Kushan Empire

Kushan Empire - Origin, Achievements & Kanishka's Rule


Kushans or Kuei-Shang were one of the five Great Yueh-chi (tribes) principalities. In the 1st century CE, Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I) brought together these five principalities and founded the Kushan Empire. The Kushans movement in India can be traced back to the first century CE during Kadphises I time.

Kushan Empire Origin

  • Kushanas are considered to be one of the five branches of the Yuezhi tribe who lived in the Chinese frontier or central Asia.
  • They are known as Guishuang in Chinese sources.
  • They eventually acquired dominance over the other Yuezhi tribes.
  • They moved eastward towards India defeating the Parthians and the Sakas in the 1st century AD.

Kushan Empire – Ruler Kujula Kadphises or Kadphises I [AD 30-AD 80)

  • Kujula Kadphises was the first Yuezhi chief to lay the foundation of the Kushana Empire in India.
  • He established his supremacy over Kabul, Kandahar and Afghanistan.
  • He was succeeded by his son Vima Taktu or Sadashkana (AD 80 -AD 95) who expanded the empire into northwest India.

Kushan Empire – Ruler Vima Kadphises [AD 95-AD 127]

  • An inscription found at Rabatak in Afghanistan mentions that he was the son of Vima Taktu and the father of Kanishka.
  • He has issued a large number of gold coins.
  • He was a Shiva devotee as is clear from coins issued by him.
  • A large number of Roman gold coins found from this era indicate the prosperity of India at that time and also the growing trade with the Romans.

Kanishka of Kushan Dynasty [127 AD – 150 AD]

  • Considered the greatest Kushana king and also a great king of ancient India.
  • Son of Vima Kadphises.
  • His kingdom included Afghanistan, parts of Sindhu, parts of Parthia, Punjab, Kashmir, parts of Magadha (including Pataliputra), Malwa, Benaras, perhaps parts of Bengal, Khotan, Kashgar, Yarkhand (last three in modern China). His empire covered Gandhara, Peshawar, Oudh, Pataliputra, Kashmir and Mathura. His kingdom also included parts of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
  • His main capital was Peshawar, then known as Purushpura.
  • After the capture of Pataliputra, he is said to have taken away the Buddhist monk Ashvaghosha with him to Peshawar.
  • The scholars in his court included Parsva, Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Nagarjuna, Charaka and Mathara. He also patronised the Greek engineer Agesilaus.
  • Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir.
  • He patronised Buddhism although he was very tolerant in his religious views. His coins contain a mix of Indian, Greek and Zoroastrian deities.
  • He was also a patron of art and architecture. The Gandhara School of art flourished under him.
  • He also propagated the Mahayana form of Buddhism and he was largely responsible for propagating it in China.
  • It is not known how he died.

Achievements of Kushanas – Significance of the Kushana Empire

  • Sanskrit literature began to be developed during this time. The fourth Buddhist council was held in Sanskrit.
  • Ashvoghosha is considered to be the first Sanskrit dramatist.
  • During this time, three distinct schools of art flourished: Gandhara School in northwest India, Amaravati School in Andhra and the Mathura School in the Ganges valley.
  • Trade prospered between India and China, and India and the Roman Empire.
  • The Kushanas controlled large parts of the Silk Route which led to the propagation of Buddhism into China. It was during this time that Buddhism began to spread to Korea and Japan also.
  • Many towers, Chaityas, towns and beautiful sculptures were built under the patronage of the Kushana kings.
  • Kushanas were foreign invaders, to begin with, but they were completely Indianised in ways and culture.
  • It is said that the Kushana period in Indian history was a perfect forerunner to the golden age of the Guptas.

