Kanishka I is undoubtedly the most famous Kushan king and even perhaps the greatest, although his son Huvishka's empire was probably bigger , and his coinage more refined.
He owes much of his fame to his place in early Buddhist literature, where he is mentioned as a patron of Buddhism and the convener of the Fourth Buddhist Council. More importantly, Kanishka is central to historical discussions of the time because he is known to have started an era. Establishing the date of Kanishka has been a major point of historical research for over 100 years.
The uncertainty over this date is now finally coming to an end. Although there are a few dissenting voices still holding out for alternatives, most authors have now accepted the argument of Harry Falk that the Kanishka era should be dated to the year 127. Given that we have dated inscriptions naming Kanishka as the king with dates as high as 23, this would put Kanishka's reign at c. 127-150.
The most important inscription of Kanishka is the Rabatak Inscription. This established his geneaology, with Kujula Kadphises, Vima Takto (or Takha) and Vima Kadphises being named as his immediate ancestors. It is this part of the inscription that has received the most attention. But there are at least three other very important revelations in the inscription. First, it clearly establishes that Kanishka created a new era, because it is dated in year one. Second, it shows Kanishka to be a nationalist: he explicitly states that he is recording this inscription in the Arian (or Bactrian) language.
Until that time, Greek had been the lingua franca of the region and indeed the first coins of Kanishka carry Greek legends as did the coins of all his forebears . But after the brief early issues, Kanishka's coins switch to carrying Bactrian legends. For example, the word "King," rather than being recorded as the Greek BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Basileus), is now rendered Shao.Third, it suggests that, at least at the time his reign started, Kanishka was a follower of Iranian religion since he gives prime place among the listed pantheon to the Goddess Nana, but nevertheless honored deities from different traditions.
These lessons from the Rabatak Inscription are reflected in Kanishka's wonderful coinage. As mentioned earlier, his early Greek issues feature Greek legends and Greek versions of the deities. They are quickly replaced by Bactrian issues with Bactrian legends and the Iranian versions of the same deities. In addition, deities from different traditions are featured on the coinage.
SOURCE: coinindia.com
He owes much of his fame to his place in early Buddhist literature, where he is mentioned as a patron of Buddhism and the convener of the Fourth Buddhist Council. More importantly, Kanishka is central to historical discussions of the time because he is known to have started an era. Establishing the date of Kanishka has been a major point of historical research for over 100 years.
The uncertainty over this date is now finally coming to an end. Although there are a few dissenting voices still holding out for alternatives, most authors have now accepted the argument of Harry Falk that the Kanishka era should be dated to the year 127. Given that we have dated inscriptions naming Kanishka as the king with dates as high as 23, this would put Kanishka's reign at c. 127-150.
Until that time, Greek had been the lingua franca of the region and indeed the first coins of Kanishka carry Greek legends as did the coins of all his forebears . But after the brief early issues, Kanishka's coins switch to carrying Bactrian legends. For example, the word "King," rather than being recorded as the Greek BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Basileus), is now rendered Shao.Third, it suggests that, at least at the time his reign started, Kanishka was a follower of Iranian religion since he gives prime place among the listed pantheon to the Goddess Nana, but nevertheless honored deities from different traditions.
These lessons from the Rabatak Inscription are reflected in Kanishka's wonderful coinage. As mentioned earlier, his early Greek issues feature Greek legends and Greek versions of the deities. They are quickly replaced by Bactrian issues with Bactrian legends and the Iranian versions of the same deities. In addition, deities from different traditions are featured on the coinage.
SOURCE: coinindia.com
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