Sakas Era

The Saka Era, also known as the Shakas period, is an ancient time period in Indian history. This era is named after the Saka tribe, who were a group of Indo-European people that invaded India around the second century BC. The Shakas were eventually defeated by the Kushan Empire, and their territory was absorbed into the empire. This period in Indian history is often overlooked, but it is full of interesting cultural and historical developments!

Origin Of Saka Era

The Saka Era is believed to have begun in 78 A.D., when the emperor Kanishka, the ruler of the Kushan Dynasty, moved his capital from Mathura to Peshawar. This date marks the start of the Saka Era calendar, which is still used in parts of India and Pakistan. The Sakas were nomadic people who originated in Central Asia. They were known for their horsemanship and military prowess, and they eventually came to rule an empire that extended from present-day Afghanistan to North India. The Saka Era came to an end in the early 12th century A.D., when the last Saka king was defeated by the Ghaznavids. However, the Sakas left a lasting legacy on the subcontinent, and their era is still remembered as a time of great upheaval and change.

Why is it important to know about the Saka Dynasty? For many reasons, first and foremost, they were the ones who created an empire that stretched from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. Secondly, they were great patrons of the arts and learning. Thirdly, they were cosmopolitan people, with a love of travel and new ideas. Finally, they were people with a great sense of humour, who enjoyed life to the fullest. In short, the Saka were people who loved life and learning, and who left a lasting legacy on the world. The Saka were originally a nomadic people, who came from the steppes of Central Asia. They were warlike people and often engaged in battle with their neighbours.

Shakas – Rulers and Timeline

The Saka era in India lasted from about the middle of the second century BCE to the middle of the first century CE. The Saka dynasty was founded by a chieftain named Maues who invaded Bactria (in present-day Afghanistan) and India about 130 BCE. The Saka rulers were a branch of the Indo-Scythians, a group of Central Asian tribes that had migrated into northwestern India about 200 BCE. The Saka dynasty was overthrown by the Kushanas, another Central Asian tribe, in the middle of the first century CE. The Saka era was a time of great political and military upheaval in India. Central Asian tribes invaded the country from the northwest and established new kingdoms. The Saka era was a time of great political and military upheaval in India. Central Asian tribes invaded the country from the northwest and established new kingdoms.

The Saka rulers were:

• Maues (c. 130-120 BCE): Founder of the Saka dynasty.
• Scylas (c. 120-110 BCE): Son and successor of Maues.
• Azes I (c. 58-12 BCE): Great-grandson of Maues and the most famous of the Saka rulers.
• Vonones I (c. 12-20 CE): Son of Azes I.
• Artabanus II (c. 20-40 CE): Another son of Azes I.
• Gondophares (c. 40-60 CE): A governor of the Saka dynasty who proclaimed himself king and founded the Indo-Parthian dynasty.
• Kharahostes or Kanishka (c. 127-144 CE): The most famous ruler of the Kushana dynasty. He conquered the Saka kingdom and much of India.

The Decline of the Shakas

The Shakas were a powerful dynasty during their time, but they eventually fell to the Sasanians. The reason for their decline is not completely clear, but it is thought that internal strife and civil war played a role. The Shakas also had to contend with external enemies, such as the Kushans and the Sasanians. In the end, the Shakas were unable to hold onto their empire, and it collapsed.

Despite their decline, the Shakas left a lasting legacy. They were responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Central Asia and India. They also introduced new technologies and ideas to the region, such as coinage and urban planning. The Shakas were a significant force in their time and their influence can still be felt today.

Conclusion

The Saka era, also known as the Shakas period, was a time in Indian history that is often overlooked. However, this period of time has much to offer students of Indian culture and history. In this article, we have discussed some of the most important aspects of the Saka era including who ruled over India during this time, what happened culturally and religiously, and how it all ended. We hope that you have found this information helpful and informative.