During the reign of Antiochus II, the emperor of the Seleucid Empire, the tribes of Scythians and Parthians revolted against the emperor. Yavanas or Indo-Greeks established a kingdom in Bactria and invaded India during 2nd Century BCE. Arseculus was the founder of Parthian Empire which extended from Parthia to Caspian Sea. Later Scythians and Parthians established kingdoms in Scythia and Parthia respectively and subsequently Parthians pushed Scythians towards east and annexed their territories. The Scythians followed the path of Yavans, invaded and settled in North & North western India. The disappointed nobles of Parthian empire rebelled against the emperor and followed Scythians and moved towards east of Parthia. The group which moved out from Parthia was called Pahlavas or Indo-Parthians.

 

Pahlavas or Indo Parthians (19CE-135CE)

On difference between the tribes in Bactria, one of the tribes in search of new land left from Parthia and reached Indian territories during early 1st century CE and the group was called Indo Parthian or Pahlavas. Pahlavas reached India by defeating and occupying the places which were previously ruled by Sakas, who in turn defeated Yavanas to reach India.

 

Indo Parthians are the nomadic tribe of Parthia or Iran who invaded India. The ruling dynasty of Indo Parthian was called the Suren Dynasty. Their rule on Indian land was very short compared to other Invaders. Taxila was the first capital or residence of Pahlavas after conquering the north western part of India. Later it was shifted to Kabul and Peshawar. Indo Parthians adopted Buddhism to impress Indian subjects. They used Parthian and Kharosthi languages.

 

 

Gondophares (19-45CE):

He was the governor of Sakastan under the Parthian Emperor Mithridates. He rebelled against the Parthian King and left sakastan in search of new land. Gondophares, the leader of Suren family defeated Herois, the Indo Greek ruler of Kabul Valley and established his kingdom. He proceeded further towards Sindh valley, defeated and subjugated Sakas.

 

A Book named Act of Thomas, coins of Gondophares and Takt-i-Bahi inscription are the main sources of information to know about him. Takt-i-Bahi is a UNESCO world heritage site of Buddhist Monastery located in Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

 

Gondophares was a follower of Zoroastrianism and worshipped Sun god. St.Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus visited his court to propagate the new Christian religion. But was not entertained by Indo Parthians, in turn Thomas travelled to South India where he was welcomed by the Chera dynasty.

 

Sarpendones (45-46CE):

He was a lieutenant of the Pahlava king and captured the throne for a short period before it was regained by the Gondophares family. He titled himself as Gondophares II to accept people’s approval of his kingship.

 

Abdagases (46-60CE):

He was the nephew of Gondophares. He deposed the usurper and regained the throne of his uncle. He believed in Mithraism. The kingdom was divided between his sons after his death.

 

Sases (60-96CE):

He was son of Abdagases, who succeeded his father in Punjab or eastern region of the Kingdom. He was defeated and his kingdom was occupied by Kushan ruler Vima Takto making him the last Pahlava to rule Indian Territory. He was also called Gondophares IV.

 

Orthagnes  (60-100CE):

He was the second son of Abdagases. He was also known as Gadana. He used the title as Gondophares III. He ruled Gandhara or the western region of the Kingdom. During his reign, the Yuezhi tribe started following the Indo Parthian way to enter India.

 

Pacores (100-130CE):

He was the son and successor of Orthagnes. He is considered to be the last Pahlava ruler in Gandhara region. He was defeated by Vima Kadphises of the Kushan empire.

 

The short rule of Indo-Parthians in Indian land was ended by the Kushans.