Huvishka

File:Gandhara, omaggio di un re kushana al bodhisattva, II-III sec.JPG

Huvishka was the son of Kanishka. His reign is also known as the golden age of Kushan rule.

The reign of Huvishka corresponds with the first known epigraphic evidence of the Buddha Amitabha, on the bottom part of a 2nd-century statue which has been found in Govindo-Nagar, and now at the Mathura Museum. The statue is dated to "the 28th year of the reign of Huvishka", and dedicated to "Amitabha Buddha" by a family of merchants.{{cite book |last1=Rhie |first1=Marylin M. |title=Early Buddhist Art of China and Central Asia, Volume 3: The Western Ch'in in Kansu in the Sixteen Kingdoms Period and Inter-relationships with the Buddhist Art of Gandh?ra |date=2010 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-18400-8 |page=xxxvii, Fig 6.17a |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivE2mpfbNR0C&pg=PR37 |language=en}}{{cite journal |last1=Schopen |first1=Gregory |title=The Inscription on the Kuṣān Image of Amitābha and the Charakter of the Early Mahāyāna in India |journal=The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies |date=1987 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=99–138 |url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Articles/The-Inscription-on-the-Kusan-Image-of-Amitabha-and-and-the-Character-of-Early-Mahayana-in-India_Schopen.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207114137/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Articles/The-Inscription-on-the-Kusan-Image-of-Amitabha-and-and-the-Character-of-Early-Mahayana-in-India_Schopen.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2019}}

There is also some evidence that Huvishka was a follower of Mahāyāna Buddhism. A Sanskrit manuscript fragment in the Schøyen Collection describes Huvishka as one who has "set forth in the Mahāyāna." This depiction of Huviska as a Mahayana follower does not necessarily confirm his involvement in promoting Mahayana. However, it does suggest that "Huviska's era was a crucial period in the evolution of Mahayana."Neelis, Jason. Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks. 2010. p. 141-142

Some reliefs from Gandhara are also thought to portray Huvishka making donations to the Buddha.

Huvishka is widely attested to have supported Buddhism, but the Buddha does not appear on his coinage, possibly out of respect to the Buddha.{{cite book |last1=Dani |first1=Ahmad Hasan |last2=Harmatta |first2=János |title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia |year=1999 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1408-0 |page=327 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C&pg=PA327 |language=en}}

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File:Amitabha Buddha inscription in the year 26 of Huvishka.jpg|Earliest known "Mahayana" inscription: inscribed pedestal with the first known occurrence of the name of "Amitabha Buddha" in the "year 26" (153 CE, first year of Huvishka){{cite book|last1=Rhie|first1=Marylin M.|title=Early Buddhist Art of China and Central Asia, Volume 3: The Western Ch'in in Kansu in the Sixteen Kingdoms Period and Inter-relationships with the Buddhist Art of Gandhara|date=2010|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-18400-8|page=xxxvii, Fig 6.17a|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivE2mpfbNR0C&pg=PR37|language=en}}

File:Amitabha Buddha inscription in the year 26 of Huvishka Inscription Buddhasya Amitabhasya.jpg|First known Mahayana inscription: words _10px8px_{15px 15px}10px10px10px_15px"Bu-ddha-sya A-mi-tā-bha-sya" ("of Amitabha Buddha") in Brahmi script in the inscription.

