Kushan Empire [30AD-375AD] | History Notes for UPSC WBCS

Table of Contents

Introduction: Kushan Empire

The Kushan Empire was a significant political and cultural force in Central Asia and Northern India during the first few centuries CE. It emerged around the 1st century CE in the regions of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northern India. The Kushans were originally a branch of the Yuezhi, a nomadic people of Central Asia.

Under their most notable ruler, Kanishka (127–150 CE), the empire reached its zenith. Kanishka expanded the empire’s territory into present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, and Central Asia, establishing trade routes that connected the East and West.

The Kushan Empire made significant contributions to art, particularly Gandhara art, which was a unique fusion of Hellenistic, Roman, Persian, and Indian artistic traditions, reflecting the diverse cultural influences within the Kushan Empire.

The Kushan Empire declined in the 3rd century CE due to weak ruler, internal strife, external pressures, and the rise of other regional powers.

Important Points about Kushan Empire

Expansion of the Kushan Empire:
- The Kushan Empire emerged in Central Asia during the 1st century CE.
- It expanded its dominion across vast territories from Central Asia through Afghanistan and Pakistan and extended up to Bihar in northern India.
Heartland and Major Cities of the Kushan Empire: The Empire covered the regions of present-day Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This area served as the heartland of Kushan power, with major cities like Balkh and Alexandria on the Oxus (modern-day Ai-Khanoum) as important administrative and cultural centers.
Kujula Kadphises – Founder of the Kushan Dynasty: The founder of the dynasty was Kujula Kadphises.
Kushan Empire’s Patronage of Buddhism: They were great patrons of Buddhism. They played an important role in the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and China.
Bactrian Language: The Official Language of the Kushan Empire: They used the Bactrian language (now extinct) as the official language of the empire.
Diplomatic Relations of the Kushan Empire: They had diplomatic relations with the Roman Empire, the Sasanid Empire in Persia, the Aksumite Empire (Northeast Africa and the Southern part of the Arabian Peninsula), and the Han dynasty of China.
Kushan Empire and the Silk Road: The Kushans controlled the Silk Road*, allowing silk (silk textiles that were produced exclusively in China), spices, and textiles to move between China, India, and the West.

Origin of the Kushan Empire

The Kushan Empire was an empire, formed by the Yuezhi, in the early 1st century.
According to Chinese sources (Records of the Great Historian) the Guishuang i.e. the Kushans are one of the five tribes of the Yuezhi. The other four are Xiumi, Shuangmi, Xidun, and Dumi.
The Yuezhi were Indo-European nomadic people, who migrated from northwestern China (Xinjiang and Gansu) and settled in ancient Bactria.
Bactria, also known as Bactriana, was an ancient region located in Central Asia, covering parts of present-day northern Afghanistan, southwestern Tajikistan, and southeastern Uzbekistan.

Notable Rulers of the Kushan Empire

Kujula Kadphises (30 – 80CE)

He is considered the founder of the Kushan Empire.
It is mentioned in the Rabatak inscription (near Surkh Kotal in Afghanistan), that he was the great-grandfather of the Kanishka.

Vima Takto

Vima Takto was known as “The Nameless King” as his coins only mentioned “The King of Kings, Great Saviour”.
After the discovery of the Rabatak inscription (written by Kanishka), historians came to know about his name.

Vima Kadphises

Vima Kadphises ruled from 113 to 127 CE.
According to the Rabatak inscription, he was the son of Vima Takto and the father of Kanishka.
He was the first Kushan emperor to introduce the gold coin.
Most of the gold was obtained through trade with the Roman Empire.
Most of his coins had the Buddhist symbol of the Triratana and of Lord Shiva, with or without his bull. It signifies that he was a devotee of Lord Shiva.
Vima Kadphises took the title of “Sarvalokaisvara” (lord of all the worlds) and “Mahisvara” (great lord).

