| Kanishka II | |
|---|---|
| Kushan emperor | |
 Coin with a depiction of Kanishka II. | |
| Reign | 200–222 CE |
| Predecessor | Vasudeva I |
| Successor | Vāsishka |
| Spouse | Shantimala |
Template:Kushan rulers
Kanishka II (Brahmi: 
Kā-ṇi-ṣka) was one of the emperors of the Kushan Empire from around 225–245 CE. He succeeded Vasudeva I who is considered to be the last great Kushan emperor.[1]
Rule
While he upheld Kushan rule in northern India, it is likely that Kanishka II lost the western part of his empire, namely Bactria/Tokharistan to the Sasanian Shapur I (240-272 CE), whose conquests would be consolidated by the Kushano-Sassanians.[1] In his inscriptions at Naqsh-e Rostam Shapur now claimed that he controlled the realm of the Kushans (Kūšān šahr) "up to Purushapura" (Peshawar), suggesting that he may have expanding even beyond the Hindu-Kush at the expense of the Kushans.[1] The rock inscription at Rag-i-Bibi further support this view.[1]
Several overstrikes by the Kushano-Sasanian Peroz I Kushanshah over coins of Kanishka II are known, and it is from the time of Peroz that the first Kushano-Sasanian coins were issued south of the Hindu-Kush.[2]
Kanishka II may have retaken control of Gandhara at one point, as well as Kapiśa, and there are suggestions that following these successes he may have created a second Era of Kanishka in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the original one.[1]
Coinage and dated statuary
-
Coin of Kanishka II with Oesho. -
Kanishka II with Ardoksho. -
![Statue of Hariti from Skarah Dheri, Gandhara, with the inscription "Year 399", probably in the Yavana era, hence 244 CE.[3]](/w/images/smartcommons/thumbs/commons/9/99/Hariti_%28Gandhara%29.jpg/49px-Hariti_%28Gandhara%29.jpg)
Statue of Hariti from Skarah Dheri, Gandhara, with the inscription "Year 399", probably in the Yavana era, hence 244 CE.[3]
![Statue of Hariti from Skarah Dheri, Gandhara, with the inscription "Year 399", probably in the Yavana era, hence 244 CE.[3]](/wiki/File:Hariti_(Gandhara).jpg){kind=small}
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rezakhani, Khodadad (2017). From the Kushans to the Western Turks. p. 202.
- ↑ Cribb 2018, p. 20-21.
- ↑ Rienjang, Wannaporn; Stewart, Peter, eds. (2017). Problems of Chronology in Gandharan Art (PDF). Archaeopress. pp. 35–51. ISBN 978-1-78491-856-9. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
Sources
- Cribb, Joe (2018). Problems of Chronology in Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the First International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 23rd-24th March, 2017. University of Oxford The Classical Art Research Centre Archaeopress.
External links
| Preceded by Vasudeva I |
Kushan Ruler | Succeeded by Vasishka |