File:Mathura sculpture Huvishka year 33.jpg|Fragment of a Bodhisattva sculpture inscribed "in the year 33" (𑀲𑀁𑁝𑁔) of "the Great King, son of God, Huvishka" (Mahārājasya Devaputrasya Huviṣka, 10px10px8px10px_15px 10px10px_10px10px15px 12px^10px_13px), Art of Mathura.The inscription reads: "In the year 33 of the Maharaja, the Devaputra Huvishka (12px12px10px12px_18px 12px12px_12px12px18px 14px^12px_16px Mahārājasya Devaputrasya Huviṣka) on the 8th day of the 1st summer (month), a Bodhisattva was set up at Madhuravanaka by the nun Dhanavati, the sister's daughter of the nun Buddhamitra, who knows the Tripitaka, a female pupil of the monk Bala, who knows the Tripitaka, together with her mother and father....". in {{cite book|title=Epigraphia Indica Vol 8|page=182|url=https://archive.org/details/EpigraphiaIndica}} Another similar inscription mentions "Huvihska in the year 26". in {{cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=R.C.|title=The Splendour of Mathura Art and Museum|date=1994|publisher=D. K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.|page=142|url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/splendour-of-mathura-art-and-museum-IDD114/}}

File:Iscrizione del regno di huvishka dei kushana sul piedistrallo di una statua di buddha, da mathura, uttar pradesh, 123 dc.jpg|Pedestal of a Buddha statue, with inscription in the name of Huvishka "in the year 45" (𑀲𑀁𑁞𑁔). Starts with Mahārājasya Huviṣkasya Devaputrasya..., 10px10px8px10px_15px 12px^10px_13px15px 10px10px_10px10px15px... Uttar Pradesh. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum.

File:Huvishka with seated god Serapis ("Sarapo").jpg god Serapis (ϹΑΡΑΠΟ, "Sarapo") wearing the modius.{{cite book |last1=Dani |first1=Ahmad Hasan |last2=Harmatta |first2=János |title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia |year=1999 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1408-0 |page=326 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C&pg=PA326 |language=en}}]]

{{see also|Indo-Roman trade relations}}

Huvishka also incorporates in his coins for the first and only time in Kushan coinage the Hellenistic-Egyptian Serapis (under the name ϹΑΡΑΠΟ, "Sarapo").[http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=134885&AucID=160&Lot=1146 Serapis coin] Since Serapis was the supreme deity of the pantheon of Alexandria in Egypt, this coin suggests that Huvishka had a strong orientation towards Roman Egypt, which may have been an important market for the products coming from the Kushan Empire.

Another coin possibly depicts the Goddess Roma ("Roma aeterna"), under the name "Rishti" (Greek: ΡΙϷΤ),{{cite web |title=Huvishka Rishti coin British Museum |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1894-0506-75 |website=The British Museum |language=en}} or "Riom" (Greek: ΡΙΟΜ).Mario Bussagli, "L'Art du Gandhara", 225This coin. The reading of the name of the deity on this last coin is very much uncertain and disputed (Riom, Riddhi, Rishthi, Rise....) in {{cite journal |last1=Fleet |first1=J.F. |title=The Introduction of the Greek Uncial and Cursive Characters into India |journal=The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland |year=1908 |volume=1908 |page=179, note 1 |jstor=25210545 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25210545 |language=en}}"The name Riom as read by Gardner, was read by Cunningham as Ride, who equated it with Riddhi, the Indian goddess of fortune. F.W. Thomas has read the name as Rhea" in {{cite book |last1=Shrava |first1=Satya |title=The Kushāṇa Numismatics |year=1985 |publisher=Pranava Prakashan |page=29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_1EaAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}

File:Huvishka with god Serapis ("Sarapo").jpg|Another coin of Huvishka holding a scepter, with, on the reverse, deity Serapis (ϹΑΡΑΠΟ, "Sarapo")

File:Dinar, Kushan Empire, Depiction of Hercules, 152-192 AD.jpg|Coin of Huvishka. Obverse: ϷΑΟΝΑΝΟϷΑΟ ΟΟΗϷΚΙ ΚΟϷΑΝΟ (Shaonanoshao Ooishki Koshano, "King of kings, Huvishka the Kushan"). Reverse: Herakles with legend ΗΡΑΚΙΛΟ (Erakilo).

File:CoinOfHuvishkaWithRishtiAsRoma.JPG|Possible depiction of "Roma Aeterna". The legend has been variously read Riom (Greek: ΡΙΟΜ), or more recently Rishti (Greek: ΡΙϷΤ).

