Introduction:The Kushanas proved to be the most important

invaders of this time and amongst the Kushanas

emperors, Kanishka ruled as the greatest ruler. The
Yueh-chi tribe was turned out of China by the Bunas
near about 165 B.C. After being defeated when it
moved towards the South-West, it came in conflict with
the Sakas. It defeated the Sakas and established itself
in Bactria and the valley of the river Oxus. There the
yueh-chis left their nomadic habits and lived there for
long years though they divided themselves into five
principa Ries or branches. The Kushanas were one of
those branches. Thus, the Kushnas were a branch of
the yueh-chi tribe. Eastern scholars have maintained
that the Kushanas were a branch of the Sakas.
However, it is not accepted though certainly there was
mixture of bloods of the yueh-chis and the Sakas in
them.
The Kushana rule in India marks the climax of
foreign invasions, which started after the decline of the
imperial Mouryas. The Kushanas extended their way
over the heart of India by ousting the sakaparthian
rulers of Northern and western India.

By the end of the first century B.C. the Kusha Yuehchi had a great ascendancy over all other branches of
the Yueh-chi tribe. The Kusha Yueh-chi came to be
known as Kushanas. The Kushanas or Yueh-chi had no
purity of blood. They absorbed a large Saka ethnic
element among them. Then seem to have imbibed
many cultural raids of the Sakas. In reality the
kushanas seem to be a composite race. The prosperity
enjoyed by the Kushan Empire was mainly due to brisk
trade of Indian Merchants with the Roman and Chinese
empire. For sometime let 'look a period of turmoil in the
Kushana empire which was ultimately quelled by the
ascendancy of Kaniska.
A careful investigation there is the rise of the
Kushanas in India. Kujala Kadphises or Kadphises is the
first historic ruler of the Kushanas. His date is subject of
Controversy. According to Dr. D.C. Sirkar, he has
suggested that the period from 15-65 A.D. may roughly
be assigned to the reign of Kadphises. The literacy and
numismatic records give us a dependable idea of the

extent of Kujala's kingdom. It comprised his home land

Bactria, a part of Parthia, the Kabul-valley, Kafristan
and the North-western India up to Indus. He assumed
the title of Great Kung of Kings. He died at the age of
80, leaving his son wema kadphises as his successor.

Kadphises, the first Well known ruler of the

Kushanas, united the five Yueh-chi principalities under
him.

He

conquered

Gandhara

and

southern

Afghanistan. He was the first king "to strike coins to the

south of Hindukush. He was then succeeded by his son
Kadphises or Wema Kadphises who extended his
authority to the Indian interior. His Indian empire
included Punjab and part of Uttar Pradesh. He was a
great ruler whose territories touched the boundaries of
the empire of Rome and China. His coins 'bear the
imprint of the images of Lord Siva and Nandi which
proves that he had accepted Hinduism. However,
amongst the Kushana rulers who occupied a place
among Indian rulers, the greatest one was emperor
Kanishka.

Chapter-I

Sources of Kanishka
The sources of history of the Kushanas mainly
consist of literacy, epigraphic, numismatic material. But
these materials don't always, provide accurate picture.
Some

evidences

are

subject

to

on

flicking

interpretation. There are even now many gaps are our

knowledge of Kushana Dynasty, history. Among the
literacy sources the most important are the Chinese
work like the history of the 1st Han Dynasty by pan-ku,
the history of the later Han Dynasty by Fan-ye, the
Chinese chronicle of Matwa-lin. " They throw welcome
light on the early his of the Kushanas. Among the;
indigenous literacy materials mention may' be made of

