Kushanas

News: Recent excavations at Bhir Mound, Takshashila uncovered lapis lazuli fragments (6th century BC) and Kushan bronze coins (2nd century AD), highlighting long-distance trade and later Kushana political-economic activity in ancient Gandhara.

About Kushanas

• The Kushanas were nomadic people, also known as Tocharians, who migrated from the steppes of north-central Asia.
• They succeeded the Parthians and initially occupied Bactria, displacing the Shakas.
  • Gradually, they established control over the lower Indus basin and large parts of the Gangetic plain.
• The empire extended from the Oxus to the Ganges.
  • It stretched from Khorasan in Central Asia to Pataliputra in Bihar.
• At its height, it included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and almost all of north India.
• Dynasties and Rulers:
  • House of Kadphises: Kujula Kadphises founded the first Kushana dynasty in the 1st century CE.
    • He laid the foundations of a unified empire and issued copper coins south of the Hindukush, imitating Roman models.
    • Wima Kadphises succeeded Kadaphises.
  • Kanishka and Later Rulers: Kanishka ascended the throne in 78 AD and started the Shaka Era.
    • His successors included Vasishka, Huvishka, Kanishka II, and Vasudeva I.
    • Decline began during the reign of Vasudeva I; Vasudeva II was the last Kushana ruler.
• Capitals: Kanishka established two capitals: Peshawar (Purushapura) or Pataliputra as the primary capital and Mathura as the second capital.
  • The empire was divided into satrapies, each governed by a satrap.
• Administration
  • Officials such as dandnayaka and mahadandnayaka performed civil and military functions.
  • Gramika and padrapala acted as village headmen responsible for revenue collection and law and order.
  • The Kushanas introduced better cavalry and promoted the large-scale use of horses.
  • They popularised the use of reins, saddles, stirrups, trousers, long boots, and heavy coats.
• Political Ideology: The Kushanas strengthened the idea of divine kingship. Kings adopted the title ‘Devputra’ (Son of God), borrowed from the Chinese concept of the “Son of Heaven”.
• Coinage: The Kushanas were the first Indian rulers to issue gold coins on a large scale.
  • Coins of Kadphises I indicate Buddhist influence.
  • Coins of Vima Kadphises show devotion to Shiva.
  • Kushana coins have been found as far east as Bengal and Odisha, indicating extensive trade networks.
• Trade: India received large quantities of gold from the Altai mountains of Central Asia.
  • The Kushanas controlled the Silk Route, connecting China with Iran and western Asia.
  • Toll collection from traders was a major source of revenue.
• Economy: The Kushanas also promoted agriculture, with early evidence of large-scale irrigation in Afghanistan and western-central Asia.
• Inscriptions: Kushana inscriptions were written in: Bactrian (Greek script) and Prakrit (Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts.
  • The most important inscription is the Rabatak inscription, which establishes Kanishka’s genealogy.
• Religious Developments: Kushana rulers patronised Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Buddhism.
  • Images of Shiva, Buddha, and Vishnu appear on Kushana coins. The ruler Vasudeva indicates Vaishnavite influence.
  • Rise of Mahayana Buddhism:  Kanishka was a major patron of Mahayana Buddhism. Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir.
    • Commentaries on the three Pitakas were composed
• Art: The Kushanas blended Central Asian, Greek, and Indian styles, giving rise to Gandhara and Mathura schools of art, including Graeco-Roman images of the Buddha and the famous statue of Kanishka.
• Language: The Kushanas officially recognised three scripts – Greek, Kharoshthi, Brahmi and four languages – Greek, Prakrit, Sanskrit-influenced Prakrit, and Sanskrit.
• Literature: Ashwaghosha was patronised by the Kushanas.
• Decline of the Kushana Empire: After Vasudeva I (225 AD), the empire split into western and eastern halves.
  • The western Kushanas were subjugated by the Sassanid Persians and replaced by Kushanshas.
  • The eastern kingdom, based in Punjab, lost Gangetic territories to local dynasties like the Yaudheyas.
    • It was finally conquered by Samudragupta in the mid-4th century.