Kanishka II | |
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Kushan emperor | |
Coin with a depiction of Kanishka II. | |
Reign | 232-247 CE |
Predecessor | Vasudeva I |
Successor | Vasishka |
Kushan emperors 30 CE–350 CE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kanishka II (Brahmi: 𑀓𑀸𑀡𑀺𑀱𑁆𑀓;Kā-ṇi-ṣka) was one of the emperors of theKushan Empire from around 232-247 CE. He succeededVasudeva I who is considered to be the last great Kushan emperor.[1]
While he upheld Kushan rule in northern India, it is likely that Kanishka II lost the western part of his empire, namelyBactria/Tokharistan to the SasanianShapur I (240-272 CE), whose conquests would be consolidated by theKushano-Sassanians.[1] In his inscriptions atNaqsh-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 theHindu-Kush at the expense of the Kushans.[1] The rock inscription atRag-i-Bibi further support this view.[1]
Several overstrikes by theKushano-SasanianPeroz I Kushanshah over coins of Kanishka II are known, and it is from the time of Peroz that the firstKushano-Sasanian coins were issued south of theHindu-Kush.[2]
Kanishka II may have retaken control of Gandhara at one point, as well asKapiśa, 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]
Preceded by | Kushan Ruler | Succeeded by |