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Kushan DynastyAfter Mauryan period, several hectic and shifting political scenes, have taken place in central Asia and northwestern India.

The Great Yuehi-chi had quit Western China and migrated towards the Aral Sea. There they encountered the Sakas near Syr Darya river and evicted them.

The Great Yuehi-Chi tribes have settled in the Oxus valley and with the occupation of the Bactrian lands, the great hordes were divided into five principalities.

After 100 years, the Kushan section acquired huge prominence, under the leadership of Kadphises and then began the history of Kushans.

Geographical location of Kushan Dynasty

The Kushans empire’s geographical location, made it a colossus astride on the spine of Asia, uniting the Greco-Roman civilization in the west the Chinese civilization in the east and Indian civilization in the southeast.Kushan Dynasty under the leadership of Kadphises

Kadphises was the leader of the Kushans in 40 A.D. He attacked the south of Hindu Kush region, conquered Kabul and annexed Gandhara, which included the Taxila kingdom. When Kadphises died in 77 A.D, the Kushans had supplanted the princess, belonging to the Indo-Greek saka and Indo-Parthian communities along the frontiers of India.

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Indian History

Kushan Dynasty under Vima-Kadphises

Vima-Kadphises had been the successor of Kadphises. He conquered several parts of northern India. Meanwhile, the Chinese reasserted their authority in the north and this led to the collusion with the Kushans.

The Chinese general Pan-Chao had conquered Chinese Turkistan, and thus established, the Chinese authority in Parthia, on the south territory of the Caspian sea.

Kushans were threatened by these advances. Kadphises II, had claimed the hand of a Chinese princess in 87 AD, an acknowledgement of his equality with the son of Heaven. But the proposal was rejected and Kadphises, then dispatched a large army. However, the army was decimated because of the difficult terrain and was defeated easily, by the Chinese.

Kushans gold coins were of great complexity

Gold coins issued by the

emperors entered in the fourth century AD, Kushan dynasty’s name was not heard again.

Kushan Dynasty under Vima-Kadphises

Vima-Kadphises had been the successor of Kadphises. He conquered several parts of northern India. Meanwhile, the Chinese reasserted their authority in the north and this led to the collusion with the Kushans.

The Chinese general Pan-Chao had conquered Chinese Turkistan, and thus established, the Chinese authority in Parthia, on the south territory of the Caspian sea.Kushans were threatened by these advances. Kadphises II, had claimed the hand of a Chinese princess in 87 AD, an acknowledgement of his equality with the son of Heaven. But the proposal was rejected and Kadphises, then dispatched a large army. However, the army was decimated because of the difficult terrain and was defeated easily, by the Chinese.Kushans gold coins were of great complexity

Kushans were of great complexity. The coins exposes the people’s prosperity, and show the figure of Kanishka, standing and sacrificing at altar and deities, belonging to the several religions.

The coins act as the remembrance that, Kushans were in direct contact with

the Romans. Gandhara art is considered as the greatest contribution of Kushan Dynasty. Buddha and Bodhisattavas’s stone images were carved out and the chief feature was blending of the Buddhist subjects with Greek forms.

Kushan Dynasty imprints in J&L till date

The imprints of Kushan

Gold coins issued by the Kushans were of great complexity. The coins exposes the people’s prosperity, and show the figure of Kanishka, standing and sacrificing at altar and deities, belonging to the several religions.

The coins act as the remembrance that, Kushans were in direct contact with the Romans. Gandhara art is considered as the greatest contribution of Kushan Dynasty. Buddha and Bodhisattavas’s stone images were carved out and the chief feature was blending of the Buddhist subjects with Greek forms.

Kushan Dynasty imprints in J&L till date

The imprints of Kushan Dynasty are still found in Jammu & Kashmir state, which proves the effectiveness and efficiency of Kushan’s ruling in the place.

Kanishka I throne was ascended by Huvishka. He was the founder of a city Hushka in Kashmir, named after him (described by Kalhan in Rajatarangini). The Kushan empire was in the zenith, during Kanishka’s

Dynasty are still found in Jammu & Kashmir state, which proves the effectiveness and efficiency of Kushan’s ruling in the place.

Kanishka I throne was ascended by Huvishka. He was the founder of a city Hushka in Kashmir, named after him (described by Kalhan

in Rajatarangini). The Kushan empire was in the zenith, during Kanishka’s and Huvishka’s reign. After Huvishka, Vasudeva I led the Kushan dynasty.

In Indian culture, Kushan dynasty had been totally assimilated. Vasudeva I was the last greatest king of the dynasty, when the Kushan empire saw new heights in its prosperity.

But after the death of Vasudeva, the Kushan empire has started collapsing. Kanishka II, the son of Vasudeva, came to lead dynasty, but had lost all the territories. Vasudeva II, Vashishka, and Shaka, managed to rule Kushan dynasty, after Kanishka II.After Vashishka reign was completed, the Kushan Empire was disintegrated into small kingdoms. When Gupta

and Huvishka’s reign. After Huvishka, Vasudeva I led the Kushan dynasty.

In Indian culture, Kushan dynasty had been totally assimilated. Vasudeva I was the last greatest king of the dynasty, when the Kushan empire saw new heights in its prosperity.

But after the death of Vasudeva, the Kushan empire has started collapsing. Kanishka II, the son of Vasudeva, came to lead dynasty, but had lost all the territories. Vasudeva II, Vashishka, and Shaka, managed to rule Kushan dynasty, after Kanishka II.

After Vashishka reign was completed, the Kushan Empire was disintegrated into small kingdoms. When Gupta emperors entered in the fourth century AD, Kushan dynasty’s name was not heard again.

Indian History