Devaputra
Topic: Post-Mauryan India: Shungas to Kushanas · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 6 "The Age of Reorganisation"; Class 12, Ch 2 "Kings, Farmers and Towns"
Meaning
Devaputra means "son of god". Many Kushana rulers took this title. They may have copied it from Chinese rulers, who called themselves "sons of heaven". The title helped the Kushanas, who came from Central Asia, claim very high status and a godlike position over their subjects.
Example
The headless statue of Kanishka, found at Mat near Mathura, carries a Brahmi inscription. It reads maharaja rajadhiraja devaputra Kanishka, which means "great king, king of kings, son of god". Colossal statues of Kushana rulers placed in shrines at Mat and in Afghanistan support the same idea of godlike kings.
Don't confuse with
- Devanampiya: this was Ashoka's title, meaning "beloved of the gods". It claims the gods' favour, not that the king is their son.
- Rajadhiraja: this means "king of kings". It claims power over other kings, not divine birth.
Related concepts
- Kushanas
- Kujula Kadphises
- Vima Kadphises
- Kanishka
- Huvishka
- Divine kingship
- Kanishka's coins
- Rabatak inscription
- Kanishka casket