Rajatarangini of; Kalhana and some Buddhist works like

Kalpa4a, Mandika by Kumar Lata and the Buddha
Charitra by AsvaGhosa. The inscriptions found at
Pahjtir, the Peshwar casket Inscriptions and numerous
other mstnptions of the Kushana period provide sundry
information relating to date events and extent of
Kushana Empire.
The source of history of the Kushana mainly
consists with Kanishka. Kanishka's reign is a landmark
in the realm of art and; architecture. In art the reign of
Kanishka is marked by the growth of two; distinct
styles, one Indian and another exotic. The Indian style
is represented by the headless statue of KanishIca at
Mathura and the image of Buddha found at Sarnath.
The exotic school known as Gandhara School of
Art was the Graeko-Roman art applied to Buddhist
subjects found in (landhara region. In architecture
Kanishka's reign was also highly creative. Numerous;
monuments, stupas columns were built in his reign. So
he was a great builder and Art and Architecture had a
great progress in his reign. His t introduced the saka
Era or Kanishka Era in 78A.D. The remains of Kanishka's
stupas and palaces and the sculptural relics are very
valuable sources k for our knowledge about the

civilisation and culture in the age of the Kushanas. The

Kusliana Empire which was ultimately quelled by the
ascendancy of Kanishka I. Kanishka is regarded as the
greatest of the k Kushana emperors. It is generally
believed that he was the successor to kk Kadphises It
But the relation of Kanishka with Kadphises II is not
known to k us. So. there was certainly on interval
between the death of Kadphises II an k accession of
Kanishka I when one or more viceroys under the name
sote Megas continued to rule.

The Date of Kanishka: A.

According

to

Dr.

Fleet

and

some

other

scholars, the era of Kanishka Started from 58B.C.

which subsequeritly came to be known as vikrama
samvat. Fleet has also suggested as a cores to his
theory that Kanishka group of kings reigned before
the kadphises group. The following evidences
would prove the weakness of Fleet's theory.
Firstly, the above theory of Dr. Fleet goes
against the Chinese evidence that kadphices ruled only,
over some-interior districts of India. If kadphises ruled
after Kanishka did he lose the extensive dominion of
Kanishka? There are no such evidences.

Secondly, the kadphises coins seem to have

been issued immediately after the saka-Pahlavas. But
the coins of Kanishka and his successors are different in
style and seem to have been issued after kadphises
coins. While kadphises coins have Greek legend on the
obverse and kharashthi legend on the reverse, those of
kanishka and his successors have Greek legend on the
obverse. Hence, there is no doubt that the Kamshkan
coins are different in style from the kadphises coins.
The later is similar to that of the indo-Greeks, sakas
and the parthians. Thirdly, kanishka's gold coinage was
influenced by Roman solidas of first century A.D. Hence
he could not have flourished before 1st century A.D.
which is a date later than that of kadphises group.

B.

Marshall Sten know, smith and some other

scholars believe that Kanishka rose to power in the

third decade of second century A.D and his reign
lasted up to the middle of the second century. The

supporters of this theory point out that in the

Chinese records do not mention the name of
Kanishka. They refer to certain Vasudeva of 230
A.D. As we know that one of the successors of
Kanishka was Vasudevawho according to Kanishka
records reined up-to 98 years of the Kanishka era.
As Kanishka ruled for 23 years so he probably died
in 155 A.D. Van Wijk has supported this date on the
basis of Zeda inscription. But the documents on
which these scholars have relied may be differently
interpreted.
Another scholar Dr. H. C. Raychoudhury
has pointed out that the second century theory goes
against the evidence of Junagarh inscriptions of Rudra
Mohan. Another sui-vihar inscription of Kaniska points
out his hold over the same region.
Another scholar, Dr. D.C. Sirkar has suggested
that there were more than one Kushana king bearing
the name of Kanishka. These later rulers of second
century bearing the name of Kanishka led to the
development of a Kanishka legend.

C.Dr.R.C. Mazumdar has suggested that Kanishka

belonged to third century A.D. and the era founded
by him was the Traikutaka-Kalachurichedi Era of
248-49

A.D.

Dr.

Majiimilar's

theory

is

not

acceptable because if we accept his date, the last

date of Vasudeva I, a successor of, Kanishka will be
348 A.D. This is impossible because, Vasudeva
cannot rule, when the Guptas were ruling India.
It has been said that the saka era was not
a northern era while Kanishka was a northern king. The
saka era spread to south India due to the influence of
the jams. Their principal centre was in Gujurat
Kathiwar region, which was within the dominion of saka
satraps, who used the Era. In fact there is no valid
argument against the 78 A.D. as the date of Kanishkaw.
Most of the Scholars accept this date.

