enemy was left with potential power of mischief, for, soon after the death of Samudra Gupta the Śakādhipati raised the banner of revolt, probably with the support of the Sassanian Emperor Shapur II. The ignominy of having to offer a Kushan royal princess suffered in the time of Samudra Gupta was now sought to be avenged by the demand for Dhruva-Devi, which led to the final destruction of the Kushan king and Kushan power by the march of Chandra Gupta II up to Balkh, the farthest seat and centre of the Kushans.¹