Kushan Empire, Origin, Rulers, Administration, Decline

The Kushans, also known as the Kuei-Shang, were one of the five Great Yueh-chi (tribe) principalities. The Kushans were a nomadic people from the north Central Asian steppes who lived near China. Their empire stretched from the Oxus to the Ganges, from central Asia's Khorasan to Bihar's Pataliputra.

The Kushan empire was instrumental in shaping the region's cultural, political, and economic landscape. The Kushans were patrons of Buddhism and developed a unique style of art known as Gandhara art.

About Kushan Empire

The Kushan Empire was a powerful Central Asian empire that lasted from the first to the third centuries CE. Kushans played an important role in connecting different regions through trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. They were contemporary to kingdoms of the Western Satraps (Sakas), Satavahanas, and the first Gupta Empire rulers.

Kushan Empire History

The Kushan dynasty was the descendant of the Yuezhi, who ruled over most of the northern Indian subcontinent, including parts of Central Asia, during the first three centuries of the Common Era. In the second century BCE, the Yuezhi conquered Bactria and divided it into five chiefdoms, one of which was the Kushans. A hundred years later, Kushan chief Kujula Kadphises (Qiu Jiuque) achieved political unification of the Yuezhi kingdom under his control.

• They first occupied Bactria or north Afghanistan, displacing the Sakas. They gradually moved to the Kabul valley and conquered Gandhara by crossing the Hindu Kush, usurping Greek and Parthian rule in these regions. 
• They eventually gained control of the lower Indus basin and a large portion of the Gangetic basin.
• Many Kushan rulers adopted the title Devaputra, which means "son of god," possibly inspired by Chinese rulers who referred to themselves as sons of heaven.
• Kalhana's Rajatarangini describes in detail the Kushan kings' rule and their benevolence towards Buddhism.

Kushan Empire Famous Rulers

Famous Kushan rulers include Kujula Kadphises, Vima Kadphises, and Kanishka the Great. These rulers were known for their military conquests and support of Buddhism. They played a crucial role in expanding the empire and fostering trade and cultural exchange. 

Kujula Kadphises or Kadphises I

Kadphises I was the founder of the Kushan Empire by displacing the Sakas. He occupied Kabul Valley and minted copper coins in the style of Roman coins in his name. His coins also imply a connection with Buddhism. He adopted the titles 'dharmathida' and 'sachadharmathida'.

Wima Kadphises or Kadphises II

Wima Kadphises succeeded Kadaphises I. He took Gandhara from the Parthians and expanded the kingdom east of the Indus to the Mathura region. He minted gold coins with titles like "Lord of the Whole World." He was a follower of Shaivism. 

Kanishka

Kanishka was the Kushan's most powerful ruler. He is believed to have reigned between the years 78 and 101 or 102 CE. He extended his rule from Central Asia to North India and conquered Kashmir. 

• He supported Buddhism and scholars such as Vasumitra, Asvagosha, and Nagarjuna. However, he was tolerant of other religions, as his coins depict not only Buddha but also Greek and Hindu gods.
• He called the fourth Buddhist council to Kundalvan in Kashmir, and Vasumitra presided over it. It resulted in the division of Buddhism into the Hinayana and Mahayana schools.
• He had Mathura as his capital. He also established Purushapura (Peshawar) as his new capital.
• In his first expedition to China, he was defeated by the Chinese general Pancho, but in his second expedition to China (son of Pancho), he defeated Panyang.
• He sent missionaries to China and Central Asia to spread Buddhism.
• The Rabatak Inscription is about Kanishka's ancestors, Kujula Kadphises.

Huvishka

Huvishka expanded the empire and promoted Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. He is credited with the construction of numerous Buddhist monasteries and stupas.

Vasudeva I

Vasudeva I ruled during a period of both territorial expansion and internal conflict for the Kushan Empire. His reign saw the decline of Kushan power in certain areas.

Kushan Empire Administration

The Kushan administration was characterised by a mix of centralised and decentralised elements, reflecting the diverse nature of its vast empire. It was divided into sub-units, and rulers had hereditary succession.

• Division of Kushan Empire: The Kushan Empire was split into Satraps (provinces), each ruled by a Mahakshatrapa (military governor). Gramika and Padrapala were the village headmen in charge of collecting the king's dues and investigating crimes in their area.
• Hereditary Succession: They used dual hereditary rule, in which two rulers held power concurrently. The Kushans adopted the pompous title of 'king of kings', implying that they collected tributes from numerous minor princes.
  • The title Devaputra, which means "son of God," was an important feature of Kushana politics.
• Military Administration: The kshatrapas used semi-military officers known as "dandanayaka and mahadandanayaka" to exercise their authority.
• Key Officials: Other officials mentioned include the bakanpati (in charge of religious affairs), the danapati (in charge of donations), and the padrapala (in charge of uncultivated land around the villages).

Kushan Empire Economy

The Kushan economy was primarily driven by trade, with agriculture playing a lesser role. The primary sources for researching the economy of the Kushan Empire are numismatics, literature, epigraphy, and the archaeology of excavated and studied sites.