Chapter-2

Emperor Kanishka
Kanishka is regard as the greatest of the
Kushna emperors. He was the third king of the Kuslina
dynasty.

The

date

of

Kanishka's

accession

is

controversial. The Indian scholars have put 78A.D. as

the date of his; accession and commencement of the
saka era. However 78A.D. has been generally accepted
as the year of Kanishka's accession. It is believed that
he was the successor to Kadphises II. But the relation of
Kanishka with I Kadphises II is not known to us.
Moreover, Kanishka appears to have built his kingdom
by his own conquests. The earliest records of Kanishka
have been found in Samatha in U.P which point to his
association with the era, where he was probably a
governor.

After

consolidating

his

position

in

U.P

Kanishka supplanted his rivals, one of whom was

"Kujala Kara Kadphises" M Punjab. From U.P Kanishka
extended his away to Punjab, Sind and North western
India.

Kanishka is known in history as a great

conqueror.

He

not

only

ruled

over

the

territory

belonging to Kadphises but he made vast additions to

it. Kanishka combined in himself the military ability of
Chandra Gupta L Mourya and religious Zeal of Ashoka.
He

adopted

the

policy

of

aggression

and

advancement like Akbar and Samtmdra Gupta. His

reign forms a land I mark in the history of ancient India.
The find spot of his inscriptions and the literary records
throw a good deal of light upon the extent of his
conquests .During his reign he conqurered the following
provinces.
Kanishka has been accepted as an Indian ruler His
capital was Purusha.pura (Peshawar) well within the
frontiers

of

India.

Kanishka

was

the

Kashatrapa

(Governor) of the eastern Indian empire of Wema

Kadphises. When Wema Kadphises died, there ensued
struggle between kshatrapas of his provinces in which
ultimately

kanishka

succeed.

Thus

kanishka

was

intimately connected with the Indian soil from the

beginning of his rise to power and started his career of
conqused from Uttar Pradesh besides by that time, the
kushnas

were

completely

Indianite

and

so

was

kanishka. There fore,he has been rightly accepted as an

Indian king.
Another group of schools have reputed the above
contention. According to different sources Kanishka
defeated the saka kshatraps.
Kanishka declined war against in many countries.
Because at the time of Kanishka's accession. The saka
Kshatraps were very powerfull in Northern India.
Kanishka was not satisfied with their capacity. So he
defeated the saka. Kshatraps and conquered Punjab
and Mathura. It is said that the kingdom of Ujjain was
also defeated by Kanishka. Consequently, the sakas
gave up a part of malwa province to Kanishka and
acknowledged the sovereignty of Kanishka.
The most significant event of the reign of Kanishka
was the war against china. He conquered three Chinese
provinces namely Khotan, of these territories having
been Kashyhar and Yarkand. The rulers subordinate
chiefs under the Chinese Emperor. According to the
descriptions of a Hiuen-sang, Kanishka kept his conflict
with the Chinese Emperor. Ultimatey, Kanishka became
victprious over Khatan, Kashghar and yarkand. The vast

empire was governed by his deputies styled as

Mahakshatraps and Kshatapas.
It is pointed out that if panchala a Kausambi had
been under independent Mitra kings they would never
permit the installation of an alien king's kanishka's
inscription within their kingdom. Hence, they conclude
1 that Panchala and Kausambi region of Uttar Pradesh
were included within kanishka's dominion. Beyond India
it consisted of three distinct regions. The Transpamir
region (Khotan, Khasgarh) .
The Oxus valley region (Bactria) and the land lying
between the Hindukush and the Indus comprising
Kabul, Kandahar, Seistan, Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
The vast empire of Kanishka was ruled by local rulers or
satraps. Purushapur or Peshawar was the capital of his
vast empire. Like his predecessor, Kanishka maintained
an extensive contact with two great neighbouring
empires of the Romans and the Chinese. hi other
descriptions Kanishka also maintained relation with
Foreign prosperity However Kanishka's reign witnessed
a remarkable prosperity of India. Finally we know that
Kanishka's was the great conqueror of the Kushana
Dynasty.

