Overview on Kanishka

Who was Kanishka?

Kanishka – The Great (127 CE–150 CE) – Overview
Name	Kanishka I
Full Name	Kanishka or Kanishka the Great
Alternative Names	Sanskrit: कनिष्क, Kaniṣka Greco-Bactrian: Κανηϸκε Kaniške Kharosthi: Ka-ṇi-ṣka Brahmi: Kā-ṇi-ṣka
Dynasty	Kushan
Reign	Approximately 127–150 CE
Empire Extent	Extended from Central Asia and Gandhara to Pataliputra on the Gangetic plain
Capitals	Puruṣapura (Peshawar) in Gandhara, Mathura
Significant Achievements	Reached the zenith of the Kushan empire Known for military, political, and spiritual achievements
Language	Replaced Greek with Bactrian as the official language of administration around 127 CE
Genealogy	Descendant of Kujula Kadphises, with predecessors including Vima Kadphises
Origins	Theories suggest origins from Khotan or Kashmir
Ethnicity	Yuezhi
Religious Influence	Encouraged Buddhism without conversion, sponsored Buddhist teachings Organized the 4th Buddhist Council
Conquests	Extended territory from southern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to Northern India, including Kashmir and regions near modern-day Jabalpur
Military Encounters	Fought off Parthian invasion late in his reign
Coinage	Portrayed images of Indian, Greek, Iranian, and Sumero-Elamite divinities, featuring religious syncretism
Buddhist Patronage	Sponsored Gandhara and Mathura schools of Buddhist art Contributed to Buddhist architecture including the Kanishka stupa at Purushapura
Kanishka Casket	Dated to 127 CE, contained bone fragments of the Buddha, housed in Peshawar Museum and British Museum
Character in Tradition	Initially depicted as aggressive, later transformed into a benevolent ruler after embracing Buddhism
Transmission of Buddhism	Played a key role in transmitting Buddhist ideas towards northern Asia, with monks from Gandhara establishing translations into Chinese
Succession	Likely succeeded by Huvishka, though specifics are uncertain

Kanishka’s coins have been found in Tripuri or the modern-day Jabalpur. His military conquests and support for Buddhism were important for the Silk Road. Mahayana Buddhism traveled from Gandhara to China, crossing the Karakoram mountains during his time. Around 127 CE, Kanishka changed the official language of his empire from Greek to Bactrian. Historians used to think he became king in 78 CE, starting the Saka calendar era.

The Kanishka (127 CE – 150 CE)Who Broke Kanishka’s Head?

Kanishka (127–150 CE) was the most influential leader of the Kushan dynasty. He is considered the greatest Kushan king who was known for his military, political, and religious factors. Kanishka is known for expanding the great Kushan empire. His invasion and support of Buddhism played a significant role in spreading this particular religion to China, Central Asia, and Japan.

In this article, we are going to discuss the most powerful ruler of the Kushana dynasty in detail.

The Kanishka

Table of Content

Overview on Kanishka
Who was Kanishka?
Kanishka Empire
Kanishka’s Conquests
Kanishka’s Coins
Kanishka and Buddhism
Kanishka Stupa

Overview on Kanishka

The Kanishka (127 CE – 150 CE)Who Broke Kanishka’s Head?

Similar Reads

Contact Us