Kanshika-Contacts with the Outer World

Kushan Rule: An Overview

Kushans, also known as Kuei-Shang, are considered one of the five Great Yueh-chi (tribes) principalities that resided in the Chinese frontier or central Asia. With time, Kushans acquired dominance over the other Yuezhi tribes, and it was in the first century A.D. that they moved eastwards towards India after defeating the Parthians and the Sakas.

Kanishka: The Great Kushan Ruler

Kanishka, son of Vima Kadphises, is considered the greatest Kushan ruler and also a great ruler of ancient India. The region included in the kingdom of Kanishka were Afghanistan, parts of Paritha and Sindhu, Kashmir, Punjab, parts of Magadha and Bengal, Malwa, Benaras, Oudh, Mathura, Khotan, Mathura, Kashgar, Peshawar, Gandhara, Yarkand (last three in modern china). In addition to this, his kingdom also included parts of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is believed that the Kushan Empire flourished from the years 78 A.D. to 103 A.D. under the rule of Kanishka.

Kushan Empire: Contacts with the Outer World

When talking about the contact of the Kushan Empire with the outer world, there is some archaeological evidence showing the kingdom’s contact with Rome and China.

Contacts with Rome

According to several Roman sources, ambassadors from the Kings of Bactria and India probably referred to the Kushans used to visit Rome during the 2nd century.There is an effigy of ‘Roma’ engraved on some coins of the Kushan Empire, which further suggests a strong level of awareness and some level of diplomatic relations between Kushan with Rome. A considerable quantity of goods (particularly different types of glassware) imported from the Roman Empire were yielded by the summer capital of the Kushan Empire in Begram. Parthamaspates of Paritha, known to be the ruler of the Osroene Empire and a client of Rome, is considered to have trade relations with the Kushan kingdom. Goods used to be sent by sea using the Indus River as a medium.

Contacts with China

It was during the first and second century AD that the Kushan Empire expanded militarily to the north, which further put them at the center of the profitable Central Asian commerce. According to historical records, Kushans are related to having collaborated with the Chinese militarily against nomadic incursion. It is believed that the Kushan empire allied with the general of the Han dynasty, name ban Chao, against the Sogdians in 84. In addition to this, they also assisted the general of China in an attack on Turpan around 85.The Kushans sent presents to the Chinese court during the rule of Emperor Huan of Han. With these interactions, cultural exchange increased, and many Kushan Buddhists became active in the capital cities of China.

Kushan Empire: Trade and Agriculture

It is believed that both internal and external trade and agriculture flourished during the Kushan period. It is from the consolidation of the supremacy of the Kushan Kingdom, growth of handicraft production, and expansion of agriculture that trade developed and economic ties strengthened. Items that were traded between the Central Asian provinces included handicraft products, agricultural and consumer goods, and also luxury items.

Different routes were established to carry trade within India and foreign countries. It was the science and technology of the Kushan empire that was able to establish the Silk route from China to Mediterranean countries, which was used for trading with Bactria to Barygaza and other Western Asian countries. The main exports from India during the Kushan rule were perfumes, spices, medicines, lacquers and dyes, precious woods, stones, cotton, enslaved people, and animals.

Kushan Empire: Art and Literature

Talking about the art and literature during the reign of Kushan, Sanskrit literature began to be developed, and also three distinct schools of art flourished-Amaravati School in Andhra, Gandhara School in the northwest, and the Mathura School in the Ganges valley. As per Benjamin Rowland, it is at Khalchayan that the first expression of Kushan art appeared at the end of the 2nd century BC. The traditions of Greco-Buddhist art were developed by the art and culture of Gandhara, at the crossroads of Kushan hegemony. It was under the patronage of the Kushana rulers that many towns, towers, chaityas, and attractive sculptures were built. Sanskrit and Prakrit are two literary languages that were widely used during the Kushan reign. Apart from these two languages, Sogdian was also a significant language spoken by the merchants who were involved in the silk trade and thus, transversed Central Asia.

Conclusion

Kushans, also known as Kuei-Shang, are considered one of the five Great Yueh-chi (tribes) principalities that resided in the Chinese frontier or Central Asia. Kanishka, the emperor of the Kushana kingdom, controlled an empire covering almost entire India, Iran, and Central Asia during the first and second centuries. Kushanas reign is considered an important part of India’s history, and therefore, it is essential for the aspirants preparing for different government competitive exams to know about the same. Through this article, one can learn everything about Kushan Empire, including trade and agriculture, art, culture, contacts, literature, and more.

Related Articles: