The Kushan Empire was probably one of the five branches of the Yuezhi confederation, an ancient nomadic Central Asian nomadic people. The Kushan Empire lasted till 350 CE. In the period 200 B.C., i.e, in the post-Mauryan period, there was no enormous empire like the Mauryan empire. Several native rulers, such as the Shungas, Kanvas, and Satavahanas, succeeded the Mauryans in Eastern, central, and Deccan India. The North Western portion of India was succeeded by several dynasties that came from Central Asia. The Kushan Empire was one such empire that became very famous. The Kushans were the origin of China. The rulers of the Kushan dynasty defeated the Parthians and Sakas and moved into India.
The Kushan Empire is an essential topic for UPSC under General Studies Paper I for both the Prelims and Mains. In this article on the Kushan Empire UPSC, we will read about the origin, essential rulers, contributions, and decline of the Kushan Empire, which will be helpful for the upcoming UPSC exams. Join the UPSC coaching today and boost your preparation.
About the Kushan Empire
The Kushan Empire was a powerful Central Asian empire from the 1st to the 3rd century CE. It encompassed regions of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northern India. The Kushan Empire was a prominent political and cultural force in ancient Central Asia, known for its significant contributions to trade, art, and architecture.
History of Kushan Empire
The rulers of the Kushan empire were branches of the Yeuchi tribe, which belonged to Central Asia. They were the nomadic people from the steppes who were living in the neighborhood of China. They first displaced the Sakas and occupied Bactria (North Afghanistan). Gradually,, they moved to the Kabul valley, replaced the Greeks and Parthians in the Gandhara region, and captured Gandhara. The greater part of the Gangetic basin and the lower Indus basin were occupied by them. The Kushan empire extended from Khorasan in central Asia to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Kushan Empire Rulers
The Kushan empire in India had two successive dynasties. The first dynasty was the house of Chiefs called Kadphises, and the house of Kanishka followed them.
Kujula Kadphises (30 CE – 80 CE)
Kujula Kadphises was the Kadphises I. He was the first Kushan ruler who laid the foundation for the Kushan Empire in India. He is regarded as the founder of the Kushan Empire. The epithet of Dharma-thida was adopted by him. Kadphises I established supremacy over Kabul, Afghanistan and Kandahar. He minted copper coins that were the imitations of Roman coins.
Vima Taktu or Sadashkana (80 CE – 95 CE)
It is not certain whether Vima Taktu or Sadashkhana succeeded the throne after Kujula Kadphises. His reign expanded The Kushan empire into the northwest region of South Asia.
Vima Kadphises (95 CE – 127 CE)
The Rabatak inscription mentions that Vima Kadphises was the son of Sadakshana and father of Kanishka. He was the Kadphises II. He issued a large number of gold coins during his period. He expanded the Kushan Kingdom to the East of the Indus.
Kanishka (127 CE – 150 CE)
Kanishka was the most famous Kushan ruler. He started an era known as the Shaka era in 78 CE,, which is now usedby the Government of India now. During Kanishka's reign, Purushapura and Mathura were the two capitals of the Kushan empire. Afghanistan, Gandhara, Sind and Punjab were under the Kushan empire during his accession to the throne.
He later conquered Magadha and extended the Mauryan empire to Pataliputra and Bodh Gaya. In his first expedition, he fought against the Chinese and suffered defeat at the hands of the Chinese general Panchao. He ruled over an extensive area from Central Asia to Pataliputra. He was a great patron of religion and art. Information about Kanishka's reign is given in the Rabatak inscription, which is in Afghanistan.
Kanishka and Buddhism
Kanishka extended wholehearted patronage to Buddhism. He convened the fourth Buddhist council in Kundalavan, Kashmir, in 78 AD. Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Buddhism during his time. He was an ardent follower of the Mahayana form of Buddhism. Though he followed Buddhism, he was tolerant of all religions. Missionaries were sent by Kaniska to China and Central Asia to spread Buddhism.
Huvishka
Huvishka furthered the empire and nurtured Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. He is attributed with the building of many Buddhist monasteries and stupas.
Vasudeva I
Vasudeva I reigned at a time of both expansion of territory and internal strife for the Kushan Empire. His reign witnessed the downturn of Kushan influence in some regions.
Read about the Persian and Greek Invasions here.
