The Sakas

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Facts related to Uttar Pradesh

Shakas had set up their Kshsatraps in Mathura.
The brahmi inscription s of Mora(Mathura ) is associated with Sakas.
conquered the area of Mathura over Indian kings around 60BCE. Some of their satraps were Hangamasha and Hagana, who were in turn followed by the Saka Great Satrap Rajuvula.
The Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions attest that Mathura fell under the control of the Sakas. The inscriptions contain references to Kharaosta Kamuio and Aiyasi Kamuia. Yuvaraja Kharostes (Kshatrapa) was the son of Arta, as is attested by his own coins.
Arta is stated to be brother of King Moga or Maues. Princess Aiyasi Kambojaka, also called Kambojika, was the chief queen of Shaka Mahakshatrapa Rajuvula. Kamboja presence in Mathura is also verified from some verses of the epic, The Mahabharata, which are believed to have been composed around this period.
The Indo-Scythian satraps of Mathura are sometimes called the "Northern Satraps", as opposed to the "Western Satraps" ruling in Gujarat and Malwa. After Rajuvula, several successors are known to have ruled as vassals to the Kushans, such as the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara, who are known from an inscription discovered in Sarnath, and dated to the 3rd year of Kanishka (c 130 CE), in which they were paying allegiance to the Kushans.

The indo-Greek rule in India was primarily destroyed by the Sakas.

Sakas were the Scythians, which refer to ancient Iranian people of horse-riding nomadic pastoralists.
In Sanskrit they are referred as Sakas.
The 2nd century BC saw an upheaval in the Central Asia. The invasion by the Central Asian nomadic tribes and tribes from the Chinese region was responsible for the Migration of the Sakas towards India.

Maues (80-65 BC)

Maues or Moga was the earliest Shaka ruler.
He established Shaka power in Gandhara and ruled around 80-60BC
His capital was ”Sirkap” and he issued a large number of copper coins and few silver coins.
Some sources indicate that he assumed the title of ” maharaja mahatma ” and his coins are bearing the images of Indian deities’ viz. Shiva, and Buddha.
He used Greek and Kharoshthi in coin legends.

Moga inscription

Moga inscription refers to the Taxila copper plate. Taxila copper plate was found in area of Taxila in modern Pakistan. Taxila copper plate bears a precise data and it is written in Kharoshthi. This inscription is ascribed to Shaka king Moga.

It was the Taxila Copper Plate which has mentioned about the dedication of a relic of the Buddha Shakyamuni to a Buddhist monastery by the Shaka ruler Patika Kusulaka.
Patika Kusulaka is also mentioned in Mathura lion capital.

Azes-I & Azes II

Maues and his successors were able to conquer large the areas of Gandhara, they were unsuccessful against the indo-Greek kings remaining behind the Jhelum river in eastern Punjab.
But it was Azes-I who put an end to the remnant of the Greek rule in India.
Azes-I annexed the kingdom of the Indo-Greek Hippostratos after a long resistance.
In 58 BC, Azes-I founded the Azes Era, which coincides with the Vikram Era in India.
Azes-I was succeeded by Azilises, who was succeeded by Azes II.
There are some coins issued jointly be Azes-I and Azilises and jointly issued by Azilises and Azes II.
Azes II reigned between the 35 and 12 BC and he is considered to be the last Shaka ruler and was lost to Kushanas.
Kushanas led to the foundation of Kushana Empire in North West India.

Bimaran casket

Bimaran casket was found in Jalalabad, Pakistan between 1833 to 1838. This casket is important because it was found having the coins of Azes II.

It features the representations of Buddha surrounded by India deities Brahma and Indra as bodhisattvas.
The Buddha is standing posture with bundled hair and wears a dhoti.
It was found in a steatite which was having some inscriptions.
The Bimaran casket is the First & Earliest known image of the Standing Buddha.

The Sakas were a nomadic people of Central Asia who invaded the Indian subcontinent in the 2nd century BCE. They were originally from the Sakastan region of Iran, and they spoke a language called Saka. The Sakas were skilled horsemen and archers, and they were able to conquer large parts of India. They ruled over much of the northwestern part of the subcontinent for several centuries, and they had a significant impact on Indian culture.

The Sakas were eventually assimilated into Society/”>Indian Society, but their legacy can still be seen in the architecture, art, and literature of the subcontinent.

Origin of the Sakas

The Sakas were a nomadic people of Central Asia who were originally from the Sakastan region of Iran. They were related to the Scythians, and they spoke a language called Saka. The Sakas were skilled horsemen and archers, and they were known for their fierce fighting abilities.

