Kushan Dynasty: Key Facts for Competitive Exams The Kushans were one of the five tribes of the Yuezhi, a nomadic people from Central Asia. They established a vast empire that stretched from Central Asia (Oxus River) to North India (Pataliputra in Bihar), flourishing from the 1st to the 3rd century CE. I. Origins and Establishment The Yuezhi Connection points to the Kushans being a branch of the Yuezhi tribe, who migrated from the north Central Asian steppes. The Founder, Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I), is credited with uniting the five Yuezhi principalities and laying the foundation of the Kushan Empire in the early 1st century CE. He conquered parts of Afghanistan and the lower Indus basin. II. Important Rulers and Their Contributions Kujula Kadphises (c. 30-80 CE) unified the Yuezhi tribes, was the first Kushan ruler to issue coins, and established the empire in Bactria and parts of Afghanistan. Vima Kadphises (c. 95-127 CE), son of Vima Taktu (also known as Sadashkana), significantly expanded the empire into northwestern India and the Gangetic plains. He was also the first ruler in India to issue a large number of gold coins (often compared to Roman denarius in weight and purity), indicating flourishing trade. Vima Kadphises was a devout follower of Shaivism (a sect of Hinduism), as evidenced by his coins depicting Shiva. Kanishka I (Kanishka the Great) (c. 127-150 CE) is considered the greatest Kushan ruler. Under his reign, the empire reached its Zenith, extending from Central Asia to Pataliputra, including Kashmir and parts of present-day Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. His Capitals were Purushapura (modern-day Peshawar, Pakistan) as his primary capital, and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh, India) served as a secondary capital. He is widely believed to have initiated the Shaka Era in 78 CE (which is still used in the Indian calendar system). Kanishka was a zealous Patron of Buddhism, specifically Mahayana Buddhism. He convened the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir, where Buddhist texts were compiled and commentaries (Mahavibhasha Sastra) were composed. Vasumitra presided over it, and Asvaghosha participated. The Scholars in his Court included prominent Buddhist scholars like Asvaghosha (author of Buddhacharita, considered the first Sanskrit dramatist), Nagarjuna (philosopher and founder of Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism), Vasumitra, and the physician Charaka (author of Charaka Samhita). In terms of Art and Architecture, he patronized both Gandhara and Mathura schools of art. Huvishka (c. 150-180 CE), the successor of Kanishka, saw a period of consolidation and peace for the empire. He continued patronage of Buddhism, though his coins also depicted a mix of Indian, Greek, and Zoroastrian deities, reflecting the empire's pluralistic nature. He shifted the center of the empire more towards Mathura. Vasudeva I (c. 190-230 CE) was the last great Kushan king. His coins primarily depict Hindu deities, particularly Shiva, indicating a shift towards Brahmanical influence. After his death, the empire gradually disintegrated. III. Administration Kushan rulers adopted grand titles like "Devaputra" (Son of God), possibly influenced by Chinese emperors. They also used the title "King of Kings" (Shao-nano-shao), implying their suzerainty over minor princes. The empire was divided into provinces ruled by military governors called Satraps and Mahakshatrapas, a system borrowed from the Indo-Greeks and Parthians. The administration was a somewhat Decentralized System, with local institutions like castes, guilds, and Buddhist monasteries enjoying autonomy. For Village Administration, village headmen like Gramika and Padrapala were responsible for collecting dues and investigating crimes. IV. Economy and Trade The Kushan Empire controlled a significant portion of the Silk Route, which connected China, Central Asia, India, and the Roman Empire, leading to immense prosperity. Trade flourished between India and China, and India and the Roman Empire. In terms of Coinage, they issued a large number of gold coins (dinars), which were of high purity and met Roman coin weight specifications, facilitating trade. They also issued copper and silver coins. Exports from India included spices, perfumes, medicines, silk, cotton, precious woods, pearls, ivory, and exotic animals. Imports to India comprised precious metals (gold, silver), non-ferrous metals, horses, purple dye, coral, wine, and artistic pottery/glassware. V. Art and Architecture The Kushan period saw a remarkable blending of diverse cultural influences (Greek, Roman, Iranian, and Indian) in art. The Gandhara School of Art flourished in northwestern India (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan). It was characterized by its Greco-Roman influence, depicting Buddha in an anthropomorphic form with Hellenistic features (Apollo-like face, realistic drapery), and used grey schist and stucco. The Mathura School of Art developed in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh). It was characterized by its indigenous Indian style, depicting Buddha with a more Indianized appearance (shaved head, fuller body, less drapery), and used red sandstone with white spots. This school also produced sculptures of Jaina Tirthankaras and Hindu deities. In Buddhist Architecture, there was construction of numerous stupas, viharas, and chaityas (rock-cut caves) across western India (e.g., Ajanta, Kanheri). Royal Portraiture, such as the famous Kanishka statue found in Mathura, showed Kushan kings in Central Asian attire. VI. Religion There was Religious Pluralism during the Kushan period, with rulers generally tolerant and promoting a diverse range of religions, including Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and various forms of Hinduism (Shaivism, Vaishnavism). Buddhism, particularly Mahayana Buddhism, saw significant growth and spread to Central Asia and China during Kanishka's reign. Many Kushan coins depicted Zoroastrian and Greek Deities on Coins, reflecting the empire's multicultural nature. VII. Decline The decline of the Kushan Empire began in the early 3rd century CE after the death of Vasudeva I. Internal Strife, characterized by internal conflicts and succession issues, weakened the central authority. External Pressures, including invasions from the Sassanian Empire (Persia) from the west and the emergence of independent local dynasties in the Gangetic plain, contributed to its fragmentation. Some remnants of Kushan rule persisted in regions like the Kabul Valley until the 4th century CE. This information provides a solid foundation for understanding the Kushan Dynasty from the perspective of various competitive examinations. Key takeaways for exams include important rulers (especially Kanishka), their contributions (Shaka Era, Fourth Buddhist Council, patronage of art and religion), the flourishing of trade via the Silk Route, the unique blend of art styles (Gandhara and Mathura), and the nature of its administration.