Chapter-3

RELIGIOUS POLICY OF
KANISHKA
Kanishka was a patron of arts. The Stupa and the
monastery built by him at Peshawar excited the

admiration of Chinese and Muslim travellers many

centuries after his death. He built a town near Taxila
and probably, the town of Kanishkapura in Kashmir was
also established by him. Buddhist literary tradition
affirms that Kanishka became a convert to Buddhism at
the beginning of his reign. In Peshawar he created a
monastery and a Stupa. He summoned the fourth and
the last General Council of the Buddhists which was
held in Kashmir or Jalandhar. Its deliberations were
guided by Vasumitra and Asvaghosha. In this very
Council the great split of Buddhism took peace which
divided it into two major sects, the Hinayana and the
Mahayana. The new sect was called the Mahayana and
it was this sect which was accepted by Kanishka as his
religion. Kanishka helped in the propagation of this new
sect within and outside the borders of India. He sent
missionaries to distant lands for the propagation of
Mahayanism. It raised the status of Buddhism in India
and it also spread into distant lands as far as Central
Asia, Tibet, China and Japan. It was Mahayanism which
made Buddhism the foremost religion of Asia at one
time and it was Kanishka who helped in starting this
process. That is why it has been rightly observed that
what was Asoka to Hinayanism, Kanishka was to
Mahayanism. Yet, Kanishka and other Kushana-rulers

were very much tolerant in religious affairs. Kadphises,

probably,

was

Buddhist,

Wema

Kadphises

or

Kadphises was a Saiva, Kanishka accepted Buddhism

while after him Vasudeva was a Saiva. This proves the
liberal religious tradition of Kushana-kings. All of them
provided protection to all religions including Buddhism,
Jainism aad Hindu-ism irrespective of their personal
religions. The reverse part of the coins of Kanishka bore
imprint of different images of gods and goddesses of
various Indian, Greek, Sumerian and Persian gods.
Kanishka had established a vast empire which as
inhabited by people of different faiths and he and other
Kushan rulers had the wisdom to respect each of these
religions so as to command faith of all their subjects.
,The one basic feature of the age of Kanishka in the
field of religion had been the establishment and
propagation of Mahayanism but equally important had
been the increasing popularity of the Bhagvatisrn sect
of Hinduism.And, I g of traditional Hindu philosophy, to
attain salvation of soul.
Thus,Kanishka

reign

foreshadowed

the

renaissance which had its ful development in

Gupta Age.

Indian
the

Chapter-4

Administration of Kanishka
Kanishk was a capable administrator. He kept his
vast empire intact during his life-time. He himself ruled
the

territories

around

his

capital,

Purushpura

(Peshawar) while his Kshatrapas (governors) ruled over

distant provinces under his directions. These provincial
governors enjoyed vast powers in relation to their territories, yet there is no evidence of any revolt against the
emperor.Provipcial governors were posted at Mathura,
Banaras,

Kausambi,

Ayodhya

and

North

Western

Province of India during the time of Kanishka. Peace

and order prevailed in the vast empire of Kanishka.
Kanishka issued good coins. The script inscribed on
them was not Kharoshthi as had been the case with the
coins of earlier foreign rulers. The script on them was
sometimes a corrupt form of Greek and sometimes
Persian. His gold coins were similar to the coins issued
by Roman emperors on which his own image was
inscribed on the right side while on the reverse side
image of some gods or goddess was inscribed.
Although Kanishka is regarded as a Buddhist, the

reverse of his coins represent Greek, Sumerian, Persian,

Elamite and different Indian deities which appear to
point out the various forms of religion that prevailed in
the different parts of his vast empire. On some, topper
coins he was depicted offering sacrifice to a goddess.
According to coins and, inscriptions of coins, the
administrative system of Kushanas was good. Their
vast empire included many foreign countries. Hence,
their administrative system consisted of some foreign
elements along with the Indian ones. In Order to make
an effective control over such a vast empire the
Kushana rulers divided it in to several administrative
units, such as Rashtras, Aharas Janapadas, Dehas or
Vaishyas and Gramas etc. The administrative efficiency
of the Kushanas can be proved from the fact was no
revolt or agitation in any part of their empire. As an
administrator, Kanishka did not keep himself busy with
warfare and conquests only. Along with military sources
he paid equal attention to improve and tone up internal
administration

of

the

provinces

already

in

his

possession and also on the newly annexed territories.

