Shakas and Parthians
Ancient History › Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India · Topic 7.2
The Shakas (Scythians) destroyed Greek power in Bactria and India, ruled in five branches, and their western branch ruled Gujarat and Malwa for about four centuries, with Rudradaman I (AD 130 to 150) the most famous. The Parthians (Pahlavas), led by Gondophernes, held a smaller area in the first century AD. The Vikrama era of 57 BC is linked to victory over the Shakas.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India
At a Glance
- Shakas Five branches
- Longest rule Western Shakas, about four centuries
- Great ruler Rudradaman I, AD 130 to 150
- Era Vikrama Samvat, 57 BC
- Parthian king Gondophernes
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Ancient History: Post-Mauryan Period and Early South India
Where Does It Fit?
This is the second topic of the category on the post-Mauryan period. The previous topic covered the Indo-Greeks, and this one covers the Shakas and Parthians. The next topic covers the Kushanas. Previous topic: Indo-Greeks in North-West India.
Who Were the Shakas and Where Did They Settle?
In short: the Shakas, nomads pushed out of Central Asia, replaced the Indo-Greeks and ruled in five branches.
The Greeks were followed by the Shakas or Scythians, who destroyed Greek power in both Bactria and India and controlled a much larger part of India than the Greeks had. Another account explains the chain of events: the Yueh-chi were pushed westward by the Chinese who built the Great Wall, they pushed the Shakas towards eastern Iran, and the Parthian ruler Mithradates pushed the Shakas back, so they turned to north-western India and settled between the Indus valley and Saurashtra. The first Shaka ruler in India was Maues, who occupied Gandhara and drove a wedge into the Indo-Greek kingdoms, and his successor Azes finally destroyed the last remnants of Indo-Greek rule and extended Shaka rule to Mathura. The Shakas had five branches with seats in different parts of India and Afghanistan: one in Afghanistan, one in the Punjab with Taxila as capital, one at Mathura for about two centuries, one in western India until the fourth century, and one in the upper Deccan. They faced no effective resistance from the Indian rulers. The previous invaders are in Indo-Greeks in North-West India.
| Branch | Region |
|---|---|
| First | Afghanistan |
| Second | Punjab, capital Taxila |
| Third | Mathura, about two centuries |
| Fourth | Western India, until the fourth century |
| Fifth | Upper Deccan |
What Was the Vikrama Era and Who Was Rudradaman?
About 57 or 58 BC we hear of the king of Ujjain who fought the Shakas effectively and drove them out. He called himself Vikramaditya, and the Vikrama Samvat is reckoned from his victory over the Shakas in 57 BC. After this, Vikramaditya became a coveted title, adopted like the Roman Caesar; there are as many as fourteen Vikramadityas in Indian history, Chandragupta II of the Guptas being the most famous, and the title remained fashionable till the twelfth century. Another account links 58 BCE to a Parthian event and the beginning of the era.
Only the Shakas of western India held power for any considerable time, about four centuries. They gained from the sea-borne trade of Gujarat and issued numerous silver coins. The most famous Shaka ruler in India was Rudradaman I (AD 130 to 150), who ruled Sindh and a substantial part of Gujarat, Konkan, the Narmada valley, Malwa and Kathiawar. He repaired the Sudarshana lake in Kathiawar, used for irrigation since Mauryan times. Although he had Central Asian ancestors, he issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit, the Junagadh inscription, whereas earlier long inscriptions were in Prakrit. Another account says it records that he defeated the Satavahanas in battle, and that his name shows complete assimilation into Indian society. The Shakas appointed kshatrapas or satraps as provincial governors, and many styled themselves mahakshatrapas and were virtually independent. The Junagadh record also appears among the sources in Megasthenes Epigraphic source Ashokan edicts Literary Mudrarakshasa, Puranas, Buddhist and…">Sources for the Study of the Mauryan Empire.
Who Were the Parthians?
