Kushan Inscriptions

List of Inscriptions

Inscriptions are one of the most important sources for all aspects of Kushan history. They are useful for political and social history. In fact, they are a source of such importance that they cannot be ignored for any aspect of Kushan history. It is therefore vital to have an index of these inscriptions available, and to be clear which inscriptions are being referred to. To assist this I have prepared the following index of inscriptions, giving each a unique number.

When deciding if an inscription should be included I have cast the net widely, including any that might be of Kushan period, or possible relate to the Kushan period, or might impact on Kushan studies because they belong to areas bordering the Empire. Broadly the following criteria have been used: Any inscription from Central Asia, Pakistan, India (including the East, West and Middle of India as far as the extent of the West Ksatraps, Satavahanas, and Guptas), from the second century BC (when the Yu-Chi first appear in historical records) until the fifth century AD (when the final collapse of Kushan power occurs).

The following convention is used: inscriptions are referenced by a number; to assist the user the numbers employed by Shrava, Luders (in his Mathura Inscriptions), and Konow, are given. A single reference is given to the reading preferred on this site. There is also a note of any Era and date used in the inscription, and of the script used and the findspot (if known). Full bibliographic details of the references can be consulted, and there is a list of references other than the preferred translation.

Index of Kushan Related Inscriptions