Kanishka

The most famous Kushan ruler was Kanishka under whose reign (127–150 CE) the empire reached its zenith.
Earlier scholars believed that Kanishka ascended the Kushan throne in 78 CE and this date was used as the beginning of the Saka calendar era by the Government of India. However, historians no longer accept this date as that of Kanishka’s accession to the throne.
His empire extended from Central Asia (southern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) in the northwest to Mathura in the southeast.
Outside India, Afghanistan, Bactria, Kashgarh, Khotan and Yarkhand were part of Kanishka’s empire.
Punjab, Kashmir Sindh, and the entire Uttar Pradesh up to Kashi in the east were under his rule
The eastern part of his empire was ruled by royal representatives with the title of “Mahakshatrapa” and “Kshatrapa“.
His coins have been found in Bengal and Bihar.
Purashapura (modern Peshawar) was the capital of his empire. Mathura was another major capital of his empire.
He replaced Greek with Bactrian as the official language of administration in the empire.
Kanishka was a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism. It is also supported by coins, inscriptions, and archaeological evidence. Some of his coins have the image of Buddha engraved on them.
His patronage of Buddhism played an important role in spreading Mahayana Buddhism to China.
During his reign, the 4th Buddhist council was held in Kundalavana, Kashmir.
He built a Chaitya and a massive Stupa (known as Kanishka stupa) at Purushpur (Peshawar, Pakistan) and kept some relics of the Buddha which were transferred to Burma after their discovery.
A Greek architect named Agesilaos supervised the construction of the Kanishka Stupa.
Although devoted to Buddhism, Kanishka believed in the ideals of Indian pantheism. His coins depict the gods and goddesses of Hindu, Greek, Zoroastrian, Iranian, and West Asian Elam countries.
The stupa was discovered and excavated in 1908–1909 by a British archaeological mission under David Brainard Spooner who excavated the archaeological sites of Kumhrar (where remains of the ancient city of Pataliputra were excavated) and Nalanda.
The eminent Buddhist sage Vasumitra, the poet and philosopher Asvaghosa, the well-known philosopher Nagarjuna, and the Ayurveda-shastra scholar Charaka graced his royal court.

Fourth Buddhist Council

Kanishka convened the 4th and last session of the Buddhist Council.
This Council was performed in Kashmir.
It was presided over by Vasumitra and Ashwaghosha.
A complete commentary on the Buddhist scriptures was compiled in the session.
All these compositions are engraved on brass and kept inside a stupa.
At this time, Buddhism was divided into two sects, ‘Hinayana‘ and ‘Mahayana‘.

Huvishka

Kanishka appointed some assistant rulers to help him in his last life. One of them was Hubishka.
Hubiska was probably the grandson of Vima Kadphises as evidenced by two inscriptions.
Hubiska was a patron of Buddhism.
He built a beautiful monastery at Mathura.
Many Greek, Persian, and Indian deities are depicted on his coins.

Vasudeva

The coins of Vasudeva, the last important ruler of the Kushan dynasty, have been found only in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
He was probably a worshiper of Shiva.

Administration: Kushan Empire

The empire itself was called Shahr or Kshathra.
The Kushans seem to have followed the earlier existing pattern of the Indo-Greeks and Parthians (Sakas) by appointing Kshatrapas and Mahakshatrapa for different units of the empire.
Under the Kshatrapa system of government, the empire was divided into provinces, each under military governor Mahakshatrapa (great satrap).
The governors of lower status were called kshatrapas (satraps).

Gandhara Art

Kushana Empire — **Gandhara Buddhist Triad** from **Sahr-i-Bahlol**, near **Takht-i-Bahi** in Pakistan

