The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c30.70

v1.c30.70

Inscriptions show that in the second half of the first century B.C. the region of Mathurā had passed from native Indian to foreign (Çaka) rule³; and their evidence is confirmed and amplified by that of the coins. The characteristic type of the kings of Mathurā is a standing figure, which has been supposed to represent the god Kṛishṇa (Pl. V, 5, Gomitra); and this type is continued by their conquerors and successors, the satraps of the Çaka King of Kings. Rañjubula (Rājuvula) and his son Çoḍāsa (Pl. V, 9, 10) are known also from inscriptions; and the date on the Āmohinī votive tablet, if it has been rightly interpreted, shows that the latter was ruling as great satrap in 17–6 B.C. (pp. 575–6). Çoḍāsa was preceded by his father, Rañjubula, who ruled first as satrap and afterwards as great satrap; and Rañjubula appears to have been the successor of satraps who are known only from their coins—Hagāmasha (Pl. V, 7), and Hagāna ruling conjointly with Hagāmasha (Pl. V, 8). These numismatic indications all tend to support the conclusion that by about the middle of the first century B.C. the Çaka dominion was fully established in that region of the Jumna river which lies beyond the south-eastern limits of the Punjab.