• Agriculture: Agriculture played a minor role in the Kushan economy, with trade being the primary source of wealth and resources. Irrigation was prioritised in order to increase agricultural production. 
  • In Western-Central Asia, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, the earliest archaeological proof of extensive irrigation dates to the Kushan period. 
• Coinage: The Kushan coins were of the finest quality and met Roman coin weight specifications. In the coins, Kushan rulers are referred to as “kingofkings,” “Caesar,” “lord of all lands,” and other such titles.
• Trade: The Kushan Empire's economy was not primarily reliant on agriculture but thrived through extensive trade, both internally and externally. They controlled the Silk Route.
  • Internal trade: Archaeological evidence from sites like Begram, Ahichchhatra, and Kausambi reflects their trade connections and artistic influences.
  • External trade: The Kushan Empire actively participated in long-distance international trade networks, particularly with the Roman Empire. 
    • The Roman market had a significant demand for Chinese silk, and the Silk Road played a crucial role in connecting these regions.
  • Merchant Classes: Different categories of merchants existed, including vanik (petty merchant), sarthavaha (caravan trader), vyavahari (a trader), and sreshthi (rich trader and leader of a mercantile guild).
• Crafts: During the Kushan period, there was a notable proliferation of crafts and occupations, which was closely linked to the expansion of trade. Following are some of the terms related to crafts and occupations: 
  • Superintendents of construction - navakarmikah
  • Actors - sailakah 
  • Carpenters - vaddhaki 
  • Perfumers - gamdhika
  • Goldsmith - suvarnakara 
  • Clothmakers - pravarika
  • Jewellers - manikara

Kushan Empire Religion

The Kushan Empire's religion was characterised by a diverse and pluralistic approach, reflecting the multicultural nature of its realm. The Kushans maintained a wide range of religions, including Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. On their coins, they depicted various gods from Iranian, Greek, Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian belief systems.

• Under Kanishka, Iranian religious ideas dominated, with Nana as the presiding deity. However, Kanishka also patronised Buddhism. He is renowned for convening the fourth Buddhist council.
  • Kanishka's time saw the rise of Mahayana Buddhism. To spread the Mahayana, he also dispatched missionaries to China and Central Asia. 
• Huvishka, Kanishka's successor, adopted a more innovative strategy, including Greek, Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Roman deities on his coins.

Overall, the Kushan Empire promoted pluralistic religious practices, acknowledging the diversity of belief systems within their territory without allowing any single religion to dominate.

Kushan Empire Art and Architecture

During the Kushan period, the development of art and literature flourished partly due to royal patronage and partly due to other factors, like the growing ascendancy of Mahayana Buddhism. Kushan rulers patronised scholars like Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, Charak and others.

• Art: They patronised Mathuraand Gandhara Art. They had Greek influence in Gandhara Art. 
• Architecture: Buddhists started carving out rock caves in the hills of western India, creating chaityas and viharas that served as religious hubs, from the Ajanta caves to the Kanheri caves in Mumbai. 
• Literature: Buddhacharita, Saundarananda and SariputraPrakaran by Asvaghosha (author of the first Sanskrit play), Paramita Sutras by Nagarjuna, Mahavibasha Shastra by Vasumitra, Charakasamhita by Charak.

Kushan Empire Decline

The decline of the Kushan Empire began in the 3rd century CE due to internal strife, economic challenges, and pressure from rising regional powers. This downfall paved the way for the rise of the Gupta Empire in India. After Kanishka, Kanishka's descendants reigned for an additional 150 years. Since the early third century CE, Kushana's power has gradually declined. 

• Following Vasudeva I's death in 225 A.D., the Kushan empire was divided into western and eastern halves. In the mid-third century CE, the Sassanian power (of Iran) supplanted the Kushana empire in Afghanistan and the area west of the Indus. 
• However, some Kushana remnants remained in the Kabul Valley, Kapisa, and Bactria until the 4th century. 
• Despite their decline, the Kushanas left a lasting impact on the region's cultural, artistic, and religious development, with their legacy visible in various aspects of Indian history. 

Kushan Empire UPSC PYQs

Question 1: Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (UPSC Mains 2019)

Kushan Empire FAQs

Q1. Who founded Kushan Empire?

Ans. Kujula Kadphises founded he Kushan Empire in the early 1st century CE.

Q2. Is Kushan Empire Hindu?

Ans. The Kushan Empire was not exclusively Hindu. It was religiously diverse, embracing Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and other belief systems.

Q3. Who defeated Kushans in India?

Ans. The Gupta Empire defeated and absorbed the eastern territories of the Kushans in India in the 3rd-4th centuries CE.

Q4. Was the Kushan Empire Chinese?

Ans. Kushan Empire was not Chinese. However, the name "Kushan" originates from the Chinese term "Guishang," describing a Yuezhi branch that lived in northwestern China.

Q5. Who defeated Kanishka?

Ans. Pen Chao (also known as Ban Chao) was a Chinese general who successfully defeated Kanishka.