Kanishka II
Kushan emperor
Coin with a depiction of Kanishka II.
Reign	200–222 CE
Predecessor	Vasudeva I
Successor	Vasishka

Kushan emperors 30 CE–350 CE
Heraios 1–30 CE Kujula Kadphises 50–90 CE Vima Takto 90–113 CE Vima Kadphises 113–127 CE Kanishka I 127–151 CE Huvishka 151–190 CE Vasudeva I 190–230 CE Kanishka II 230–247 CE Vāsishka 247–267 CE Kanishka III 267–270 CE Vasudeva II 270–300 CE Mahi 300–305 CE Shaka 305–335 CE Kipunada 335–350 CE
v t e

Kanishka II ( Brahmi: Kā-ṇi-ṣka) was one of the emperors of the Kushan Empire from around 225–245 CE. He succeeded Vasudeva I who is considered to be the last great Kushan emperor. ^[1]

Rule

While he upheld Kushan rule in northern India, it is likely that Kanishka II lost the western part of his empire, namely Bactria/ Tokharistan to the Sasanian Shapur I (240-272 CE), whose conquests would be consolidated by the Kushano-Sassanians. ^[1] In his inscriptions at Naqsh-e Rostam Shapur now claimed that he controlled the realm of the Kushans (Kūšān šahr) "up to Purushapura" ( Peshawar), suggesting that he may have expanding even beyond the Hindu-Kush at the expense of the Kushans. ^[1] The rock inscription at Rag-i-Bibi further support this view. ^[1]

Several overstrikes by the Kushano-Sasanian Peroz I Kushanshah over coins of Kanishka II are known, and it is from the time of Peroz that the first Kushano-Sasanian coins were issued south of the Hindu-Kush. ^[2]

Kanishka II may have retaken control of Gandhara at one point, as well as Kapiśa, 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]

Coinage and dated statuary

• 
  Coin of Kanishka II with Oesho.
• 
  Kanishka II with Ardoksho.
• 
  Statue of Hariti from Skarah Dheri, Gandhara, with the inscription "Year 399", probably in the Yavana era, hence 244 CE. ^[3]

Notes

References

Sources

• Cribb, Joe (2018). Problems of Chronology in Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the First International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 23rd-24th March, 2017. University of Oxford The Classical Art Research Centre Archaeopress.

External links

• Online catalogue of coins of Kanishka II