Shaka rule in the north-west was followed by that of the Parthians, and Sanskrit texts often mention the two together as Shaka-Pahlavas. The Parthians or Pahlavas had lived in Iran and moved to India, but they occupied only a small part of the north-west in the first century AD compared to the Greeks and Shakas. The most famous Parthian king was Gondophernes, who first conquered Kabul about 43 CE, during whose reign St Thomas is said to have come to India to spread Christianity. Records of his rule have been found in Peshawar district. Gondophernes lost the Kabul valley to the Kushanas but succeeded against the Shakas in India. In time, the Parthians, like the Shakas before them, became part of Indian polity and society. The next group of invaders is in Kushanas and Kanishka.
| Group | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Shakas | Maues, Azes; five branches; Rudradaman I; Sudarshana lake |
| Parthians | Gondophernes; small area; St Thomas tradition |
As an analytical point, both groups illustrate assimilation: Manu treated Shakas and Parthians as kshatriyas who had fallen in status, and they adopted Indian names, religion and language, as described in Cultural Consequences of Central Asian Contact.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Era question Vikrama Samvat
- Inscription Junagadh
- Assimilation Foreigners absorbed
What Came Next?
The next topic describes the Kushanas and Kanishka. Next topic: Kushanas and Kanishka.
Key People and Terms
- Shaka Scythian
- Kshatrapa Provincial governor
- Mahakshatrapa Great satrap
- Pahlava Parthian
- Sudarshana lake Mauryan irrigation lake repaired by Rudradaman
- Vikramaditya Title linked to the 57 BC era
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Five branches of Shakas.
- Western Shakas ruled about four centuries.
- Rudradaman: AD 130 to 150.
- Vikrama era: 57 BC.
- Gondophernes: Parthian king.
Do Not Confuse With
- Shakas and Shaka era Scythian people versus era of AD 78
- Vikrama and Shaka eras 57 BC versus AD 78
- Shakas and Parthians Scythians versus Pahlavas
Memory Hook
Maues enters, Azes ends the Greeks; Rudradaman fills the lake and writes Sanskrit; Gondophernes comes last.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about foreign rulers and assimilation. These points add depth.
- Rise Pushed from Central Asia
- Rule Kshatrapas
- Assimilation Indianisation
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the Shakas and Parthians and their assimilation into Indian society.”
How to Answer
- Origin Central Asia.
- Branches Five.
- Rudradaman Sanskrit.
- Parthians Gondophernes.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Shakas?
The Shakas or Scythians were Central Asian nomads who destroyed Greek power in Bactria and India and ruled much of north-western and western India. They had five branches, and the western branch ruled Gujarat and Malwa for about four centuries.
Why is Rudradaman I important?
Rudradaman I (AD 130 to 150) was the most famous Shaka ruler, who ruled Sindh, Gujarat, Konkan, Malwa and Kathiawar. He repaired the Sudarshana lake and issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit, at Junagadh, about AD 150.
What is the Vikrama Samvat?
The Vikrama Samvat is an era reckoned from 57 BC, associated with a king of Ujjain who drove out the Shakas and called himself Vikramaditya. After this, Vikramaditya became a coveted title adopted by fourteen kings in Indian history.
Who was Gondophernes?
Gondophernes was the most famous Parthian king in India, who conquered Kabul about 43 CE and ruled parts of the north-west. During his reign St Thomas is said to have come to India to propagate Christianity. He lost the Kabul valley to the Kushanas.
How were the Shakas governed?
The Shakas appointed kshatrapas or satraps as provincial governors, and many took the title mahakshatrapa and were virtually independent rulers. This feudatory arrangement continued under the Kushanas, who strengthened the satrap system and also introduced dual rule in some places.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Rudradaman I issued the first long Sanskrit inscription at Junagadh.
It dates to about AD 150.
2 The Vikrama Samvat begins in AD 78.
It is reckoned from 57 BC; AD 78 marks the Shaka era.
3 Gondophernes was a Parthian king.
He conquered Kabul about 43 CE.
4 The Shakas held power in western India for only a few decades.
The western branch ruled for about four centuries.
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