The Sakas (or Shakas) were an Iranian steppe people who descended into India, much as the Arya had earlier. Simultaneously, Parthians (Pahlavas) appear from the west, and some of them become established in India independent (or not) of the Parthian King. The sources are sometimes confused about which Indian rulers are Sakas and which are Parthians, since they are never attested as which. Here no attempt is made to distinguish them, though Gudnaphar, who traditionally is supposed to have welcomed the Apostle Thomas to India, seems to have been Parthian. There are no historical documents or preserved naratives from this period, and the rulers are mostly known from coins, which may have dates,

but in eras or reckonings that often cannot be identified. The origin of the Saka Era (78 AD = year 0) is itself unknown. After the arrival of the Kushans, the Sakas were simply driven further into India, into Rajasthan, where they became assimilated as Hindu Kshatriyas. Since Rajasthan later became famous for its warriors, this may indicate the cultural preservation of Saka nomadic fierceness.

Courtesy --- karthik.N