Contemporary

evidence

establishes

that

his

administrative machinery functioned efficiently. The

people were happy and prosperous. There was hardly
only internal revolt during Kanishka's long reign. Truly,

his administration was so efficient that it did not

collapse along with his dealt. Rather it had a lasting
influence, remained steady and effective during the
tenure of his successors. He maintained law and order
firmly throughout the empire and ensured peace and
stability. Thus, Kanishka had made arrangement for
better

administration

of

his

empire.

However,

Kanishka's reign witnessed a remarkable prosperity of

India.

Chapter-5

Patron of Literature, Art &

Architecture:The rules of the Kusana Dynasty were not only
great conquerors, but also a patron of learning and
literature, Art and architecture.

Literature:Sanskrit language and literature flourished under

the patronage k1 of kanishka. He court was the centre
of learning and great scholars of that time gathered
there.

Asvaghosha,

Parsva,

Vasumitra

and

Sangharaksha who were great scholars of that time

were at his court. Nagarjuna, the great exponent of

Mahayanism and the celebrated physician of his age,
Charaka also flourished at his court. Mathara who was a
shrewd politician of his age was his minister and the
Greek engineer Agesilaus looked after his cons-truction
works. The religious texts of Mahayanism sect were
mostly prepared by his court scholars. As all of them
were written in the Sanskrit language, it helped in the
progress of that language and literature.
Asvaghosa was the brightest jewel in the court of
Kanishka. He may be called a pioneer asakeithig rnthat
age. He was well versed in Philosophy, music literature,
religion and debate. His most precious work is Buddha
Chariots, a complete life story of Buddha written in
Sanskrit in this from of his Mahakavya. Mother valuable
work of his life is Saundamanda kavya and vairasuchi
owing to his versatile abilities he had been appointed
the vice-president of the 4th Buddhist council. Like him,
Nagarjtma was another fine flower in the literary
garden of India of Kanishka's time. He was well versed
in the Vedas and Brahminical literatures. He was also
known as the best exponent of "Mahayanism". He wrote
a book "Prajna Paramita Sutra Shasta" which is L based
upon science and philosophy. The theory of Relativity

was explained in this book. So, he is called "Indian

Einstein" among the scientist of India.
Similarly, Vasumitra had a Buddhist theologise of
that age. Kanishka had convened the fourth Buddhist
council under the preshidentship of vasumitra. He
had,completed a book "Mahavibha sashatra" which is
considered a valtiable bck M. Buddhist philosophy.
The renowned medical scientist of Ancient India,
charaka also belonged to the court of Kanishta Irk was
the\ author of the most famous work on medicine know
as the oharaka-sanhita wftiCii maintained its hold on
the Indian mind over centuries since then and also
retains its hold on the Ayurveda science of the present
time,'

Art:Kanishka's reign is a landmark in the realm of Art.

Four eminent styles of sculpture developed from 4
centres, Sarnatha, Mathura, Amarabati and Gandhara.
Each school of sculpture had a separate style of its
own. In Art the reign of Kanishka is marked by the
growth of two distinct styles, one Indian and another

exotic. The India style is represented by the; headless

statue of Kanislaka at Mathura and the image of
Buddha found at; Sarnatha. The exotic school known as
Gandhara Art was the Greek Roman Art applied to
Buddhist subjects, found in Gandhara region. For details
of Gandhara Art given below.

