Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom

Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom
Kushanshahr
c. 230 CE–c. 365 CE
Map of the domains governed by the Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom
Map of the domains governed by the Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom
CapitalBalkh
Common languagesMiddle Persian
Bactrian
Religion
Buddhism
Zoroastrianism
Hinduism
GovernmentFeudal monarchy
Historical eraLate Antiquity
• Established
c. 230 CE
• Disestablished
c. 365 CE
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Kushan Empire
Paratarajas
Kidarites

The Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom (or Indo-Sasanians) was a polity established by the Sasanian Empire in Bactria during the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Sasanian Empire captured the provinces of Sogdia, Bactria and Gandhara from the declining Kushan Empire following a series of wars in 225 CE.[1] The local Sasanian governors then went on to take the title of Kushanshah (KΟÞANΟ ÞAΟ or Koshano Shao in the Bactrian language[2]) or "King of the Kushans", and to mint coins.[1] They are sometimes considered as forming a "sub-kingdom" inside the Sasanian Empire.[3]

This administration continued until 360–370,[1] when the Kushano-Sasanians lost much of their domains to the invading Kidarites; the remainder was incorporated into the Sasanian Empire proper.[4] Later, the Kidarites were in turn displaced by the Hephthalites.[5]

The Kushanshahs are mainly known through their coins. Their coins were minted at Kabul, Balkh, Herat, and Merv, attesting the extent of their realm.[6]

A rebellion of Hormizd I Kushanshah (277–286 CE), who issued coins with the title Kushan-shahanshah ("King of kings of the Kushans"), seems to have occurred against contemporary emperor Bahram II (276–293 CE) of the Sasanian Empire, but failed.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference CHI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Rezakhani, Khodadad (2021). "From the Kushans to the Western Turks". King of the Seven Climes: 204.
  3. ^ The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Attila, Michael Maas, Cambridge University Press, 2014 p.284 ff
  4. ^ Rezakhani 2017b, p. 83.
  5. ^ Sasanian Seals and Sealings, Rika Gyselen, Peeters Publishers, 2007, p.1
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference EI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).