The Indo-Scythians or Indo-Sakas were a branch of Saka in South Asia, a group of nomadic Iranian origin who migrated from Central Asia southward into the northwestern Indian subcontinent. They started expansion in South Asia from 200 to 100 BCE and established rule between 100 and 80 BCE, their rule in Indian subcontinent was lasted until 415s CE.

The first known Saka king of India was Maues/Moga (1st century BCE) who established Saka power in Gandhara. The Indo-Scythians extended their supremacy over north-western subcontinent, conquering the Indo-Greeks and other local kingdoms. The Indo-Scythians were apparently subjugated by the Kushan Empire, by either Kujula Kadphises or Kanishka. Yet the Saka continued to govern as satrapies, forming the Northern Satraps and Western Satraps. The power of the Saka rulers started to decline in the 2nd century CE after the Indo-Scythians were defeated by the Satavahana emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni.World history from early times to A D 2000 by B. V. Rao: p.97A Brief History of India, by Alain Daniélou p.136 Indo-Scythian rule in the northwestern subcontinent ceased when the last Western Satrap Rudrasimha IIII was defeated by the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II in 395 CE. Later Western Saka rulers (c. 396 to 415 CE) were conquered by Imperial Gupta Empire and it brought to end of Saka rule in Indian subcontinent.Buddhist Landscapes in Central India: Sanchi Hill and Archaeologies of Religious and Social Change, c. Third Century BC to Fifth Century AD, Julia Shaw, Routledge, 2016 p58-59

List of dynasties and rulers

Satraps dynasty of Gandhara (c. 85 BCE – 50 CE)

This branch of Indo-Scythian ruled over regions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and Eastern Afghanistan which constituted the Gandhara region.

List of rulers– Maues, (c. 85–60 BCE) Vonones, (c. 75–65 BCE) Spalahores, (c. 75–65 BCE), brother of King Vonones and probably the later King Spalirises Spalagadames, (c. 60–57 BCE), son of Spalahores Spalirises (c. 57–47 BCE), brother of King Vonones Azes I (c. 47–25 BCE), descended from Maues Azilises, (c. 25–20 BCE) Azes II, (c. 35-12 BCE) Zeionises, (c. 10 BCE–10 CE) Kharahostes, (c. 10 BCE–10 CE) Hajatria (c. until 40/50 CE)

Northern Satraps dynasty (c. 60 BCE – 130 CE)

List of rulers– Ruler Image Title Approx. dates Mentions Hagamasha Satrap 1st century BCE In the archaeological excavations of Sonkh, near Mathura, the earliest coins of the Kshatrapa levels were those of Hagamasha. Hagana Satrap 1st century BCE Rajuvula Great Satrap early 1st century BCE Bhadayasa Satrap 1st century CE Possible successor of Rajuvula in Eastern Punjab Sodasa Satrap 1st century CE Son of Rajuvula in Mathura Kharapallana Great Satrap c. CE 130 Great Satrap for Kushan ruler Kanishka I Vanaspara Satrap c. CE 130 Satrap for Kushan ruler Kanishka I

Western Satraps dynasty (c. 50 BCE – 415 CE)

Family tree–

Kshaharata dynasty (c. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE) This branch of Indo-Scythian ruled over regions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and beyond.

List of rulers– Liaka Kusuluka, satrap of Chuksa Kusulaka Patika, satrap of Chuksa and son of Liaka Kusulaka Yapirajaya Hospises Higaraka Abhiraka (Aubhirakes)

Kardamaka (Bhadramukhas) dynasty

List of rulers– Abhiraka (Aubhirakes) Bhumaka Nahapana (c. r. between 24 and 78 CE) (main founder of the Western Satraps) Viceroy Ushavadata Chastana (78–130) , son of Ysāmotika Jayadaman, son of Chastana Rudradaman I (130–150) , son of Jayadaman Damajadasri I (170–175) Jivadaman (178-181, d. 199) Rudrasimha I (180–188, d. 197) Rudrasimha I (restored) (191–197) Satyadaman (197-198) Jivadaman (restored) (197–199) Rudrasena I (200–222) Prthivisena (222) Samghadaman (222–223) Damasena (223–232) Damajadasri II (232–239) with Viradaman (234–238) Isvaradatta (236–239) Yasodaman I (239) Vijayasena (239–250) Damajadasri III (251–255) Rudrasena II (255–277) Visvasimha (277–282) Bhartrdaman (282–295) Visvasena (293–304)

Rudrasimha II dynasty (c. 304 – 415 CE)

List of rulers– Rudrasimha II (304–348) , son of Lord (Svami) Jivadaman, with Yasodaman II (317–332) Rudradaman II (332–348) No coins known (Sridharavarman (339-368) No coins known Rudrasena III (348–380) Simhasena (380–384/5) Rudrasena IV (382–388) Rudrasimha III (388–415)

Minor local rulers Bhadayasa Mamvadi Arsakes

See also Middle kingdoms of India List of Indian monarchs

References