Saka Rulers

      The Saka Rule and Indian Culture

The Sakas ruled over this country for a period of about five hundred years. They adopted Indian way of life and customs. They learnt much from Indian culture and contributed likewise to the life and culture of this country.The Indian culture was sufficiently influenced by the culture and traditions of the Sakas in different aspects.

Administration

The administrative machinery of the Saka rulers was of a very high standard. It was an admixture of Indo-Greek systems of administration.The king was head of the administration.Many titles,such as, 'Adhiraja', 'Rajadhiraja', 'Devaputra', 'Chakravarti' and others were adopted by the Saka rulers. The prime minister was the head of this council. In addition,many other officials,such as, Mahamatra, Rajuka, Mahesenapati, Dandanayaka, Mahadandanayaka, Senagopa, Koshadhyaksha, Bhandarika, Rajalipikar etc.,were also appointed in order to assist the king in the administration. The kingdom the Saka was divided into many provinces, Janapadas and villages. Villages and towns were counted as the most important units of administration. The small towns were known as 'Nigams'. The administration of provinces was placed under the charge of royal princes or other persons related with the royal family.The village unit and the town-unit usually worked like local bodies of modern India,and the Saka rulers did not interfare with the administrations of these local bodies. The rulers of the Saka dynasty made untiring efforts for the good and wellfare of their subjects. They all were benevolent. They were always anxious of finding the difficulties of the people and they always tried to remove them.That is why, they were worshipped by the people like gods and titles like 'Dharmamaharajadhiraha', 'Dharmayuga', 'Maharaja' were awarded to them.

Effects on Indian Society

It is extraordinary characteristic of Indian culture that is has never lost the capacity to absorb other religions and cultures. Thought the Sakas come here as foreign invaders,they were show deeply influenced by the qualities of Indian culture that they adopted it. With the passage of time, they mixed up with Indians very closely. They adopted the social customs and traditions of India,such as ,'Varnasharma', marriage system etc.They included themselves in the category of Brahmins. They solemnised intercaste marriage with the Indians. It is evident from the Nagarjuna Konda inscription that Rudrabhattarika, daughter of Rudrasena, the Saka ruler of Ujjain,was married to the Ikshvaku ruler,Bir Parushdatta. In the same way, an intercaste marriage was also solemnised between the daughter of Rudradamana, the Saka ruler and Pulumavi, the Satavahana ruler. In this way, the Sakas became Indians in the real sense.

Religious Toleration of Saka Rulers

Saka rulers were tolerant in their religious policy.They gave charity liberally to the Brahmin,Buddhist and Jain Bhikshuk without any destination. Since,they had adopted Indian culture,they also impressed one of the Indian religions according to their one will. The Saka Kshtrap province had their faith in Buddhism. The figure of 'Shiva Parvati' is found engraved on some coins of the Saka period and some of the Sakas were the followers of Shaivism also and some the Saka rulers worshipped the Sun. They built money temple for Sun-Worshiped in Chittor.

Effect on Trade and Commerce

Under the Sakas, India had established trade and culture relations with the different important countries of middle Asia. The Saka rulers had been busy in wars,yet they encouraged Indian trade and commerce to a considerable extent and thus they played a prominent role to make India a prosperous country. There were two main commercial routes during the reign of the Sakas. The first lay from Pataliputra to Bharaunch via Kausambi and Ujjain. The second lay from Patalipura to Bactria (Greece) via Mathura and Indus Valley. Though,these routes India come into contact with the western countries.Mathura,Ujjain and Paithanivory, valluable jewels,cotton and silkons cloths,medicines,etc. were exported to other countries, Especially,Rome. India received a lot of Gold in return for these articles.
Thus, the Saka period was the beginning of the period economic,prosperity in India . These prosperity attend a high level in the Gupta Period. It was undoubtly due to the economic properity that Gupta Period is called the 'Golden Period' in the History of ancient India the foundation of the Golden age was laid by the Sakas.

Contribution to Art and Literature

Under the patronage of the Saka rulers, Indian art and literature made much progress they gave royal patronage to Sanskrit language and literature.All inscription of the Sakas were the Sanskriti. The Girnar Rocks inscriptions of Rudradaman indicates that the Superior style of Prose writing of Sanskrit was highly developed at that time. Ujjain, the capital of Saka state of Malwa was the chief center of astronomy. 
The Saka rulers were also great lovers of Music. The art of Music received royal patronage under the rule of Rudradaman. Some new clothes styles were also added to the Indian dress during this period. Some fashionable articles,such as,'Salvar', 'Achkan' were made popular by the Sakas.