Gandhara art was the practice of combining Ancient Greek art and Buddhism that evolved in the ancient Gandhara region from where it got its name.
Gandhara art was inspired by Greek ideals and art forms but followed the pattern of Indian epics, metaphors, fables, and iconography.
Special emphasis was given to Buddhist legends.
It is heavily influenced by Greco-Roman art. The influence is seen in Gandhara art through several key elements:
- Halos around the heads of figures, particularly noticeable in representations of Lord Buddha.
- The depiction of Buddha’s wavy hair resembles classical Greek or Roman hairstyles.
- The presence of distinct forehead lines.
- Elaborate ornaments adorning figures.
- The drape and style of garments worn by figures display similarities to classical drapery techniques and attire from the Greco-Roman tradition.
Indian idols are seen in foreign guises in Gandhara art.
Early examples of Buddhist art such as Sanchi and Bharhut show depictions of Jataka stories and the life story of the Buddha, but nowhere does the image of the Buddha himself appear carved in stone.
His presence was indicated by various symbols like footprints, umbrellas etc.
During the Kushana period, sculptors concentrated on the art of making stone statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
The influence of Gandhara art extended to Central Asia and China through Buddhist monks.
In this art, “the Greek style of art has been followed in the transformation of Buddhist subjects”. It is also called the Greco-Buddhist art.

Kushan Coins

Standard Metal, Weight, and Denomination: Kushan coins were minted in standard metals like gold and copper, with standard weights and denominations. These coins were typically circular and struck using the die-strike technique.
Initially, Kushan coinage closely followed the traditions of previous Indo-Greek coinage. However, significant departures and innovations were introduced over time.
Obverse and Reverse Designs: Like Indo-Greek coins, Kushan coins featured the king’s figure on the obverse side and often depicted a deity, preferably Greek gods, on the reverse.
Language: The coins were bilingual, with Greek inscriptions on the obverse and Kharosthi on the reverse.
Deities Represented: The image of deities in their coins represents a diverse range of influences, including Hellenistic, Iranian, and Indian elements.
The Indian entities represented on coinage include Buddha, bodhisattva Maitreya, Mahasena, Skanda Kumara, and Shakyamuni Buddha.
Early coins featured Greek deities with Greek names, while later coins adopted the Bactrian language during Kanishka’s reign.

Kushan Dynasty UPSC PSC MCQs

Who started the Shaka era and when? [WBCS 2008]

(a) Kadphises in 58 BC
(b) Vikramaditya in 58 BC
(c) Rudradaman I in AD 78
(d) Kanishka in AD 78
Answer: (d) Kanishka in AD 78

Which inscription tells about the various achievements of Rudradaman-I? [BPSC (Pre) 2011]
(a) Junagadh
(b) Bhitari
(c) Nasik
(d) Sanchi
Answer: (a) Junagadh

Who renovated Sudarshan Lake without using forced labour? [UPPSC (Pre) 2014]

(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusar
(c) Ashoka
(d) Rudradaman-I
Answer: (d) Rudradaman-I

The earliest specimen of the ‘Kavya’ style is found in the inscription of- [UPPSC (Pre) 1997]
(a) Rudradaman of Kathiawar
(b) Ashoka
(c) Rajendra I
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Rudradaman of Kathiawar

How much is the year difference between the Shaka Samvat and Vikram Samvat? [UP UDA/LDA (Pre) 2006]

(a) 57 years
(b) 78 years
(c) 135 years
(d) 320 years
Answer: (c) 135 years

Which one of the following will be the year of Shaka Samvat in December 2009? [UPPSC (Mains) 2007]

(a) 1931
(b) 1952
(c) 2066
(d) 2087
Answer: (a) 1931

When was Shaka Samvat initiated? [UPRO/ARO (Mains) 2013]

(a) 58 AD
(b) 78 AD
(c) 320 AD
(d) 606 AD
Answer: (b) 78 AD

Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Shaka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days? [IAS (Pre) 2014]

(a) 22nd March (or 21st March)
(b) 15th May (or 16th May)
(c) 31st March (or 30th March)
(d) 21st April (or 20th April)
Answer: (a) 22nd March (or 21st March)

Who among the following issued gold coins regularly in ancient India? [UP Lower Sub (Pre) 2004]

(a) Satavahana
(b) Saka
(c) Kushan
(d) Parthian
Answer: (c) Kushan

The largest number of copper coins in Northern and North-Western India were issued by- [UPPCS (Pre) 2005]

(a) Indo-Greeks
(b) Kushans
(c) Sakas
(d) Pratiharas
Answer: (b) Kushans

Which of the following dynasty empires was expanded even outside of India? [UK UDA/LDA (Mains) 2006]

