Western Satraps: Map & History
The Western Satraps, or Western Kshatrapas were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers of the western and central parts of India, between 35 and 415 CE.
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The Western Satraps, or Western Kshatrapas were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers of the western and central parts of India, between 35 and 415 CE. The Western Satraps were contemporaneous with the Kushans who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and were possibly vassals of the Kushans. They were also contemporaneous with the Satavahana who ruled in Central India. They are called "Western Satraps" in modern historiography in order to differentiate them from the "Northern Satraps", who ruled in Punjab and Mathura until the 2nd century CE.
Modern Countries Once Part of Western Satraps
At its mapped extent, Western Satraps covered territory in 2 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Western Satraps's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Western Satraps in Depth
History
The Western Satraps are thought to have started with the rather short-lived Kshaharata dynasty (also called Chaharada, Khaharata or Khakharata depending on sources). The term Kshaharata is also known from the 6 CE Taxila copper plate inscription, in which it qualifies the Indo-Scythian ruler Liaka Kusulaka. The Nasik inscription of the 19th year of Sri Pulamavi also mentions the Khakharatavasa, or Kshaharata race.
The earliest Kshaharata for whom there is evidence is Abhiraka, whose rare coins are known. He was succeeded by Bhumaka, father of Nahapana, who only used on his coins the title of Satrap, and not that of Raja or Raño (king).
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Western Satraps (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Western Satraps: Key Facts
| Capital | Ujjain |
|---|---|
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Founded | 35 CE |
| Dissolved | 405 CE |
Facts from Wikidata Q2086608 (CC0).
Western Satraps Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Western Satraps appears, with the other states of the time.
Western Satraps Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 842,057 km² in 288 CE.
Western Satraps: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Western Satraps exist?
Western Satraps is dated to 43 CE – 489 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Western Satraps?
The capital of Western Satraps was Ujjain, Bharuch, Minnagara.
How large was Western Satraps at its peak?
At its peak in 288 AD Western Satraps covered about 842,057 km².
How did the map of Western Satraps change over time?
Western Satraps appears on 4 dated world maps in the atlas, from 117 CE to 400 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.