The Gandhara Art

From the 1st century B.C to almost the end of the
5th century A.D. a new school of art flou4,shed in
North-vist. India. It is commonly G known as the
Gandhara school of Art as \ris dud' centre was in and
about. Peshawar in Gandhara. In the age of Kariishka-I
Gan-41ra received a great percentage from him and
flourished a great deal. The main characteristics of the
gandhara art is that the old Greek subjects. Hence it is
technically named as the "Greco-Roman- BuddhisfArt.
The Sakas and the kushanas who came carried
with them traditions of art and culture of the Greeks
who

earlier

lived

in

central

Asian

Kingdoms.The

sculptors of the Gandhara School mixed the earthiness

and masculinity of the Hellenstic style with the

spiritualism of Indian style in the Marking

Of Buddha

images. It appears that Gandhara images were in high

demand at this time.

Architecture:Architecture, painting g and the art of sculpture

progressed durin the period of the Kushanas. Ka.nishka
built many monaste-ries, stupas, rock-edicts and rockpillars for the propagation of Buddhism. The mural
paintings of Ajanta-caves began to take shape during
this period. But the greatest success wiz's achieved in
the field of sculpture. The Gandhara school of sculpture
grew and pro-grassed during this period. For the first
time the images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas were built
in

India.

The

Gandhara

School

was

very

much

influenced by the Greek or Hellenistic art of sculpture.

Therefore,

the

images

of

Buddha

were

built

so

beautifully that these could be favourably compared

with the images of Apollo, the Greek God of beauty.
Besides, the Mathura and the Amravati schools of
sculpture also grew up during this age and beautiful
pieces of sculpture were built at different places under
these different schools. It was a novel experiment in

India in the field of sculpture. Of course, the entire

credit for the progress in the field of sculpture and
other arts does not go to Kushana-rulers. Further, it also
cannot be maintained that the progress in different
fielth of arts reached its perfection during their period.
But, certainly a good beginning was made and success
achieved in many fields ; and it could be possible
because the Kushana-rulers established a vast and
prosperous empire, maintained order and peace within
its boundaries, provided facilities of contacts with
foreign

countries,

pursued

policy

of

religious

toleration and, thus, created those circumstances which

helped in the growth of arts and literature.

CONCLUSION
As an administrator, Kanishka, did not keep himself
busy with OIL pL warfare and conquests only. Along
with military success he paid equal it attention to
improve and tone up internal administration of the
provinces OIL already in his possession and also on the
newly

annexed

territories.

Contemporary

evidence

establishes that his administrative machinery lk Ilk

functioned efficiently. The people were happy and
prosperous. There was hardly any internal revolt during
Kanishka's long reign. Truly, his administration was so
efficient that it did not collapse along with his death.
Rather it had a lasting influence remained steady and
effective during the tenure of his successors. He
maintained law and order firmly throughout the, empire
and ensured peace and stability.
As a religious leader, the greatness of Kanishka lies
in his religious activities. He took executive steps
Propagate and popularize Buddhism. On that context,
he deserves glowing tribute. Many scholars compare
him with Ashok for his religious tolirance, reforms in
Buddhism

and

limitless

activities

to

propagate.Buddhism both in India and abroad. Indeed

the Buddhists claim that Kanishka was almost like a
second Ashoka who carried Buddhism to extra-ordinary
prominence.
Though in the beginning, like Ashoka he was not a
Buddhist but subsequently embraced Buddhism and
devoted heart and soul to uplift Buddhism. His untiring
efforts

elevated

Buddhism

to

high

pinnacle.

He

constructed numerous Viharas. Monasteries, stupas etc.

for the Buddhist monaks. He convened the fourth
Buddhist council in Kashmir which was attended to by
many eminent personalities. Here steps were taken to
remove the difference and ills of Buddhism so that the
people were inspired to follow the ideals of Buddhism.
In the council the proceedings were written and
compiled in a book named "Mahavibhasha". The book is
virtually the encyclopedia of Buddhism. He gave royal
patronage to the new form of Buddhism, called
mahayanism. He dispatched religious missions too
many places of the empire and also to Tibet, China,
Japan and central Asia carraying teachings of Buddha.
In fact due to his sincere effort Buddhism made a dent
in those foreign countries excavations carried out in
central Asia by Sir Auxel stein has discovered ruins, of

many

stupas

monasteries,

images

prove.

