Who are the Kushans? The achievements of Kanishka, the best king of this dynasty, are discussed. What is the cause of the fall of the Kushan Empire?
Who are the Kushans? The achievements of Kanishka, the best king of this dynasty, are discussed. What is the cause of the fall of the Kushan Empire?
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| Kushan empire and coins |
Answer: After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, taking advantage of India's political disunity, foreign invaders resumed their attacks on India's north-western border. In the first century AD, a foreign nation called the Kushans established a huge empire in India and temporarily established political unity in India. Kushan rule is a memorable chapter in the history of post-Maurya and pre-Gupta India.
Ingredients: The importance of the Chinese description of the Kushans is immense. According to the Chinese, the Kushans are a branch of the Yu-chi people of northern China. The Kushans left their homeland as a result of the Hun attack. Among the elements that help to know about the Kushans are Su-Ma-Qian's' Si-chi '(historical document), Fan-i's' Hau-han-su' (later Han Itikatha), Ma-Ta'yan-Lin's' Encyclopaedia, Justin, Strabe, Badesnis, Marcellinis, Armenian literature, Ashvaghosh Buddhacharita, Nagarjuna's Madhyamika Sutra, texts and coins of the Kushan period are especially noteworthy.
Original home of the Kushans: The Kushans are a branch of the nomadic Yu-chi people of Central Asia. In the middle of the second century BC, they were expelled from their primitive habitat by another nomadic people called the Hyung-su, and after conflict with different nations, they finally settled on the valley of the Akshu River. Gradually they abandoned the nomadic scholarship and engaged in agriculture And is divided into five branches. One of these branches is known as Kushan and they are getting stronger and stronger.
Infiltration of Kushans in India: The first well-known leader of the Kushan branch of the YU-Chi nation was the first Kadfis who united the various branches of the U-Chi nation under the leadership of the Kushans and started the Kushan kingdom. The first Kafis established power in the Bahlik kingdom and marched against the Pahlavi, defeating the Pahlavi and annexing the adjoining Kabul Valley. He thus established dominion over the border province of India south of the Hindu Kush Mountains.
After the first Kadfis, his son second Kadfis became the king of the Kushans. According to Chinese writers, the second Kadfis entered India. The second Kadfis established dominance over a large part of northern India and handed over the rule of the region to a provincial ruler. He introduced the policy of weights and ‘copper and some gold coins. It is known from his coins that he was a devotee of Mahiswara or Shiva.
Emperor Kanishka
Kanishka's Time and Reign: Kanishka, the successor of the second Kadfis, was the greatest ruler of the Kushan dynasty. There is considerable disagreement among historians about the time of Kanishka's reign and his relationship with Kadfis.
Historian Dr. Flitt thinks that Kanishka's reign began in 56 BC and that he was the initiator of the famous Vikrama Era. On the other hand, according to Marshall, Smith, etc., Kanishka ascended the throne in 125 AD. According to Dr. Bhandarkar, the reign of Kanishka began later in 26 AD. According to Thomas and Repson, Kanishka's reign began in 78 AD and he introduced a era . The era introduced by Kanishka is called Shakabda. The latter opinion is more acceptable. Kanchi ascended the throne in 78 AD and ruled till 102 AD.
Activities of Kanishka: Kanishka was a multi-talented ruler and his reign was busy. His activities can be discussed from three angles. Namely -
(1) expansion of the state,
(2) patronage of Buddhism and
(3) cultural development.
(1) Expansion of Kanishka's Empire: The greatest ruler of the Kushan dynasty, Emperor Kanishka was a unique hero and warrior. Hiuen Tsang's account shows that his empire extended from Gandhara to Ayodhya and Varanasi. Kashmir was most likely under his empire. Kanishka established his capital at Purushpur or present-day Peshawar. Kanishka's arm strength was not limited to the Indian frontier. Kanishka showed his extraordinary strength by conquering Khaitan, Yarkhand, Kashgarh, Samarkand, etc. beyond the Pamirs.
Hiuen Tsang's account shows that he held two Chinese princes hostage in his kingdom on bail. He defeated the Pahlavi and subjugated Afghanistan and other countries. The mixing of different peoples in this vast empire paved the way for the birth of a new culture.
(2) Patronage of Buddhism: Kanishka is not only memorable for the conquest of the kingdom. His love of art and his devotion to Buddhism have immortalized him in the history of India. Kanishka's allegiance to Buddhism is universally acknowledged, and according to Buddhist writers, his place is second only to that of the beloved emperor Ashoka. He built a huge chaitya in the capital Peshawar. Inside, many relics of the Buddha were preserved. Buddha statues are found in some of his coins. He sent preachers of Buddhism to China, Japan, Tibet and Central Asia, and as a result, Buddhism was spread in those countries.
