Kujula Kadphises
Also called: Kadphises I · Topic: Post-Mauryan India: Shungas to Kushanas · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Kujula Kadphises was the founder of the Kushana empire, c. 1st century CE. The Kushanas were one clan of the Yuezhi, a people from Central Asia. Kujula brought the Yuezhi groups together under Kushana rule. He then spread his power south of the Hindu Kush into Afghanistan and the north-west.
Example
Kujula issued mainly copper coins, and some of them copied Indo-Greek and Roman designs. The Rabatak inscription, found in Afghanistan, names him as the great-grandfather of Kanishka. This confirms his place at the start of the Kushana family line.
Don't confuse with
- Vima Kadphises: he was a later Kushana king and Kanishka's father. He is known for issuing gold coins on a large scale. Kujula was the founder and issued mostly copper coins.
Related concepts
- Kushanas
- Vima Kadphises
- Kanishka
- Huvishka
- Divine kingship
- Devaputra
- Kanishka's coins
- Rabatak inscription
- Kanishka casket