Essay name: Scythian Elements in early Indian Art
Author:
Swati Ray
Affiliation: University of Calcutta / Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture
This essay studies Scythian Elements in early Indian Art鈥攁 topic that has not garnered extensive scholarly attention. Although much research has focused on various aspects of Saka/Scythian culture, such as politics and numismatics, their contribution to Indian art remains underexplored. This essay delves into archaeological evidence, historical texts, and art forms from Eurasian steppes to decipher the Scythian impact.
Chapter 3 - Advent of the Sakas and the Saka-Pahlavas
18 (of 18)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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45
That Parthian rule continued in the Sindhu valley as late as the eighth
decade of the first century A.D. is evidenced by the Periplus which says, "Before
it (Barbaricum on the principal mouth of the Sindhu) there lies a small island
and inland behind it is the metropolis of Scythia, Min-Nagara; it is subject to
Parthian princes who are constantly driving each other out.鈥澛�
The Scythian satrapal dynasty of Mathur膩 seems to have been
overthrown by Kanishka. The Kush膩峁嘺s did not totally uproot the numerous
艢aka principalities under subordinate chiefs. In the Rajasthan area, several
tribal states appear to have submitted to the Saka-Scythians. In western Uttar
Pradesh and adjoining region of Punjab, the 艢akas dominated till the time of
the early kings of the Gupta dynasty, but this 艢aka domination has not yet
been detected in the archaeological strata. The Sakas under Chash峁璦na and
Rudrad膩man ruled over parts of western Maharashtra. Their successors were
finally defeated by Chandragupta II and the 艢aka dominions were annexed to
the Gupta empire.
1 Ibid., Section 38.