(a) Gupta dynasty
(b) Maurya dynasty
(c) Kushan dynasty
(d) None of these
Answer: (c) Kushan dynasty

Art of Gandhara style flourished during the reign of: [BPSC (Pre) 1992]

(b) Guptas
(c) Akbar
(d) Mauryas
Answer: (a) Kushans

Who among the following was the ruler of the Kushan dynasty? [SSC 2016]

(a) Vikramaditya
(b) Danti Durga
(c) Khadphises I
(d) Pushyamitra
Answer: (c) Khadphises I

Who among the following introduced gold coins for regular use in India? [UPPSC (Pre) 2015]

(a) Vima Kadphises
(b) Kujula Kadphises
(c) Kanishka
(d) Hermwes
Answer: (a) Vima Kadphises

The greatest development in the Kushan period was in the field of- [SSC 2005]

(a) religion
(b) art
(c) literature
(d) architecture
Answer: (a) religion

In which year, the coronation of Kushan king Kanishka was held? [UPPSC (Pre) 1991]

(a) 178 BC
(b) 101 AD
(c) 58 BC
(d) 78 AD
Answer: (d) 78 AD

Which one of the following is not associated with the Court of Kanishka? [UP Lower Sub (Pre) 2008]

(a) Ashvaghosha
(b) Charaka
(c) Nagarjuna
(d) Patanjali
Answer: (d) Patanjali

Who of the following did not adorn the court of Kanishka I? [UPPSC (Mains) 2005]

(a) Ashvaghosha
(b) Parshva
(c) Vasumitra
(d) Vishakhadatta
Answer: (d) Vishakhadatta

Who among the following was the court physician of Kanishka? [SSC CGL 2016]

(a) Vasumitra
(b) Nagarjuna
(c) Charaka
(d) Patanjali
Answer: (c) Charaka

Ashvaghosha was a contemporary of– [UKPSC (Pre) 2010]

(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta-II
(c) Kanishka
(d) Harshvardhan
Answer: (c) Kanishka

Buddha is depicted on the coins of [UPPSC (Pre) 2010]
(a) Vima Kadphises
(b) Kanishka
(c) Nahpaad
(d) Budhagupta
Answer: (b) Kanishka

Which of the following cities is not mentioned in the Rabatak inscription of Kanishka? [UPRO/ARO (Mains) 2014]
(a) Shravasti
(b) Kaushambi
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Champa
Answer: (a) Shravasti

Which Chinese general had defeated Kanishka? [UKPSC (Pre) 2003]
(a) Pan Chao
(b) Ban Yong
(c) She Huang Ti
(d) Ho-Ti
Answer: (a) Pan Chao

Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana during the reign of which of the following rulers? [SSC 2018]
(a) Kanishka
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Ashoka
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Kanishka

The Gandhara School of Art is a synthesis of [UPPSC (Pre) 1996]
(a) Indian and Persian Art
(b) Indian and Chinese Art
(c) Indian and Turk-Afghan Art
(d) Indian and Greek Art
Answer: (d) Indian and Greek Art

Which one of the following sculptures invariably used greenschist as the medium? [IAS (Pre) 1996]
(a) Mauryan sculptures
(b) Mathura sculptures
(c) Bharhut sculptures
(d) Gandhara sculptures
Answer: (d) Gandhara sculptures

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? [CGPSC (Pre) 2008, IAS (Pre) 2001]
(a) Harappan Civilisation – Painted Grey Ware
(b) The Kushans – Gandhara School of Art
(c) The Mughals – Ajanta Paintings
(d) The Marathas – Pahari School of Painting
Answer: (b) The Kushans – Gandhara School of Art

Consider the following names of contemporaries of Kanishka and select the correct answer from the codes given below– [UPPSC (Pre) 1994]
I. Ashvaghosha
II. Vasumitra
III. Kalidas
IV. Kamban
Codes:
(a) I and IV
(b) II and III
(c) I and II
(d) All of these
Answer: (c) I and II