North-West India

Menander ( Milinda)->most famous Indo-Greek ruler

• Capital at Sakala (Sialkot)
• Converted to Buddhism by Nagasena ( Nagarjuna)

Shakas

• Succeeded Greeks in North west
• Rudradaman I ->Most famous ruler

1. Issued first ever long inscription in chaste Sanskrit

Parthians

• Followed Shakas
• Famous King: Gondophernes

1. St.Thomas came during his reign

Kushans

• Aka Yuechis or Tocharians
• Kadphises ->first king
• Kanishka -> most famous ruler

1. Started the Shaka era in 78 AD
2. Held the Buddhist council in Kashmir where the doctrines of Mahayana form where finalized
3. Patronized Ashvaghosa

• Kushan inscriptions and coins -> Toprak Kala in Khorezm
• Kushanas  -> First rulers to issue gold coins on large scale
• Introduced the Satrap system of government
• They controlled the Silk route
• Worshipped both Shiva and Buddha.Some worshipped Vishnu too
• Kanishka built a large number of Stupas

Greek ambassador Heliodorus set up a piller in honor of Vasudeva near Vidisa.
Appointed governors called Strategos