King Chashtana - The founder of the Karadamaka Dynasty
Chashtana ascended the throne in 78 CE. He reigned over Ujjain as a Shaka monarch of the western Kshatrapas dynasty. The Shaka era is thought to have begun with his ascent to power in 78 CE. He was the grandfather of Rudradaman I, the greatest ruler of the Shaka dynasty.
BACKGROUND
Chashtana was the son of Ysamotika and grandfather of the great Western kshatrap king Rudradaman I. He founded the Bhadramukha dynasty in northwestern India which was among one of the two major Shaka Kshatrap dynasties.
REIGN
According to modern scholars the Shaka era began in 78 CE with the ascension of Chashtana. He was a contemporary of king Nahapana and declared himself king in Gujarat. His name is inscribed in the Greek form as Siastansas and Tiastanes. It appears in the Brahmi script as Castana, and in the Kharoshthi script as Chahthana. These are derived from the Shaka name Castana meaning master. He is called Tisman by the bards, which matches the Greek form of his name more accurately. Ptolmey mentions Chashtana as Tiastanes, who ruled a large area of western India in 2nd century CE, especially the area of Ujjain during the reign of the Satavahana king Vashishthiputra Sri Pulumayi. Ptolmey mentions that Chashtana directly ruled Ujjain, while Paithan continued to be in the hands of Siristolemaios who is recognised as Sri Pulumayi, son of Gautamiputra Satakarni. Ptolmey in his “Geographia '' gives a description of Chashtana’s territory. It extended from Ptalene in the West to his capital Ujjain in the East and beyond Barigaza in the South.
COINS
Chashtana was among one of the few rulers who had coins minted in his name. The coins of Chashtana that have been discovered contain his portrait and a Greek legend around it on the obverse. On the reverse side a Brahmi script legend around a “three hills and river” symbol along with the sun and two moons has been found. The Greek and Brahmi scripts found indicate that they were used all along the silk route for trade purposes.
