Gondophares

Gondophares established the Indo-Parthian Kingdom by conquering territories from the Indo-Scythians in the Indus Valley and eastern Afghanistan. He ruled from Taxila and issued coins with Greek and Indian motifs.

Gondophares minted silver tetradrachms with his portrait and Greek legends, as well as bilingual coins with Kharoshthi script. These coins facilitated trade and demonstrated his Hellenistic and Indian cultural influences.

According to apocryphal Christian tradition, Gondophares received Saint Thomas the Apostle at his court. Thomas was said to have been commissioned as a carpenter and architect, leading to the conversion of some court members.