________________
622 POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA
Kshatrapas of Cashta na's line, viz., 'Daman' (-dama) is found also in the name of a prince of the Drangianian house of Vonones. Lastly, the Kārddamaka family, from which the daughter of the Mahākshatrapa Rudra claimed descent, apparently derived its name from the Karddama river in Persia." !
The facts noted above indicate that the Saka sept to which Chashtana and Rudradāman belonged came from Sakashthāna in Irān through the Lower Indus Valley to Cutch and other places in Western India. In view of this and the contiguity of Cutch to the Lower Indus Valley, it is permissible to think that the date of the conquest of Sindhu and Sauvira could not have been far removed from, and may have even preceded, that of Cutch (Kachchha). As the Great Satrap retained his hold on these provinces till 150 A.D. it stands to reason that he was their ruler from c. 136 A. D.
As to the second contention of Mr. Ghosh, it may be pointed out that Kanishka's dates 1-23, Vāsishka's dates 24-28, Huvishka's dates 31-60, and Vāsudeva's dates 67-98, do suggest a continuous reckoning. To deny that Kanishka started an era is tantamount to saying that the dates of his successors, Vasishka, Huvishka, and Vāsudeva are regnal years. But no serious student will contend that Vasudeva's dates 67-98 are to be taken as regnal years.
