Vasudeva I

Vāsudeva I (Kushano Bactrian: Βαζοδηο Bazodeo; Middle Brahmi: 𑀯𑀸𑀲𑀼𑀤𑁂𑀯; , Chinese: 波調 Bodiao; fl. 200 CE) was a Kushan emperor, last of the "Great Kushans." His name reinforces the notion that his center of power was in Mathura.

Sassanid invasion in the northwest Vasudeva I was the last great Kushan emperor, and the end of his rule coincides with the invasion of the Sassanians as far as northwestern India, and the establishment of the Indo-Sassanians or Kushanshahs from around 240 CE. Vasudeva I may have lost the territory of Bactria with its capital in Balkh to Ardashir I Kushanshah. Thereafter, Kushan rule would be restricted to their eastern territories, in western and central Punjab.

Statuary

The relatively peaceful reign of Vasudeva is marked by an important artistic production, in particular in the area of statuary. A partially preserved Sakyamuni statue, also from Mathura, has the date "Year 94", although without mentioning Vasudeva specifically.

Dedications in the name of Vasudeva, with dates, also appear on Jain statuary discovered in Mathura.

Statuary dated to the reign of Vasudeva I