Administration of the Kushan Empire
Kushans held supremacy over several petite princes who paid them tributes. Kushans called themselves the King of Kings. Rulers of the Kushan dynasty were known as the Sons of God. They introduced the Satrap system of government, in which the entire empire was divided into several satrapies,ch placedwhicher a Satrap. The hereditary dual rule in which two kings ruled simultaneously was practiced.
Division of Kushan Empire:
The Kushan Empire was divided into Satraps (provinces), each controlled by a Mahakshatrapa (military governor). Gramika and Padrapala were the headmen in the village responsible for collecting the king's dues and cases of crime in their locality.
- Hereditary Succession: They employed dual hereditary rule, where two rulers ruled jointly at the same time. The Kushans employed the grandiose title of 'king of kings', which meant that they received tributes from many small princes.
- The title Devaputra, "son of God," was a significant aspect of Kushana politics.
- Military Administration: Semi-military officers called "dandanayaka and mahadandanayaka" were employed by the kshatrapas for exercising their powers.
- Key Officials: Other officials include the bakanpati (responsible for religious matters), the danapati (responsible for donations), and the padrapala (responsible for untapped lands surrounding the villages)
Read the linked article on the Vijaynagar Empire.
Economy of Kushan Empire
The Kushan economy was based mainly on trade, with agriculture being secondary. The main sources for the study of the economy of the Kushan Empire are numismatics, literature, epigraphy, and archaeology of excavated and investigated sites.
- Agriculture: Agriculture was a minor sector in the Kushan economy, with trade being the source of wealth and resources. Irrigation was given importance to maximize agricultural output.
- In West-Central Asia, such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, the initial archaeological evidence of large-scale irrigation is during the Kushan era.
- Coinage: The coins of the Kushans were of the highest quality and up to Roman coin weight standards. In coins, Kushan monarchs are termed "kingofkings," "Caesar," "lord of all lands," and other titles of the same ilk.
- Trade: Kushan Empire was not necessarily based on agriculture but flourished through widespread trade, both intranationally and internationally. They dominated the Silk Route.
- Internal trade: Archaeological findings in sites such as Begram, Ahichchhatra, and Kausambi indicate their trade relations and artistic influences.
- External trade: Kushan Empire played an active role in long-distance international trade networks, especially with the Roman Empire.
- The Roman market required a large demand for Chinese silk, and the Silk Road served as an important bridge between these areas.
- Merchant Classes: There were various types of merchants, such as vanik (petty merchant), sarthavaha (caravan trader), vyavahari (a trader), and sreshthi (rich trader and head of a mercantile guild).
- Crafts: There was a significant proliferation of crafts and professions in the Kushan period, closely associated with the growth in trade. Some of the terms associated with crafts and professions are as follows:
- Superintendents of construction - navakarmikah
- Actors - sailakah
- Carpenters - vaddhaki
- Perfumers - gamdhika
- Goldsmith - suvarnakara
- Clothmakers - pravarika
- Jewellers - manikara
Study the Art & Culture notes on Gandhara Art here.
Art & Architecture of the Kushan Empire
The empire, ruled by the Kushan dynasty, witnessed a flourishing of Gandhara art, which blended Hellenistic, Persian, and Indian influences. The Kushans built grand cities and developed a unique architectural style characterized by stone, stucco, and intricate carvings. The most iconic architectural structures were the stupas, which served as Buddhist religious monuments. The Kushan Empire's architectural legacy showcases a fusion of diverse cultural elements and reflects the empire's influence and cosmopolitan nature.
- Art: They sponsored Mathuraand Gandhara Art. They had Greek influence in Gandhara Art.
- Architecture: Buddhists began excavating rock caves in the hills of western India, building chaityas and viharas that functioned as religious centers, from the Ajanta caves to the Kanheri caves in Mumbai.
- Literature: Buddhacharita, Saundarananda and SariputraPrakaran of Asvaghosha (translator of the first Sanskrit play), Paramita Sutras of Nagarjuna, Mahavibasha Shastra of Vasumitra, Charakasamhita of Charak.
Gandhara Art
- Originated in the Gandhara region (modern northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan) around 1st century BCE to 5th century CE under Kushan rule.
- Known as a fusion of Greek, Roman, and Indian artistic styles, often called the Greco-Buddhist school.