The decline of the Kushana Empire

  • Kanishka was succeeded by his son Vasishka.
  • Vasishka was followed by Huvishka and Kanishka II (son of Vasishka).
  • Kanishka II was followed by Vasudeva I.
  • Vasudeva I was the last great king of the Kushanas. After his death, the empire disintegrated away. He probably died in 232 AD.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular From Month

Famous Temples Of India

Image
ssc preparation, important competetion questions, current affairs of india, latest question asked in competetion papers, 51 Famous Temples Of India Temples Of India For centuries temples have remained integral to the Indian society. As the nerve centres of Indian religious life, these temples came to wield enormous powers. The role of the temples did not remain confined to catering to the religious needs of man. They went on to dominate the socio-economic and political life of the community while profusely contributing to the cultural and architectural heritage of the country. Unparalleled in their beauty and artistic grandeur these temples have survived as exquisite works of art and given birth to different architectural styles which have evolved over hundreds of years. It is against this backdrop that we introduce you to some of the most famous temples of India. Badrinath Temple | Badrinath, Uttarakhand Photograph by http://allhindugods.blogspot.i
Read more

Bhakti Movement

Image
Bhakti Movement - Origin, Saints, Timeline Vaishnava and Shaiva devotionalism were given new emphasis and expression by the Alwars and Nayanars saints of South India in the early medieval period. As per the tradition, there were 12 Alwars and 63 Nayanars. Using devotion to achieve salvation was a key component of the Bhakti movement which was started as a religious reformation in medieval India. The period of the 8th to 18th century is dedicated to the Bhakti movement where a number of saints (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh) evolved as the messiah of Bhakti (devotion), teaching people the transition of life from normalcy to enlightenment through salvation. Bhakti Movement (8th – 18th Century) Spread of Islam in India has also resulted in the Medieval Bhakti Movement. The Bhakti Movement in Medieval India is of diverse way. The thinking of Bhakti Reformers’ like that of Kabir, Nana and Ramananda were shaped by the preaching of Sufi teachers. Sufism Sufism was a liberal reform movement within Islam
Read more

Sultanate of Delhi

Sultanate of Delhi The period from 1206 A.D. to 1526 A.D. came to be known as the Delhi Sultanate period. This period witnessed many dynasties and various rulers. Some of the major dynasties and rulers this period witnessed are listed below. Sl. No. Dynasty Name 1 Slave (Ghulam) or Mamluk Dynasty 2 Khilji Dynasty 3 Tughluq dynasty 4 Sayyid Dynasty 5 Lodi dynasty Slave (Ghulam) or Mamluk Dynasty Ruler Period Events Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210) Founder of Mamluk Dynast and Slave of Muhammad Ghori Aram Shah (1210–1211) Eldest son of Qutb-ud-din Aibak Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (1211–1236) Son-in-law of Qutb-ud-din Aibak Rukn ud din Firoz (1236) Son of Iltutmish Razia Sultana (1236–1240) Daughter of Iltutmish and Grand Daughter of Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Muizuddin Bahram (1240–1242) Son of Iltutmish Alauddin Masud (1242–1246) Son of Rukn-ud-din Firoz Nasiruddin Mahmud (1246–1266) Razia’s Brother who had died in 1229 Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266–1286) Father-in-law of Nashiruddin Mahmud and the most
Read more

Mauryan Administration

Central Government Mauryan administration was highly centralized. The Emperor was the supreme power and source of all authority. He was assisted by a Council of Ministers. It was called ‘Mantriparishad’. The ministers were called ‘Mantris.’ The council was headed by ‘mantriparishad-adhyakshya’ akin to the Prime Minister of today. Tirthas: the Highest category of officials in the administration. There were 18 Tirthas. Adhyakshya: Ranked next only to Tirthas. There were 20 Adhyakshyas. They had economic and military functions. Mahamattas: Higher ranking officials. Amatyas: High ranking officials almost like present-day secretaries. They had administrative and judicial roles. The Adhyakshyas were formed into a secretariat, which was divided into many departments. Arthashastra mentions many Adhyakshyas for commerce, storehouses, gold, ships, agriculture, cows, horses, city, chariots, mint, infantry, etc. Yuktas: Subordinate officers responsible for the Empire’s revenue. Rajjukas: Officers
Read more

Question Based On Geography:-

ssc preparation, important competetion questions, current affairs of india, latest question asked in competetion papers, Question Based On Geography:- 1.  One degree of longitude on the equator is equal to a distance of – (1) 34.5 miles  (2) 69 miles (3) 60 miles (4) South pole 2.  The latitude of a place expresses its angular position relative to the place of – (1) Axis of the earth (2) Equator (3) North pole (4) South pole 3.  When would you record the maximum angle of incidence of the Sun’s rays at the north pole? (1) March 21 (2) September 21 (3) When the sun’s rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Cancer (4) When the Sun’s rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Capricorn 4.  Which of the following best describes longitude? (1) A imaginary line joining north and south poles. (2) The distance between a place east or west of the Greenwich Meridian (3) The angular distance east or west of the Greenwich Meridian (4) The position of a place on earth’s surface with reference
Read more

