Kushanshah
Kushanshah was the title used by the governors of the Sasanian Empire who ruled the parts of the former Kushan Empire, in the areas of Sogdiana, Bactria and Gandhara, named Kushanshahr by the Sasanians, during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.[1] They are collectively known as Kushano-Sasanians, or Indo-Sasanians.
The Kushanshahs minted their own coinage, and took the title of Kushanshas, ie "Kings of the Kushans".[1] This administration continued until 360 AD.[1] The Kushanshas are mainly known through their coins.
A rebellion of Hormizd I Kushanshah (277-286 AD), who issued coins with the title Kushanshahanshah ("King of kings of the Kushans"), seems to have occurred against contemporary emperor Bahram II (276-293 AD) of the Sasanian Empire, but failed.[1]
The title is first attested in the Paikuli inscription of the Sasanian shah Narseh in ca. 293, where it functioned as a title for the Sasanian governors of the eastern portion of the empire. The title was also used by the Kidarite dynasty, which was the last kingdom to make use of it.
Main Kushanshahs
Based on coinage, a list of the Kushanshah rulers can be established:[2][3]
- Ardashir I Kushanshah (230-?)
- Ardashir II Kushanshah (?-245)
- Peroz I Kushanshah (245-270)
- Hormizd I Kushanshah (270-295), rebelled against Bahram II of Iran.[1]
- Hormizd II Kushanshah (295-300)
- Peroz II Kushanshah (300-325)
- Varahran Kushanshah (325-350), also named Bahram
References
Sources
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