- Characterized by realistic human figures with detailed drapery resembling Roman togas and Apollo-like youthful faces of Buddha.
- Buddha depicted in human form for the first time with Hellenistic artistic influences like wavy hair and naturalistic facial features.
- Main themes include Buddha’s life events, Jataka tales, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhist symbolism (Dharmachakra, Abhaya, Dhyana and Bhumisparsha mudras).
- Materials used: earlier phase - green phyllite, gray-blue mica schist; later phase - stucco; sculptures often painted and gilded.
- Major centers: Taxila, Peshawar, Begram, Bamiyan (famous giant Buddha statues).
- Shows syncretism with Central Asian, Greek, Roman, and Indian motifs (flowers, vine scrolls, cherubs alongside Buddhist icons).
- Declined after 5th century CE but Buddhist art continued till 8th century CE in Afghanistan region.
- Distinct from Mathura and Amaravati schools which had more indigenous styles.
- Important for understanding cultural exchange along the Silk Road and development of Buddhist iconography.
Take a look at the NCERT Books for UPSC Exam here.
Mathura Art
- Originated in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, flourishing mainly during the Kushan period (1st to 3rd century AD), and later reached its peak during the Gupta period.
- Art style developed on indigenous Indian lines with minimal foreign influences, unlike Gandhara art which was Greco-Roman influenced.
- Famous for using red sandstone, especially from nearby Sikri quarries.
- Emphasized spirituality and Indian religious themes including Buddhist, Jain, and Brahmanical traditions.
- Known for iconic and symbolic representations rather than realistic or naturalistic forms.
- Buddha images created here have broad shoulders, smiling faces, lotus feet, and meditative expressions.
- Artworks included various deities: Buddha, Jain Tirthankaras, Shiva, Vishnu, Yakshas, Yakshinis, and Apsaras.
- Sculpture style: robust, volumetric figures with less emphasis on Greco-Roman realism. Faces were round, often smiling, showing energy and vitality.
- Mathura was a major cultural and commercial center, exporting its artworks to other parts of India including Sarnath and Punjab.
- Major contribution: The move from symbolic to iconographic representation of deities; early crystallization of Brahmanical deity forms.
- Distinct from Gandhara due to its indigenous Indian aesthetics and religious diversity (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism combined).
Read the linked article on the Gupta Empire.
Contributions of the Kushan Empire
Kushans were excellent horsemen. They introduced better cavalry in India. Kushans and Shakas introduced the turban, tunics, trousers and heavy long coats. Sanskrit literature began to develop under the reign of the Kushan dynasty. The rulers of the Kushan empire controlled the silk route. It was their primary source of income. They were the first rulers in India to issue many gold coins.
They promoted agriculture. Masons and artists from different parts of the world were brought to the Kushan empire, giving rise to schools of art such as Mathura, Gandhara and Central Asian. Great writers such as Ashvagosha, Vasumitra, and Nagarjuna enjoyed the patronage of the Kushan dynasty.
Read the linked article on the Pala Empire.
Decline of the Kushan Empire
Vashiska succeeded Kanishka on the throne. He was the son of Kaniska. The successors of Kaniska continued to rule till 230 A.D. By the mid-third century, Afghanistan and the area west of the Indus under the Kushan empire, were taken over by the Sassanian power of Iran. The entire Kushan empire disintegrated, with the death of the last great ruler Vasudeva I of the dynasty.
- Upon the death of Vasudeva I in 225 A.D., the Kushan empire was split into two halves - a western and an eastern. In the third century CE, the Sassanian power (of Iran) replaced the Kushana empire in Afghanistan and the region west of the Indus.
- But there were Kushana remains in the Kabul Valley, Kapisa, and Bactria even until the 4th century.
- Although they declined, the Kushanas made a lasting contribution to the cultural, artistic, and religious evolution of the region, and their legacy is seen in many facets of Indian history.
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Conclusion
The Kushan Empire played a vital role in connecting India with Central Asia and the Roman world. It promoted trade, art, and Buddhism across vast regions. Under rulers like Kanishka, the empire reached great cultural and political heights. Though it eventually declined, its legacy deeply influenced Indian and Central Asian history.
UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Q. Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (UPSC Mains 2019) |
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