Amer Fort

Amer Fort At a short distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, the Capital of Rajasthan State, the Amer Fort complex stands amidst wooded hills overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway, with its forbidding ramparts reflected in the still waters of the Maota Lake below. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient capital of the Kachhawah rulers. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh and additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh. Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws where a cool breeze blows across channels of water for the purpose of air-conditioning. The private chambers of the queens have windows with latticed screens so that the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy. There is also the Jai Mandir or the "Temple of Victory", with its famous Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating "Hall of Mirrors".
Read more

Role of the Police in Communal Violence in India

ssc preparation, important competetion questions, current affairs of india, latest question asked in competetion papers, The role of the police in communal violence is to arrest trouble shooters, disperse rioters congregated at one place, protect public property from loot and arson, prevent the spreading of rumours (which instigate people of different communities in other districts and states), and maintain public order. The police cannot perform the role of enforcing law and order without the active cooperation of politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and the people at large. It is seen that, by and large, the bureaucrats in our country are ritualists, politicians function on the basis of vested interests, judicial officials are traditionalists, and people have no confidence in the police. The police have, thus, to face many constraints in playing the roles expected of them. Controlling riots and preventing communal vio­lence by police have, therefore, to be examined in the back
Read more

PRESIDENT INFORMATION

▪️PRESIDENT INFORMATION▪️ 🔹Two term president-Rajendra Prasad (1950-62) 🔹 president elected without opposition-Nelam sanjeev reddy 🔹First dalit president-K R Narayanan 🔹 Second dalit president -Ram nath govind 🔹Long lived president-Venkataraman(lived 98 yrs) 🔹Oldest president to assume office -K.R.Narayanan(Assumed office at 77 yrs) 🔹Short lived president -Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (lived 71 Yrs) 🔹 President from Tamil Nadu-Radhakrishnan,R Venkatraman, APJ Abdul Kalam 🔹youngest president to assume office- Nelam sanjeev reddy 🔹First sikh president- Giani zail singh 🔹First lady president-prathibha patel  🔹Speaker who became president-Nelam sanjeev reddy 🔹President who won in second counting of vote-V V Giri 🔹cheif justice to became president-Mohammad Hidayatullah 🔹First Muslim president -Zakir Hussain 🔹First president to die in office -Zakir Hussain 🔹Vice president to become president-Radhakrishnan,Zakir Hussain,VV Giri,K R Narayanan, Venkatraman,B D Jatti
Read more

Upcoming Sports Venue 2017-18, Full List

Image
ssc preparation, important competetion questions, current affairs of india, latest question asked in competetion papers,  Upcoming Sports Venue 2017-18, Full List! Today we are providing you with an article on the list of Upcoming Sports Venue. Two or three questions are expected in upcoming exams from this topic. This article is important for upcoming Banking, Insurance & SSC Exams. List of Upcoming Sports Venue 1.  Asian Games  -  The Asian Games, also known as Asiad is a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF). Note:  First Asian games were held in  New Delhi, India in 1951 . Venue of Asian Games 2014 –  Incheon, South Korea. Venue of Asian Games 2018 -  Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia. Venue of Asian Games 2022 –  Hangzhou, China. Venue of Asian Games 2026 –  Nagoya, Japan. 2.  Commonwealth Games (CWG)  -  The Commonwealth Games is an internatio
Read more

Verbs as Part of Speech

Image
ssc preparation, important competetion questions, current affairs of india, latest question asked in competetion papers, Before moving ahead with the Verbs, let’s have a look at what are parts of speech in brief: Parts of Speech Parts of speech are the basic categories of words according to their function in a sentence. It is a category to which a word is assigned in accordance with its syntactic functions. English has eight main parts of speech, namely,  Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives, Verbs, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions & Interjections . In grammar, the parts of speech, also called lexical categories, grammatical categories or word classes is a linguistic category of words. Verbs as Part of Speech Verbs as part of speech are used to signify the actions, processes, conditions, or states of being of people or things. It is basically a word that characteristically is the grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act, occurrence, or mode of being, that i
Read more