Saka invasion of India

The Sakas invaded the Indian subcontinent in the 2nd century BCE. They were able to conquer large parts of the northwestern part of the subcontinent, and they established a number of kingdoms. The Sakas ruled over India for several centuries, and they had a significant impact on Indian culture.

Saka rule in India

The Sakas were skilled administrators, and they were able to maintain order in their kingdoms. They also built a number of important temples and monuments. The Sakas were tolerant of other religions, and they allowed Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains to practice their faiths freely.

Saka culture

The Sakas were a warrior people, and their culture was influenced by their nomadic lifestyle. They were skilled horsemen and archers, and they were known for their fierce fighting abilities. The Sakas also had a strong tradition of oral literature, and they were skilled storytellers.

Saka art

The Sakas produced a number of beautiful works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. Their art was influenced by both Indian and Central Asian styles, and it is characterized by its bold colors and intricate designs.

Saka architecture

The Sakas built a number of important temples and monuments, including the Great Stupa at Sanchi. Their architecture was influenced by both Indian and Central Asian styles, and it is characterized by its massive scale and intricate details.

Saka literature

The Sakas had a strong tradition of oral literature, and they were skilled storytellers. Their stories were often about their own history and culture, and they were passed down from generation to generation.

Saka legacy

The Sakas were eventually assimilated into Indian society, but their legacy can still be seen in the architecture, art, and literature of the subcontinent. They also had a significant impact on Indian culture, and their rule helped to spread Central Asian ideas and customs to India.

The Sakas were a fascinating people who played an important role in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Their legacy can still be seen today in the architecture, art, and literature of the region.

Who were the Sakas?

The Sakas were a nomadic people from Central Asia who invaded the Indian subcontinent in the 2nd century BCE. They were eventually defeated by The Gupta Empire in the 4th century CE.

Where did the Sakas come from?

The Sakas originated in Central Asia, in the region that is now Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

When did the Sakas invade India?

The Sakas invaded India in the 2nd century BCE.

Why did the Sakas invade India?

The Sakas invaded India for a number of reasons, including economic opportunity, political instability, and religious persecution.

What was the impact of the Saka invasion on India?

The Saka invasion had a significant impact on India. The Sakas brought with them their own culture and religion, which had a lasting impact on Indian society. The Sakas also ruled over large parts of India for several centuries, which led to the development of new political and Social Institutions.

How were the Sakas eventually defeated?

The Sakas were eventually defeated by the Gupta Empire in the 4th century CE. The Gupta Empire was a powerful Indian empire that was able to defeat the Sakas and other invaders. The Gupta Empire ushered in a golden age of Indian culture and civilization.

What happened to the Sakas after they were defeated?

The Sakas were eventually assimilated into Indian society. Many Sakas converted to Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism and adopted Indian customs and traditions. Some Sakas also intermarried with Indians, and their descendants can still be found in India today.

What is the legacy of the Sakas?

The Sakas left a lasting legacy on India. They introduced new ideas and technologies to India, and they also helped to spread Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism. The Sakas also ruled over large parts of India for several centuries, which led to the development of new political and social institutions.

The Sakas were a nomadic people from Central Asia who invaded the Indian subcontinent in the 2nd century BCE.
The Sakas were initially defeated by the Mauryan Empire, but they later regrouped and established their own kingdom in northwestern India.
The Sakas were known for their military prowess and their use of cavalry.
The Sakas were also known for their religious Tolerance, and they allowed Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains to practice their faiths freely.
The Sakas were eventually overthrown by the Kushans in the 1st century CE.

Here are some MCQs about the Sakas:

The Sakas were a nomadic people from:
(a) Central Asia
(b) South Asia
(c) East Asia
(d) West Asia
The Sakas invaded the Indian subcontinent in the:
(a) 1st century BCE
(b) 2nd century BCE
(c) 3rd century BCE
(d) 4th century BCE
The Sakas were initially defeated by the:
(a) Mauryan Empire
(b) Gupta Empire
(c) Kushan Empire
(d) Chola Empire
The Sakas were known for their:
(a) military prowess
(b) religious tolerance
(c) artistic achievements
(d) all of the above
The Sakas were eventually overthrown by the:
(a) Kushans
(b) Guptas
(c) Cholas
(d) Mughals

Answers:
1. (a)
2. (b)
3. (a)
4. (d)
5. (a)