[AD 50 - 300]
The Kushans were a branch of the nomadic Yeuhchi tribe of China. The
Yeuhchi tribe was in conflict with another tribe and so was forced to
leave China. They came to Central Asia and then spread to Bactria,
Paritha and Afghanistan. Gradually they were divided into five
branches. One of these branches -- Kouel Chougang (Kushans) -- was
superior to all. The Kushans under Kujala attacked the Parithans, took
possessions of Ki-pin and Kabul and became the complete master of the
Indian borderland.
Kujala became the first king of the Kushans and was known as Kadphises I. He was a great warrior. He was succeeded by his son Wima Kadphises known as Kadphises II. He conquered the north-western region of India. He defeated Saka Satraps in the north-west. Punjab and Sind were his dominions.
Kanishka was the most famous of the Kushan kings. It is not known how he
became the king but he ascended the throne in AD 120. When Kanishka
ascended the throne, his empire consisted of Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab
and portions of the former Parithan and Bactrian kingdoms.
His empire extended from the north-west and Kashmir, over most of the
Gangetic valley. He annexed three provinces of the Chinese empire,
namely, Tashkand, Khotan and Yarkhand. He was the only king who ruled
over these territories. He had two capitals at Purushpura (Peshawar
now in Pakistan) and at Mathura in west Uttar Pradesh. Kanishka proved
that he was a great conqueror.
Kanishka embraced Buddhism towards the middle of his reign. He is said
to have been Zoroastrian before he became Buddhist. He spent his
resources in spreading Buddhism. Mahayana was the new form of Buddhism
that was followed during this period where the Buddha was worshipped
as God. Old monastries were repaired and many new ones were built.
Kanishka's court was adorned by many scholars like Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Nagarjuna and Charaka. Ashvaghosha was a great poet and a master of music. He wrote Buddhacharita, a biography of the Buddha. Charak was a great physician and he wrote a book Charak Samhita, which is based on the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
AD 50: Establishment of Kushans
The Kushans were a branch of the nomadic Yeuhchi tribe of China. The
Yeuhchi tribe was in conflict with another tribe and so was forced to
leave China. They came to Central Asia and then spread to Bactria,
Paritha and Afghanistan. Gradually they were divided into five
branches. One of these branches -- Kouel Chougang (Kushans) -- was
superior to all. The Kushans under Kujala attacked the Parithans, took
possessions of Ki-pin and Kabul and became the complete master of the
Indian borderland.Kujala became the first king of the Kushans and was known as Kadphises I. He was a great warrior. He was succeeded by his son Wima Kadphises known as Kadphises II. He conquered the north-western region of India. He defeated Saka Satraps in the north-west. Punjab and Sind were his dominions.
AD 120: Reign of Kanishka
Kanishka was the most famous of the Kushan kings. It is not known how he
became the king but he ascended the throne in AD 120. When Kanishka
ascended the throne, his empire consisted of Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab
and portions of the former Parithan and Bactrian kingdoms.
His empire extended from the north-west and Kashmir, over most of the
Gangetic valley. He annexed three provinces of the Chinese empire,
namely, Tashkand, Khotan and Yarkhand. He was the only king who ruled
over these territories. He had two capitals at Purushpura (Peshawar
now in Pakistan) and at Mathura in west Uttar Pradesh. Kanishka proved
that he was a great conqueror.Successors of Kanishka
Buddhism during the Kushans
Kanishka embraced Buddhism towards the middle of his reign. He is said
to have been Zoroastrian before he became Buddhist. He spent his
resources in spreading Buddhism. Mahayana was the new form of Buddhism
that was followed during this period where the Buddha was worshipped
as God. Old monastries were repaired and many new ones were built.Art, Science and Literature
Kanishka's court was adorned by many scholars like Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Nagarjuna and Charaka. Ashvaghosha was a great poet and a master of music. He wrote Buddhacharita, a biography of the Buddha. Charak was a great physician and he wrote a book Charak Samhita, which is based on the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
| 89-105 AD | Kushan king repulsed by the Chinese General Pan Chao | ||
| 148-170AD | An-Shih-Kao translates a work by Kanishka's Chaplain | ||
| 152 AD | China loses Khotan | ||
| 230 AD | The Yueh chi king Vasudeva sends an embassy to China | ||
| 276-293AD | Sassanian conquest of parts of North-West India |
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