Kanishka called for Jalandhar and the fourth Buddhist sangiti of Kashmir to examine the Buddhist scriptures and prepare his correct commentary. Hinayana and Mahayana are among the Buddhist religions at this time. Kanishka failed in his attempt to unite the two doctrines that emerged. Basumitra, Ashwaghosh and Nagarjuna were present at the session. This sangiti harmonized the 18 conflicting doctrines of Buddhism. Although Kanishka was a Buddhist, he was tolerant of other religions. From the coins he introduced, we can understand that Emperor Kanishka was respectful of different religions like Hindu, Greek, Zoroastrian, Ramak etc.
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| Gandhara art |
(a) Art in sculpture i.e. Mathura and Gandhara art: Kanishka's passion for art and literature was extraordinary. The Chaitya built by him at Purushpur is one of the best examples of his passion for art. He established a new city near Takshila. Shaiva and Samrudhi of Mathura city are indicative of Kanishka's artistic taste. In Mathura, under the patronage of Jains, digging on sandstone gained popularity. The Mathura art form flourished under the patronage of the Kushan emperors. According to this art form, the first portrait of Buddha was excavated in Mathura. Kanishka has left an immortal reputation in the field of sculpture. Gandhara's art is one of the best contributions of the Kushan period. A wonderful combination of Greek, Ramak and Indian styles can be seen in this particular art form. Here, however, Indian art retained its own characteristics. Gandhara's art style later had a special influence on the art style of China, Turkey, Japan etc.
(B) Passion for literature:
Significant improvement in literature was observed during the reign of Kanishka. Authors of literature and Buddhist scriptures like Basumitra, Ashwaghaesh, Nagarjuna etc. He used to decorate his Rajya Sabha. Ashwaghaesh was a poet, philosopher and scholar at the same time. Ayurvedic expert Charak was Kanishka's physician. At that time the spread of Sanskrit language also increased and as far as possible the circulation of Khareshti script started to fall from this time.
Significant improvement in literature was observed during the reign of Kanishka. Authors of literature and Buddhist scriptures like Basumitra, Ashwaghaesh, Nagarjuna etc. He used to decorate his Rajya Sabha. Ashwaghaesh was a poet, philosopher and scholar at the same time. Ayurvedic expert Charak was Kanishka's physician. At that time the spread of Sanskrit language also increased and as far as possible the circulation of Khareshti script started to fall from this time.
(C)Development of education:
Unprecedented progress is observed in the field of education at this time. Purushapur, the capital of Kanishka, was one of the major centers for the study of Buddhist theology. Moreover, the city of Takshila was a center of education and culture. The university taught Vedas, grammar, philosophy, medicine, literature, art, etc.
Unprecedented progress is observed in the field of education at this time. Purushapur, the capital of Kanishka, was one of the major centers for the study of Buddhist theology. Moreover, the city of Takshila was a center of education and culture. The university taught Vedas, grammar, philosophy, medicine, literature, art, etc.
The Kushan emperor Kanishka is one of the brightest astrologers in the history of India. Maharaja Kanishka, a warrior, pious and fond of industrial culture, was the best ruler of the Kushan dynasty. Despite his involvement in various reform activities, Kanishka's activities were not without its flaws. Because -
firstly, during his time, Buddhism lost its innate popularity by being divided into Hinayana and Mahayana.
Secondly, the art of Gandhara written in the Kushan period was lifeless. Moreover, this industry was confined to a limited area of India.
Despite all these weaknesses, Kanishka's reign was a glorious and creative period in the history of ancient India, with political stability, economic progress and cultural development being achieved by Kanishka and his reign in every respect.
Reasons for the fall of the Kushan Empire: After the death of Kanishka, the power of the Kushans gradually began to wane. After Kanishka, Bashishka and his son Habishka ascended the throne. Bashish's empire lacked authority over remote areas. Although Habishka succeeded partially in regaining the ruined territory of the Kushan Empire while sitting on the throne, the empire was on the verge of collapse from the time of Basudev I after Habishka.
From the adoption of this name, it is clear that the Kushan emperors had already become full-fledged Indians. When the Kushan Empire disintegrated during the reign of Basudev's successors, the local dynasties like Nag, Malab, Yodheya, Madrak, Arjunayan, Padmavati, Kunind etc. separated from the Kushan Empire and established an independent state. Dr. BN Mukherjee said, “The fall of the Kushan Empire was due to the surrender to the Sassanid Empire. ”
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