That

Buddhism was very popular in that belt. The credit of

spreading Buddhism in such places invariably goes to
Kanishka.

Though himself a fearless soldier he was an ardent

follower of (Buddhism. According to Buddhist 'story,
being humbled the king pataliputra was unable to pay a
large indemnity imposed by Kanishka. The vanquished
king surrendered the alms-bowl of the Buddha, the
eminent poet- philosopher Asvaghosha and a wonderful
cock to the victor obviously to avoid his wrath. It cannot
be asserted how far this clue is trustworthy. But , it
indicates that the mighty conqueror could easily be
tamed not by wealth or other worldly temptations but
by a simple and unassuming present like an alms-bowl.
Evidently, religious influence has made the king free
from the lost of wealth and riches. Indeed, am monist
can easily be transformed to a simple and unobtrusive
person and an idealist. In the words of Dr. Roy
Choudhary, "But it is not as a conqueror that Kanishka
is chiefly remembered by posterity." "His chief title to
fame rests on his monuments and on the patronage he
extended to the religion of Sakyamuni.

As a patron of art and literature as we have seen

that KanishIca was a great empire builder a patron of
art

and

literature

Kanishka's

name

will

remain

associated with the a school of Art and several

magnificent Viharas, stupas and morasters.he built
many lofty towards beautiful buildings and statues. He
also built several towns including Kanishkapura still
existing in Kashmir. Through its ideal object and style
are purely Indian but its technique, is greek. That is
why many scholars brand it as "Greco-Buddhist "or
indo-greek,

arts.KanishIca

was

great

patron

of

literature.During his time Sanskrit literature. Steadily

progressed. A large quantity of Sanskrit literature, both
religious and seculear were produced under the rulers
patronage.
Therefore, the period of Kushana-rulers occupies
an important place in the history of India and amongst
the Kushana-rulers Kanishka certainly has a place of
primary importance. He built a strong and vast empire
and administered it well. The close contacts with the
western world during his period helped in economic and
cultural progress of India. He created those conditions
which helped in the progress of various arts, literature

and religion that achieved perfection in the age of the

Guptas. Describiag the cultural achievements of the
period of the Kushanas it has been commented that the
Kushana-age was a period of great literary activity, TO
is proved by the works of Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna and
others. it was also a period of religious ferment and
missionary activity. It witnessed the development of
Saivism and the allied cults of Karttikeya, of the
Mahayana form of Buddhism and the cults of Mihira and
Vasudeva Krishna, and it saw the introduction of
Buddhisgn into China by Kasyapa Matanga (A.D. 61-67).
The dynasty of Kanishka opened the way for Indian
civilization to central and Eastern Asia.
And, there is no doubt that Kanishka had contributed a
lot to this progress. Therefore, he rightly deserves an
honoured place not only amongst the Kushana-rulers
but also among the great rulers of India.
Kanishka

was

succeeded

by

Vasislika

who,

probably, was his son. He ruled only for four years i.e.
102-106 A.D. He was then succeeded by Huvishka
(106-138 A.D.). Huvishka was a capable ruler but,
probably, he lost his hold over the lower Indus valley.
He was a patron of Buddhism and built a splendid
monastery at Mathura. During his period, another ruler
named Kanishka II seemed to have ruled conjointly with

him for some time. The next and the last important
Kushana king in India was Vasudeva I who ruled
between 145-176 A.D. The Kushana power declined in
India shortly after the reign of Vasudeva. By the middle
of the third century A.D. the Kushana power was left
limited only to Punjab, N.W.F.P. and Afghanistan. Their
history after Vasudeva is also obscure. Though there
were Kushana-rulers up to fourth, fifth and even ninth
century A.D. they were not mighty kings of an empire
but rulers of small kingdoms who owed their allegiance
to other overlords.

Bibliography
History of Ancient India-

By

R.C.

Majumdar
Anvcient Indiawww.google.co.in

By

P.Maiti

www.wikipedia.in
www.scribd.com