The Kushanas, also referred to as Yuehchis or Tocharians, were one of the five clans of the Yuehchis tribe. 

• Originating as nomadic people from the North Central Asian steppes, they lived near China before expanding their influence. 
• The Kushanas displaced the Sakas in Bactria and the Parthians in the Gandhara region, eventually establishing dominance over the lower Indus basin and much of the Gangetic plain, extending to Varanasi.

The Kadphises Rulers under Kushanas

• Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I):
  • The founder of the Kushana dynasty, Kadphises I, ruled for 28 years, starting from 50 CE.
  • He conquered the Kabul Valley and issued coins bearing his name.
• Wima Kadphises (Kadphises II):
  • Succeeding Kadphises I, Wima Kadphises expanded the empire into northwestern India and as far as Mathura.
  • His reign marked economic prosperity, reflected in the abundance of gold and copper coins he issued.
  • He adopted grand titles like the ‘Lord of the Whole World’ and played a significant role in trade between India, China, and the Roman Empire.
  • The influx of Roman gold coins during this period influenced Kushana gold coinage.
  • Wima Kadphises was a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Kanishka (r. 78-120 CE): The Most Prominent Kushana Emperor

• Accession and Empire:
  • Kanishka, the most celebrated ruler of the Kushanas, succeeded the Kadphises rulers.
  • He founded the Saka Era (78 CE), still used by the Indian government.
  • At his accession, his empire included Afghanistan, Gandhara, Sindh, and Punjab, which he later expanded to include Magadha, Pataliputra, and Bodh Gaya.
  • Kashmir was annexed, as noted by Kalhana.
  • His vast empire stretched from Gandhara to Banaras and from Kashmir to Malwa.
• Capital Cities:
  • Kanishka’s primary capital was Purushapura (modern Peshawar), where he constructed a monastery and a stupa.
  • Mathura served as his secondary capital, as evidenced by numerous coins, inscriptions, and sculptures found there.
• Coinage:
  • Kanishka’s coins have been discovered in locations like Sravasti, Kaushambi, and Banaras, suggesting his control over much of the Gangetic plain.
  • His coins display images of Buddha, along with Greek and Hindu deities like Shiva, Nandi, and Trishul, reflecting his religious tolerance.
• Military Expeditions:
  • Kanishka fought the Chinese and annexed territories like Kashgar, Yarkand, and Khotan.
  • Although initially defeated by the Chinese general Pancho, he triumphed in a subsequent campaign against Pancho’s son, Panyang.
• Patronage of Arts and Literature:
  • Kanishka was a generous patron of Sanskrit literature and the arts.
  • Renowned scholars like Charaka (author of Charakasamhita), Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha (author of Buddhacharita), and Nagarjuna (author of Madhyamikashutra) flourished during his reign.

Ruler Kanishka of Kushanas and Buddhism

• Support for Mahayana Buddhism:
  • Kanishka embraced Mahayana Buddhism early in his reign and supported its growth.
  • He built a multi-storeyed relic tower at Peshawar to enshrine Buddha’s relics, with construction led by the Greek engineer Agesilaos.
• The Fourth Buddhist Council:
  • Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana Monastery near Srinagar under the guidance of Vasumitra.
  • The council finalized the Mahayana doctrine and prepared an authoritative commentary on the Tripitakas.
• Missionary Activities:
  • Kanishka sent missionaries to Central Asia and China to spread Buddhism.
  • Buddhist chaityas and viharas were constructed across his empire, promoting Buddhist worship and rituals.

Successors of Ruler Kanishka

• Huvishka:
  • Huvishka, Kanishka’s son, maintained the integrity of the Kushana Empire.
  • Mathura prospered as a significant city during his reign, and he continued his father’s patronage of Buddhism.
• Vasudeva:
  • Vasudeva, the last prominent Kushana ruler (r. 67–98 CE), saw the empire diminish in size and power.
  • His inscriptions, mainly from Mathura, suggest he was a devotee of Shiva.
• Decline of the Kushanas:
  • By the third century CE, the Yaudheyas, Kunindas, and Malavas divided the former Kushana territories among themselves.
  • The Sassanians of Iran replaced Kushana rule in Afghanistan and the Indus region, reducing the Kushanas to vassals.

The Kushana Economy 

• Trade and Urban Growth:
  • The Kushanas’ vast empire facilitated internal and external trade, boosting the prosperity of cities like Bactra, Taxila, and Mathura.
  • Their empire had direct links to Indo-Roman trade through India’s western coast, and their control over the Silk Road connected China with West Asia and the Mediterranean.
• Coinage and Monetization:
  • The Kushanas issued an impressive volume of gold and copper coins, indicating a flourishing economy.
  • Roman gold coins influenced Kushana coinage, while copper coins were used for petty transactions across the empire.
• Merchant Classes:
  • The Kushana period saw the emergence of diverse merchant classes, including vaniks (petty traders), sarthavahas (caravan traders), and sreshthis (wealthy merchants), reflecting economic stratification.