Kanishka II

Kanishka II (Brahmi: 𑀓𑀸𑀡𑀺𑀱𑁆𑀓; Kā-ṇi-ṣka) was one of the emperors of the Kushan Empire from around 232-247 CE. He succeeded Vasudeva I who is considered to be the last great Kushan emperor.^[1]

Kanishka II
Kushan emperor
Coin with a depiction of Kanishka II.
Reign	232-247 CE
Predecessor	Vasudeva I
Successor	Vasishka

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 Pašakibur (i.e. 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 recovered 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