Kanishka III


Kanishka III, was a Kushan emperor who reigned for a short period around the year 268 CE. He is believed to have succeeded Vasishka and was succeeded by Vasudeva II. He ruled in areas of Northwestern India.

Inscriptions

In an inscription dated to the "Year 41" and discovered on the borders of the river Ara in Punjab, he qualifies himself as a Maharaja Rajatiraja Devaputra Kaisara Kanishka, suggesting some awareness of the Roman Empire as Kaisara seems to stand for "Caesar", and names himself as the son of Vajheshka, identified as Kushan ruler Vashishka. The inscription is rather worn and the reading Kaisara has been doubted, especially since no other mentions of this title are known from Kushan sources.

Coinage

No definite coins are known of him, as the "Kanishka" named in the coins is not differentiated. Only workmanship and graphical style in relation to other known rulers, tend to suggest attribution to this later Kanishka.