| Chashtana | |
|---|---|
| Mahakshatrapa Bhadramukha Swami[1] | |
 Silver coin of Chashtana, with ruler profile andGreek script legendΡΑΝΝΙω ΙΑΤΡΑΠΑϹ ϹΙΑϹΤΑΝϹΑ.[2]British Museum. | |
| King ofWestern Kshatrapas | |
| Reign | 78–130 CE |
| Predecessor | Nahapana |
| Successor | Jayadaman |
Sha-sta-na).[3] Kushan Period.
Chashtana (Greek:ϹιαϲτανϲαςSiastansas (epigraphic),[2]ΤιαστανηςTiastanēs;[4]Brahmi:
Ca-ṣṭa-naCaṣṭana;Kharosthi:𐨖𐨛𐨞Cha-ṭha-ṇa,Chaṭhaṇa[5]) was a ruler of theSakaWestern Satraps in northwestern India during 78-130 CE, when he was the satrap ofUjjain.[6]
Chashtana's name is attested in theGreek formsSiastansas (Ϲιαϲτανϲας)[2] andTiastanēs (Τιαστανης),[4] in theBrahmi formCaṣṭana () and theKharosthi formChaṭhaṇa (𐨖𐨛𐨞),[5] which are derived from theSaka name*Caṣṭana, meaning "master".[7]
Among modern scholars, the beginning of theSaka era is widely equated to the ascension of Chashtana (possibly toMahakshatrapa) in 78 CE.[8][9]
A statue found inMathura together with statues of theKushan kingKanishka and Vima Taktu, and bearing the name "Shastana" (Middle Brahmi script of the Kushan period:Ṣa-sta-na) is often attributed to Chashtana himself.[3] Chashtana is called Tisman by the bards, a spelling that matches the Greek rendition of his name more closely.
Chashtana was mentioned byPtolemy asTiastanēs, ruling a large area of Western India into the 2nd century CE, especially the area ofUjjain ("Ozene"), during the reign of theSatavahana kingVasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi. According to Ptolemy, Chashtana directly ruled Ujjain, whilePaithan (Pratisthana) continued to be ruled by Siristolemaios (identified withSri Pulumayi, son ofGautamiputra Satakarni).[10] Ptolemy in his "Geographia", where he classifies the Western Satraps as "Indo-Scythians", describes Chashtana's territory as starting fromPatalene in the West, to his capitalUjjain in the east ("Ozena-Regia Tiastani", "Ozene, capital of king Chashtana"), and beyondBarigaza in the south:
Moreover the region which is next to the western part of India, is called Indoscythia. A part of this region around the (Indus) river mouth is Patalena, above which isAbiria. That which is about the mouth of the Indus and the Canthicolpus bay is calledSyrastrena. (...) In the island formed by this river are the cities Pantala,Barbaria. (...) The Larica region of Indoscythia is located eastward from the swamp near the sea, in which on the west of theNamadus river is the interior city ofBarygaza emporium. On the east side of the river (...)Ozena-Regia Tiastani (...)Minagara".
— Ptolemy Geographia, Book Seven, Chapter I
Chashtana was the grandfather of the great Western Satrap conquerorRudradaman I. Chashtana was founder of one of the two major Saka Satrap dynasties in north-western India, theKardamaka (Bhadramukhas); the other, short-lived dynasty, theKshaharatas ("Satraps"), includedBhumaka andNahapana.[11]
The coinage of Chastana combines a corrupted Greek legend on the obverse, around his portrait, and aBrahmi script legend on the reverse around a "Three hills and river" symbol together with the sun and two moons.[2]
Obverse: The obverse in Greek corrupted script typically reads "ΡΑΝΝΙω ΙΑΤΡΑΠAC CIASTANCA", transliteration of the PrakritRaño Kshatrapasa Chashtana: "King and Satrap Chashtana".[2]
Reverse: The reverse in Early/MiddleBrahmi script reads: RAJNO MAHAKSHATRAPASA YSAMOTIKAPUTRASA CHASHTANASA "Of the Rajah, the Great Satrap, son of Ysamotika, Chashtana".[12] This legend is sometimes followed by the name "Chatḥaṇasa" inKharosthi script.[13]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link){{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)| Preceded by | Western Satrap 130 CE | Succeeded by |
Western Satraps (1st c. CE - 395 CE) | |||
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