The Kushans: Extent of Empire, Regilious Policy, Development of Art, Architecture and Literature

 The Kushans (1st century CE to 3rd centrury CE)

• Also called Yuechis or Tocharians, the Kushans were nomadic people from the steppes of north Central Asia. 
• They first occupied Bactria or north Afghanistan where they displaced the Sakas. 
• They moved to Kabul valley and captured Gandhara by crossing the Hindu Kush. Here, they replaced Greeks and Parthians. 
• They eventually established their authority over the lower Indus basin and the greater part of the Gangetic basin.
• The Kushan empire in India was known as the Central Asian Empire.
• There were two successive dynasties Kushans - the first was founded by house of chiefs who were called Kadphises, and the second was founded by Kanishka.  
• Kushan ruler - Kadphises-I issued gold coins in the south of the Hindu Kush, while the second ruler Kadphises-II issued gold coins and spread his kingdom to the east of the Indus.
• Kanishka was the first famous Kushan ruler.
• Kanishka is known for two reasons - 
• first - he started an era called Saka era in AD 78 which is used by the Govt of India.
• Second - He extended patronage to Buddhism.
• Kanishk held a Buddhist Council in Kashmir in 72 AD in which the doctrines of the Mahayana form of Buddhism were finalized. 
• Kushans issued higher purity gold coins than the Guptas.
• Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins, but Kushans were the first to issue gold coins in large scale. 

Extent of the Empire

• The empire extended from the Oxus to the Ganges, from Khorasan in the Central Asia to Pataliputra in Bihar.
• A portion of Iran, Afghanistan, Almost the whole Pakistan and almost the whole of northern India.

Religious Policy

• The Kushans worshiped both Shiva and the Buddha.
• Images of these gods appeared on the Kushan coins.
• Several Kushan rulers were worshipers of Vishnu.
• Kushan king Kanishka held a Buddhist council in Kashmir in 72 AD where 300,000 words were collected, thoroughly elucidating the three pitakas or collections of Buddhist literature.

Development of Art and Architecture

Kushan empire brought together masons and other artisans trained in different schools and countries. This gave rise to several schools of art: - Central Asian, Gandhara and Mathura. Indian craftsmen came into contact with the Central Asians, Greeks and Romans in the north-western frontiers  in Gandhara. This gave rise to following arts during the Kushan rule: - 

1. Gandhara School of Art - 
• This school of art emerged in the region of Gandhara (present day of north-west Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan). 
• It was influenced by Greco-Roman artistic styles.
• Gandhar art is characterised by Hellenistic elements, including realistic human figures, drapery, and idealized depiction of Budhha.
2. Mathura School of Art - 
• This emerged in the Mathura region (present day UP).
• Mathura art focused on Hindu deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.
• Sculpture from this school showcased a more indigenous Indian style.
• This school produced famous headless erect statue of Kanishka.
• Currently the Mathura Museum possesses the largest collection of the pieces of Kushan sculpture in India.
3. Buddhist Art - 
• Many Gandhara sculpture depicted the life and teachings of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhist divinities.
  
• These sculpture reflected fusion of Indian, Greek and Central Asian influence.
4. Stone Sculpture - 
• Sculptures were carved in different types of stones including gray schist and motted red sandstone. 
• These sculptures adorned temples, stupas, and other architectural structures.
5. Coinage - 
• Kushan period witnessed extensive coinage.
• Coins had images of rulers, deities, and various symbols.

Language, Literature and Learning

• Kushans recognized three script - Greek, Kharoshthi, and Brahmi, and four languages - Greek, Prakrit, Sanskrit influenced Prakrit, and Sanskrit. 
• The earliest specimen of the kavya style is found in the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman in Kathiawad in about AD 150. From then onwards, inscriptions began to be composed in chaste Sanskrit.
• Kushans patronized Ashvaghosha who wrote Buddhacharita (biography of Buddha) and also composed Sundarananda, a fine example of Sanskrit kavya.
• Avadanas or the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism were composed in Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit. Examples of important books of this genre were Mahavastu and Divyavadana. 
• Kushan period also contributed to the development of  theatre in India. Around 150 BC Patanjali mentions the presentation of scuh scenes as the binding of Bali or the killing of Kansa. 
• With Natyashastra of Bharat Muni, full fledged theatre entered India.  
• Secular literature Kamasutra of Vatsyayana which is the earliest work on erotics dealing with sex and lovemaking is attributed to the 3rd century AD.