Political History
In north and north-western India, the Shakas and Parthians ruled simultaneously for some time. The Parthians, also known as Pahlavas, were originally from Iran and, probably, some royal families who moved into north-western India.
It has been suggested that Mithridates I (171-136 bc) annexed the region of Taxila. In the Comprehensive History of India (Vol. II), K.A. Nilakanta Sastri writes, “The first member of this line was Vonones.”
He established an independent kingdom in east Iran after the reign of the Parthian king, Mithradates II. He entered into matrimonial alliances with the Shaka dynasty of Maues and his kingdom included the area upto south Afghanistan.
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According to some scholars, Maues and Vonones were nearly contemporary rulers. Under the great Parthian king, Orthanges, Gondophernes was originally a viceroy of Arachosia. Later, he became king from 20 bc to 45 ad.
The most important Indo-Parthian king was Gondophernes. His dominions included some Iranian areas of the Parthian empire as well the area from Kabul to Punjab. The nephew of Gondophernes, Abdogases, was a subordinate ruler for some time but later succeeded to the throne.
In the course of time, the Parthians were conquered by the Yueh-Chi tribe.
Coins
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The coins of Gondophernes depict his ascent from a lower position to that of the king. Historians note that during the reign of the Parthians, there was a scarcity of silver coins.
Some scholars are of the opinion that, probably because there were already a lot of Indo-Greek and Shaka coins in existence, the Parthians preferred not to issue new silver coins. They might have issued coins of cheaper metals.
Religion
During the reign of Gondophernes, St. Thomas is believed to have travelled from Israel to the court of this Parthian king. St. Thomas came with the mission of propagating Christianity in India.
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This, however, is regarded as a myth by Dr V.A. Smith who says that there is no trace of the subsequent existence of a Christian community in the realm under Gondophernes. It could well be that such a mission did visit the Indo-Parthian court but St. Thomas, very probably, was not their leader.