Author:

Prasanta Debnath
Former Student
Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture
University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal

Email: debnathprasanta42@gmail.com

Abstract:: The Rabatak inscription starts a historical debate on Kushāṇa dynastic chronology by providing a name
of new Kushāṇa emperor Vima Takto as second position between Kujula Kadphises and Vima kadphises. But
another name of anonymous king was found from some coins explored from north-western lands of the
subcontinent. The anonymous king was titled by Basileus Basileon Soter Megas which identified as Vima Takto
by Joe Cribb. But this opinion was questioned by some scholars like Osmund Bopearachchi. Bopearachchi opines
Soter Megas was a usurper of Kushāṇa throne in absence of Vima Takto. Later the throne was restored by Vima
kadphises and he also memorized his father Vima Takto in some coins of his early regime. Moreover, Vima
kadphises declared himself as saviour for his contribution of restoration the throne. As per Kushāṇa religious cum
imperial ideology he portraited only Brāhmaṇical deity Śiva in his coins, for may make a cultural unity into the
empire. Thus, this article briefly deals from a journey of historical debate of Vima Takto and Soter Megas to
Kushāṇa imperial ideology. Finaly this research connects the opinion of usurpation and restoration of Kushāṇa
throne and the idea of imperial ideology, and also wants to find the ideas along with origin of Soter Megas

Key Words:: Imperial Ideology, Kushāṇa, Soter Megas, Vima Takto, Vima Kadphises etc.