Huvishka is also known to have included Iranian deities in his pantheon. Between 164 and 174, he established a temple to Pharro ("Royal splendour")-Ardoxsho in the stronghold of Ayrtam, near Termez, according to the Ayrtam inscription. He also issued numerous coins in the name of these deities. Many more Iranian deities are also known from his coinage, such as Miiro (Mitra), Mao (the Lunar deity Mah), Nana (Anahita), Atsho (Atar, "The Royal fire").{{cite book |last1=Dani |first1=Ahmad Hasan |last2=Harmatta |first2=János |title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia |year=1999 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1408-0 |pages=327–328 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C&pg=PA327 |language=en}} Another Zoroastrian deity, the supreme god Ooromozdo (Ahura Mazda), and Mazdo oana ("Mazda the victorious") also appears. Other Zoroastrian deities include Rishti ("Uprightness", Arshtat), Ashaeixsho ("Best righteousness", Asha Vahishta), the Lunar deity Mah (Mao), Shaoreoro ("Best royal power", Khshathra Vairya).{{cite book |last1=Boyce |first1=Mary |title=Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices |year=2001 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-23902-8 |page=83 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6gbxVfjtUEC&pg=PA83 |language=en}}

File:Huvishka. Circa CE 152-192 diademed.jpg|Coin of Kushan ruler Huvishka diademed, with deity Pharro ("ΦΑΡΡΟ"). Circa CE 152-192

File:Kushan king Huvishka coin.jpg|Coin of Kushan ruler Huvishka diademed, with deity Ardoxsho. Circa CE 152-192

File:Huvishka with Athsho.jpg|Huvishka with Atosho (ΑΘΟϷΟ "The Royal fire").

File:Huvihska with Ahuramazda.jpg|Huvihska with Ahuramazda (ωΡΟΜ, Orom[zdo]).

File:Huvishka with Rishti.jpg|Huvishka with Rishti.

File:Huvishka with Ashaiexsho.jpg|Huvishka with "Asha Vahishta" (ΑϷΑΕΙΧϷΟ, Ashaiexsho).

File:Huvishka with Mao.jpg|Huvishka with the Lunar deity Mah (Mao). The lunar crescent appears behind the shoulders.

File:Huvishka and Shaoreoro.jpg|Huvishka with Shaoreoro (ϷΑΟΡΗΟΡΟ, "Best royal power", Khshathra Vairya).

File:Huvishka Oesho coin.jpg ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva).]]

Huvishka is known to have restored a temple in Mathura, where provisions were made for hospitality towards the Brahmans. Some of the coins of Huvishka also featured Maaseno on his coins, the Kushan incarnation of the Hindu god Karttikeya, or Skanda, whose epithet was "Mahasena". This god being particularly important to the Yaudheyas, it may have been incorporated into Kushan coinage when the Kushans expanded into Yaudheya territory in order to establish control of the Mathura area. It may also have been adopted as a way to appease the warlike Yaudheyas. In effect, the Kushans became the suzerains of the Yaudheyas in the area.[https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=231327 Classical Numismatics Group]Indian Sculpture: Circa 500 B.C.-A.D. 700, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pratapaditya Pal, University of California Press, 1986, p.78 [https://books.google.com/books?id=clUmKaWRFTkC&pg=PA78]

In a departure from his predecessor Kanishka, Huvishka also added Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva) on some of his coinage. In replacement of the Iranian god of war Ořlagno, he also added several Indian war gods, such as Skando (Old Indian Skanda), Komaro (Old Indian Kumara), Maaseno (Old Indian Mahāsena), Bizago (Old Indian Viśākha), and even Ommo (Old Indian Umā), the consort of Siva. This could suggest an evolution toward Indian deities among the Kushans, possibly motivated by the enlisting of Indian warriors."Also omitted is the ancient Iranian war god Orlagno, whose place and function are occupied by a group of Indian war gods, Skando (Old Indian Skanda), Komaro (Old Indian Kumara), Maaseno (Old Indian Mahāsena), Bizago (Old Indian Viśākha), and even Ommo (Old Indian Umā), the consort of Shiva. Their use as reverse types of Huvishka I is clear evidence for the new trends in religious policy of the Kushan king, which was possibly influenced by enlisting Indian warriors into the Kushan army during the campaign against Pataliputra." in {{cite book |last1=Dani |first1=Ahmad Hasan |last2=Harmatta |first2=János |title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia |year=1999 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1408-0 |page=326 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C&pg=PA326 |language=en}}

File:Huvishka with Ommo and Oesho.jpg|upright=1.5|Coin of Huvishka with the divine couple Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā) holding a flower, and Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva) with four arms holding attributes. {{Circa|150-180 CE}}.{{cite book|last1=Dani|first1=Ahmad Hasan|last2=Harmatta|first2=János|title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia|year=1999|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-1408-0|page=326|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DguGWP0vGY8C&pg=PA326|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Ommo-Oesho coin of Huvishka British Museum|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1888-1208-557|website=The British Museum|language=en}}

File:Huvishka Maaseno.jpg|Coin of Huvishka with Indian deity Maaseno (Old Indian Mahāsena).

File:Huvishka with Skando-Komaro and Bizago.jpg|Coin of Huvishka with Indian deities Skando-Komaro (Old Indian Skanda-Kumara) and Bizago (Old Indian Viśākha)

File:Huvishka with Maasena and attendants.jpg|Huvishka with Maaseno (Old Indian Mahāsena) and attendants

The coinage of Huvishka is characterized by a great variety of designs and the large quantity of gold coins that were minted: more gold coins from Huvishka are known than from all other Kushan rulers combined. The locations of his mints were mainly in Balkh and Peshawar, with smaller mints in Kashmir and Mathura.{{cite book |last1=Rezakhani |first1=Khodadad |title=From the Kushans to the Western Turks |work=King of the Seven Climes |date=2017 |page=202 |url=https://www.academia.edu/32671225 |language=en}}

One of the great remaining puzzles of Huvishka's reign is the devaluation of his coinage. Early in his reign the copper coinage plunged in weight from a standard of 16g to about 10–11g. The quality and weight then continued to decline throughout the reign until at the start of the reign of Vasudeva the standard coin (a tetradrachm) weighed only 9g. The devaluation led to a massive production of imitations, and an economic demand for the older, pre-devaluation coins in the Gangetic valley. However, the motivation and some of the details of this devaluation are still unknown.

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{{Kushan rulers}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite encyclopedia | title = HUVIŠKA | last = Bivar | first = A. D. H. | authorlink = | url = https://iranicaonline.org/articles/huviska | editor-last = | editor-first = | editor-link = | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XII, Fasc. 6 | pages = 583–585 | location = | publisher = | year = 2004 | isbn = }}

{{Commons category|Huvishka}}

• [http://coinindia.com/galleries-huvishka.html Online Catalogue of Huvishka's Coinage]
• [http://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=Huvishka Coins of Huvishka]
• [http://www.kushan.org/essays/huvishka/huvishka.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205170403/http://www.kushan.org/essays/huvishka/huvishka.htm |date=2020-02-05 }} Was Huvishka sole king of the Kushan Empire
• [http://www.kushan.org/coins/huvishka/devaluation.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925063131/http://www.kushan.org/coins/huvishka/devaluation.htm |date=2018-09-25 }} The Devaluation of the Coinage of Kanishka

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{{succession box

| title = Kushan Ruler

| years = 150–183 CE

| before = Kanishka

| after = Vasudeva I

}}

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{{Kushans}}

Category:Kushan emperors

Category:2nd-century Indian monarchs

Category:Mahayana Buddhists