The Indo-Scythians (also called Indo-Sakas) were a group of nomadic peoples of Iranian-Scythian origin who migrated from Central Asia to the south, settling between the 2nd century BC and 4th century AD in regions that today correspond to Afghanistan, eastern Iran, Pakistan and northern India.
Origin and migrations
They came from the steppes of Central Asia, descendants of the Scythians (Sakas), famous for their equestrian culture and nomadic life.
Their migration to the Indian subcontinent was motivated by pressure from other nomadic peoples, such as the Yuezhi, and by the search for new lands and trade routes.
Formation of kingdoms and dynasties
The first important Indo-Scythian king was Maues (or Moga), who in the mid-1st century BC established his rule in Gandhara and the Indus Valley.
The Indo-Scythians conquered territories previously under Indo-Greek control and founded several dynasties, such as the Western and Northern Satraps, ruling large areas of the northwest of the subcontinent.
Cultural and political characteristics
They adopted elements of Greek, Indian and Iranian culture, reflected in their art, religion and coins.
His government was monarchical, but with regional divisions under satraps (governors).
Their language included variants of Saka (Scythian), Greek, Pali, Sanskrit and Prakrit, and they used scripts such as Karoshthi and Brahmi.
Legacy and influence
They played a key role in cultural exchange between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, facilitating the spread of religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism.
Their power declined from the 2nd century AD after defeats by the Kushan Empire and the Satavahanas, and they were finally absorbed into the Gupta Empire in the 4th century.
Azes I (c. 48/47 BC–25 BC) was the best-known king, who consolidated Scythian rule in Gandhara following the campaigns of Maues and his successors. Under his rule, the Indo-Scythians gained control over large territories in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent. One of his most lasting contributions was the establishment of the so-called Azes Era, a system of chronological reckoning that began around 47/46 BC and was used on inscriptions and coins, facilitating the dating of later events and reigns in the region.
On a numismatic level, the coins of Azes are highly valued, both for their Hellenistic iconography and for the bilingual systems (Greek and Kharosthi) used in their legends, reflecting the cultural and political diversity of the region at that time.
