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Kanishka II

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Kanishka II
Kushan emperor
Coin with a depiction of Kanishka II.
Reign200–222 CE
PredecessorVasudeva I
SuccessorVasishka

Kanishka II (Brahmi: 𑀓𑀸𑀡𑀺𑀱𑁆𑀓; 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

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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 Pašakibur (i.e. 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

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Rezakhani, Khodadad (2017). From the Kushans to the Western Turks. p. 202.
  2. ^ Cribb 2018, p. 20-21.
  3. ^ 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

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Preceded by Kushan Ruler Succeeded by